“We Not Only Survived, We Thrive,” a one-of-a-kind exhibit and symposium that took place in Philadelphia from April 10-12 in commemoration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, was a resounding success. Each component of the weekend offered substantive, engaging content with standing-room only crowds and nearly 800 in attendance. On Saturday alone, nearly 300 people walked away with a deeper appreciation of the accomplishments of our people in the context of how we endured and grew out of genocide.
Symposium co-chairs Prof. Alfred G. Mueller II and Prof. Lusine K. Hambardzumyan-Mueller
The exhibit of Ottoman-era artifacts and documents was opened on Friday evening, April 10. As guests viewed the items on display, musicians Mher Ajemian, Ryan Demirjian, and Saro Koujakian—collectively known as “Armenian Public Radio”—shared their renditions of beloved Armenian folk songs. The exhibit showcased the Armenian immigration experience from pre-American Civil War to the present with documents and artifacts from the Hamidian Massacres in the late 1800’s to the Adana Massacres in 1909 to the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and its aftermath, celebrating the achievements of our people over the last 100 years.
Hosted by St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church, the exhibit focused on the sacrifices of those who perished and paid tribute to the thousands of survivors and their offspring, who came to their new homes throughout the world and thrived. The evening included a short program with an official welcome by exhibit co-chairs, Mark and Melineh Momjian, and remarks by local dignitaries.
Complementing the exhibit was a separate theater set up for viewing a short documentary commissioned by the local executive committee, led by Lisa Manookian and Margo Silk. “From Horror to Hope” featured the children of survivors with video footage from an actual survivor, along with historical commentary from Prof. Richard D. Hovannisian, the world’s foremost scholar on modern Armenian history.
The symposium featured an expert panel of speakers covering topics that ranged from the religious and symbolic
Very Rev. Oshagan Gulgulian, pastor of St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church; Dr. Richard G. Hovannisian; Mark Momjian, Esq.; and the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan, pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church
meanings of khatchkars, to the dispersion and transition of Armenians following the darkest periods of our history, to the current state of our churches in Armenia and the continual genocide resulting from Turkey’s ongoing negation. Hovannisian, the keynote speaker, pointed out that despite the tragic history of turmoil and oppression, the Armenians, with the generosity and support of people throughout the world, have remarkably made numerous, positive contributions to society. There is still work to do with respect to acknowledgment of the genocide, but we have so much to celebrate; we are grateful for the opportunities provided to us and proud of our accomplishments.
During Sunday’s closing luncheon, the community honored Hovannisian and presented him with a Near East Relief medal, which was manufactured by the Gorham Silver Company of New York in the early 1920’s. The medal was awarded to relief workers who had traveled to Armenia and other parts of the Near East, for their service in aiding the orphans and other survivors of the Great War. The medal’s crest is divided into quadrants, with the Turkish crescent, Greek cross, Persian lion, and the cedar of Lebanon. The escutcheon in the middle of the crest depicts the twin peaks of Mount Ararat and symbolizes the Armenian homeland. The medal was gifted to Hovannisian by Mark and Melineh Momjian, the co-chairs of the centennial exhibit, on behalf of the five Armenian churches in the Greater Philadelphia area, which sponsored the event: the Armenian Martyrs Congregational Church, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Mark’s Armenian Catholic Church, and St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.
The event was one of many Philadelphia Armenian community events organized in cooperation with the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of Philadelphia. For more information on local Philadelphia commemoration activities, visit armeniangenocide100philly.com. To purchase a DVD of the documentary commissioned by “We Not Only Survived, We Thrive,” e-mail wesurvivewethrive@gmail.com.
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