april 24: recognise the armenian genocide
Today marks the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in which 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed by the “Young Turk” government of the Ottoman Empire. Armenians all over the world commemorate this tragedy on April 24, because it was on this day in 1915 when 300 Armenian leaders, writers, thinkers and professionals were rounded up, deported and killed in Constantinople (present day Istanbul). Also on that day, 5,000 of the poorest Armenians were butchered in the streets and in their homes.
I should like to see any power of the world try to destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, whose literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without food or water, burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a new Armenia.
-William Saroyan
In 2006, an award-winning documentary called Screamers was made, starring Armenian band System of a Down. The film explores why genocide has recurred in the modern day, and also examines genocide denial in current day Turkey. Watch the trailer below, and if you’re interested in buying the DVD, you can do so from Amazon.
Hrant Dink, an Armenian journalist living in Turkey known for advocating Turkish-Armenian reconciliation, was often critical of Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide. He was prosecuted three times for denigrating Turkishness, and received numerous death threats from Turkish nationalists. In 2007 he was killed by a 17 year old Turkish nationalist. To this day, the Turkish government denies the genocide ever took place.
To date, 22 countries officially recognise the Armenian Genocide. The USA and UK are not one of them. Help raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and other genocides around the world. Tell your friends and tell them to tell their friends. Join the facebook groups and check out all the links on there. Invite your friends.
Մենք քիչ ենք, սակայն մեզ հայ են ասում…