CHICAGO, Ill.—Hundreds of Armenians from the Greater Chicago area took part in a week-long series of events to mark the 97thAnniversary of the Armenian Genocide this week. The events were organized by a variety of community organizations and included a blood drive, demonstration, commemorative programs, and special requiem services to honor the memory of the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
The week’s events began with a commemorative program organized by the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Illinois held in Shahnasarian Hall at the Armenian All Saints Community Center in Glenview on Sat., April 21. The event began with an inspiring presentation of the colors ceremony by the Chicago Homenetmen Scouts Drum Corps, who also performed the national anthems. The ANC of Illinois chairperson, Aline Barsoumian, opened the program with a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the genocide, and recited a quote in Armenian from her grandfather which, loosely translated, said, “Strong will, hard work, and perseverance are the qualities that will surely lead to success no matter where or when.” She discussed how this quote closely paralleled progress on the Armenian Cause. “Echoing the words of my grandfather, whose family barely escaped death in 1915 from their hometown in Aintab, three generations of strong will, hard work, and perseverance will lead to our goals of genocide recognition, reparations, and a strong and independent Armenia and Karabagh.”
Barsoumian’s remarks were followed by a presentation to the Armenian community of a proclamation issued by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. The proclamation, which declared April 24, 2012 as a Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, was read by Maral Abrahamian. After the presentation, Barsoumian invited special guest Illinois Cong Robert Dold (R-10), co-author of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the House of Representatives, to address the audience.
Dold stressed the importance of U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. “For the past 90 years, the Armenian people have sought justice, yet the Turkish government has continued to actively obstruct any attempt to recognize what has happened to the Armenian people.” He added, “The United States can help bring closure to this longstanding moral issue by recognizing the Armenian Genocide.”
Stephanie Killian was then invited to provide an update on ANC activities. Killian highlighted the pivotal role played by Dold and Illinois Senator Mark Kirk (R), who co-authored the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the Senate, as well as a series of other initiatives. Killian then invited ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian to the podium to introduce the featured speaker of the evening, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans. Hachikian described his first encounter with Evans in Yerevan, and went on to elaborate how Evans was recalled as ambassador and subsequently retired from the Foreign Service following his remarks characterizing the 1915 massacre and deportations of Armenians as “genocide” while speaking to the Armenian American community in 2005. He then welcomed Evans to the podium, where he was greeted with a standing ovation.
Evans stressed that the U.S. government has clearly recognized the Armenian Genocide on several occasions, beginning as far back as 1951. The current policy, while placating Turkey, will not be able to withstand the weight of the truth and will eventually yield. He stated that prior to his comments on the genocide, his predecessors were not readily able to discuss the State Department’s policy on using the term. Since his comments, subsequent U.S. ambassadors to Armenia have been able to more freely engage the topic, although the policy appears to remain unchanged.
Hachikian then returned to the podium to discuss the upcoming ANCA Endowment Telethon, and encouraged everyone to invest in strengthening Armenian American political power. The ANCA Telethon will take place on May 20.
On the following day, April 22, community members flocked to a series of activities taking place at Armenian All Saints Church and Community Center in Glenview. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., dozens donated blood in memory of the 1915 victims at a blood drive organized by the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) “Zabelle” Chapter, which took place in the newly renovated Hudaverdian Hall. At mid-day, a special requiem service in memory of the martyrs was held in the sanctuary of Armenian All Saints Church, conducted by Archpriest Rev. Zareh Sahakian. Following the requiem, the Chicago Homenetmen scouts led a procession from the church to the Genocide Memorial for a wreath-laying ceremony.
At the ceremony, ARF “Christapor” Gomideh Chair Greg Bedian offered remarks, in which he urged those present to deepen their commitment to their community and to their nation as a response to the genocide. “It is only through our collective sacrifice, and our collective will, that we will ensure our homeland not only survives but also prospers, that we not only preserve our culture but make it flourish, and that we regain what is rightfully ours in order to secure the future of our nation,” he concluded.
On Tues., April 24, a large group of Armenians, along with Pontic Greeks and others from across Greater Chicago, gathered in front of the Turkish Consulate in Chicago to demonstrate against genocide denial. Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Chicago “Ararat” Chapter, the protest went on for over two hours as demonstrators chanted, waived flags, and carried placards. Armenian demonstrators far out numbered the poorly organized Turkish counter-protest, apparently arranged by the Turkish Consulate, whose participants waved Turkish flags, shouted obscenities, and chanted in Turkish. Chicago police kept the two groups separated, and no serious incidents were reported.
On Tuesday evening, at the St. James Armenian Church in Evanston, a special requiem service was held with the participation of clergy and parishioners from St. James, St. Gregory’s Church in Chicago, and Sts. Joachim and Anne Church in Palos Heights. Following the requiem, a memorial concert was held in Nishan Hall featuring a performance by Sar Sarkisyan from Artsakh.
Chicago’s week of commemorative activities will conclude with a screening of the award-winning documentary film “Voyage to Amasia” on Sun., April 29, organized by the ANC of Illinois. The film traces the journey of Eric Hachikian to his grandmother’s ancestral home in Amasia to uncover what her life in Turkey might have been like. The screening will take place in Shahnasarian Hall at the All Saints Community Center in Glenview at 2 p.m. A question and answer session with film makers Randy Bell and Eric Hachikian will follow the screening.
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