New York Times Bestselling Author, Professor Peter Balakian joined political figures, and representatives and members of Sydney’s Armenian community in commemorating the 93rd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday evening.
Balakian, Rebar Professor of the Humanities at Colgate University and Raphael Lemkin Prize-winning author of
The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and America’s Response (2003), exposed the 1,000 attendees to research identifying the Armenian Genocide as the ‘template’ used by Adolf Hitler for the Jewish Holocaust, as well as other ‘modern’ genocides.
“To understand the Jewish Holocaust, to understand the Cambodian Genocide, to understand Darfur; we must first of all understand their template of genocide in the modern period, the Armenian Genocide,†said Prof. Balakian.
Balakian’s address highlighted the need for worldwide recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.
“Professor Balakian has brought great exposure to the Armenian cause worldwide and he is now continuing this in Australia,†said Mr. Varant Meguerditchian of the organising Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee. “The research he presented tonight shows why recognising and condemning acts of Genocide remains an important human rights priority.â€
Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and New Zealand, Archbishop Aghan Baliozian led a long list of dignitaries who attended the event held at the UTS Greenhalgh Theatre.
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Kevin Rudd MP was represented, as was the Leader of the Federal Opposition, Dr. Brendan Nelson. Also represented were the Premier of New South Wales, the Honourable Morris Iemma and the Leader of the Opposition of New South Wales, Mr. Barry O’Farrell MP.
For excerpts of key political statements in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, please click here.
For images of the event, please click here.
