BOSTON — Each April for the past 28 years, members of the Armenian community along with state legislators and guests have filled the House Chamber at the State House to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. This year marks the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the commemoration will take place on Friday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. with a program of speakers and honorees.
Following the ceremony and pending final permitting, attendees will be invited to march from the State House to the Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway for additional remarks, music and a catered lunch. The march will include a stop along the way to place a wreath at the New England Holocaust Memorial.
The event is both solemn and celebratory, recognizing the Genocide of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 by the Ottoman Turkish government, as well as honoring survivors and looking forward as Armenian-American descendants commit themselves to preserving their culture and working for humanitarian projects and awareness.
Former US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, who served from 2006 to 2008, will deliver the keynote address. Armenian Heritage Park architect Donald Tellalian will be honored with a Joint House and Senate Resolution. Dedicated in May of 2012, the park is a gift to Boston and the Commonwealth from the Massachusetts Armenian-American community. The split dodecahedron abstract sculpture, which rests atop a 16-ft diameter reflecting pool, is designed to be reconfigured each year and symbolizes those who were pulled apart from their country but reestablished themselves in different ways. Visitors to the park can also walk a labyrinth that reflects the journey of life.
“We are very excited this year to introduce the march from the State House to the Armenian Heritage Park,” said Belmont resident Lalig Musserian who is coordinating this year’s celebration. The committee organizing the event is jointly chaired by state Representatives Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown), Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge) and John Lawn (D-Watertown); and state Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), who will host the day. “The march expresses the ongoing work of recognizing the Armenian Genocide and our desire to reach out to others and build awareness that as a world community we must work to prevent the horrors of genocide,” said Musserian.
Survivors of the Genocide will be presented with proclamations at the State House ceremony and photographs of others will be present through the participation of attendees in the “Stand Up For Your Survivor” program organized by Arlington High School senior Anahis Kechejian. “There are so few survivors left,” said Kechejian, “This is one way for descendants to honor our ancestors, and for youth such as myself to pledge our efforts to work for justice and preserve our Armenian heritage.”
