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BEDROS: A Story About Survival
By Mercedes Gechidjian
FLArmenians Miami Contributor
On Friday, March 13, the Armenian Assembly of America’s annual members weekend launched with the presentation of Irene Vosbikian’s book, BEDROS. The novel uncovers the story of Vosbikian’s father-in-law, Bedros Vosbikian, as he travels from the Ottoman Empire to the United States two years before the official outset of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. After marrying her husband, Peter Vosbikian, at a young age Irene spent hours listening to her father-in-law’s recollection of stories about survival, escape, and life as an orphan. Bedros, or the “Armenian Godfather” as the author remembers him, was greatly influential in her life. His stories inspired her to take a deeper look into the atrocities that befell the Armenian people from 1915 to 1923. Her curiosity and sympathy towards the subject resulted in the creation of this haunting story.
Bedros, which the author described as “a historical novel, with a lot of truism and not” was updated in content, and was re-released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. “It’s about survival and going beyond,” Vosbikian told FLArmenians.com. “It’s a story about growing, bravery, and triumph,” she said. It is for this reason that she decided to add new anecdotes from her father-in-law and stories from other Genocide survivors in the second edition. Copies of the novel were available for purchase with all the revenues dedicated to the Armenian Assembly of America.
Assembly Board Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, George Clooney, Assembly Board President Carolyn Mugar at the launch of the 100 Lives Initiative in New York City.
Socializing over hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, guests also heard from Assembly Board of Trustees Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, who discussed the 100 Lives Project, a new initiative by Vartan Gregorian, Ruben Vardanyan and Noubar Afeyan to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide. As stated in the organization’s website, 100 Lives has two goals: to thank those who helped Armenians 100 years ago, as well as continue the legacy and the remembrance of the genocide through the collection of stories. 100 Lives was founded in cooperation with Academy Award Winner, George Clooney’s organization, Not On Our Watch.
On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Armenians around the world are taking bold steps to remember and demand the recognition of a genocide that re-shaped the lives of an entire nation.
Armenian Assembly of America Hosts Armenian Genocide Symposium in South Florida
On Saturday, March 14, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) hosted an Armenian Genocide symposium entitled “A Century of Genocide: The 1915 Armenian Genocide and Its Lasting Impact,” during the Assembly’s Annual Members Weekend in South Florida. Over 80 Assembly members, friends, and guests attended the educational presentations and lively question and answer session.
The symposium featured Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI) in Washington, DC, Dr. Rosanna Gatens, Director of the Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education (CHHRE) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, Florida, and Hannibal Travis, Professor of Law at Florida International University (FIU) College of Law in Miami, Florida. The panel was moderated by Assembly Trustee and South Florida community leader Marta Batmasian.
Armenian Assembly of America Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar provided welcoming remarks and introduced Marta Batmasian. Batmasian introduced the panel to the audience and recognized members of the audience who have been researching and teaching about the Armenian Genocide in South Florida.
Batmasian introduced Dr. Adalian who presented the topic of “The Armenian Genocide as a Prototype of 20th Century Mass Killings,” detailing the primitive yet effective template of mass killing that was developed by the Ottoman Turkish government. He showed images from the digital exhibit “The First Deportation: The German Railway, the American Hospital, and the Armenian Genocide,” which took the audience back in time to a pivotal location of the deportations. Adalian brought to life the experiences and activities of Dr. Wilfred D. Post who administered the American hospital in Konya, a major station along the Berlin-Baghdad rail line which became the site of a large deportation camp. In defiance of the Ottoman ban on photography of deportees, Dr. Post captured what may have been some of the earliest pictures of deported Armenians.
Next, Batmasian introduced Dr. Gatens who discussed “The Impact of the Armenian Genocide on Holocaust Education.” She discussed how the CHHRE at FAU had been working for years to advance Armenian Genocide education on campus and throughout Palm Beach County. Gatens drew parallels between the Jewish and Armenian experiences and highlighted challenges faced in educating the general public about the crime of genocide.
Professor Hannibal Travis gave the final presentation on “The Armenian Genocide as a Political Act and International Crime.” He discussed the illegality of the crime of genocide under international law, including cases where the charge of genocide was applied retroactively. Travis gave an in depth account of crimes against humanity that have been heard in international courts and discussed avenues for Armenian efforts in this context.
Following the presentations, Batmasian opened the floor for questions. Several were asked of the panel leading to a lively and wide-ranging discussion. Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny gave closing remarks and announced the launch of an online petition calling on President Barack Obama to affirm the Armenian Genocide in his upcoming statement commemorating the 100th anniversary. After the symposium, guests were invited up to view a brand new exhibit entitled “Iconic Images of the Armenian Genocide,” that was on full display during and after the discussion.
“We were pleased to bring this expert panel together for the South Florida community,” stated Bryan Ardouny. “The Assembly is grateful to Dr. Adalian, Dr. Gatens, Professor Travis, and Mrs. Batmasian for their insight and compelling presentations,” Ardouny said.
Additional photographs from the Assembly’s Armenian Genocide Symposium in South Florida are available on the Assembly’s Facebook page here.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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Photo Caption 1: (L-R) Dr. Rouben Adalian, Marta Batmasian, Hannibal Travis, Dr. Rosanna Gatens.
Photo Caption 2: Program speakers at the Assembly’s Armenian Genocide Symposium in South Florida.
(Photographs by Bedo Der-Bedrosian on behalf of the Armenian Assembly of America)
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