Fight for Recognition Prevails in New York’s Times Square

Pallone noted that almost every state in the U.S. has recognized the Armenian Genocide and it is through continued demonstrations that progress will be made.

“It is important that you, as members of the Armenian Diaspora, stand strong,” he said, before adding, “Artsakh is Armenia.”

Remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) acknowledged that many people in the audience had family members who were massacred in the Armenian Genocide.

“It galls the survivors and it galls those who lost loved ones to see people denying their suffering,” said Schumer. “I stand with you in labeling the atrocities against the Armenian people as genocide.”

Schumer said it was important to remember the stories and commemorate with a collective spirit because the “deniers cannot kill the truth and will never kill the truth.”

Reflecting on his friendship with the late Sam Azadian, the founder of the Armenian Genocide Times Square Commemoration, Schumer said he attends every year “because it’s my own sacred duty to speak out against the terrors of the past and against those who cannot speak of it themselves.”

A native of Turkey, academic Ümit Kurt, who specializes his research in the confiscation of Armenian properties during the Armenian Genocide, spoke of Turkey’s denialism and the “extreme violence and mass annihilation that befell on Armenians.”

Kurt conveyed the questions he has asked the Turkish state, to which he has not yet received responses, particularly in regards to why the archives in Turkey are closed for research.

“Turkey continues its 101 year policy of lies and denial with great arrogance and determination and continues this policy with new techniques and methods,” said Kurt, a PhD candidate in the Holocaust and Genocide Studies program at Clark University, under the supervision of distinguished Turkish historian and academic Taner Akçam. “Turkey has internalized deceitful policy that lies have turned into truth and truth has turned into the regime.”

On behalf of Andrew Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, Gina Martinez, Deputy Commissioner for Regional Affairs and Federal Programs issued a proclamation declaring April 24, 2016, as Armenian Remembrance Day in the state of New York.

Dr. Pamela Steiner, the great-granddaughter of Henry Morgenthau, former US Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian Genocide, said her great-grandfather promoted American-style democracy to the Ottomans, who thought would heed his advice.

“Ambassador Morgenthau spoke frequently of his admiration of Armenians as a remarkably able and industrious people,” said Dr. Steiner, a Fellow at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Steiner also spoke of healing and the “monumental collective trauma of genocide.”

“The importance of healing includes how it informs efforts for democratizing, ending of genocide denial, acknowledgement of what happened by Turkey, accompanied by apology and payment of reparations, and correction of history teaching.”

Best known for her work documenting the Barack Obama campaigns, photojournalist Scout Tufankjian spent six years chronicling Armenian communities in over 20 countries for her book, There Is Only One Earth: Images from the Armenian Diaspora Project.

Tufankjian said she wanted to explore the idea of being one people so she went on a search to figure out what connected the Armenians a century after the genocide.

She found that “the past is reflected within us” and “all of our kids, whether young kids in India or kids in Lebanon, or these kids right here, all share the spirit of the survivors.”

“Even though it must have seemed unimaginable to those who lived thru horrors of 1915, here we are,” said Tufankjian. “Look around, we are still strong and we are still one people.”

The daughter of Holocaust survivors, Dr. Joan Rivetz, who serves as the New Jersey Civil Rights Commissioner and the Associate Director of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, said it was instrumental that the Armenian Genocide be included in official school curriculum.

“It is vital we do education outreach on the genocide, especially with our youth since they will carry the responsibility of remembering into the future when many of us will no longer have a voice,” said Rivetz.

She spoke of the significance of commemorating the Genocide in order to keep the truth alive and show respect to those who perished.

“Armenians and Jews of the Diaspora and those yet to come must continue in solidarity to remember the truth undeniable fact of the dark parts of our parallel histories,” said Rivetz.

The musical portion of the program highlighted the rich Armenian culture offered by legendary musician Onnik Dinkjian and Grammy-nominated artist Sebu Simonian.

Performing with his son, internationally renowned oud player and composer, Dinkjian sang “Anoush Tzaynut” (Your Sweet Voice) dedicated to Armenian mothers, as well as a traditional folk song from Dikranagerd, where his family is from.

“The atrocities continue today in Dikranagerd,” said Ara Dinkjian. “This Dikranagerd folk song demonstrates not only how we as Armenians have survived but how this unique Armenian dialect is so complex and rich.”

Dinkjian’s final song, the moving Herosner, was dedicated to all of the Armenian heroes.

Closing out the program, Simonian, who had traveled from Los Angeles to perform at the Times Square commemoration, bridged the past and present, singing his first song, Dzirani Dzar (The Apricot Tree), which was written by Gomidas more than 100 years ago.

“Gomidas was one of the many Armenian intellectuals gathered on April 24, 1915 and sent into the dessert to be tortured and killed,” said Simonian. Although Gomidas survived, he spent the rest of his life in an asylum in France, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

His second song, a cover of John Lennon’s powerful ballad, Imagine, inspired hope for a world that will one day be filled with peace.

Simonian performed his number the fan favorite Safe and Sound concluding a fulfilling afternoon of remembrance and a revived commitment to Armenian Genocide recognition.

Knights of Vartan Grand Commander Steve Kradjian and Daughters of Vartan Grand Matron Sona Manuelian delivered remarks.

Dr. Rachel Goshgarian, professor of history at Lafayette College and Armen McOmber Esq., New Jersey attorney, ably served as MCs for the program.

Remarks by sponsoring organizations were made by Steven Mesrobian, chair of ANCA Eastern Board, Toros Sahakian, Armenian Assembly of America, Natalie Gabrielian, AGBU, Taleen Babayan, ADL-Ramgavar, Chris Parnagian, Armenian Bar Association and Zaven Khanjian, Armenian Missionary Association of America.

Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of Armenian Church of America (Eastern), gave the invocation and Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian, Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, representing Archbishop Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), offered the benediction. Other clergy in attendance included Nurhan Becidiyan, representing Bishop Mikael Anthony Mouradian, Exarch of Roman Catholic Armenian Eparchy of America and Canada, Rev. Haig Kherlopian, pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church in New York and Very Rev. Karekin Hambartsumian, Dean of Echmiadzin’s Gevorkyan Seminary.

The winners of this year’s Knights of Vartan Essay Contest were announced at the program: Megan Haase, 1st place, Victoria Chu, 2nd place, and Asken Kazaryan, 3rd place.

The Shnorhali Choir, under the direction of Vagharshak Ohanyan sang the national anthems of the United States and Armenia, as well as God Bless America.

The Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey, led by director Vartan Abdo, streamed the event live in video format worldwide, reaching more than 50,000 people, with the assistance of his dedicated volunteer staff.

The 101st Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Times Square was organized by the Mid-Atlantic chapters of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan and the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee (Eastern Region). Co-sponsors included the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian National Committee of America, the ADL-Ramgavars, and the Armenian Council of America. Participating organizations included the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), Prelacy of the Armenian Church, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Presbyterian Church, the Armenian Evangelical Church, the Armenian Catholic Eparchy for U.S. and Canada and numerous Armenian youth organizations, including the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, the Armenian Network of America, the Armenian Youth Federation, Homenetmen Scouts, Hamazkayin Cultural Association, Tekeyan Cultural Association, Noyan Tapan of Brooklyn, Armenian Students Association, Akh’tamar Dance Ensemble NJ, NY Armenian Old Age Home, AGBU Young Professionals, Armenian Youth Talent Association, tri-state Armenian college and university clubs.