Interactive exhibit features installations, film, music and forums to mark
LOS ANGELES—On April 9, 10 and 11 the vast open spaces of the Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter’s Center in Los Angeles will transform into an interactive museum experience title “Red Poppy” to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.
With the goal to engage and impact visitors through sight, sound and sensory experiences, Red Poppy will feature an audio visual tunnel, larger than life map, streaming photo nooks, and an area where visitors can physically explore the horrific 1915 deportations of Armenians out of ancestral homelands, by the Turkish Ottoman government. According to Edik Balaian, who conceived Red Poppy, the exhibit seeks to go beyond personal engagement: “It also sets the stage for social interaction among visitors and flexibility to experience the components of the interactive exhibit at a personal pace–to touch, see, contemplate, feel and hear and eventually commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide together.”
Noted writers, historians, academic and political figures will take the stage each evening 7-9p.m. for various panel discussions on modern, cultural, and historical aspects of the commemoration. Panelists include Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian, Gevork Nazaryan, Dr. Garabet Moumdjian, Harut Sassounian, Dr. Rubina Peroomian, and Vatche Thomassian.
Now in its second year, Red Poppy has expanded to feature a Kids Corner with a Memory Wall to allow for expression through drawing and writing, and an Internet Corner that features online resources and petitions, as well as blog posting opportunity for visitors. Red Poppy is organized by Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter and sponsored by Homenetmen Western Region.
Other highlights feature live chamber music of Gomidas each evening starting at 6pm, screening of various documentaries throughout the day, including Carla Garabedian’s documentary “Screamers” that explores modern day genocides, and a special forum on the Armenian American Museum Project on April 11, starting at 2p.m.
The ‘Red Poppy’ Schedule is as follows:
Thursday, April 9
Hours 11 a.m-9 p.m.
Highlights:
11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. & 5:15 p.m- 5:45 p.m.
Presentation of the Large Armenian Genocide Map by historian Gevork Nazaryan
6 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Chamber performance
7 p.m.-9 p.m. Speakers Forum with Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian, Gevork Nazaryan, Dr. Garabet Moumdjian
Friday, April 10
Hours 11 a.m-9 p.m.
Highlights:
11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. & 5:15 p.m- 5:45 p.m.
Presentation of the Large Armenian Genocide Map by historian Gevork Nazaryan
6 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Chamber performance
7 p.m.-9 p.m. Speakers Forum with Gevork Nazaryan, Dr. Garabet Moumdjian, Harut Sassounian
Saturday, April 11
Hours 11 a.m-9 p.m.
Highlights:
11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. & 5:15 p.m- 5:45 p.m.
Presentation of the Large Armenian Genocide Map by historian Gevork Nazaryan
2 p.m. -4 p.m. Forum on Armenian American Museum Project
6 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Chamber performance
7 p.m.-9 p.m. Speakers Forum with Dr. Garabet Moumdjian, Dr. Rubina Peroomian, and Vatche Thomassian
“Red Poppy belongs to every race,
who still can’t heal their genocided pains”
Sylva~MD~Poetry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
British People Remember
To Add Another Leaf to Your Red Poppy
For The Genocided Armenians (April 24, 1915)
Before the World War I . . .
Our Genocide began.
You lost young soldiers,
Martyred with their guns,
Who went passionately,
Defending their Crown;
They did not return, . . .
Were lamented by their nation
By parents, wives, offspring,
And their countrymen.
You lost your bravest men . . . and
We felt your sadness.
We lost almost all our Artful, Literate
Voiceless, Devoted, Enslaved populaces
Slaughtered . . . raped . . . dehydrated . . .
Famineated on the sunny Der Zor sand!
When you remember your Armistice Day*,
Please remember, for your soldiers’ sake,
Our slaughtered unborn sons
Who never grew to become young men!
They fell to defend their dignity . . .
Their faith, yours and each honest human.
Along with democracy . . . human rights . . .
Awake . . . return to your faith . . .
Remember the Armenian Genocide.
Add another leaf to your red poppy,
And make Remembrance Day
More humanitarian.
We have not yet regained our rights,
To our historic homeland . . .
Our Biblical Mount Ararat of civilized hearts,
Where the martyred proud reign.
_________________
*November 11, 1918
Dr. Sylva Portoian
Published in my poetry books, since 2007
Once again will be in my Historical Untreated Poems
“BRING-OUT our Genocided Skulls and Artful Hands (2015)
Its about time we hear the voices of those people, silenced for their
faith so many years ago, April 24th, 1915