Source: Derian Armenological Library of Haigazian University
While the world's focus will be on Yerevan, Armenia's capital, on April 24 for the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centenary, another nation, Lebanon, is celebrating its rich Armenian heritage.
Lebanon was among the nations that welcomed Armenian refugees fleeing the genocide of 1915, and for the past 100 years Lebanese Armenians have been at the forefront of Lebanese culture, with great contributions to the Arts and Sciences. Today, Lebanese Armenians live primarily around Beirut, notably Bourj Hammoud, which was founded by survivors, with smaller groups elsewhere. Lebanon has the only Armenian university outside of Armenia, Haigazian University, which was the seat of an incredible Space Program in the 1960s. There are three major Armenian dailies published in Beirut that speak on behalf of the three Armenian political parties represented in the Lebanese parliament.
Lebanese Stamp featuring the Armenian Genocide Monument in Bikfaya, Lebanon. Source: Armenians in Lebanon
To celebrate their contribution, Audio Kultur is having a special focus on Lebanese Armenians. They released a short movie called ‘Still Here, Still Bleeding‘, documenting “the printing of the magazine in real blood drawn from 5 Lebanese-Armenians who decided to give blood as a symbolic gesture of remembrance for the blood that was spilled by the Armenian people.” The five people who gave blood include two designers, a photographer, a conductor of the the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra and a singer/songwriter.
In addition, they highlighted Lebanese-Armenian recording artist Eileen Khatchadourian, celebrated Armenian resistance to the Ottoman Empire in Anjar, published a City Guide to Bourj Hammoud, hosted a playlist of selected Armenian songs as well as selecting a list of Armenian movies to watch. There will also be a Blood Drive hosted by Blood Donation NGO Donner Sang Compter this Sunday, April 26, as well a ‘Ride To Remember‘ bike rally.
In Bourj Hammoud, Lebanese-Armenians and other Lebanese commemorated the genocide under the hashtag #AgainstAllGenocides by releasing sky lanterns on the night of April 19.
And this happened last night in #Lebanon. #AgainstAllGenocides pic.twitter.com/IDyNW5UBoj
— Mike Shaldjian (@LAFNGUY) April 19, 2015
500 Lanterns were released in the sky of Beirut, in the event #AgainstAllGenocides #ZavarianStudentAssociation pic.twitter.com/gVJskxaQJQ
— Aline Demirjian (@AlineDemirjian) April 19, 2015
The featured image was taken from Aline Demirjian's Twitter account.
Written by Joey Ayoub
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