Armenian Children’s Paintings Recall 9/11, Present “Message of Freedom and Hope”

On September 13, 2004, an exhibition of paintings by Armenian children was held in the Rayburn Congressional Building in Washington, DC, in remembrance of the third anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11. The exhibition, entitled “Message of Freedom and Hope,” presented some 44 paintings by young Armenian artists, between ages 6 and 14, who created their works in the aftermath of 9/11. Most of the young Armenian artists are affiliated with the Children’s Center of Fine Arts in Yerevan; the exhibition was made possible by the Kamk Benevolent Fund of Armenia.

The exhibition was hosted by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Affairs and the Embassy of Armenia. In his remarks during the opening ceremony, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Arman Kirakossian noted that the impact of the tragedy of 9/11 was felt in Armenia as well because Armenia and the United States share common values, such as respect for freedom, democracy, human life and dignity. He explained that the Armenian children, including the young artists whose work was presented on the Hill, had been deeply moved and touched by the terrible scenes of 9/11 broadcast by TV networks around the world. Ambassador Kirakossian noted that the exhibition was entitled “Message of Freedom and Hope” to show that the terrorist attacks only motivated the people of the United States, Armenia, and other countries of the world to rally to the cause of freedom. Freedom and hope were themes vividly and artfully expressed by the Armenian children’s paintings presented during the exhibition.

The Armenian Ambassador thanked Co-Chairs of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Representative Joe Knollenberg and Frank Pallone for helping organize the event and for their leadership on the Armenian issues. In turn, Congressman Knollenberg remarked that he was touched by the artwork of the Armenian children, who, he said, had been able to present a very important message, that the terrorist acts of 9/11 were attacks not only on the United States, but the rest of the world as well. Congressman Pallone complemented the creative talents of the Armenian children who expressed a very complex subject like 9/11 in a straightforward and simple way.

The opening ceremony was attended by Members of Congress, congressional staff members, U.S. government officials, representatives of the foreign diplomatic community and the Armenian-American community of Greater Washington area.