At the joint initiative of the Artsakh branch of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and the Armenian Assembly of America, an exhibition titled “American Relief in the First Republic of Armenia 1918-1920 was held in Stepanakert’s Culture and Youth Palace.
Exhibition titled “American Relief in the First Republic of Armenia 1918-1920 held in Stepanakert
STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 2, ARTSAKHPRESS: The exhibition featured documentary materials on the disastrous consequences of the Ottoman Empire's 1915 genocide in Western Armenia and the atrocities of Eastern Armenia under the Russian Empire.
As "Artsakhpress" reports, David Melkumyan, the head of the branch of the "Young Men's Christian Association" (YMCA) non-governmental organization made an opening speech.
He attached importance to the organization of such event in Artsakh.
This exhibition tells about two American YMCA volunteers, (John Elder and James O. Arroll) who, based on Elder's personal diary and his preserved service documents, as well as signed photos, during the First Republic of Armenia displayed selfless dedication to Armenians.
Regional director of the Armenian Assembly of America Arpi Vardanyan, who also attended the exhibition, said that John Elder's grandchildren in their basement found documents and pictures dating back to the period of Armenian genocide.
Executive Secretary of Europe's Christian Men’s Association Vardan Hambardzumyan said that John Elder and James Arrol celebrated with the Armenian people the victory of the heroic battle of Sardarapat and the establishment of the First Armenian Republic.
This story of Americans is not the only heroic episode performed by our organization. The members of the organization delivered other humanitarian aids in the Ottoman Empire. This shows the decisive role of American humanitarian aid in Armenia a century ago.
From that time the friendship between Americans and Armenians have established.
Artsakh National Assembly Chairman Ashot Ghulyan, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Masis Mayilyan, Minister of Culture, Youth Affairs and Tourism Lernik Hovhannisyan, MPs, members of the organization and guests attended the event and got acquainted with the presented documentary materials.
