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An Article in ArmeniaWeek.com and AIM
Past and Future: Young people face an old question
By Lusine Zeytunian
ArmeniaWeek reporter
Among those heading to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial on April 24 young people were especially noticeable by their light walk and bright-colored clothes.
Talking among themselves, walking in small groups, holding hands, their presence was a joy to some and a nuisance to others.
Although some older people criticize "this new brainless generation" for being impolite and walking all the way to Tsitsernakaberd with sunflower seeds in their mouths, careless of the importance of this day, youngsters have their own approach to this.
"I know that it's hard to understand a bunch of young noisy people who eat, chew and sometimes laugh on their way to the memorial," says 19-year-old Arpine Hovakimian.
"But it's also true that so many youngsters leave their houses each year this day, despite rain and sun or the long walk and come here.
"Just look at us. Wherever you look you'll see young people with flowers in their hands, and that's our respect towards Genocide victims."
Today, some, especially among older generations, are concerned that youngsters are not well aware of the Genocide, its effects and the importance of speaking out about this matter.
Some young people agree that their lack of awareness is because they aren't taught history properly at school. Others blame it on economic hardships, saying they "have some other things to worry about instead of returning to the past".
Nevertheless, many youth are resolute about the importance of speaking out and remembering the past as long as needed until reaching recognition.
"During Soviet times Genocide was a banned topic and no one could speak aloud about it," says Satenik Abrahamian, the head of the Confederation of Student Clubs of Yerevan State University. "Now there are lots of information sources available but sometimes it seems that some youngsters are asleep, uninterested.
"Despite this, I belong to those people who are sure that our new generation is taking steps ahead in this sphere."
In fact, this is the seventh year the Confederation of Student Clubs of YSU has organized annual series of events marking the Genocide.
Each year from April 18-25 they hold a program called "The Youth Against Genocide" trying to raise awareness among young people and to find new approaches to the Genocide question.
This year students visited the Museum-Institute of the Armenian Genocide, went to Tsitsernakaberd Memorial together, invited guests who spoke about the Genocide and presented works of intellectuals who fell victim to the Genocide.
Besides this, a student conference was held at Charents Hall of YSU by the Club of Young Diplomats. Students of different faculties presented their researches on various aspects of the Genocide, such as "The Armenian Question in the USA", "Countries who accepted Genocide", and "The Psychological Effects of the Genocide".
"Our goal is to spread awareness among young people through interesting activities so that it is not boring for them and, of course, not to let them forget our past," says Erik Grigorian, head of the Club of Young Diplomats and a second year student in the faculty of sociology.
"About 3,000-4,000 youngsters were involved in these events devoted to the Armenian Genocide and there are more people with increasing interest towards this matter. We have to keep the Genocide question bright in our minds and souls. We have to walk towards the future not forgetting our past."
A third year student Anush Zloyan concluded her conference speech with these words:
"We, young people, have to act hand in hand to reach the solution of the Armenian Question so that all the innocent victims of the Genocide are at ease in their graves. We haven't forgotten about all the terror that remains unanswered until today.
"Today, marking the 87th anniversary of the Genocide, we haven't forgotten all the innocent victims. We are born with this. This question is in our blood." |
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