On 30 March, Petrer became the 25^th city of Spain to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. As reported Ararat Armenian Association of Elda to Hayern Aysor, during a March 30 city council session, with 20 votes in favor and one abstention, Petrer officially recognized the first genocide of the 20^th century, condemning the grave crime committed against humanity and urging the Spanish government to follow its example.

Based on the motion filed by Ararat Armenian Association of Elda, the joint Armenian Genocide resolution was submitted by representatives of the ruling Socialist Party, the Left Union, Compromis and Sí Podemos. Five parliamentarians of the People’s Party also voted in favor of the resolution, and even though the Ciudadanos Party abstained, it urged to condemn and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Among the attendees of the session were representatives of the Armenian communities of Elda and Petrer. The motion was submitted by advisor of the Lefts in Petrer, representative for Peace and Solidarity Rafael Macia Espi. Advisors of the Sí Podemos Party, the Socialist Party and the Compromis Party called on recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. Expressing gratitude to President of Ararat Armenian Association of Elda Anahit Ohanyan who said that if this great crime against humanity, Christianity and culture had been condemned and recognized a century ago, the horrible incidents wouldn’t be committed again in almost the same region.

Let us remind that Ararat Armenian Association of Elda recently held a conference entitled “Peace and Solidarity against Violence” in Petrer. The conference was dedicated to the 102^nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and featured a marvelous exhibition that had the same title and showcased the paintings by the 4-14-year-old students of K. Kushnaryan School in Yerevan, as well as Merited Painter of the Republic of Armenia Anna Harutyunyan and Spain-based Armenian painter, expert in art history and theory Anahit Ohanyan.