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Back to Embassy Press Realeases Embassy of the Republic of Armenia Embassy of Armenia Commemorates Armenian Genocide Anniversary The Embassy of the Republic of Armenia marked the 87th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and hosted a special commemorative ceremony at the Embassy Khatchkar on April 24, 2002. On April 20, 2002, Ambassador Arman Kirakossian delivered a keynote speech at a special symposium on the Armenian Genocide at the Harvard University. The symposium was organized by the Harvard Armenian Society and Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. In his remarks, Ambassador Kirakossian focused on the historical meaning of the Armenian Genocide and the genocide recognition efforts, and prospects for the newly independent Armenia's political and economic development. He called on all Armenians to spare no effort for the sake of prosperous and stable Armenia, as the best memorial to the victims of the Genocide and a guarantee that such horrendous crime will not be perpetrated against the Armenians again. On April 25, the Armenian Ambassador to the United States attended another university-sponsored event, at the University of Virginia - Charlottesville, which was organized by the Armenian Students Union there. Ambassador Kirakossian and Armenian Embassy staff attended the Congressional commemoration events on Capitol Hill on April 17 and April 23, sponsored by, respectively, the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America. In his remarks during the Congressional commemoration, as well as during an AAA-sponsored National Advocacy Day reception at the Embassy on April 22, Ambassador Kirakossian expressed Armenia's gratitude to the American people and their elected representatives in U.S. Congress for their constant support of Armenia, and pledged Armenia's continued assistance to the U.S.-led anti-terrorism campaign. The highlight of the commemorative week for the victims of the Armenian
Genocide was the ceremony held at the Armenian Embassy Khatchkar on April
24. According to the tradition of commemoration of the Genocide in the
Republic of Armenia, the ceremony started at 7 p.m., with the representatives
of the Armenian American political organizations and individual members
of the community laying flowers and wreaths at the Khatchkar. Remembrance
of the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, the international
recognition of this horrendous crime perpetrated in the Ottoman Empire,
unity of the Armenia people and support for strengthening Armenia's independence
and economy were the main themes in Ambassador Kirakossian's remarks opening
the ceremony. Following his remarks, a joint prayer was read by the Rev.
Fathers Vertanes Kalayjian and Khoren Habeshian, of St. Mary's and Soorp
Khatch Armenian Apostolic Churches in Washington, DC. |