GOING HOME

One family's diary, journeys and thoughts

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

April 24

April 24th in Armenia is Genocide Memorial day. It is observed by Armenians everywhere, as my Californian friends are well aware. Still, it's different in the homeland. With Ararat looming so close, the lands that were once ours visible across the border and ever-present danger of Turkey for a neighbor, it's a very different experience.

This year April 24 was a crazy weather day. It snowed and rained and it was windy and cold and wet and gloomy. Still, throngs of people were walking to the Genocide memorial since the evening of the 23rd and continued until late at night on the 24th. Every age, from little babies to old people, carrying flowers, walked in the rain and snow to lay the flowers around the ever-burning fire and remember once again the things that shouldn't be forgotten. I am sure there was not an Armenian in that crowd who was not touched by the Genocide one way or the other. Murdered loved ones, lost relatives, scattered families, homes and lands left behind - every family could tell you a story. My own grandmother had to run away from her village with her mother after her father was killed by the Turks, while protecting his home alongside other men. They reached Georgia and stayed there, and later my grandma married a young man who also lost his parents to Genocide, so my father was born in Georgia to two Genocide survivors.

Here is the monument, which is located high on a hill and can be seen from every corner of the city. The 13 slabs that form it represent the 13 provinces of historical Armenia. (There is a description of the memorial can be found here: http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Tsitsernakaberd)

The wreaths surrounding the monument are sent by different organizations.



The flowers around the fire are brought by individuals. We reached the memorial around 5 pm, and the wall of flowers was already 3-4 feet tall.






There were flowers sold everywhere in the city that day, on every corner. In any weather.


The TV is usually present at the Genocide memorial. They, too are there regardless of weather. Here is another link for anyone who would like to know more: www.april24.net.

4 Comments:

At 8:12 AM, Blogger Ankakh_Hayastan said...

I see the giant Yericyan sign in your photos. Are you planning to boycott their stores in response to the tasteless self promotion?

http://hnazarian.blogspot.com/2007/04/yericyan-promo-in-tsitsernakaberd.html

 
At 9:57 PM, Blogger Mariam said...

I cannot boycott Yeritzyan stores simply because I don't patronize them to start with. They are overpriced and usually crowded. But I agree with you on the tasteless self-promotion.

 
At 8:35 AM, Blogger Mariam said...

How about boycotting the cafes that popped up where parks once were? I was steadily boycotting those last year! Care to join?

 
At 12:46 PM, Blogger Ankakh_Hayastan said...

I do not patronize the ones that have damaged the parks such as cutting trees or building a permanent structure. Quite a few of the cafes in the opera area qualify for a boycott.

 

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