White House Set to Announce Display of Armenian Orphan Rug

WASHINGTON—Sources close to the Obama Administration report that, after months of Congressional and community pressure, the White House is set to announce the display of the Armenian Orphan Rug, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian offered the following comments in anticipation of the announcement.

“The President has a clear choice to make. If President Obama’s decision to publicly exhibit the Armenian Orphan Rug is to represent a symbol of real progress, he will speak clearly and fearlessly about the horrific and still unpunished crime that led to its creation – the Armenian Genocide.

“If, on the other hand, the President’s decision to display this artwork represents yet another cynical substitute for the very progress he promised the American people, this will be immediately evident through his continued enforcement of Turkey’s gag-rule and offensive use of euphemisms and evasive language.”

About the Armenian orphan rug

The Armenian orphan rug measures 11′ 7″ x 18′ 5″ and is comprised of 4,404,206 individual knots. It took Armenian girls in the Ghazir Orphanage of Near East Relief 10 months to weave. The rug was delivered to President Coolidge on December 4, 1925, in time for Christmas, with a label on the back of the rug, which reads “IN GOLDEN RULE GRATITUDE TO PRESIDENT COOLIDGE.”

According to Missak Kelechian, an expert on this topic, the gift of the Armenian Orphan rug was widely covered in U.S. media, including in the New York Times in 1925 and the Washington Post in 1926.

Watch Kelechian describe the journey of the rug in this CNN clip.

Additional information about the history of the Armenian Orphan Rug is available in Dr. Hagop Martin Deranian’s book, “President Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug,” published on Oct. 20, 2013, by the Armenian Cultural Foundation.

White House controversy surrounding Armenian orphan rug display

The controversy surrounding the Armenian orphan rug erupted in October, 2013, when the Washington Post and National Public Radio reported the White House’s abrupt and unexplained reversal of its agreement to lend the rug for a December 16, 2013, exhibition at the Smithsonian Institute, organized in cooperation with the Armenian Cultural Foundation and the Armenian Rug Society. In an interview with Public Radio International (PRI), Washington Post Art Critic Philip Kennicott noted that while the White House has not offered an explanation for the reversal in decision, it is likely due to the U.S. government’s deference to Turkey’s international campaign of genocide denial.

The PRI interview is available in its entirety at the link below.

Following these initial reports, the ANCA organized a nationwide grassroots campaign, worked with Members of Congress, and consulted with the Administration, making the case to all relevant stakeholders for the prominent and permanent public display of this historic rug.

In November 2013, a bipartisan group of over 30 U.S. Representatives, led by Representatives Schiff and Valadao, called on the White House to reverse its decision. Senator Markey and Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Nikki Tsongas (D-MA) also sent personal letters urging the White House to take action.

During an ANCA Western Region press conference timed with President Obama’s visit to Los Angeles on November 26, 2013, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church noted, “The rug was a gracious gesture symbolizing the friendship between the American and Armenian peoples. It is part of American history. Keeping it locked away in storage is not only insulting to the orphaned girls who painstakingly crafted this beautiful work of art, it also represents a shameful effort to cover up, at the urging of genocide-deniers in Ankara, a truly proud chapter of American history.”

The White House response at that time was vague – with National Security Staff Assistant Press Secretary Laura Lucas Magnuson offering the following comment to the Asbarez Armenian Newspaper: “The Ghazir rug is a reminder of the close relationship between the peoples of Armenia and the United States. We regret that it is not possible to loan it out at this time.” A statement with the same exact wording was released to the Washington Post at the time.

LA Times reporter Richard Simon reported a White House change of position on April 30, 2014, with Magnuson affirming that the White House has “been working with Congressman Schiff on this issue for several months and appreciate his working with us to showcase this important artifact in a way that appropriately highlights the spirit in which it was given to the White House for U.S. involvement in assisting Armenian refugees.”

Read Simon’s complete Los Angeles Times article here.

On October 15, sources close to the White House shared with the ANCA that an announcement regarding the Armenian Orphan Rug would be forthcoming soon.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

15 Comments

  1. I hope its displayed at the Smithsonian and not the White House as it will soon get buried there or with the next Turkish apologist President that comes to office after the next 2 years.

  2. I don’t expect President Obama to do the right thing. Turkey has Obama in their pocket. However, it will be interesting to see how he dodges the issue. My guess is that he won’t mention anything to embarass our so called ally.

  3. **** No matter how long it takes., we will be persistent., and make it happen,
    I never trusted Obama’s election promise to begin with., Armenian peoples truth and Justice will prevail., and for the Turkey very soon ISIS is going to kick there butts and give them what is coming to them for long time.

  4. Mr. President Obama, the truth will set you FREE. The Armenian Genocide is a undeniable historical fact,
    you like it or not that is the truth.
    It’s a shame to put this historical rug in a storage which is made with love and respect by the hands of the Armenian orphans to appreciate the help of USA Government through the Near East Relief.
    They should put this wonderful rug in a special place to honor the memory and the tragedy of those orphens and their kind appreciation of the help they received.
    Could be great example for others. We can learn how to love, respect and help one another.

  5. I will be very much surprised if Mr. president decides to displace the rug as he was against it for past 6 years.
    Perhaps he just threatens Turkey for not helping US at Syrian border war against ISIS.
    We will see.

    • Perhaps he just threatens Turkey for not helping US at Syrian border war against ISIS. We will see.
      Elizabeth! you got it right!! you took the words right out of my mouth…thanx…

  6. The beautiful oriental rug made by orphaned Armenian children was given in thanks to President Coolidge, it is not the property of the White House and should be displayed forever in the Smithsonian. To hell with Obama and what he doesn’t say and to hell with Turkey’s government!

  7. Obama should have a ceremony, requesting the Turkish President co-chair the event when the rug is presented.
    LOL. Fat chance, but a humorous thought.

  8. No president from 1915 until now has acknowledged Armenian Genocide. They have lied for votes and just like the Armenian Rug kept the truth locked up. Hillary will do just the same I will bet all my money on it and the rest of my future earnings. Obama might have the 5% more chance because of his more independent thinking and sensitivity towards minorities. But again 95% takes a lot of work from us to get pass.

  9. Congratulations to all the Armenians of this world for finally seeing the day where the Armenian Genocide Orphan Rug is displayed at the White House. How simple minded and naive we are to be excited about such small matters when a few block away from the White House we cannot put aside our differences and work towards the opening of the Armenian Genocide Museum. Shame on us! Instead of spending so much time on having displayed the Armenian Genocide Orphan Rug at the White House, we should write to the Armenian Assembly of America and Cafesjian Family Foundation (CFF) who were on legal discourse for many years to put their differences aside and see that the Museum is opened without any further delay. The project was launched in 2000 and is yet to be finalized. Shame and again shame on us! Or Genocide centennial is coming soon. We better focus on issues that are more relevant to us than the display of a rug a t the White House. Let’s take a few example form the Holocaust Museum and open ours on time for April 24th.

  10. This is very interesting because my dad’s side of the family is Armenian and this showed me some things I never knew. And in addition I seen a picture of my Great Aunt Pat in one of the pictures. I feel that it is very interesting to learn about the past of my relatives.

  11. Dear Garbis, you are absolutely right, it’s a shame that they didn’t open yet the Armenian Genocide Museum. I think some black hands are behind it.

  12. Shame on the White House in Washington on delaying the Armenian Orphan Rug for display. That rug should never have been locked up in a closet at the White House. I thought the U.S. was a Democratic Country where all people could bring their memories for the American People could see. We thank those who supported the return of this important Orphan Rug woven by Armenian Woman whom survived the Armenian Genocide committed by the Turkish Government between 1915-1923.

  13. as mr. garbis korajian puts it- shame on us. what is more important,
    the armenian genocide museum or the rug, respecting that the orphan rug is full of meaning… build and finish the museum and everything will fall into place systematically, and they better put some overtime building it,
    april 24 2014 is just around the corner.

  14. I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not certain whether or not this put
    up is written by him as nobody else recognise such distinct about my trouble.
    You are amazing! Thank you!

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