In 2014, Dutch-Armenian organizations will be holding large-scale events dedicated to the 99^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide across the country, even in the residential areas where there are few Armenians. The commemoration events have already been launched and will continue even after April 24^th.

On Apr. 11, the Gladzor Armenian Student Union of Utrecht hosted an evening devoted to the Armenian Genocide with young writer, theoretician Anthony Holslag, who has conducted a study on the consequences of the Armenian Genocide. Holslag also presented his book entitled In het Gesteente van Ararat.

On Apr. 11, a restaurant named T Armeense Hoekje (Armenian Corner) was opened in the Dutch city of Ostburg located in the south of the Netherlands. The Dear Angel Dutch-Armenian organization will be showing theme-based materials devoted to the Armenian Genocide for visitors and plans on showing films about the Armenian Genocide and organizing an interview on the regional radio on April 24^th.

On Apr. 22, the Armenian National Committee of The Netherlands, in association with the Dutch-Armenian organizations of The Hague, will hold a protest devoted to the 99^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The protest will start at Plane Square in The Hague (near the Parliament of Holland) and will continue with a march toward the Embassy of Turkey with calls to put an end to the aggression against Kessab and to prevent genocide.

On the same day, members of the ARF-D “Garegin Nzhdeh” youth organization of the Armenian National Committee of The Netherlands and their supporters will hold a march and candle-lighting ceremony in Den Haague at night.

On Apr. 23, the April 24^th Committee of the Federation of Armenian Organizations of The Netherlands (FAON) will hold a commemoration event at the renovated Holy Spirit Armenian Apostolic Church of Amsterdam, which will mark its 300^th anniversary this year. The event will include speeches by RA Ambassador to The Netherlands Dzyunik Aghajanyan, Deputy of the Christian Union’s parliamentary faction Gert Jan Segers, former Director of Israel’s CIDI Information Center Roni Naftaniel and others, as well as musical performances.

Articles on the Armenian Genocide published in Dutch newspapers during the years of WWI will also be shown, including the reports by the Dutch Ambassador. The exhibition will be held by political figure Peter van der Felden and will showcase a collection of books about the Armenian Genocide.

On Apr. 24, a Requiem Mass will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Armenian Genocide Memorial located at the De Boscamp Cemetery in Assen. The event is organized by the Armenia Institution in Assen and the April 24 Committee of the Dutch-Armenian Federation. An Armenian Genocide Memorial, which is the only one of its kind in Europe, will be opened in the Armenian-populated city of Almelo. The memorial has 16 columns, which is the scheme of Armenian churches. The cross-stones were made from tuff in Armenia. On that day, several delegations from Armenian-populated areas of neighboring countries will visit and pay tribute at the memorial complex established at the initiative of benefactor Christian Geliji.

On Apr. 26, the Armenian Women’s Union of Vstervord and the Armenian Church Council of Armeni will hold a commemoration event.

Several other events dedicated to the 99^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be held in small and large residential areas of The Netherlands where there are Armenians.

NETHERLANDS DIARY

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