Philadelphia AYF Hosts Eternal Flame

Celebration Features Karnig Sarkissian

By Taleen Streeter

During the weekend of Aug. 21, we welcomed the Eternal Flame to Philadelphia.

“The Eternal Flame is an initiative organized by the AYF-Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of the Eastern Region, United States of America. The Eternal Flame symbolizes an everlasting faith, an everlasting will, and an everlasting nation. A faith to prosper after our hardships, a will to continuously strive for the common cause of recognition, restoration, and reparation of the injustices of the Armenian Genocide. The objective of the Eternal Flame is to represent the united diaspora whose efforts constantly strive for a free, independent, and united Armenia with recognition, reparations, and restoration. The Eternal Flame, in the physical form of a torch, represents the everlasting faith and passion to be united with our nation as we have endured and thrived through the hardships of the Armenian Genocide for an entire century.”

The torch was lit this past April 24 at Dzidzernagapert Genocide Memorial in Armenia and has traveled to the East Coast. The torch will be passed from community to community, with the guidance of the AYF and the Eternal Flame Committee. After traveling throughout the East Coast, the flame will make its way to the Mid-West, West Coast, and then to Canada. After traveling through the United States and Canada, the torch will travel to our long-yearned-for lands in Turkey, leaving it to burn vividly where we belong.

The celebration featured Karnig Sarkissian.

“Footage of all events will be streamed together into a final video and print publication to spread awareness and display the Eternal Flame and the everlasting faith towards a free, independent, and united Armenia with recognition, reparations, and restoration.”

The Philadelphia AYF hosted a candlelight vigil on Thurs., Aug. 21 at St. Gregory’s Armenian Apostolic Church with a hokehankeesd before proceeding outside by candlelight to the khatchkar to sing, “Abrilian Nahadagneroon,” “Adanayi Voghpe,” and “Giligia.” On Sat., Aug. 23, the AYF hosted the Eternal Flame celebration featuring the famous Armenian revolutionary singer Karnig Sarkissian, all the way from Lebanon. There was also a commemorative dance for the entrance of the Eternal Flame by Philadelphia’s Meghry Dance Group. On Sun., Aug. 24, the AYF hosted a game at the Phillies to spread our cause to the general public.

The Philadelphia AYF and the Philadelphia-Armenian community were proud to have successfully hosted the Eternal Weekend. The weekend brought together the Philadelphia community along with neighboring communities for a memorable weekend to commemorate the atrocities that occurred 100 years ago, but also to celebrate that we Armenians are still here and will always be here fighting for what belongs to us.

Taleen Streeter is the president of the Philadelphia AYF “Sebouh” Chapter.