Armenian Ambassador to Greece: Our memory is not a weapon, but a  source of awakening

ArmInfo. It is necessary to combat the denial of the genocide through all possible means, as  stated by the Armenian Ambassador to Greece, Tigran Mkrtchyan, during his speech at the event commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, held at the Acropolis Theater in Athens.

As reported by the Armenian Embassy in Greece, the Armenian diplomat  recalled that since April 24, Armenia, many cities in Greece and  other parts of the world are marking the 110th anniversary of the  remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, planned and  carried out by the leadership of the Young Turks in the Ottoman  Empire. According to him, political leaders make statements dedicated  to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. In this  regard, he particularly highlighted the statements of Greek President  Konstantinos Tasoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Parliament  Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, as well as politicians and  representatives from almost all parliament factions. 

"Every time I reflect on the memory of the Armenian Genocide, I  consider it important to touch upon several circumstances, if we  prioritize them in our daily efforts, we will be able to achieve  progress in preventing new genocides. First, it is necessary to  combat genocide denial in every possible way. Denial takes various  forms and methods, all aiming to deny genocide of Armenians and other  peoples. The fight against denial is evident in various resolutions  adopted by international bodies and national legislation, in  particular, in resolutions criminalizing denial. In this sense,  Greece stands out as one of the few countries that has not only  recognized, condemned and honored the memory of the victims of the  Armenian Genocide at the state level, but also criminalized the  denial of the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust and other genocides,"  the Armenian diplomat noted. Secondly, according to him, one  key to   successfully preventing genocide is to incorporate education about  genocide not only in universities, but also in secondary schools.

"Thirdly, observing days of remembrance for the Armenian Genocide and  other genocides is important. On these days, we pay tribute to the  memory of innocent victims. In 2015, they were canonized by the  Armenian Apostolic Church." Mkrtchyan noted that in the case of the  Armenian Genocide, all of the aforementioned circumstances - the  rejection of genocide denial, teaching it and the general  commemoration of Genocide Day - were implemented in Greece, and this  was not at all accidental. "Greece was one of the first countries to  accept a significant number of Armenian refugees during the Hamidian  massacres of 1895-1896. In 1915-1923, Greeks and Armenians fought  together in self-defense battles in Trabzon, Samsun and other places.  During the genocide, many Armenians found refuge in Greek homes, and  Armenian children in the institutions of the Greek Orthodox Church,"  the Armenian diplomat noted.