On March 26, two cities of Spain (Pinto, Madrid) and (Xirivella, Valencia) recognized the Armenian Genocide at once. At the same hour, while the city council of Pinto (Madrid) was unanimously recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide and calling on the governments of democratic countries to follow its example, all four political parties forming the city council of Xirivella (Valencia), including the People’s Party (PP), the Socialist Party (PSOE), the Compromis and Lefts Union (Izquierda Unida) also followed the example of Pinto and the other cities that have already recognized the Armenian Genocide, including Mislata, Santa Coloma, Burjassot and Bétera, as Ararat Armenian Association of Valencia reports to Hayern Aysor.

Among others attending the session of Xirivella City Council were members of Ararat Armenian Association, including President Ararat Ghukasyan, Vice-President Jivan Mirzoyan, secretary Narine Navasardyan and photographer Andranik Manukyan. The resolution was submitted by speaker of the Lefts Union Joan Antoni Perez, who mentioned that the international community must give a proper response to the Armenian Genocide and that “all democratic countries must recognize it and force Turkey to apologize and repair the damages caused by that horrible crime”.

Speaker of Compromis Party Ricard Barbera also gave a speech in which he mentioned that the Armenians dispersed across the globe are known to the world by famous individuals such as Charles Aznavour, Andre Aghassi and Spain-based violinist Ara Malikyan. “We always stand by the Armenians’ side,” Barbera concluded.

The speakers of the People’s Party and the Socialist Party, as well as Mayor Enrique Orti also gave speeches condemning the Armenian Genocide.

After the resolution was unanimously passed, Ararat Ghukasyan, on behalf of the Armenians of Spain and all Armenians around the world, expressed gratitude to the city councils of Xirivella and Pinto “for standing for justice and defending the Armenians’ major claim”. Ghukasyan also invited the gathered to the presentation of Varujan Vosganian’s novel “Book of Whispers” to be held in Mislata (16 April) and advised them to visit Armenia and attend the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.