Throughout the world, many Armenian groups, organizations, and communities gather together to express the importance and significance of the Armenian Genocide. During the solemn month of April, diasporans partake in protests and liturgical services to help spread the word of “1915 Never Again” , issuing the current state of Armenia, Artsakh and our hostages. As in the tri-state area, organizations such as the ANCA of NY, AYF, and ARF partnered up with St.Sarkis Church to host an Armenian Genocide Remembrance program.
The event started off with a prayer service followed by a special guest panel discussion.
Anahid Ugurlayan who is an Assistant Director at the National Advertising Division and Deputy Director at the National Advertising Review Board of the BBB National Programs kept the night alive asking the panelists questions of informative subjects and sparked interest in others while doing so.
Alec Soghomonian, an executive member of the AYF-YOARF Central Executive. Alec has graduated from Occidental College and NYU School of Law. He currently is an attorney in NYC, and serves as a law clerk for a federal judge in the US District Court. As a result of the Second Artsakh War, Alec decided to take his knowledge and bring it to the AYF as he now strives to make a difference within the youth community. As Alec shared his thoughts and ideas with the attendees, the strong theme of youth upbringing was addressed. The importance of having an organization that prides itself to make its youth show up to events that matter and to spread the Armenian word is what Alec made most of his remarks on.
Anoush Baghdassarian, is the Co-Founder of Rerooted, an Armenian Identity platform used for advocacy. Not only being the Co-Founder of Rerooted, Anoush is a licensed New York attorney in which she received her Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School. She focuses on the International Criminal Court and the U.S Department of Justice. Throughout the night, Anoush talked about the ICJ (International Court of Justice) cases regarding Artsakh and Armenia. Highlighting the remarks that Azerbaijan continues to disregard peace treaty agreements, and foreign affair settlements. Anoush also shared her story with Rerooted. She originally began her research through Armenians who originated from Syria, recording their ancestral history. Continuing from family to family, community to community, creating a database for Armenian Heritage is one of Anoush’s remarkable accomplishments.
Lastly, Gev Iskajyan, reflected upon his 2 year experience as he was in Stepanakert during the blockade and ethnic cleansing of the 2023 conflict serving as the
Executive Director of ANC Artsakh. Currently, he serves as the ANCA Grassroots Director focusing on engagement and expansion efforts. Gev issued that the unity amongst Armenians will serve as a pivotal role for future success and redirection. After returning to the U.S, Gev attended the AYF Junior Seminar which took place in Western Pennsylvania. After seeing over 400 youth members devote a weekend to learn about the Armenian cause, and come together to strive for one goal, Gev shared that this created a spark. Through ANCA efforts, Gev highlighted that with originally 10 Armenians working on Capitol Hill, their programs and career pathways have increased the Armenian working population to 65 within a decade. Gev’s continuation of unifying communities is something that he stands by as he is willing to do whatever it takes as long as he's shoulder to shoulder with other Armenians.
As Armenians throughout the world took their time during the solemn days leading up to April 24th to reflect and remember the past, the feeling that these 3 individuals left behind them as the evening came to an end was “Hope”. Through their influential ideas and life changing experiences, Alec, Anoush, and Gev left their mark on the NY community leaving this common theme for Armenians.