NEW YORK, March 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the 24th year, thousands of American-Armenians and their supporters will gather in Times Square (Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets) to commemorate the first genocide of the 20th Century -- the Armenian Genocide. To be held on Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 2-4 PM, this historic event will pay tribute to the 1.5 million Armenians who were extinguished by the Young Turk Government of the Ottoman Empire. The Commemoration will also celebrate the survival of the Armenian people, their rich heritage and their contributions. Speakers will include Armenian and non-Armenian political and civic leaders and students. This event is free and open to the public.
Media are invited to meet and interview Armenian Genocide Survivors (ages 94-100) and Armenian Genocide Experts, Dr. Dennis R. Papazian and Sam Azadian on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 2 PM at the New York Armenian Home, 13731 45th Avenue, Flushing, NY. For background information and to arrange interviews contact: Linda Millman Guller, email: mgmarcom@aol.com, phone: 203-454-9800.
The 94th Commemoration is organized by the Mid-Atlantic chapters of Knights and Daughters of Vartan www.knightsofvartan.org, a U.S. fraternal organization of Armenian-Americans, and co-sponsored by Armenian General Benevolent Union www.agbu.org, Armenian National Committee of America www.anca.org, Armenian Assembly of America www.aaainc.org, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party and Social Democratic Hunchagian Party.
The Knights of Vartan logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3420
Issues to Explore with Experts Dr. Dennis R. Papazian and Sam Azadian
* Do you think that the Obama Administration will recognize the Armenian Genocide? * What major world historical events have taken place in the 20th and 21st centuries because of the denial of the Armenian Genocide by the Turkish Government and other nations? * Why do Armenians and supporters commemorate the Armenian Genocide? * What is the historical evidence to support the Armenian Genocide?
The Experts
Dr. Dennis R. Papazian, is the founding Director of the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where from 1971-2006, he held the position of Professor of History. He also served four years as Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America in Washington, D.C. In addition, Dr. Papazian is on the Board of Trustees of the American Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary, President of the Society for Armenian Studies and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies. He is listed in Who's Who in America and resides in N.J.
Sam Azadian, who founded the Armenian Genocide Commemoration 24 years ago, is a N.J. resident who held several positions over a 23-year span in New York City Government. Serving four Mayors, his positions included Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Highways and Assistant Vice President of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. He lost four of his own older siblings in the Genocide during the death marches to the deserts of Der Zor (the killing fields). Highly knowledgeable about the history of Armenia and its people, he also understands the political issues that prevail today, and the reasons why annual commemorations like this serve an important purpose for the entire world.
Participating Organizations:
Diocese of the Armenian Church, Prelacy of the Armenian Church, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Presbyterian Church, Armenian Evangelical Church, Armenian Catholic Eparchy for U.S. and Canada, and Armenian Youth Organizations.