Portland Community Commemorates Genocide

PORTLAND, Ore.—The Armenian community of Portland sponsored six events in April to observe the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

A scene from the public rally held at Shemanski Park

On April 9, a screening of the movie “Screamers” was held at Portland State University. The movie documents the European tour of the band “System of a Down” and their efforts to call attention to the horrors of the Armenian Genocide.

On April 14, there was a screening of the movie “Watchers of the Sky,” a documentary about Raphael Lemkin’s life and efforts to create the term “genocide.”

On April 23, “Aghet,” the German documentary that includes re-enactments of official dispatches and first-hand accounts of the Armenian Genocide, was shown.

On April 24, the community donated blood at the local American Red Cross. An ecumenical prayer service was held at St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church, along with the inauguration of the “Genocide Khatchkar” at St. Kevork Church. There was a large turnout that included Vycheslav Uvarov, the senior consul of the Russian Consulate in San Francisco.

On April 25, a public rally was held at Shemanski Park in downtown Portland to raise public awareness of the

A scene from the inauguration of the “Genocide Khatchkar” at St. Kevork Church

Armenian Genocide and demand its recognition. Speeches were given by Robert Farquhar, the former U.S. consul in Armenia, and Greg Goekjian, a former professor at Portland State University. Members of the community read accounts from their relatives who survived the genocide, said a prayer, and held a moment of silence before placing flowers in front of a replica of the Dzidzernagapert Genocide Memorial in Armenia. More than 150 people were present, including members of the community and concerned citizens. Buttons commemorating the Centennial were given to onlookers.

On May 6, Prof. Richard Hovhannisian will give a talk titled, “The Armenian Genocide on its Centenary: What Have We Learned?”