Not Just Any Commemoration

By: Sarin Kodchian
Bruinsrk17@ucla.edu

Images of emaciated bodies of children, beheaded young men, and terrified mothers clutching their children in despair have been engraved in our hearts and minds for almost a century now. Those figures that we’re all familiar with were a fading backdrop to a multitude of youth gathered to remember them. The black and white photos of sorrow sunken eyes continue to scream out the same thing, begging to be heard. If only those eyes could see what we take for granted everyday.

Those in attendance at the AYF Pasadena “Nigol Touman” 5th annual Armenian genocide commemoration event were reminded of it once again. The event was more than just another commemorative event, it was an attempt to unite and inspire a community by reminding them of our past and exposing them to our accomplishments. It was an opportunity for members to showcase their talents in the arts and the youth to prove to their elders how ready and capable they are of continuing the Armenian cause.

The event began with a flag ceremony presented by “Azadamard” scouts, and the national anthem sung by Nanor Momdjian. A beautiful rendition of Cilicia was sung by Tro Krikorian and Payla Kevorkian, with Rita Keshishian on the piano and Razmig Jierjian playing the guitar. Next was a Documentary of eyewitness accounts of the genocide. There were the faces and voices of the stories we’ve all heard of, but too quick to forget.

A woman recalled arriving to a closed school one day and upon returning home learning that all her teachers had been taken away. A man remembered having just three hours to gather all his belongings before the deportation. Another woman described her bloody feet as she walked through the desert, “Hot sun up there, hot sand down here, no water, no food”. “They killed everyone, in front of my very eyes, my three brothers and my father.” And one resigned, “It was hell, but I made it here.” One recalled how Turkish soldiers were told to feed only those children who couldn’t remember what happened. But the stories we’ve heard were passed down from children that escaped, and remembered. The documentary was followed by performances including Vana Kevorkian’s recitation of Kele, Lao and a moving dance performance by Aline Bogharian which expressed the deep pain of a love taken too soon.

The keynote speaker of the evening, Alice Petrosyan, a granddaughter of a survivor of the genocide and currently the Chief Academic Officer head of Pasadena Unified School District spoke about her hope for the future of Armenia, and told stories to inspire the future generations to get ahead. After all, that would be the greatest revenge. She pointed out how when an Armenian child behaves badly, it reflects poorly on our people; but when one is rewarded for their accomplishments, it’s as though our whole people are being celebrated. Each accomplishment is a reason for celebration and each failure, a shame.

At times a young Armenian may feel burdened by this sad page in our history and the responsibility it entails, but they have all the hopes of our people to push them forward. We are a small people, but a resilient one. The handful of badanees present at the event made up in spirit what they lack in numbers. Their presence at such an event is proof in and of itself that our people’s future is in the right hands. “As an Armenian, we are born with an inclination to lead, with the inspiration and drive to do good in the world”, said Petrosyan. The event closed with a candlelight vigil, lit by the children in attendance, symbolic of their role in keeping our people’s fire alive.

Every year AYF Pasadena “Nigol Touman” chapter aims to bring the members of their chapter, their families and friends together in an effort to unite them in remembrance of our past. The goal of the annual event is to gather Pasadena youth to remind them, to guide them in their actions, and to inspire political activism to further the Armenian Cause.

Tro Krikorian, one of the performers and organizers of the event said, “The Armenian cause isn’t just about the genocide, but the genocide is a part of it.” A century ago, half of our population was murdered and now, thousands of miles from our homeland, Armenian youth are granted the opportunity to learn and grow, not being restrained by our past but being inspired by it. “Remembering is important, we can’t ever forget to remember,” said Tro. “It is our job as an organization to remind them.”

The event was more than just another way to commemorate the Armenian genocide; it answered the growing question of the significance of commemoration. The annual commemorative event that the Nigol Touman chapter organizes isn’t an attempt to do something remarkable, but it does. Year after year, commemoration seems less and less important. But this event captured what commemoration is in its very definition: it is not just a duty, but a celebration. By commemorating the past we remind ourselves of our resilience and what we’re capable of. Let’s not take for granted how far we’ve come, because if we forget that, then we forget the importance of that survival, and we can’t ever forget that. We all have the opportunity to think, and to do things. Let’s not waste it.