Spirit of the Youth: NY AYF Leads Community in Remembering Artsakh Liberation Struggle, Baku and Sumgait Massacre Victims

NEW YORK—On February 29 the New York Hyortik chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation Youth Organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (AYF-YOARF) led over 250 members of the New York community in remembering the 20th anniversary of the Artsakh Liberation Struggle and Baku and Sumgait massacre victims.

Over 250 gathered at the Armenian Center in Woodside to attend an event by the New York AYF remembering the 20th anniversary of the Artsakh Liberation Struggle and Baku and Sumgait massacre victims

The event brought together people from all parts of the New York Armenian community including representative of the Armenian Mission to the United Nations, members of the Armenian Club at Columbia University, St. Illuminator's Armenian Cathedral and Day School, Homenetmen, Hamazkayin, Armenian Relief Society Mayr and Erepouni chapters, Armenian National Committee of New York, the clergy and members of the St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian General Benevolent Union, and the ACYOA in what became a standing-room only hall in the Armenian Center in Woodside.

New York Hyortik junior and senor members with Archbishop Anoushavan Tanelian and Rev. Mesob Lakissian of the St. Illuminator's Armenian Cathedral

The program opened with the singing of "Mer Hairenik" followed by a moment of silence in remembrance of the Baku and Sumgait massacre victims and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to preserve the freedom of Artsakh. This was followed by opening remarks from Hyortik member Arousiag Markarian who welcomed attendees and outlined the evening's program.

The first part began with the St. Illuminator's Armenian Day School students who sang "Kedashen" and "Karabagh." This was promptly followed by the poem "Karabaghi Vokhpuh" by Hovanes Shiraz read by AYF member Mher Janian and the St. Sarkis Yeraz Dance Group who presented a dance to the song titled "Artsakh" by composer Ara Gevorkian. To conclude this portion New York Hyortik AYF junior and seniors offered a short skit titled "The Karabaghtsi," depicting the strong and brave qualities of the people of Karabagh.

The St. Sarkis Yeraz Dance Group took part in the program, dancing to Ara Gevorkian's "Artsakh"

Next, Hyortik member Seda Melikyan read a statement sent from the ARF Youth in Artsakh. This event, read the letter, "stands as yet another proof that wherever Armenians are in the world, he is tied to his roots and wake in him is the spirit of his nation. For us, this is a proud occasion." The letter went on to outline the history of the movement and the subsequent war, promising that Artskah's new, young generation will continue to stand guard.

Finally, New York AYF member Sossi Essajanian presented a short speech on behalf of the chapter. She said, "February 1988 start of the struggle for the liberation of Artsakh proved that the Armenian nation has equal rights with the rest of the world's nations to live free and independent and to determine their own future." Essajanian also remembered those fedayees that fought for this cause. She said, "Armenians from Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora stood side by side to fight and die for the idea of a free, independent and united Armenia." At the end, Essajanian told the audience that the youth have a promise to make "Artsakh alive not only in our souls, but also part of our every-day lives." This, she said, is part of the greater cause of uniting the pieces of historic Armenian homeland: Artsakh, Javakhk, Nakhichevan, Western and Eastern Armenia.

The program culminated with the documentary Hbardoutune, Voroun Anoun-ne Artsakh (Artsakh: A Proud and Honorable Land) prepared by the Artsakh Fund. Starting with the history of Artsakh until the struggle for its independence in the mid 1990s and post-conflict, the film provided the audience with the images, voices and spirit of the region. It included many interviews with those fighting on the front lines as well as actual footage of the pre and post war period.

Adding to the inspirational atmosphere, a photo exhibit was displayed along the walls of the Armenian Center depicting the movement in pictures. Taken by ArmenPress photographer Robert Garabedian during the protests and subsequent events, the images captured the spirit of the pre-war struggle through the faces and signs of people chanting on the streets of Yerevan and Stepanakert. Over 50 black and white images displayed the progression of the movement calling for the re-unification of Artsakh with Armenia.

Bishop Anoushavan Tanelian thanked the AYF for putting together the program and invigorating the community with the spirit of the movement and the youth

To close the evening, Bishop Anoushavan Tanelian talked about the role of the youth in the Artsakh Liberation struggle and their responsibilities today in the Armenian community world-wide. He said that he is proud of the youth and felt hope for the future that the next generation is becoming prepared to continue the work of the community. The Bishop also reflected on the  about the program. He commented that it was all-encompassing and the documentary was a good representation of the country and showed how important it is to see Artsakh first hand.

The program closed with the Artsakh national anthem, "Orhnerk Artsakhi."

During the reception following the event, Hyortik members passed out free CDs that they made compiling songs dedicated to Artsakh. "Through all these means we wanted to put on a diverse cultural program engaging attendees in a multi-media approach to envelope them in the world that is Artsakh," said Hyortik member Toros Asadourian. Through this event the Hyortiks emphasized the spirit of the organization's 75th anniversary this year: that the youth will continue to stand guard of the Armenian roots and the Armenian Cause.

Among those in the audience was David Ambartsumyan from Sumgait who lost his father in the massacres. He said, "The night was illuminating. I think we are doing a strong thing here by remembering this past tragedy; it was brutal what they did, especially for us who went through it. But by looking at this young generation, who knows about the Genocide and is teaching others about the massacres in Baku and Sumgait, I feel hopeful."

The event, said Ambartsumyan, reminded him of the Armenian soldiers in Karabagh and how they sacrificed their lives "for something special." He said that the evening reminded him that you can "never achieve your goals if you don't believe in your future. If you don't remember your past, you can't see your future."

On March 2, the Hyortiks joined Ambartsumyan in a hokihanisd that took place at the St. Illuminator's Armenian Cathedral to remember the martyrs of the struggle and those of the massacres.