Virginia Holocaust Museum to Develop Permanent Armenian Exhibit

Historian Aram Arkun (also the author of this report) who recently moved to the Richmond area, related the historical connection of Richmond with Armenians, and the involvement of Virginians in the raising of aid for Armenian Genocide victims, including the sponsorship of a Near East Relief orphanage and school on the Greek island of Syros. Arkun spoke on the importance of the role of museums in presenting information on the Armenian Genocide and genocides in general.

In the absence of the immediacy of contact with genocide survivors, multimedia museum exhibits can convey something of the immense tragedy of mass murder and violence to those unfamiliar with such events. They can help sensitize the public to the danger signs of future genocides along with memorializing terrible episodes from the past that still face organized campaigns of denial today. Armenians, Jews and other communities of survivors and descendants of survivors of genocide have the obligation to help others understand great oppression through knowledge acquired at such high cost as a first step toward prevention.

Dr. Roger W. Smith, professor emeritus of government at the College of William and Mary, who is a specialist on comparative genocide and has served as chairman of the Zoryan Institute’s Academic Board of Directors since 2004, has been helpful to the AEC in its endeavors. Smith reflected on the importance of education for prevention of genocide. The opening up of the Virginia museum to genocides other than the Holocaust was tremendously important, he felt. Tears and sadness over past tragedies were not sufficient. For this reason, Smith said, “I think this project is a symbol of hope and resurrection.”

Bouroujian and Baronian expressed their appreciation to the Virginia Holocaust Museum for establishing what will be a permanent memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and stressed the importance of obtaining donations of artifacts. Bouroujian acknowledged the presence of genocide scholar Dr. Herbert Hirsch, professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Political Science, and most recently, author of Anti-Genocide.

Dr. Vigen Guroian, professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia, was also present in the audience.

Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan of St. James Armenian Church of Richmond was the final speaker of the afternoon. He expressed the gratitude of the Armenian community toward the museum for providing a space for the temporary and for a permanent exhibit — a place for remembrance.