On December 10, at the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon, Ambassadors accredited to Lebanon visited the Aram Bezikian Museum, which is located near the Trchnots Bouyn (Birds’ Nest) orphanage of Jbeili and is dedicated to the memory of Armenian orphans who were saved during the Armenian Genocide and took shelter at the orphanage. The guests laid flowers near the tomb of Danish missionary Maria Jacobsen.

In his welcome speech addressed to the gathered, RA Ambassador to Lebanon Ashot Kocharyan particularly mentioned that the visit was taking place on Human Rights Day and that on December 9, for the first time ever, the international community officially observed the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime. He added that the latter was Armenia’s initiative through which Armenia’s relevant resolution on the promotion and consolidation of international operations against the crime of genocide was passed by a consensus during the 69^th session of the UN General Assembly on September 11. The Ambassador emphasized that throughout the year, progressive mankind expressed its support to and solidarity with the Armenian people, which is marking the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. He mentioned that this year also marks the 70^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the 40^th anniversary of the genocide of Cambodia, as well as the anniversaries of the Greek and Assyrian genocides and the Rwandan genocide. According to the Ambassador, the international community can’t be indifferent towards such crimes committed by Daesh, Al-Nusra and other terrorist groups.

Ambassador Kocharyan pinpointed the main directions in which there have been several events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide around the world, including tributes to the martyrs, expression of gratitude to the countries and international organizations having recognized the Armenian Genocide, the international struggle and renaissance. The Ambassador stressed the importance of unity and solidarity in order to prevent future genocides.

Afterwards, the attendees toured the orphanage and visited the museum where they viewed several documental materials devoted to the Armenian Genocide, the establishment of the orphanage and Maria Jacobsen’s humanitarian acts.

During the event, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Shaheh Panosian conveyed the greetings of Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia and provided details about the Trchnots Bouyn (Birds’ Nest) orphanage.

Among the participants of the event were the leader of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon, the head of the diplomatic corps of Beirut, the papal nuncio, representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture of Lebanon, UN Resident Coordinator in Lebanon, the Ambassadors of countries accredited to Beirut and the chairman of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Lebanon Central Body.