On April 24, Yerevan marked the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a series of gatherings to honor the memory of the victims and highlighted the strength and enduring legacy of the survivors. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and Afeyan Initiatives for Armenia (AIFA) supported these events in the Armenian capital.
The day began with a flower-laying ceremony at Tsitsernakaberd, the memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the 1915 Genocide, as participants gathered at the entrance of the museum to make the traditional walk to the eternal flame. This annual act of remembrance unites generations of Armenians and supporters from around the world in a shared moment of reflection and solidarity.
Later, the focus shifted to the Matenadaran, Armenia’s national repository of ancient manuscripts, where the Chronicles of Aurora was officially displayed, offering visitors a month-long opportunity to view this outstanding interpretation of historic manuscript art. Crafted entirely from natural materials and rooted in ancient traditions, the Chronicles of Aurora is the first manuscript created at the Matenadaran in the 21st century. First presented in 2018, it tells the story of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and its mission of Gratitude in Action.
This year’s display includes a newly added tribute page: a sketch of the memorial dedicated to Aurora Mardiganian and the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Students from the Matenadaran Art Studio, who helped illustrate this modern masterpiece, presented the manuscript to the audience.
The final event of the day took place at the Aurora Mardiganian Memorial, unveiled in September 2024, and located in the park area near the Komitas Museum-Institute. A flower-laying ceremony was held at the monument, where attendees paid tribute to Aurora Mardiganian, an Armenian Genocide survivor, philanthropist, and inspiration behind the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative.
Designed by Italian Armenian sculptor Vighen Avetis and architect Ashot Arshakyan, the two-sided memorial encapsulates both the atrocities of the Genocide and the strength of survivors. Soil from Aurora’s resting place in Los Angeles and relics from the Deir ez-Zor desert were placed beneath the monument, symbolically connecting past and present.
The 2025 commemoration has special significance, as it coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. Founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, Aurora continues to address on-the-ground humanitarian challenges around the world with the focus on helping the most vulnerable.