Good morning, good afternoon and good evening readers,

Before coming to Armenia, I knew nothing about the Armenian genocide. After having learnt more and more throughout my time here, I find it uncomfortable that these events happened and we are not taught about it when growing up in the West. From the Armenian Genocide, many fled the country creating the recognised event of the Armenian Diaspora. To this day, there is still a highly sensitive debate between nations as to whether the event should be correctly defined as a genocide. Having been here, visited museums and spoken to Armenians about the issue, it is difficult to understand how it can be defined as otherwise. However, I am not in the position to participate in this dispute. Instead, I can only comment on the events and emotions that I have witnessed on 24th April. Amidst a passionate protest, all actions stopped for the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, as thousands showed their respects to those that they have lost.

A volunteer kindly invited us to spend the day with them, where we walked from Republic Square to the Genocide Memorial Museum. Five hours and 27,000 steps later we lay our flowers on the memorial. The amount of people participating in the event was incredible and another example of Armenians showing unity against an event that devastated the nation. If you would like to find out further information about the Armenian Genocide, which I hope that you do, there is a plethora of information and articles online. Please see the below images from my participation in the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. I hope you enjoy.

In kindness,
C x