PINELLAS PARK, FL – On Friday, April 24, 2015, Gulf Coast Armenians centered in Tampa/St. Petersburg will join Armenians around the world in solemnly commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

Beginning in 1915, the Ottoman Turkish government launched a premeditated campaign of genocide against their Armenian citizens. Approximately 1.5 million Armenians—75% of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire—were killed. This was the first modern example of genocide in the 20^th century. Indeed, the very word genocide (denoting the destruction of an entire people) was originally coined in 1944 to describe the policy of systematic extermination used by the Young Turks regime against the Armenian people, and that the Nazis subsequently waged on European Jews.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of this dark chapter in world history and a series of specially orchestrated events are taking place around the world. On the Gulf Coast of Florida Armenian Americans have planed a diverse program of religious, academic, and physical activities to commemorate the lives of those lost a century ago. Below is the listing of events in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area on and around April 24th:

“Stop Genocide” 5K Commemorative Walk/Run

Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 8:30AM

Ft. Desoto Park

3500 Pinellas Bayway South, St. Petersburg, FL 33715

All walkers and runners are invited to participate in Tampa’s first-ever 5K dedicated to the Armenian Genocide and towards raising awareness about all genocides. Interested participants can register on Active.com. Guests can also connect with other runners on the Stop Genocide 5K Facebook event page.

Orphans of the Genocide Screening & Director Q&A

Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 7:00PM

The Florida Holocaust Museum

55 5th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Hear from South Florida film director Bared Maronian as he presents his documentary on the orphanages that housed the many orphans who lost parents and were separated from siblings during the Armenian Genocide.

Orphans of the Genocide & The Armenian Genocide Airing on WEDU+

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 8:00PM, and 9:30PM on WEDU+

Orphans of the Genocide is a documentary by South Florida film director Bared Maronian showing the orphanages that housed thousands of orphans who lost their parents and were separated from siblings during the Armenian Genocide. Film starts at 8:00 PM (90 minutes).

The Armenian Genocide is the complete story of the first Genocide of the 20th century. It features interviews with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Samantha Power, and best-selling author Peter Balakian, and contains historical footage of the events.

Narrated by Julianna Margulies, it also includes narrations by Ed Harris, Natalie Portman and Laura Linney, among others. Film starts at 9:30PM (60 minutes).

“Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy” Lecture and Student Panel Discussion

Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 2:00PM

University of South Florida (USF)

Tampa, Main Library

4th Floor Grace Allen Room

The USF Libraries Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center host Armenian scholar Dr. Garabet Moumdjian for a presentation entitled “Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy – Armenia’s Triumph Over Its Genocide.” A panel discussion by USF students will follow the presentation.

FEATURED EVENT: An Evening of Remembrance

Friday, April 24, 2015 at 7:00PM

St. Hagop Armenian Church

7020 90th Avenue, Pinellas Park, FL 33782

Armenian heritage comes to life in gifted performances of song and prayer to remember those lost in the Armenian Genocide and to celebrate their ongoing legacy.

“Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy” Lecture and Q&A

Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 7:00PM

St. Hagop Armenian Church

7020 90th Avenue, Pinellas Park, FL 33782

Armenian scholar Dr. Garabet Moumdjian presents “Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy – Armenia’s Triumph Over Its Genocide,” followed by Q&A.

For a full listing of Armenian Genocide 100th anniversary commemorative events in Florida, please visit our Florida Armenians 2015 Page.