WASHINGTON,
DC
- The Armenian
Genocide Museum of America (AGMA) announced today the opening of a
state-of-the-art online museum (www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org).
The interactive site invites
visitors to explore the story of the Armenian people and its fateful experience
in 1915. The site is currently optimized for laptop and desktop computer
viewing, with full mobile device, as well as the addition of galleries,
scheduled for later this year.
Presenting the Armenian Genocide
from multiple perspectives, the online museum highlights the role and extent of
American involvement in denouncing the atrocities committed against the Armenian
people during World War I and in delivering the humanitarian aid that rescued
the remaining survivors from further mistreatment.
The online museum begins with an
exploration of the rich culture of the Armenian people created over millennia to
underscore the gravity of the loss of an entire civilization with the
destruction of historic Armenia.
The enormity of the human losses
during the Armenian Genocide are set against this background to stress the
relationship that once existed between the Armenian people and their now
decimated homeland. It reveals the extent to which the places once associated
with worship and celebration, with commerce and education, and the historical
memory of significant events from the time of the Armenian monarchies, have been
erased from the face of the earth.
By underlining with resonant
content the historic identity of the Armenian people, their art and culture, and
their perseverance in the face of adversity, the online museum also reinforces
the universal message of our common humanity and collective responsibility, and
explains why the story of the Armenians and other peoples who have suffered
similar fates must be told.
The museum is also dedicated to
educating the public about the continuing consequences of the Armenian Genocide.
Viewers will learn how the international community's failure to condemn the
genocide and hold the perpetrators accountable made the Armenian Genocide a
prototype for later crimes against humanity.
An instructional video
introducing the entire online museum explains the Armenian Genocide in the
context of a century and more of mass atrocities around the world and examines
the role of American leadership in responding to the problem of
genocide.
The introductory video as well
as the online exhibits feature the oral testimony of survivors supported with
pictorial and other documentary evidence.
The testimony of other
significant figures underscores the world's reaction and America's response to
the Armenian Genocide with observations by Theodore Roosevelt, Major General
James Harbord, Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, Consul Jesse Jackson, subsequent
remembrance day statements issued by sitting presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill
Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, supplemented by the striking
invocations made by Pope Francis during this April's commemorative observance at
St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
The online museum also confronts
the Turkish government's denial policy by recalling the late Hrant Dink's heroic
and singular role in exploring avenues for creating a common ground for
understanding.
The title of the introductory
video, "Coming to Terms," echoes the expression that has become the
international theme of the centennial as governments and world leaders join
Armenians around the world on calling upon Turkey to face up to the evidence. It
urges the Turkish authorities, civil and political, to acknowledge this shameful
chapter in history and take bold and honest steps toward putting the legacy of
the murderous Young Turk regime once and for all behind them.
The launch of the online museum
was timed with the centenary of the Armenian Genocide. It follows the
production of a series of digital exhibits
previously issued by AGMA, the Armenian National Institute
(ANI) and the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly). With these digital exhibits hundreds of images from the
Armenian Genocide and previously unexplored aspects of the Meds Yeghern
were brought to light. These and other resources will also be available through
the AGMA online museum.
In the spirit of cooperation to
pay due respect to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, many individuals and
organizations joined with AGMA in supporting the creation of the online museum
and its many components. Among them are the Armenian Film Foundation, Zoryan
Institute, Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, and Armenian Studies Program at
the California State University in Fresno. They augmented the resources
available from the United States National Archives, the Library of Congress, the
Republic of Armenia National Archives, and Armenian General Benevolent Union's
Nubarian Library, among others. AGMA also extends special thanks to film makers
Carla Garapedian and Ted Bogosian, as well as historian and geographer Dr.
Robert Hewsen.
AGMA also thanks with particular
appreciation the renowned photographer Hrair Hawk Khatcherian whose commitment
to documenting the cultural and religious heritage of Armenians across their
historic homeland and the diaspora is on display through the magnificent
photographs he shared with AGMA and which form such a central part of the visual
experience of visiting the online museum.
Joining Hrair Khatcherian in
making the online museum an exceptional experience is the soulful musicianship
of Gevorg Dabaghyan, enveloping viewers with haunting melodies from the
mountains of Armenia. He continues the unique tradition of composing and playing
music on the national instrument of Armenia, the duduk, made from the native
apricot tree. AGMA is honored to feature Mr. Khatcherian's and Mr. Dabaghyan's
exemplary and unequalled artistry.
The AGMA online museum is being
produced by the museum planning and exhibit design firm of Gallagher &
Associates which has been working with AGMA, ANI, and Assembly staff and board
members to bring the concept of an Armenian Genocide museum to the public since
the start of the project. Its video production wing prepared "Coming to Terms:
The Legacy of the Armenian Genocide" under the direction of Mike
Buday.
The online museum was primarily
made possible by the generous contribution of the Estate of Agnes Kazanjian.
Donors to AGMA, Anoush Mathevosian, Hirair & Anna Hovnanian Foundation,
Edele Hovnanian, Dr. Sarkis Kechejian, Dr. Nishan Kechejian, the Alice
Ohanessian Irrevocable Trust, Julie Kulhanjian Strauch, Noubar Tcheurekjian, and
the Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America, are also gratefully
acknowledged.
The project was overseen by the
AGMA Online Museum Working Group consisting of Mark Malkasian, Richard H.
Papalian, Van Z. Krikorian, and Rouben Adalian under the guidance of the AGMM
Building and Operations Committee composed of Van Z. Krikorian, Chairman, Denise
Darmanian, Edele Hovnanian, Richard H. Papalian, and Zaven Tachdjian. The Board
of Trustees of the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial, Inc., includes Hirair
Hovnanian, Chairman, Anoush Mathevosian, Vice-chair, Van Z. Krikorian,
Secretary, and Kathleen Baradaran.
The Armenian Genocide Museum of
America is a joint effort by the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial Inc., the
Armenian Assembly of America, and the Armenian National Institute. Its online
museum offers a place for reflection and learning filled with hope, inspiration,
and a commitment to eradicating the scourge of genocide through education and a
focus on prevention. Interactive tools in the narrative galleries allow visitors
to navigate at their own pace across the many features of the online museum,
which will be expanded over the coming months.
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