American Woman from Illinois Breaks Down in Yerevan, Shares Family’s Genocide Survival Story

American Woman from Illinois Breaks Down in Yerevan, Shares Family’s Genocide Survival Story in Emotional Interview

On the eve of April 24, thousands of people filled the streets of Yerevan, carrying torches and walking toward the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The annual march brought together locals, diaspora Armenians, and foreign visitors, each carrying their own understanding of history, memory, and identity.
The Armenian Report was there, speaking with participants to understand what this day means to them.
One young participant said that the Armenian Genocide is not only a historical event tied to 1915, but part of a longer process that led to the formation of the Armenian diaspora. According to her, the events in Western Armenia forced generations to flee and rebuild their lives elsewhere.
They also reflected on the question of silence in history, saying they believe it is intentional. In their view, silence often serves certain political or strategic interests, allowing painful truths to be overlooked or ignored.
Among the crowd were foreigners now living in Armenia. One group described themselves as refugees who have found a home in the country. They said they had heard about the Armenian Genocide, though not in great detail, and described it as a deeply tragic event for the Armenian people.
While their knowledge of the history was limited, they expressed empathy and respect, emphasizing that they understand its emotional weight and significance for Armenians today.
Another participant pointed to the broader issue of global recognition. Referencing a well-known historical remark questioning who would remember the Armenian Genocide, they said that today, more people around the world are aware of it.
They stressed that silence around such events is often intentional, driven by political motives or attempts to erase the suffering of entire communities. For them, recognition is not only about the past but also about preventing similar tragedies in the future.
For many in the diaspora, the march was deeply personal. One attendee shared that their family came from regions such as Bitlis, Yozgat, and Sivas in Western Armenia. Their ancestors fled in 1915, finding refuge in places like Georgia, though much of their family was lost along the way.
They explained that this was their first time attending the commemoration in Armenia, though they had previously taken part in similar events in cities like Marseille and Strasbourg.
In recent years, they were able to reconnect with relatives in Armenia and Georgia through DNA testing. These discoveries helped them piece together their family history, turning fragments of memory into a clearer understanding of their past.
Across different voices, one theme remained constant: memory. Whether through family stories, historical research, or personal discovery, participants described how the legacy of the Armenian Genocide continues to shape identity today.
For some, it is a history learned through books and global discussions. For others, it is a story passed down through generations—sometimes incomplete, sometimes painful, but always present.

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