93rd Anniversary of Armenian Genocide, Armenians protest
April 25th, 2008 by anush
A day before the 24th of April, the day of mourning the victims of the Genocide, Armenians marched towards the memorial Tsitsernakaberd. The march with torches has become a tradition. I don’t remember whether it was also done last year, but the public burning of the Turkish flag was something that surprised me. Afterwards throughout the way I heard people shouting the most offensive things. Maybe this approach is normal and I’ve simply forgotten how nationalistic we can be, but I just don’t see what it leads to.
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Armine Abrahamyan Says
Hi
Thank you for a nice post on the Armenian Genocide.
I think it is time for negotiations and not time for expressing hatred or anger!
-armine
Apr 25th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Onnik Krikorian Says
I know it sounds strange to say, but I don’t think the nationalism is anything to be scared of in terms of fundamentalist type fanaticism.
For example, in 2006 at one of the 23 April March I ran into a photographer from the Turkish Zaman newspaper. Nothing happened to him.
And this year, I was walking with a Turkish-Armenian journalist when we passed some young girls singing about drinking the blood of Turks.
I turned to the journalist who said, “They’re laughing as they’re singing. If they weren’t laughing I’d be concerned.”
Sure, nationalism and we can agree or disagree about reconciliation with Turkey and so on, but as long as it doesn’t revert back to the ASALA terror campaigns I’m not concerned with it.
Maybe burning the flag was inappropriate for members of a party which is part of the government to allow, but that’s for the politicians to decide.
Of course, I favor normalizing relations, recognizing the Genocide, not pushing for territorial reparations and moving on, but anyway.
Apr 25th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
anush Says
Onnik, the journalist was right about laughing… that really gave another look to it all…. but it could be that if people are not concerned about that then they aren’t really concerned at all
Apr 25th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Onnik Krikorian Says
Well, I remember that in 2006 or whenever, the husband of a local journalist was rather dismayed about the march. It seemed to be that most weren’t taking what should be a solemn memorial march seriously, so perhaps your point is valid.
Apr 26th, 2008 at 10:03 am