Multicultural Center hosts the Armenian Genocide Commemoration.
Students, faculty, and community members unite to honor the sacrifices of the Armenian Genocide victims.
The Multicultural Center and Armenian Student Association hosted a commemoration of the Armenian Genocide to pay homage to the lives lost and share their history with the students and faculty on Thursday, April 17, in the Multicultural Center.
Music Professor Garineh Avakian provided a tribute through her music.
“When you sing, you sing with your heart,” Avakian said. “I was praying and trying to reminisce and pay homage to the victims and to bring justice to pass down this God-given voice that I have been given to share it with those that can appreciate and respect it.”
Psychology major Justin Grigyan played violin at the commemoration and said he was grateful to be a part of the ceremony.
“I have been able to come here with all my Armenian brothers in peace,” Grigyan said. “I was grateful today to be able to play it in this wonderful setting where people who are not even Armenian are coming to take part in our culture, which is very beautiful to me.”
The genocide is a significant event in Armenian history. The Armenian Genocide was carried out by the Ottoman Empire and roughly lasted between 1915 and 1917. One hundred ten flags were placed to represent that it has been 110 years since it occurred.
President of the Armenian Student Association Kriste Migroyan shared her family story from the Armenian Genocide.
“I have a strong connection to the genocide because both of my grandparents from my mother’s and father’s side were displaced from it,” Migroyan said. “It is always an emotional thing to talk about, and my drive to show the world what happened during that time.”
Public Health major Cassie Austin spoke about the importance of Genocide awareness and shared what this event meant to her personally.
“The commemoration stirred something deep in me,” Austin said. “We do not hear a lot about the Armenian genocide, and there should be more awareness of this event. To see anybody suffer just because of who they are, to lose their lives, is not right. It’s an injustice and it needs not to be done.”
Student Health Center Director Houry Tanashian said despite not living through the genocide, Tanashian holds the experience that her ancestors went through close to herself.
“I am a post-genocide generation, and I grew up with grandparents who talked about this,” Tanashian said. “I do hold this very dear to my heart. I have never lived through it, but because my ancestors lived through it, I feel their pain and it’s a little difficult to describe.”
Avakian said it is important to pass traditions and history to the next Armenian generations.
“History does repeat itself, but it can change,” Avakian said. “It is important for our future generations and younger Armenians to have self-pride in knowing where they come from, who they are, what their people have gone through.”
According to Tatevik Melkumyan, another goal of this event was to create awareness of not only genocide but all types of injustices in the world.
“I think my main goal for this event was just for everyone to learn about the genocide,” Melkumyan said. “But it also, in the prevention of other types of genocide, not just against Armenians, but everybody in the world.”