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AYF leads 350 in Genocide Memorial Walk

Armenian Youth Federation of Australia
PO Box 238, Willoughby, NSW Australia 2068
publicaffairs@ayfaustralia.com
www.ayfaustralia.com

PRESS RELEASE
26 April 2006

AYF leads 350 in Candlelight Memorial Walk


(SYDNEY) The Armenian Youth Federation of Australia led 350 members of Sydney’s Armenian community on a Candlelight Memorial Walk from the Chatswood Town Hall to the Albert Street Unknown Soldier Monument for an emotional wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Two survivors of the 1915 massacres perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks; Mr Arshak Badelian and Mr Haroutyoon Dilanian, along with the daughter of German Armenian Genocide humanitarian aid and author; Mr Johanness Lepsius; Ms Angela Wakefield-Lepsius, made their way with the gathered to the monument to pay their respects to the memory of the 1.5 million innocent Armenians who lost their lives and homes in the still-unpunished first Genocide of the 20th Century.

AYF Australia Chairperson Enger Kevork Sarhad Tufenkjian introduced the gathered before a visual backdrop of the horrible scenes which took place in 1915.

Following a minute’s silence and the emotional wreath-laying, which involved Mr Badelian, Mr Dilanian and Ms Wakefield-Lepsius assisted by AYF Juniors members, AYF Australia members Engeroohi Lara Demirian and Engeroohi Tamar Gulumian delivered their speeches.

They remembered their perished ancestors, while pledging before the survivors, on behalf of the Armenian youth, that the fight for recognition will continue until justice is achieved.

Enger Hagop Gulumian then led the gathered in an emotional rendition of ‘Adanayi Voghpe’, which was completed by the brave and emotional voice of survivor Mr Dilanian singing the final verse.

The ceremony ended with a message and prayer from Father Vartan Navasartian of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who declared his pride at seeing the Armenian youth in faraway Australia commemorating the Armenian Genocide and declaring their commitment to carrying the fight for recognition and justice.

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