The fact that the Armenian Genocide took place in 1915 is undeniable. Equally as indisputable is that it is one of the most shameful pages of human history.

Recognition of the genocide first of all carries a moral obligation to it. If we do not want such things to be repeated, they need to be recognized, re-evaluated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

On May 11^th the presentation of the book "Armenian Genocide front page coverage in the world press" took place in the House of Central Journalism. This book was the result of painstaking work by Hayk Demoyan, who is director of the Museum-Institute of Armenian Genocide in Yerevan, Armenia and Doctor of Historical Sciences.

The event was attended by both Armenian and Russian public figures and journalists who write about this subject.

The book is truly unique and consists of a collection of photographs documenting the Armenian Genocide, as well as graphic images related to the period when photography was not widely used yet.    

Not only were Armenians exterminated, according to Hayk Demoyan who documented on the opening page a shocking photograph of Turks, displaying the severed heads of Macedonians.

As mentioned by Hayk Demoyan, even if someone had never even previously heard about the Armenian Genocide, after leafing  through this book, one will understand that such a terrible event occurred in  human history.

After the conference, we were introduced to each other and Hayk invited me to visit the museum-institute headed by him, which too, is very unique itself, since it combines research and other scientific work with educational and outreach activities.

I was there. I especially remained in Yerevan for one day to be able to visit the Memorial. It was very impressive” I commented.

Then, do come again” he replied

Oh, no, I do not have such strong nerves to see it again,” I lamented...

Well, then just stop by for a cup of coffee if you're there.

He smiled. I looked into his eyes, and through their soft tea color I saw strength and hardness and thought, from where does this manifest? How can he live among such dreadful pain and horror and not descend into sickness and insanity? What courage and fortitude must one possess in order to devote his life to a subject of the most terrible crime inflicted against his very own people, searching for further ways to reach deep into people's hearts, minds and conscience?

I catch a glimpse of a huge endless crowd of people behind him, those, who were slaughtered in 1894-1896, who were stoned in 1909, burned alive in 1914, massacred in all imaginable and unimaginable ways in 1915-1918, those who were gutted alive for organ trafficking during the massacre in Sumgait in 1988, those who were killed during the Karabakh wars. And that beheaded soldier was among them, and innocent old people of Talish were there ...

The millions of unknown dead and their untold stories of suffering are the source that fill Hayk Demoyan with strength and kindness. Here is where the strength of people such as he comes from. They fight on behalf of all the innocent victims. And they will win, no matter if the whole world recognizes the genocide or not.

There are those who will never recognize it.

There is neither political, financial nor economic reason for Turkey to recognize Armenian genocide, and admit their responsibility in its gruesome deed, and consequently, their responsibility in its fulfillment. In addition, it takes courage to recognize and repent for the atrocities committed by their own people. This is not as easy as it is to kill women and children.

I visited the Memorial of the victims of genocide immediately after my trip to Nagorno-Karabakh. I decided to remain in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, for one day, specifically to visit the Memorial.

It is erected on the hilltop of Tsitsernakaberd and consists of the eternal flame, where people go to lay flowers and commemorate those who have been subjected to a torturous death,

and a 44-meter obelisk, that points like an arrow to the sky as if to scream out loud the age-old pain of the Armenians.

There is also a memorial wall engraved with the names of the cities, where the mass killings took place, and an underground museum, well equipped with the latest technology, but filled with terrifying content.  

The entrance is free and only foreigners, including myself, as I lived half my life in the United States, asked about the entrance price. Residents of the former Soviet Union understand that no one will take money for something that introduces you to the documents and photographic evidence of one of the worst crimes in the history of mankind.

Walking next to some young people of Switzerland, I saw their shocked faces and I noticed how quickly a German girl look away when she saw certain pictures. I myself, also hastily turned my head away when I saw them. If you are able to prevent the images of this horror piercing through your heart while you’re visiting this museum than, at least, you will know that it took place.

When I was leaving this sad place, I was escorted with blue spruces, planted by prominent political figures. Next to each of them were nameplates of the person who planted it with a name and a short message in his native language.

The nameplate of Pope John Paul II says: "Remember, O Lord, how the sons and daughters of this land have suffered, and grant Armenia your blessing."

I was leaving the memorial, but behind my back the age-old cry of the Armenians flew to the heights:

"People, hear us out! Do not let this Great Atrocities be repeated again! "