Providence ‘Kristapor’ ARF Holds Centennial Memorial Dinner

On Fri., April 24, the Armenian Cultural Association of America, Inc., Rhode Island branch, hosted the Providence ARF Armenian Genocide Centennial Memorial Dinner at the Omni Providence Hotel.

Hagop Donoyan, chairman of the Providence ARF “Kristapor” Gomideh, welcomed the crowd of more than 300 guests. The Honorable Scott Avedisian of Warwick, the longest serving mayor of Rhode Island’s second largest city, served as the master of ceremonies. The American and Armenian national anthems were sung by Dalita Getzoyan, accompanied by Raffi Rachdouni on the piano. The Invocation was offered by Archpriest Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church of Providence.

Carol Mikaelian Schlink receiving the Genocide Educator of the Year award (Photo: Berge Ara Zobian)

Stephen Mesrobian gave remarks as co-chair of the dinner committee. He discussed the ARF’s history in building, preserving, and enriching our communities. He also shared his family’s history during the Armenian Genocide and how it has inspired him to be a leader in calling on Turkey to deal honestly with its history.

Levon Attarian delivered a message from the ARF Central Committee, Eastern Region. Attarian’s message pointed out how the cycle of genocide continues today, making comparisons to the way ISIS is attacking minorities and destroying ancient sites, the same way Turkey committed genocide 100 years ago and Azerbaijan has destroyed our khatchkars in Djulfa, Nakhichevan. He condemned Turkey for hijacking April 24 to honor the Battle of Gallipoli, using the sacrifice of their own Turkish soldiers as a political propaganda tool against the Armenian Genocide. Attarian sent a strong message to President Obama, in the presence of U.S. Congressmen, that the Armenian Genocide is not to be mocked or used as a political playing card for foreign policy. The 100^th anniversary, he said, closes a chapter in our history, but a new chapter has opened—a chapter where Armenians unite and bring Mt. Ararat back home where it belongs.

Throughout the evening musical pieces were performed by David Ayriyan (kemancha), David Gevorkian (duduk), and Ken Kalajian (guitar).

In attendance were the following Rhode Island elected officials: Senator Jack Reed, Congressman David Cicilline, Congressman James Langevin, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, State Representative Katherine Kazarian, and Mayors Allan Fung of Cranston and Charles Lombardi of North Providence. All three Representatives pledged that they will continue to support Armenians in getting Washington to refer to what from 1915-23 by its rightful name: genocide.

Also in attendance were representatives from local organizations, whose people have suffered similar fates over the years. These guests included members of the New England Kurdish Association, the Center for Southeast Asians, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, and the African Alliance of Rhode Island. A representative of the Rhode Island Irish Famine Memorial Committee was unable to attend but sent a letter to be read on the organization’s behalf.

Dr. Catherine Sama of the University of Rhode Island and Dr. Judith Stillman of Rhode Island College, two professors who have played important roles promoting the Armenian cause on their college campuses, were also present.

Following dinner, remarks were provided by Aram Garabedian, who has championed the cause as a state legislator, city councilman, and philanthropist. He helped secure passage of the Genocide Curriculum Bill in 2000, which encourages teaching of the Armenian Genocide along with all other crimes against humanity. In addition, it was through Garabedian’s generosity and commitment that 12 buses filled with Armenians and supporters from the state of Rhode Island made the trip to the commemoration in Times Square, New York.

Carol Mikaelian Schlink was presented with the Genocide Educator of the Year award, generously underwritten by the ACAA of RI and the AMMC of RI, by co-chairs of the Genocide Education Project RI Branch, Pauline Getzoyan and Esther Kalajian. Schlink, a theater teacher at Mt. Hope High School in Bristol, directed the play “We Survived,” based on the testimonies of those who survived the Armenian Genocide, including her grandparents. The actors in the play were all students in Schlink’s drama class; none had known anything about the Armenian Genocide before the class and play.

Marian Mesrobian MacCurdy (Photo: Berge Ara Zobian)

The guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Marian Mesrobian MacCurdy, author of Sacred Justice: The Voices and Legacy of the Armenian Operation Nemesis and the granddaughter of Aaron Sachaklian, one of the three leaders of Operation Nemesis. Her grandmother, Eliza DerMelkonian Sachaklian, was a founding member of the Armenian Relief Society in the United States. Mesrobian MacCurdy discussed the background of Operation Nemesis and personalized it with stories of meetings and letters passed between the leaders of the plan, including her grandfather. She concluded with a letter describing the acquittal of Soghomon Tehlirian, leaving the audience speechless but very appreciative.

Closing remarks were given by Unger Donoyan and the Benediction was offered by Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.

As the guests exited the hotel, they could see the Rhode Island State House with its dome lit in red, blue, and orange and our flag proudly flying by its side. As they proceeded home, they passed their own city and town halls, all of which were flying the Armenian flag, as they do every April 24.