Armenian Genocide: 100 Year Remembrance

April 24, 2015 by Beth Shepherd

Every year on April 24, thousands of Armenians gather at Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian genocide monument. But this year is significant in that it marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915.

Completed in 1967, Tsitsernakaberd is dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who perished in the first genocide of the 20th century. It is constructed with twelve pylons representing the twelve provinces where Armenians were massacred.

Inside burns an eternal memorial flame. The flame represents the Armenian spirit, which can never be extinguished. Tsitsernakaberd means “Citadel of Swallows,” and was so named because the swallow always returns to its nest, even if its home has been destroyed. The tall needle-shaped shaft beside the monument stands for the rebirth of the Armenian people. Nearby, on the same hill overlooking Yerevan, is The Genocide Museum, whose mission is rooted in the helping visitors understand what happened during that tragedy, with the hope that education and remembrances will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

I have visited both the memorial and the museum on several occasions. It is hard to comprehend this horrific piece of Armenian history, yet what took place is woven into the fabric of my daughter’s roots. Tsitsernakaberd stands in testament to the atrocities of 100 years ago, and a reminder–as philosopher George Santayana once said–Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

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Take the road less traveled, Beth

Never forget: Commemorating the Armenian Genocide

April 24, 2014 by Beth Shepherd

April 24 commemorates the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, where it is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians perished. April 24 was chosen as the starting date for the genocide, because, on this day the day Ottoman authorities rounded up and arrested some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders.

During our trips to Armenia, we made several visits to Tsitsernakaberd, a memorial dedicated to the Armenian Genocide on a hill overlooking Yerevan, Armenia’s capital city. We also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum, a sobering testimony to the atrocities of genocide.

Armenia’s genocide is one of many ethnic genocides our world has seen. Ninety-nine years have passed since that time. The farther we get from such atrocities, the easier it is for people to forget what happened. And we should never forget, lest we continue to repeat history.

And the spirits of all the dead, tonight,
Through my own eyes and soul,
Are awaiting the dawning of the light,
So that, to humanize the cruelty
Of our inhuman lives,
Perhaps from above a drop of light
May fall upon the murdered and the murderer alike

Armenian poet, Siamanto (1878-1915)

For more information about the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian National Institute (based in Washington, D.C.) provides exceptional information about the genocide including a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page, which you can find here.

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute website is another great resource. The link to the museum is here.

Take the road less traveled, Beth

April 24: In remembrance of the Armenian Genocide

April 24, 2012 by Beth Shepherd

Every year on April 24, hundreds of thousands of Armenians gather around the world to remember the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide that took place in the Ottoman Empire carried out by the Turkish government.Tsitsernakaberd (Armenian: Ծիծեռնակաբերդ) is a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian; it is located on a hill overlooking Yerevan, Armenia.

I have been to Tsitsernakaberd several times and also the informative and very moving Genocide Museum located on the memorial grounds. Here a few of the photographs I took during my visits:

Eternal flame-Tsitsernakaberd

Rebirth-Tsitsernakaberd

Blue sky-Tsitsernakaberd

Armenian flag over Tsitsernakaberd