Armenians around the world will mark the 100th anniversary of one of the 20th Centuries biggest tragedies and one that still has important significance in the Armenian culture – the Armenian Genocide.
An array of events will be held in Boston on Thursday and Friday and will be attended by many in Watertown. Buses will be traveling to the ceremonies from Armenian churches in town.
The following announcement was sent out by the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America – Eastern Region:
The centennial of the Armenian Genocide, considered the first genocide of the 20th century, will be commemorated during two days of public events in Boston on Thursday and Friday, April 23-24, 2015. With these events, Armenians honor the memory of the one and a half million who were killed, and the legacy of those who survived.
All events are free and open to the public. The Boston commemorations of the Armenian Genocide’s Centennial are being coordinated by the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America – Eastern Region.
Thursday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Memorial Prayer Service, Trinity Church, Copley Square
Presented by the Massachusetts Council of Churches in cooperation with the Armenian Clergy of Massachusetts, the service will feature a musical performance by Victoria Avanesyan and a Requiem for lost souls.
Speakers will include Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, Archdiocese of Boston; Metropolitan Methodios, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston; the Rev. Laura Everett, executive director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches; Rabbi Ronne Friedman, Temple Israel of Boston; and Bishop Gayle Harris, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
Friday, April 24, 1:15 p.m.
The State House, Ashburton Park, Bowdoin Street
A brief musical and speaking program with remarks by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian and State Rep. Jonathan Hecht of Watertown.
A procession from the State House to the Armenian Heritage Park, located on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, will follow.
Armenian Heritage Park, Rose Kennedy Greenway, 2:40 p.m.
A brief program includes remarks by former Governor Deval Patrick, United States
Senator Elizabeth Warren, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. The Sayat Nova and Erebouni Armenian dance ensembles and the Zankagnar Children’s Choir will perform.
Vigil in the Park, Armenian Heritage Park, Rose Kennedy Greenway, 7:30 p.m.
This youth-led component of the centennial commemorative suite will weave together live speakers, musical performances and video content to honor history, celebratesurvival and illuminate the bright future of the Armenian nation and its people.
History
The Armenian Genocide is the first mass murder of modern times, a still unpunished crime in which one and half million Armenians were taken from their homes and intentionally and systematically slaughtered by the Ottoman Turkish government under the cover of World War I because of their Armenian ethnicity and Christian religion.
The date marking the start of the Genocide is April 24 – the day in 1915 of the first mass arrests, and later murders, of more than 250 Armenian community leaders, writers, poets, educators and intellectuals.
Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee – Eastern Region:
The Armenian Genocide centennial commemoration events in Boston are being planned and organized by the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America – Eastern Region.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit neremembers1915.org