The Armenian community of Baden-Württemberg and local Armenian cultural associations, in association with various German cultural, political and ecclesiastical organizations, organized a number of events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

The events kicked off with the conference on “Armenian Identity 1915-2015: Violence, History, Present” held at the Evangelical Academy of Bad-Boll. The two-day event included lectures by Turkish writer Doan Akanli; Professor of History and Western Christianity, Dr. Khachik Ghazaryan; researcher at Lepsius House Roy Knoke; Member of the Bundestag Cem Ozdemir; spiritual pastor of the Armenian community of Baden-Württemberg, Doctor of Theology, Priest Tiratur Sardaryan and member of the Center for Political Education of the Territory Sibile Telen.

On April 10, Rolf Hosfeld presented his book “Story of Death: The Armenian Genocide” at the Central Library of Stuttgart. Turkish Member of the Bundestag Cem Ozdemir was also attending the presentation. In his book, the author presents and appreciates the major research that foreign researchers have conducted on the Armenian Genocide. The book presents the history of the genocide, how it was planned, how consistent the Turkish regime was in its perpetration, as well as the succession of the Hamidian and Young Turkish regimes. The author also reflects on the trial of Soghomon Tehleryan and the impact that it had on Raphael Lemkin.

On April 16, Professor Hans-Lukas Kieser presented his book “Germany and the Armenian Genocide” at Reichspräsident-Friedrich-Ebert Memorial Complex in Heidelberg.

On April 17, a commemorative concert dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide was held at Luther Church of Stuttgart with performances of Armenian folk and spiritual songs by Geghard Choir from Armenia. The members of the choir attracted the German and Armenian listeners with their wonderful voices and professionalism.

On April 18, local Armenian and Assyrian clergymen, as well as German politicians and representatives of the Catholic and Protestant Churches gave speeches demanding recognition of the Armenian Genocide during a rally held by the local Armenians and Assyrians at the central square in Göppingen.

On the evening of April 18, a literary event devoted to Hovhannes Tumanyan and Sergey Gorodetsky was held at the Literary Café in Baden-Baden. The keynote speakers were spiritual pastor of the Armenian community of Baden-Württemberg, Priest Tiratur Sardaryan and Hovhannes Tumanyan’s granddaughter Irma Safrazbekyan, who talked about the attitude of public and cultural figures of the time towards the first genocide of the 20^th century. The thoughts and ideas of Nansen, Lepsius, Wegner, Morgenthau and Verfel were read during the event. The attendees were also informed about Russian writer, publicist and journalist Sergey Gorodetsky, who had tried to do everything possible to mitigate the hardships of the Armenians who had already experienced genocide.

This event went to show that Europe aspires to acknowledge Armenia and its history ahead of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, and these events provide people with the opportunity to be more informed.

On April 20, Istanbul’s correspondent for Germany’s Die Tageszeitung newspaper Jürgen Gotschlich presented his book “Accomplice to the Genocide: The Role of Germany in the Armenian Massacre” in Göppingen. One hundred years after the Armenian Genocide, the German writer and journalist Jürgen Gotschlich blames Germany for being an accomplice during the genocide. According to the author, German diplomats and servicemen were aware of the massacres against the Armenians and their deportations in the Ottoman Empire. The journalist criticizes the fact that Germany almost doesn’t touch upon its role in the Armenian massacres.

On April 22, the Evangelical Church hosted a meeting with Armenian and Assyrian clergymen in Aich-Neuenhaus. During the event, spiritual pastor of the Armenian community of Baden-Württemberg, Priest Tiratur Sardaryan delivered a lecture on “Armenia-Ararat Land” in which he presented the history and culture of the Armenian people. After the lecture, the priest gave the floor to an Assyrian clergyman, who talked about the current state of Christians in Syria. Afterwards, the German attendees had the chance to ask the Armenian and Assyrian clergymen their questions of concern.

On April 24, several events were held in Stuttgart. From the outset, Vice-President of the Landtag of Baden-Württemberg, Mrs. Brigitte Lösch received delegates of the Armenian community of the region, including Armenian scholars, artists and community figures led by Priest Tiratur Sardaryan. On behalf of Landtag of Baden-Württemberg, Brigitte Lösch expressed her support and condolences to all Armenians. During the meeting, the Armenian delegates raised the issue of including the Armenian Genocide in school textbooks and building a community center in Stuttgart.

At midday, about 500 members of the Armenian community held a march of mourning to the Turkish Consulate, after which they took part in a Requiem Service in memory of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide near the cross-stone placed adjacent to the Armenian cemetery of Stuttgart.

At 19:15 in the evening, a commemorative event began at Lutheran Church of Stuttgart with the participation of several state officials, representatives of sister churches, as well as members of political, cultural and diplomatic organizations. The event began with welcome speeches by Mayor of Stuttgart Fritz Kuhn, Vice-President of Landtag Brigitte Lösch, Christian-Democrat MP Bernhard Lasota, monsignor of the Catholic Church Detlef Steps and Bishop Frank Otfried July of the Evangelical Church of Baden-Württemberg. Johannes Lepsius’s grandson, Professor Manfred Aske Lepsius gave a speech in which he commemorated the victims. The event included musical performances by famous German-Armenian musicians, including Seda Amirkarayan, Tamara Badalyan, Hrair Ajemyan and Vache and Mikayel Bagratunis.

On April 25, a commemorative event was held in Kehl. A Requiem Service was held. The event began with welcome speeches by Mayor Tony Vetrano, Member of the Bundestag Elvira Drobinski-Weiss, Turkologist Sibile Telen, as well as spiritual pastor of the community, Priest Tiratur Sardaryan.

The media provided wide coverage of and praised all the events organized in Baden-Württemberg.

Several other events, including literary, musical and theatrical events will be held throughout the year. The topic of the Armenian Genocide will especially be discussed during a big event to be held as part of Armenian Culture Days in Stuttgart on 19-30 October.