18/04/2011 12:11
Armenian Genocide to be commemorated in Simferopol
The Crimean Armenian Society and the Committee of the Armenian Youth of Crimea will hold a candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the Armenian Genocide on April 20.
According to the Crimean Armenian Society, hundreds of candles will be lit during the action to commemorate victims of the Armenian Genocide, with 96 candles forming a cross symbolizing the 96 years of Armenian people’s mourning.
The commemoration ceremony will be held at Aivazovsky Square in Simferopol, e-Crimea news agency said.
Ottoman Turkey started mass persecution of the Armenian population in 1915, resulting in mass extermination. 1.5 million Armenians were killed, over 500,000 were forced to leave their native land. Large Armenian communities were formed in many countries worldwide after the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.
A range of states have recognized the Armenian Genocide, including Russia, France, Germany, Canada…Uruguay was the first country in the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide.