Last sunday was the 95th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City.
It feels strange to talk about it.
On one side, it's important to remember the atrocities, the ruthlessness, and the systematic eradication of a nation which lead to the death of 1.5 million Armenians by the hands of Ottoman Turks (the predecessors of modern day Turkey).
On the other side it feels like an empty commemoration. Yes, it's true, many nations accept the Genocide (Italy, France, Greece, Belgium, Argentina, and Canada to name a few), but yet WHY has the United States not done so? How is it possible that 95 years after it took place, the United States is still back and forth on the topic? This is a huge problem. And one that needs to be addressed immediately.
On a side note, in attendance were two of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. I was able to photograph them before the commemoration was over. To be in their presence felt indescribable. How much had their eyes witnessed? How much had they endured? What stories did they hold?
Here are some photos from that day.
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