BOSTON — Each April members of the Armenian community fill the State House to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. This year’s event will take place on Friday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m.
The event is both solemn and celebratory.
Delivering the keynote address will be Khatchig Mouradian, the editor of the Armenian Weekly newspaper and a PhD candidate at Clark University.
Joint House/Senate Resolutions will be awarded to playwright Joyce Van Dyke, whose recent play, “Deported/A Dream Play,” is the story of her own grandmother, and to former state Sen. Steven Tolman. Performers include students of the Armenian Sisters’ Academy and St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, and Haig Hovsepian on violin accompanied by Ani Hovsepian.
Coordinating the event is Tsoleen Sarian, working with state Rep. Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown), state Rep. John Lawn (D-Watertown) and state Sen. William Brownsberger (D-Belmont) who host the day.
“The energy put into this event demonstrates the devotion of the entire Armenian-American community, and the many friends of that community, to the commemoration and recognition of the Genocide,” said Brownsberger.
A light reception will follow the program. Buses to the State House will leave at 9 a.m. from St. James and St. Stephen’s Churches. The bus service is donated by the Knights of Vartan, Ararat Lodge No. 1, and is free.