Category Archives: Armenian Genocide
Dr. Taner Akcam to Address the Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium at the University of South Florida
Dr. Taner Akcam to Address the Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium at the University of South Florida
Tampa, FL – Next month, the University of South Florida (USF) Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center (HGSC) will hold its Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium. Prominent Turkish historian Dr. Taner Akcam will present the topic of Armenian Genocide denial within the context of Turkish national security policy and international relations. Dr. Akçam’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with USF faculty Steven C. Roach and Edward Kissi.
Dr. Taner Akçam is the Robert Aram, Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marion Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University in Worcester, Massachussetts. He has authored dozens of books and articles on the topic of Armenian Genocide denial, Turkish politics and human rights. He also serves on the editorial board of “Genocide Studies & Prevention,” the official journal of the International Association of Genocide Scholars.
Recently, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in favor of Dr. Akcam in a case he brought before the court against the government of Turkey for charges filed against him under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, the same law that precipitated the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in 2009. The ECHR found that Article 301 violates the European Convention on Human Rights and runs counter to the values of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Hrant Dink, Dr. Akcam and several journalists and academics in Turkey have been charged with “denigrating the Turkish nation” for speaking truthfully about the Armenian Genocide.
Everyone is invited on the afternoon of Friday, November 4, 2011 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm to attend the Symposium. It will be held in the USF Tampa Library’s Grace Allen Room (4th floor), and is free and open to the public.
For more information, please see the USF-HGSC website here.
* This story was updated on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 9:20 pm.
Florida Representatives Cosponsor Legislation Urging The Republic of Turkey to Safeguard its Christian Heritage
Florida Representatives Cosponsor Legislation Urging The Republic of Turkey to Safeguard its Christian Heritage
By Taniel Koushakjian
FLArmenians Political Contributor
On Tuesday, June 15, H. Res. 306, legislation “urging the Republic of Turkey to safeguard its Christian heritage and to return confiscated church properties” was introduced by House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Chairman on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA). Congressman Ed Royce is also the Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues (Armenian Caucus). H. Res. 306 calls for the “return to their rightful owners all Christian churches and other places of worship, monasteries, schools, hospitals, monuments, relics, holy sites, and other religious properties, including movable properties, such as artwork, manuscripts, vestments, vessels, and other artifacts,” in Turkey.
Joining Congressmen Royce and Berman were 30 original cosponsors, including Florida Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). Congressman Bilirakis represents Florida’s 9th Congressional district (Palm Harbor) and serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Homeland Security Committee and is Vice Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Rep. Bilirakis has a strong voting record in support of Armenian issues, including Armenian Genocide affirmation, and is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen represents Florida’s 25th Congressional district (Miami) and Chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Both Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen and Rep. Bilirakis are members of the Armenian Caucus. However, although voting in support of Armenian Genocide resolutions in 2000 and 2005, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen voted against the same legislation in 2007 and 2010.
In addition to H. Res. 306, on June 15 Representatives Robert Dold (R-IL) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) along with Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) introduced H. Res. 304, the Armenian Genocide resolution. Congressman Bilirakis joined his Armenian Caucus colleagues by cosponsoring H. Res. 304 on July 16. He is the only Member of the Florida delegation to consistently cosponsor Armenian Genocide resolutions. Both bills have been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee where they await committee action.
As the size of the Armenian community expands throughout the state, it is important for Florida Armenians to inform and educate their elected officials about important issues and concerns. From state and local governments, to our Representatives serving us in Congress, Florida Armenians are ready to play an active role in having our voice heard in Washington.
* This story was updated on July 18 at 8:47 p.m.
South Florida Armenian American Community Commemorates 96th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
SOUTH FLORIDA ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY COMMEMORATES 96TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Boca Raton, FL – Last week, hundreds of members, friends and human rights activists from the South Florida Armenian American community commemorated the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
This year’s observance culminated the month long display of the 21-panel Armenian Genocide exhibition on loan to FAU Libraries from the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. The exhibition displayed the systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenians in Ottoman Turkey during World War I. The panels showcased photographs, quotes from witnesses and the history and legacy of the genocide.
“It was truly inspirational to see South Florida Armenians from three generations come together to honor their fallen ancestors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide,” stated Arsine Kaloustian-Rosenthal, FLArmenians.com Public Affairs Director. “The importance of remembering, sharing of stories between families, and of course the FAU exhibit itself, stands in the face of genocide denial and advances the cause of genocide prevention,” stated Kaloustian-Rosenthal.
Armenians around the world commemorate the genocide on April 24, when in 1915 Ottoman Turkish authorities rounded up, arrested and murdered over 200 Armenian intellectuals in Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey. Over 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children perished in 1915-1923 in what historians recognize as the Armenian Genocide.
Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfayan, Dr. Mary Johnson, Dr. Rose Gatens, Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian
Dr. Mary Johnson, Senior Historian with Facing History & Ourselves, and curator of the Armenian Genocide exhibit, served as master of ceremonies. Dr. Johnson opened the program with special thanks to Dr. Rose Gatens, Director of the FAU Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education. Dr. Johnson spoke about her experiences teaching the Armenian Genocide and the consequences of its denial.
“The response of the Armenian community to the exhibition on the Armenian Genocide at Florida Atlantic University was incredible,” Dr. Johnson told FLArmenians.com. “Visitors not only examined the panels and the narrative of the history but talked about the exhibition and its implications for today – this ensures that the historical event will be remembered and future generations will continue to tell the story,” concluded Dr. Johnson.
On behalf of St. David Armenian Church, Garen Kalender, Rita Vartanian and Kaliana Maronian presented traditional Armenian poetry. Mr. Albert Mazmanian offered remarks while his daughter Natalie recited her self composed poetry. A musical interlude was offered by local talents from St. Mary’s Armenian Church, Sage McBride (violin) and Marineh Alikhnyn (piano) who performed the famous Armenian composition Groung by Komitas. A short screening from the upcoming film “Orphans of The Genocide” was also presented by south Florida film producers Bared Maronian, Bedo Der-Bedrosian and Paul Andonian.
“Having the commemoration program and exhibition at FAU Library was a wonderful opportunity to teach others about the origins and the history of the Armenian Genocide, a major crime against humanity committed by Ottoman Turks at the dawn of the 20th Century,” stated V. Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian. “We pray that the time will come when justice will be served and Turkey will acknowledge its history,” stated Fr. Berberian.
V. Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian of St. David Armenian Church and Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfayan of St. Mary Armenian Church offered the memorial service for the victims of the Armenian genocide. The South Florida Armenian Genocide Commemoration was held under the auspices of St. David Armenian Church of Boca Raton, St. Mary Armenian Church of Hollywood, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian National Committee and the Knights of Vartan.
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Photo Caption (L-R): Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfayan, Dr. Mary Johnson, Dr. Rose Gatens, V. Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian
Florida Armenians 