BOCA RATON, Fla.—Last week, hundreds of members, friends, and human rights activists from the South Florida Armenian American community commemorated the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
This year’s observance culminated the month-long display of the 21-panel Armenian Genocide exhibition on loan to FAU Libraries from the Florida Holocaust Memorial Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla. The exhibition displayed the systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenians in Ottoman Turkey during World War I. The panels showcased photographs, quotes from witnesses, and the history and legacy of the genocide.
“It was truly inspirational to see South Florida Armenians from three generations come together to honor their fallen ancestors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide,” said Arsine Kaloustian-Rosenthal, Florida Armenians public affairs director. “The importance of remembering, the sharing of stories between families, and of course the FAU exhibit itself, stands in the face of genocide denial and advances the cause of genocide prevention,” she said.
Armenians around the world commemorate the genocide on April 24, when in 1915 Ottoman-Turkish authorities rounded up, arrested, and murdered over 200 Armenian intellectuals in Istanbul. Over 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children perished in 1915-23 in what historians widely recognize as genocide.
Dr. Mary Johnson, senior historian with Facing History and Ourselves, and curator of the Armenian Genocide exhibit, served as master of ceremonies. Johnson opened the program with special thanks to Dr. Rose Gatens, the director of the FAU Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education. Johnson spoke about her experiences teaching the Armenian Genocide and the consequences of its denial.
“The response of the Armenian community to the exhibition on the Armenian Genocide at Florida Atlantic University was incredible,” Johnson told FLArmenians.com. “Visitors not only examined the panels and the narrative of the history, but talked about the exhibition and its implications for today. This ensures that the historical event will be remembered and future generations will continue to tell the story,” she said.
On behalf of St. David Armenian Church, Garen Kalender, Rita Vartanian, and Kaliana Maronian presented traditional Armenian poetry. Albert Mazmanian offered remarks while his daughter Natalie recited her self-composed poetry. A musical interlude was offered by local talents from St. Mary’s Armenian Church, with Sage McBride (violin) and Marineh Alikhnyn (piano) performing the famous Armenian composition “Groung” by Gomidas. A short screening from the upcoming film “Orphans of the Genocide” was also presented by south Florida film producers Bared Maronian, Bedo Der-Bedrosian, and Paul Andonian.
“Having the commemoration program and exhibition at FAU Library was a wonderful opportunity to teach others about the origins and the history of the Armenian Genocide, a major crime against humanity committed by Ottoman Turks at the dawn of the 20th century,” said V. Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian. “We pray that the time will come when justice will be served and Turkey will acknowledge its history,” stated Fr. Berberian.
V. Rev. Fr. Berberian of St. David Armenian Church and Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfayan of St. Mary Armenian Church offered the memorial service for the victims of the genocide. The South Florida Armenian Genocide Commemoration was held under the auspices of St. David Armenian Church of Boca Raton, St. Mary Armenian Church of Hollywood, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian National Committee, and the Knights of Vartan.
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