Armenian Genocide Museum to display enriched collection in 2015

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute will launch an unprecedented display of new historical records in 2015, the big tragedy’s centennial.

Speaking to Tert.am, the museum’s director, Hayk Demoyan, said they expect the enriched collection to take visitors by surprise.

“In 2015, the society will see a new display, styled and designed in the latest museum fashion and enriched with recently discovered exhibits. There will also be photo materials, as well as cinema halls where one will have a chance to hear survivor stories and watch documentaries etc. The visitors will also be offered a chance to page through different materials and watch interactive maps through about 20 monitors. And that’s the half of it. Armenia will for the first time ever introduce the modern museum style,” he said, adding that the museum expansion and repairs, which began in 2012, continue to date.

The Genocide Memorial Complex, including the memorial column, is also under repair.

Demoyan, who is also a secretary of the commission coordinating the Genocide centennial commemoration events, said they have so far conducted three sessions to outline a plan of actions for next year.

“We are not finishing or summing up anything in 2015. We are just stating – with big events and new accentuations – that 100 years have passed since the atrocious crime called Genocide which still remains unpunished and whose consequences are still unrepaired,” he explained.

As for a cooperation with the Diaspora, Demoyan said the state commission represents what he called the entire color palette of the Armenians around the world.

“This is common work, so it requires coordinated efforts,” he said.

Asked to comment on Turkish Prime Minister Recept Tayyip Erdogan’s recent instruction to Turkish ambassadors ahead of the Genocide centennial , Demoyan said Armenia is preparing to respond – some way or another – to the Turkish side’s plans.

“What we have to do is, as a matter of fact, what we are supposed to do or capable of doing. It is necessary to first of all take our resources into consideration. If they are limited, we had better avoid super-tasks, at least in the current state of affairs. As to the chances of opposing to the Turkish side, it is what we are actually doing. But it is important to always be the first in all our efforts,” he said, adding that the Commission does not make haste in making all of its plans public.

Demoyan said the Turkish side has concerns ahead of the Genocide centennial. He said they very often attempt to distort information about the activities of the museum and the plans of the state commission.

“There are invitations for visiting Turkey; almost every day I receive letters containing either hate language or request for materials. There is naturally a growing interest in our work,” he added.

http://www.tert.am/

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