On April 24, several Armenians of Almelo and foreign guests gathered near the Armenian Genocide Memorial Almelo (AGMA) to pay tribute to the canonized martyrs of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated 101 years ago. The Armenian Genocide Memorial of Almelo is located in the area near the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Almelo.

Among the attendees were the leaders and representatives of the Armenian communities of Amsterdam, Mastricht, Nijmekhen, Arhnem. Alekmar and other cities, as reported Manuk Mkrtchyan to Hayern Aysor.

The ceremony was performed by Archbishop Norvan Zakaryan, Rev. Aren Shahinian and Priest Mashtots Baghdasaryan from France.

After the ceremony, the attendees headed towards Calouste Gulbenkian Hall where the commemorative ceremonies continued. Among the guests were not only employees of the Municipality of Almelo led by the mayor, but also Members of the Parliament of the Netherlands, including Peter Omtzicht, who is a member of the Christian Union Party (CDA) and a delegate of the European Parliament, Sadet Karabulut, who is a member of the Socialist Party (SP) and Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs and Integration, as well as Han Ten Bruke, who is a member of the ruling Party for Democracy and Freedom (VVD) and Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security.

Among other guests were leader of the Christian Union Party (CU) Jan Vestert, as well as sociologist Ugur Ungor, who is also a famous historian and genocide scholar.

In their speeches, the Members of Parliament expressed sorrow for the innocent victims, spoke out against Turkey’s policy of denial and voiced hope that Turkey never becomes a member of the European Union without recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Armenian singers and musicians of the Netherlands performed throughout the event. Vahe Hovhannisyan played the duduk, Ruzanna Nahapetyan performed the songs “Dle Yaman” and “Bats Mez, Ter” (Open Us, Lord), and violinist Valentina Beglaryan performed the song “Otar Amayi Tchampeki Vra” (On Foreign Paths).

In his closing speech, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of the Netherlands Massis Abrahamyan expressed gratitude to everyone for attending the event, criticized Turkey’s policy of denial and called on everyone to continue the struggle to fulfill the just demand through combined efforts.