On March 26, the Isam Fares Hall of the American University in Beirut hosted a lecture devoted to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide with a keynote speech by famous British journalist, correspondent for The Independent in the Near East, Robert Fisk. The lecture was organized by the Armenian Heritage Club of Lebanon, as the press service of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

In his welcome speech, Professor of the American University in Beirut Khazhag Giokchian mentioned that the Armenian Genocide was a crime against humanity and civilization and against a nation and culture spanning millennia.

Robert Fisk viewed the Armenian massacres of 1915 as the first genocide of the 20^th century. He mentioned that the German soldiers having served in the Turkish army witnessed those events and that their testimonies are extremely important for Armenians. Fisk also stressed the fact that the Armenians won by keeping the memory alive. He talked about his visit to Turkey and his tours in the provinces of historic Armenia and mentioned that, in spite of the Turkish government’s policy of denial, all Turks know what really happened in 1915. Robert Fisk mentioned that talking to Turkish intellectuals and exchanging views on the Armenian Genocide isn’t enough and that there is a need to explain to average people what happened.

On March 27, an event commemorating the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide was held at Erjo Samuelian Hall of the Armenian Prelacy of Beirut at the initiative of the Armenian Relief Cross in Lebanon and under the patronage of the leader of the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon.

The event began with opening remarks by chairman of the Regional Committee of the Armenian Relief Cross in Lebanon Talin Klbashian, who touched upon the past and mission of the LRC.

Chairwoman of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Central Committee of Lebanon Seta Khdshian talked about the activities of the Armenian Relief Cross in Lebanon and details of the Armenian Genocide. She expressed her deep gratitude to the Armenian mothers who bore the suffering, but played a huge role in raising their children and preserving the Armenian language. In closing, she mentioned that Armenians continue their just struggle in peace and with vigor.

Member of the Parliament of Lebanon Ghasan Mukhayber mentioned that the Armenians have made their major contributions to help Lebanon flourish and prosper. He noted that the Turks killed the Armenians with weapons and killed the Lebanese by letting them starve to death, making the Lebanese lose 40 percent of their population. He expressed his support to the Armenians and emphasized that the Lebanese people also support the Armenian people. Mukhayber added that genocide is a crime against humanity and may be repeated, if it isn’t condemned.

In his speech, leader of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Lebanon, Bishop Shaheh Panosian emphasized that Armenian women and mothers have served as the basis for life and survival of the Armenians throughout the history of the Armenian people.

The event included the screening of a documentary film about Armenian history, the horrors that the Armenians experienced and the activities of the Armenian Relief Cross in Lebanon. The event also included performances of songs by Tripoli’s Fayha Choir led by Parkev Taslakian.

On March 27, Lebanese-Armenian painter Lucy Poshoghlian opened her exhibition dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide at Le Gray Hotel. The exhibition was sponsored by the RA Embassy in Lebanon. The Tekeyan Cultural Association’s Lebanon local chapter organized and the Armenian Genocide Centennial Central Committee of Lebanon sponsored a discussion on “The Topic of Genocide in the Presses: Past, Present and Future” with the editors of three Armenian dailies of Lebanon. The questions for the editors were mainly related to the valuable articles devoted to the Armenian Cause in Armenian presses and the articles to be published as we approach the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. The master of ceremonies was chairwoman of the Lebanon local chapter of Tekeyan Cultural Association Ani Toranian.

Among those attending the events were RA Ambassador to Lebanon Ashot Kocharyan, Members of Parliament, ministers, public and political figures, diplomats, religious leaders, as well as journalists and students.