Civilnet
Torchlight March, Yerevan, 2015.
As the Armenian Genocide centennial commemoration events continue to take place around the world, people are flocking to platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to post stories about their ancestors and express their emotions. They are paying tribute to their murdered forefathers and to those who survived, who lived to ensure that the world never forget.
The 1.5 million innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide deserve to have a name. And today, on the 100th anniversary of this crime that brought a nation to its knees, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are giving them a name and by doing so, honoring their memory.
Here is only a small sample of some of those who wrote their names and others who wrote what they needed the world to hear.
Give them a name. Ensure the world remembers.
Today marks the Centennial anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As I was growing up, the story of two orphans, my great-grandparents (Sahak and Zara) shaped and crafted my worldview. Their audacity to stay alive and to hope has made my family's existence a reality. This has given me a purpose in life, to stand up, never give up, and to fight for justice in the face of denial and impunity. As the challenges present themselves, we will rise and steal our destiny right from the hands of fate. We will endure and prosper for the sake of 125000 orphans that had an audacity to live and flourish in the face of uncertainty and injustice.-Haik E Ter-Nersesyan
Today we travel to Armenia to take part in the Armenian Genocide Centenary commemorations and honour our ancestors' legacy of survivial and rebirth. On this day I pay tribute to the survivors of my family and especially my grandfather, Gulbenk Mayissian and my maternal great grandmother Azniv Poochigian Tashjian. Thank you for all that you endured so that we may live.-Houry Mayisian
My paternal grandfather Hagop Tashjian Karpanian and his siblings Mayranoush and Nshan. As I've shared before my Dede chronicled his harrowing escape from Marash in 1923 and his miraculous reunion with his siblings who (as he writes here on page 750 of his memoirs) were fortunate enough to find refuge through #NearEastRelief orphanages and were then reunited with their mother Elmast (whose husband Khatcher was murdered by Turks...she never re-married and sustained her family by becoming a midwife and was lovingly known as Elmast Mayrig). When Hagop Dede is finally reunited with his mother on December 30, 1922 he realizes that she is apprehensive to embrace him. On page 807 he writes "Dghas kez bidi hampourem payts guh vakhnam skhaleem anor hamar guzkooshanam usav. Yes al zeenk hanksdatsneloo hamar tartsyal uhsi vor oozadzeet chap hampooreh yes koo harazad vorteet Hagopn em uhsi. Eenkun al garoduh kohatsneloo hamar sgsav akahoren anverchanali hampooyrner troshmel ayderoos vrah." Infinite gratitude to all four of my grandparents who survived and thrived, lived and loved. For all the mamas who didn't share Elmast Mayrig's fate and didn't have a reunion with their children and weren't able to shower their babies with kisses your children lived in your memories until your final breaths I'm sure and their souls still live on within each of your collective Armenian children. I promise. #AG #AG100 #AG1915 #armeniangenocide #marchforjustice #wakeupthesouls- Noushig Karpanian
I will share this piece every year not because I am proud of myself for writing it but because I am proud of him - my grandfather, her – Lousadzin. I am at awe of their willpower, of their love towards each other and their determination to survive to reunite. Today the Der-Haroutounians and Boyadjians continue their bloodline. We are here because two orphaned siblings proved to be stronger than hatred, stronger than THE plan, stronger than executioners and stronger than the Syrian desert for they hung on to the love they once knew, the memories they once had. No matter how many times we write and rewrite the stories of our ancestors it will not be enough and so we must live to tell their stories – my mother does, I do and my children will…- Heghinar Melkom Melkomian
This picture was taken in Limassol Cyprus with my grandma. The little children are my brother and myself. My grandma was a Genocide survival. Notice the way she is holding our hands. During the dead marches, she had let go of her little brother's hand and lost him. My gramma died when she was 62. Rest in peace grandma…-Nargiz Terzian Muriyan
100 years ago today began the Genocide of my people. These men, Komitas Vartabed, Daniel Varoujan, Siamanto and Krikor Zohrab, among countless others, who lived by the quill, were taken by the Ottoman swords. Today marks not just the beginning of the Armenian Genocide 100 years ago but the continuation of another hundred or thousand years if need be of our quest for justice. When the bells toll today in Bolis where we rise, they toll for all victims of Genocide worldwide past, present and future. We will march. We will demand. We will continue to churn the ashes of the past into flames for the present and the future. WE ARE HERE.-Eric Nazarian
My grandparents were survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Every April 24th, I mourn the senseless massacre of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. I also thank my grandparents and the hundreds of thousands of survivors for their determination to keep a nation alive. Thank you to the survivors for allowing us to keep our language, our culture and traditions, and our nation.-Norair Serengulian
Before she used to go to bed, she would attach all her jewelry to her underwear. I would ask her, 'Grandma, why?' and she would say ‘You never know when you have to leave in a hurry.- Lucineh Kassarjian
Grandfather lost his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, as well as his uncle's whole family, who were all killed by the Turks. My grandfather, after a long search, found one of his younger brothers, and one of his sisters. I don't remember my grandpa smiling, I was almost at the age of my son, when he and my grandma passed away couple of years apart. After many years, I had the chance to read his memoirs, and it was then, when I realized how much he suffered to stay alive and how strong was his will to preserve his Armenian identity among the Kurds. Today, I just imagined him, smiling in Heaven, because his grandchildren's generation witnessed a historical event, that took place by the right decision of our Church, which declared today, the victims of Armenian Genocide, Saints of Armenian Church. If I can feel such relief, It means we will always have hope, because we have our beloved ones as Saints watching upon us and always protecting us. Amen !!!-Lorig Saboundjian Zadourian
On the day that I depart for Armenia to be a part of the Centenary Commemorations of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan I pay tribute to these two men, my grandfathers, Armenian Genocide survivors, Aharon Meguerditchian and Mihran Terzian. I am because these men survived.-Varant Meguerditchian
Today is the 100th Anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide a day we solemnly remember. For many of us, it is also our first day of life as a descendent of a Saint of the Armenian Genocide. #TurkeyFailed Use it wisely my friends-Paula Der Matoian
Today, April 24, 2015, Armenians all over the world will commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Today is the day that each and every Armenian must do everything in their power to spread the truth and to seek justice for what happened to our forefathers and ancestors 100 years ago. Today, I will remember how both my Grandfathers, Megerditch Jakoujian and Puzant Kassarian, would tell me tragic stories of how they struggled to near death yet made it alive. Today, I will mourn the deaths of 1.5 Million Armenians that were massacred from the Armenian Genocide. Today, I will march with my people!!! #TurkeyFailed#ArmenianGenocide #AG100-Alina Asdghig Jakoujian
Today marks the centennial of the Armenian Genocide.....but we will not rest after today, nor the next, or thereafter until the Turkish government finally admits to the murder, starvation, rape, Islamification, torture of over 1.5 million Armenians in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. Recognition by the perpetrators will allow 100 year old wounds to start healing. We remember you, great grandparents and grandparents - we will never forget.-Sonya Varoujian
My great grandparents each lost their spouse & five children. But they persevered, found each other in the aftermath of their personal hell & created a new family.They went on to have three children, 13 grandchildren and about 50 great-grandchildren.# Haiganoush # ArmenianGenocide # TurkeyFailed- Zoe Kevork
I am the descendant of a survivor of the Armenian genocide.My grandfather, Hagop was around 5 years old when his family was killed in Urfa. He found himself lost and alone, marchingin the Syrian desert. He was saved by a Syrian family.I remember him today, the centennial anniversary of that horrific time - and everyday, along with the thousands ofother lost, hungry and frightened children who were not lucky enough to have survived.It is for them that we demand recognition.It is for them that we demand reparations.It is for them that we demand justice.We are the descendants of survivors.- Shoghig Kataroyan
Today is April 24, 2015, the 100th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide. As a friend reminded us earlier, for many of us, this is our first day as descendants of Saints of the Armenian Genocide. From now on we no longer mourn 1.5 million victims of the genocide, but pray to and honour 1.5 million martyred saints who were canonized yesterday.-Tania J. Chichmanian
On April 24th we are headed to Ottawa. My grandfather, Hovsep Artinian, survived #turkeyfailed. We travel to Ottawa in your memory and in honour of all our ancestors to demand justice. On this bus are your children Hagop Artinian, Marie Artinian and Osanna Pilavdjian and your grandchildren Tamar Pilavdjian and Kalen Artinian. #turkeyfailed - Tamar Pilavdjian
I will walk with them, I will walk for them, today and always... Garabed yev Krikor Dede, we are here, we are awake, we are defending your and our rights. Your stories inspired us, the lives you lead were exemplary. You planted in us the seeds of love, equality and justice for all of humanity. We will guard your memory, we will pave the path to victory, and justice will be yours Dede, justice will be ours. Unwaivering persistence and integrity for the cause, this is what you taught us through your lives, this is what I promise to continue to hold in me.Today, I am in Armenia, Dede. You did not see this land since you were forced to leave. Yesterday, Garabed Dede, while they canonized our martyrs, I remembered your newborn sister Rose who died in Der Zor before your eyes, the youngest and most innocent of those murdered in our family. You will be with me as I march to the eternal flame we will remember together all those we lost... I will lay a rose at the flame for Rose dede, I will lay one on your behalf…-Raffi Sarkissian
In memory of my grandfather Haroutiun Darakjian, who was born in Birecik a small town in south eastern Turkey. He lived from 1883 to 1958. He was a resilient man who persevered in life by keeping his Christian Faith. On this day of April 24th the 100 anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by Turkish Government I would like to remember my Grandfather and Father Dikran Darakjian who wrote two small books about the experiences and eyewitness accounts of my Grandfather Haroutiun growing up under Ruthless Turkish rule. How in 1895 when he was 12 years old he was an eyewitness to systematic butchery of Armenian men by Turkish soldiers to men over the age 12 in their town. He was beaten,jailed, almost killed several times deported and faced starvation. But through God's grace he was kept alive. In 1915 After killing most of the men and tradesmen he was kept alive by the Turkish Authorities because he was a very good tailor. My grandfather was warned several times to renounce his faith by the Turks and the Kurds otherwise he would be killed. He never did. He prayed on his knees and trusted the Lord no matter what hardships he was facing always being thankful for what he had. Today I want to thank the Lord Almighty for letting me born into an Armenian family mixed with the Blood and DNA of the Darakjians and Kasparians I have learned and am still learning no matter what troubles and hardships I face in life the Love of Jesus is greater than all.- Missak Michael Darakjian
This morning I am en-route to Ottawa with over 5000 of my Armenian and Canadian brothers and sisters to join in the March commemoratingthe centenary of the Armenian Genocide.The trauma and consequences of genocide are trans-generational; my younger daughter rallies in Yerevan, my older daughter makes her own way to Ottawa with her friends. My great uncle was buried alive in a well under stones; my great grandfather was arrested and slaughtered, never seen again. Every April 24 I set aside this time to honor their memories and re-affirm my promise to them and all those who died in this Genocide and all Genocides world-wide that I will do my part no matter how small, to ensure their legacies live on. If we can get world leaders to acknowledge and learn from past genocides and take united action to prevent future genocides, their collective deaths will not have been in vain.- Nadia Tatikian
Dikranouhi Karoghlanian, Aram Shrestinian, and Garabed Melkonian survived the most horrific crime imaginable, so horrific that there was no word for it until 1948. Genocide. They were forced from their homes in Chemazkatsak and Khozat. They each made it to the shores of the United States where they rebuilt their lives and family. Their great grandson Ardavasd Ardhaldjian lives, in Yerevan. #turkeyfailed#armeniangenocide #buildinganation- Sharistan Melkonian
My grandmother Clara Movsessian Russian, a survivor of the #ArmenianGenocide, is 100 years old, born October 28, 1914. She still lives in her home of 70 years in Arlington, Massachusetts. She was born in the village of Yegheki, located in the kaza of Harput within the province of Mamuratul Aziz-Harput. Her father Nishan was deported when she was only a few months old. She survived poverty, famine, typhoid, and always kept hope alive. Against all odds she made it to America by age 11. She married Hagop “Jack” Russian of the village of Sousoury, located just beside Yegheki. She was a founding member of the St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, Massachusetts and served on the Ladies’ Auxiliary for two decades.But she's more than just my grandmother, she's my heroine, my fount of inspiration. She taught me determination, resilience. And I love her very much.- Christian Garbis
One year ago I posted this personal story. I repost it today with the satisfaction of knowing that in just one year, we have marched a lot closer to justice and have recorded significant progress. This should give hope to those who are tired as more of the world has joined the side of truth and justice and should give pause to those, like President Obama and the Turkish government, who are increasingly isolated in their shameless denial of this crime against humanity.April 24, 2014:I remember a while back, when my grandfather was still alive , I decided to interview him using our VHS camcorder to capture his story of survival from the #ArmenianGenocide. My most vivid recollection from that moment was that I was thinking there is no human way this story of survival can be true of a young child that age.... no way. But it was true, escaping and then reuniting with family to eventually make his way to Damascus and then onto Beirut, Beirut to Washington, DC and then to LA where he spent his final years. With all four of my grandparents surviving the genocide, they are the reason #TurkeyFailed. Despite all odds, they also managed to give strong wind to the sails of generations following them. There will be justice for the #ArmenianGenocide.- Zanku Armenian
This is the story of my grandfather written by my mom. My grandfather was only 10 when he witnessed Genocide. My mom is telling that his father had only one dream in his mind; he kept repeating with tears in his eyes and tremble in his voice. "...the only thing I want is to see my Kars before I die..."I will try to translate my mothers writing about her father."...My father was 10 year old boy who was in highlands from where he saw his village in flames. He ran down to village in fear just to witness how his home and tonratun (area where armenians make a bread) are burning. The same tonratun wher his mother just hours ago was making bread. Turks burned down the house but did not touch family because my great-grandfather was well-know amongst turkish authorities as Nikol Pasha or Tsars' Nicholas. He gained that nickname, because he was a well-known businessman; oversees and local. He (my great grandfather) managed to put his family of 12, including his sick brother's family on the sayl ( type of cart) and ordered them to pass the river and move to the West. After he is jumping into the flames of tonratun to save the pots of family gold. With the two pots of gold, my grandfather is getting on the horse to join his family. When he was only about 100 feet away from his family, they saw him approaching; but they also saw one of the turkish officers approaching him from behind. They hear him scream to his grandfather "Stop Nichol". The officer ( they recognized him, because he was a "family friend" and frequent guest in my grandfathers house). They see how he is grabbing pot of gold; but he is trying to negotiate to at least keep the second pot to be able to feed his family, who were fearfully waiting for their father to join them. "Ok, go Nichol " he is screaming at my grandfather with the cynical and satanic smile on his face. My Father, grandmother and rest of the big family of 12 are watching terrified how my grandfather is moving forward to join them, but the turk, so called friend, shoots him from behind. My grandfather is falling from the horse. The gendarme grabs the second pot, takes huge stone from the ground and smashes my grandfathers head, who was still alive and was trying to stand up. My father was crying silently throughout the whole story. After seeing their fathers dead they are shocked and traumatized, like if they weren't enough before. But one thing they had in mind is to move forward and escape. Hiding during the day, they get back to their father's body at night and burried him. It took them days and nights to cross Archapay (Arpa); river that was dividing Kars and Gumry. My grandmother couldnt take the pain and sorrows any more and is dying shortly. My father who is only 10, becomes orphan. Hungry, thirsty, sick with pheunomea; hiding during the day and moving ar nights, they are getting to Gumry. Once big family of 15 ( including my father's uncle family and his aunt ) now they are down to seven. (Some of them are dying shortly after due to untreated pneumonia.)..."
This is a story of Survivor, one amongst millions, Survivor, whose descendants REMEMBER AND DEMAND !- Armine Antonyan
I remember you today and everyday. In honour of my grandfather, Khatcher Menakian, survivor of the Armenian Genocide. Thank you Montreal Gazette for publishing my article and sharing his story. The article will appear in Saturday's edition of The Gazette in the Features section and is already on the tablet edition. #mediawin#ArmenianGenocide-Lalai Manjikian
My great grandmother Agapi Karadanian was a Genocide survivor from Dort Yol, Cilicia. She lost her two children to the massacres, fled to Aleppo. She gave birth to my grandfather there in 1920. When she was old, she lost her memory but said she wanted to back to Dort Yol where there were so many oranges that even the honey smelled of them, and she was the most beautiful young woman in the village.#armeniangenocide100 #stopgenocide #ag #BeArmenian, #BeAlive - Meri Poghosyan
My maternal grandmother, Genocide survivor Gousineh Basmadjian nee Gemidjian, eldest daughter of Fr. Ghevond Gemidjian of Kaiseri's St. Gregory the Illumninator Church, (hanged at the onset of the 1915 Genocide), seen here with her eldest son Vahram (my uncle- center), my mom (Arminee - in the white shirt) and my aunt (Arpinee - in the dress).I salute your memory grandma. Your survival and the stories you imparted to us will forever give meaning to my life... I would not be here now!RIP Mom, Vahram and Yaya.- Nora Armani
Survivors of the Armenian Genocide. My maternal grandparents: Levon Kaprielian (Bursa). He survived death march and Mary Bakhdjejian (Tarsus) she was saved by friendly Turk family and then escaped with the aid of Christian missionaries. Turkey Failed!!!-Hagop Poladian
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