Adelina Avakyan has lived in Moscow for 25 years and came to stay with her family in Yerevan for the commemoration events. For her, visiting the Genocide Museum was painful but necessary. “I have tears in my eyes. There are so many emotions that it is impossible to explain. Even knowing the history, seeing the pictures brings this powerful trauma.”

Karen Gazaryan, standing with his wife, was one of thousands who visited the Genocide Museum today. “It is a colossal pain to visit the museum, it pierces my heart. It is a pain that remains with you all your life, remembering how my grandfather's family was killed by the Turks, how my grandfather [survived in an orphanage].”

Diana Gasparyan, a third year university student and a translator, was one of the volunteers helping visitors in Yerevan during the Centennial events. “It's a painful topic for every Armenian. I wish everyone could relive the pain that we are reliving right now and recognize the Genocide. I was a volunteer, handing out flowers to visitors to Yerevan, and maybe it's very little, but it means something that I am part of it, reliving this pain together with my nation. I want the Genocide to be accepted. We are a little part of history, and you can't just brush away that page of world history.”

Lilit Pipoyan, Tigran Mansourian, Tigran Hamasyan, Serj Tankian and Artur Avanesov at the press conference in Tumo Center, Yerevan, Armenia.

David Loftesness speaking at The HIVE tech summit at the Tumo Center in Yerevan.

100 LIVES EXCLUSIVE VIDEO of the torch-light procession to commemorate victims of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan on April 24, 2015.

Tigran Hamasyan, Armenian jazz pianist, at the Musical Town hall meeting today at the Tumo Center.

One of the leading Armenian composers, Tigran Mansourian, at the Tumo Center today. He told all the young Armenian musicians to "stay true to the family tradition".

Serj Tankian on the first ever SOAD concert in Yerevan, Armenia: "It was a very unique experience for me. Very electric, that's the word that comes to my mind. We didn't expect people to know the words and sing along in English!"

Armenian singer and composer Lilit Pipoyan at the Tumo Center today, where she talked about the importance of medieval poetry for the Armenian culture and identity.

SOAD frontman Serj Tankian at the Musical Town Hall meeting at the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.

A press conference involving Serj Tankian of SOAD, Tigran Hamasyan, Tigran Mansuryan and Liit Pipoyan is underway at the HIVE tech summit in Yerevan.

The World Symphony 24/04 Orchestra concert in the Republic Square on April 24.

The World Symphony 24/04 Orchestra concert in the Republic Square on April 24.

Jivan Gasparyan at the World Symphony 24/04 Orchestra concert in the Republic Square on April 24.

The World Symphony 24/04 Orchestra concert in the Republic Square on April 24.

Raffi Krikorian of Uber: "Stop thinking and talking about Armenia as landlocked, it doesn't matter. Intelligence is equally distributed no matter where you are." At the HIVE leadership summit in Yerevan.

Torch bearers at last night's procession to Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan.

Lilit Pipoyan, Armenian musician, performing at the Music Town hall meeting. Earlier she said that both joy and sadness have a place in life and in music.

Serj Tankian about a piece he wrote to commemorate the Genocide: "I composed this tune together with a friend from New Zealand. He called me and asked what I was doing for the Centennial, so I told him about the SOAD tour. And he said: 'Yes, but do you want to do a piece together?.' So I composed the first five minutes, and then he did the next five. The idea was that in the beginning the music is very sad, it makes you think about the Genocide, and then it becomes more triumphant."

People of all ages came together during last night's traditional torch-light procession to Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan.

The cutest participant of last night's traditional torch-light procession to Tsitsernakaberd in Yerevan.

A commemorative plaque was installed by city legislators at St. Gregory church in Buenos Aires.

Alexis Ohanian, founder of Reddit: “I'm very happy to come back to Hayastan. I'm here with my family. I promised them a view of Ararat, and today we have that view. Wow.”

Reddit changed its logo for the Genocide commemorations

Leading artists and composers will gather for the Musical Town hall meeting in the Tumo Center in Yerevan, where they will discuss new approaches to Armenian music following the Centennial.

The Tumo Center for Creative Technologies in Yerevan, Armenia, is hosting not one but two major events today: the HIVE summit and the Musical Town hall meeting.

Young Armenian musicians Yana, Shushanik, Elizabeth, Eva and Ani are really excited to be at the Tumo Center today.

People registering for the Musical Town hall event at the Tumo Center, Yerevan, where Serj Tankian will lead the panel dedicated to new approaches to Armenian music following the Centennial.

Art and Technology after Centennial event will take place today at Tumo Centre in Yerevan, Armenia. Music lovers and professional musicians will participate in Musical Town hall meeting with leading artists and composers to discuss new approaches to Armenian music following the Centennial, with a panel led by the SOAD frontman Serj Tankian.

Lightning a candle at St. Gregory church in Buenos Aires to honor the victims of the #ArmenianGenocide #BeArmenian http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDZihocWgAA4Bwv.jpg
 

Mass at St. Gregory church in Buenos Aires #ArmenianGenocide Centennial #BeArmenian #BeAlive http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDZh2DmWEAAPLRp.jpg
 

Mass at St. Gregory church in Buenos Aires #ArmenianGenocide Centennial #BeArmenian #BeAlive http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDZh2DmWEAAPLRp.jpg
 

The traditional torchlight procession will start from the Republic Square on April 24, 10:00 p.m. and head to Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide memorial. This annual procession is the symbolic part of struggle for the recognition of Armenian Genocide. The number of countries whose citizens arrive to join the march honoring the memory of Genocide victims grows every year.

Commemoration March at the Avenue de New York, Paris, France.

Hundreds gathered in the heart of the French capital to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.

Surrounded by media, the Prime Minister of France Manuel Valls delivers a speech near the Komitas Monument in Paris, France.

A demonstration in Paris marks the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide

The crowds gather is Paris, France, to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.

Commemorative play called Komitas at the Maxim Gorki theater in Berlin.

People commemorate Armenian Genocide near Komitas Statue, Canada Square, Paris.

Commemoration of Armenian Genocide, near Komitas Statue, Canada Square, Paris.

Commemoration of Armenian Genocide, near Komitas Statue, Canada Square, Paris.

Commemoration of Armenian Genocide, near Komitas Statue, Canada Square, Paris.

Commemoration of Armenian Genocide, near Komitas Statue, Canada Square, Paris.

Mass to commemorate Armenian Genocide at the Cathedral of Córdoba, Buenos Aries, Argentina.

Armenians joining in in Moscow.

The SOAD concert in Yerevan last night was all about life.

Many stores are closed in Buenos Aires for the Armenian Genocide Centennial.

Commemoration of Armenian Genocide, Tsitsernakaberd, Yerevan.

Jivan Gasparyan, one of Armenia's greatest musicians, is the master of the duduk.

People line up in the rain to commemorate the victims of the Armenian Genocide at Tsitsernakaberd.

A soulful performance to mark the Armenian Genocide Centennial.

Many generations of Armenians are mourning victims of the Armenian Genocide at the Memorial Complex in Yerevan.

There is little room left for flowers at the Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan.

Eternal fire burns at the Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan.

Heavy rain can't stop Armenians from paying respects to victims of the Genocide.

Flowers at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

People lining up to lay flowers at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

A proud Armenian at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

Armenian Genocide Commemoration Ceremony at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

Flowers in Yerevan, Armenia

Policewoman at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

Flowers laid this morning at the Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan.

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Ceremony

Media photographing mourners at the eternal flame in Tsitsernakaberd.

Police holding back the line of people at the Genocide Memorial Complex.

After an official ceremony where four heads of state and internationaldelegations lay flowers at Tsitsernakaberd, Armenians and guests fromaround the world came in the thousands to pay their respects.Pictured here is a unit of the Armenian Customs Service.

Jema Ovanesian, an army veteran, came to Tsitsernakaberd to pay her respects and lay flowers at the eternal flame. She is a decedent of a genocide survivor and fought in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. “My family was killed by the Turks. My father was little, the only onewho survived. He was a working man. I fought in the [Karabakh] war, Icommanded a unit. I defended my homeland. I am glad we have an army.It was good to [have this commemoration], but there were too fewheads of state.”

People waiting in line to lay flowers at the Memorial Complex.

Tom and his friends are from Poland. They came to Yerevan for the SOAD concert and other commemoration events.

Galya Hovsepyan, 75, on her way to Tsitsernakaberd.

Girl and father waiting to lay flowers at the Genocide Memorial Complex.

Simon Sarkisian from Glendale, California, came to Yerevan for the Centennial.

Unusual ways of commemoration of #armgenocide100 in #yerevan #bearmenian http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDWWLaGXIAAfyvt.jpg
 

Police officers wait to lay their flowers at the Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan.

World leaders at the at the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Ceremony.

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Ceremony.

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin attending the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Ceremony at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

One hundred musicians from 40 countries will perform classical music by Armenian composers tonight at the Renaissance Concert in Yerevan at 8:15 p.m.

One hundred musicians from 40 countries will perform classical music by Armenian composers tonight at the Renaissance Concert in Yerevan at 8:15 p.m.

Ula Wozniakowska (Poland) and Vratislav Kratochvil (Czech Republic) came to Armenia together. "I didn't know much about the Armenian Genocide", says Ula, "I started researching it after I heard about the SOAD concert in Yerevan. Serj Tankian talked about it during his performance, and now I'm eager to learn more!"

Arnaud Benoit and Alexandra Montaner are from Nîmes, France. "I am a huge fan of System of a Down", says Arnaud. "This concert was a great opportunity for us to discover Armenia. I have been traveling all over Europe but this is a bit further, of course. And with the Centennial it was now or never!"

Armenian tricolor for sale. Vernisaj, Yerevan. The seller said demand has been very high.

Narine Khachatryan is a proud Armenian who thinks the past should not be forgotten, but the present is more important: "The Genocide is part of our identity, but we have to think about the present and live for the future".

Forget-me-nots at the Northern Avenue in Yerevan, Armenia

Tamta Tvalavadze, journalist from Georgia: “System of a Down were absolutely fabulous.”

The Mikaelian family came from France to Yerevan for the first time on the most important journey of their lives.

Sound check for tonight's World Symphony Orchestra concert at Republic Square, Yerevan.

Sarine Havatian from Lebanon comes to Yerevan every year. We asked her about her Armenian heritage and what it means to her.

A memorial forget-me-not sticker on a cafe's window at the Republic Square, Yerevan.

Mason Blum (United States), Anna Pestova (Russia) and Dariusz Zabieglo (Poland) have been doing volunteer work in Armenia. They came to Yerevan to participate in the commemoration events, and are looking forward to the Torchlight Procession that takes place tonight.

HYE Riders Club LA Vice President, Duster, in Yerevan, Armenia

People watching the Canonisation Ceremony in Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, on April 23.

The march dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Uruguay rocks! Commemorating the #armeniangenocide Centennial at Plaza de la Independencia.…
 

#justice #neveragain #armeniangenocide Centennial in Montevideo, Uruguay. #BeArmenian #BeAlive http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDUTvJlWYAA-ZYq.jpg
 

We remember the #armeniangenocide in Montevideo, Uruguay. #BeArmenian #BeAlive http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDUPhu-W4AABTpC.jpg
 

Armenians show gratitude to Uruguay. #armeniangenocide #BeArmenian #BeAlive #showgratitude http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDUM7XpW0AAL6w8.jpg
 

#Soad live at Republic Sq. #Yerevan. Shaking the human body from head to toes-this is what #serhtankian and his crew are doing. #armgenocide100 #bearmenian

Thanks SOAD for an amazing concert! #wakeupthesouls #beArmenian

In Paris, "I fight for justice"

Happening now...Yerevan rocks! #SOAD #beArmenian

Varduhi Yeritsyan's performance.The concert is dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial. Place de la République, Paris, France.

Love is in the air! Rock is in the air! Concert of System of a Down in Yerevan!

Varduhi Yeritsyan's performance, Place de la République, Paris, France.

System of a Down's First Ever Armenian Show

Yerevan is raining and rocking. #SOAD #wakeupthesouls #beArmenian

The face of prosperous nation! System of a Down's First Ever Armenian Show.

Love is in the air! Rock is in the air! System of a Down, Yerevan!

Famous journalist Gaïdz Minassian's lecture about Armenian Genocide, Place de la République, Paris, France.

People holding Armenian flag at the Place de la République, Paris, France.

Many of the visitors to Etchmiadzin from Armenia and around the world said they had no words to explain how the canonization made them feel. Mardik and Silva Arslanyan came to the ceremony for remember their roots. “The 1.5 million – they are so much like Jesus to me, I cannot explain it,” Silva said.

White doves fly over Etchmiadzin, Yerevan

Place de la République, Paris, France.

Churches around the world will ringing their bells 100times- Guadalupe church, BuenosAires #ArmenianGenocide #BeAlive http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDSRZDoWYAE-hff.jpg
 

Etchmiadzin, Yerevan – today the Canonisation Ceremony is taking place here.

Canonisation Ceremony in Etchmiadzin, Yerevan.

Margarita Mateosian traveled 14,000 km from Argentina to visit Armenia for the Centennial events. She came to the canonization ceremony in Etchmiadzin wrapped in the flags of Argentina and Armenia. “My four grandparents were victims of the Genocide. They went to Argentina and started their lives over. They were children when they escaped, not more than 8-10 years old. One [grandfather] was in an orphanage, another had to escape alone through the desert, his brothers were killed in front of him. My two grandmothers were helped by different families, because they were separated from their mothers and their fathers were killed. I don't know if [the canonization]will be significant for the rest of the world. But for us it is very important. It has been a hundred years. This is spiritual. Not more than that.”

Canonisation Ceremony in Etchmiadzin, Yerevan.

The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in Etchmiadzin.

Eduard Nalbandyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, and Seyran Ohanyan, Defense Minister of Armenia, at the Canonisation Ceremony.

Canonisation Ceremony in Etchmiadzin, Yerevan

Ruben Vardanyan and his sister Marina at the Canonisation Ceremony at the Etchmiadzin Cathedral

A young System of a Down fan

Fans singing the background song at the Republic Sq. #SOAD will #WakeuptheSouls soon! #armgenocide100 #bearmenian

Danish missionary Karen Jeppe’s descendants Gudrun Veel Jeppe and Jytte Jacobsen speak about visiting a memorial service at her grave (a very touching moment!)

Security above all

Egyptian Armenians carrying the flag of Egypt to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

Republic square is getting crowded just hours before the System of a Down concert.

People holding the Armenian flag at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

Marcelo, Mauricio, Vittorio and Sandro are from Italy, and some of them are visiting Armenia for the second time. “We know that these people with ancient and rich culture went through the risk of extermination in 1915 and we are glad that they have found the strength within themselves to reemerge from that calamity”.

Ronda Jean Rousey, an American mixed martial artist, judoka and actress, in Yerevan. Photo by Daniel Kelegian.

The victims of the 1915 genocide are being canonized here as martyrs in a ceremony led by Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. This is the first time that the Armenian Apopostolic Church has elevated anyone to the rank of sainthood since the 17th century.

Flowers are planted in Tsitsernakaberd, Yerevan. Forget-me-nots are the official symbol of the Centennial.

International media at the Centennial Press Center in Yerevan

Danish missionary Karen Jeppe’s descendants Gudrun Veel Jeppe and Jytte Jacobsen are meeting relatives in Armenia for the first time.

Canonization ceremony begins with hymns #Etchmiadzin #ArmenianGenocide #BeAlive

IDeA Foundation (Armen Gevorgyan and the team) at the Genocide Memorial

People laying flowers at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

A sound check for System Of A Down concert in Yerevan 23 April 2015 - a special concert in the Wake Up The Souls tour on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

Sound mixing during the sound check for System Of A Down concert in Yerevan 23 April 2015 - a special concert in the Wake Up The Souls tour on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

Mr. Recep Marashli, scholar from Germany, came to Yerevan to participate in a conference dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. According to Mr. Marashli, his ancestors "participated in the massacre of the Armenians". “I feel tremendous pain and sorrow as a result. I have difficulty expressing my feelings and I have to live with this through the rest of my life”, says Recep Meshli.

Jacob, Poland: “My friends and I came for the SOAD concert. We know why this concert is organized – it’s for the commemoration of the Genocide. A concert by such a famous band is a perfect way of commemorating and raising awareness about the Genocide.”

Aspet Junior F.C. walking to the Memorial with their coach.

Today Eduard came to the Memorial alone. He says that Armenians should be a “high level nation”.

We are live in Echmiadzin,the "Vatican" of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In just over an hour, one of the biggest canonization ceremonies in centuries will begin. 1.5 million victims will officially become recognized as martyrs and saints.

The stakes are high as journalists from all over the world arrive in Armenia to cover the Centennial. Some seem to be coping with pressure better than others.

Three branches of the Hye Riders (Lebanese, Armenian and American) convened on Republic Square in Yerevan yesterday.

Although Artsvik lives in England, she speaks Armenian fluently: "We exist. We remember everything. We are spread all over the world but we are Armenian wherever we are".

While walking to the Memorial, Aghas is talking to his grandchildren about the tragic past and the better future: “100 years ago many of us were killed, but the nation has survived and thrived. We have our place in the world, so you should be proud to be Armenian".

Ilias from Athens, Greece: “This is my first visit to Armenia. I am from Greece and I am in Yerevan for the SOAD concert that is part of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration. I plan to visit the Memorial as well. The silence about what happened to Armenians, Greeks and other minorities in Ottoman Empire is just unacceptable.”

Marlo is an Armenian from Egypt. She is in Yerevan for April 24 as a proud Armenian. "I see different generations coming to the memorial – it is proof of the fact that we exist! We were, we are and we will be alive."

International press is in Yerevan to cover the Genocide Centennial.

Five-year-old Daniel says “I'm Armenian and I should come here [to Tsitsernakaberd]!”

Andranik, 58, is an Iranian Armenian. Along with 12 of his friends, he walked 270 kilometers for six days from Goris to Tsitsernakaberd. “I'm a proud Armenian!” he says.

At Tsitsernakaberd, the Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan

At Tsitsernakaberd

Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit: “I am here for the commemoration of Armenian Genocide. The 24th of April is also my birthday, so as Armenian this day has a lot of significance for me. I am with my family and my people.”

Anahit and Meline are going to Komitas’s museum. They are proud to be Armenian because Komitas was Armenian.

At Tsitsernakaberd, the Genocide Memorial Complex in Yerevan.

Unlike many other institutions, The Komitas Museum-Institute in Yerevan will be open on April 24-25th.

At Tsitsernakaberd, the Genocide Memorial Complex

At the Genocide Memorial

Fans lining up in front of Italian Embassy for the System of a Down concert

At the Genocide Memorial

At the Genocide Memorial

People from all over the world are coming to Armenia to commemorate the Genocide. We see a lot of happy family reunions!

The Sasuntsis family: “We are proud to be Armenian! Despite living far away from Armenia, in Germany, we never forget what happened to our people during the Genocide.”

Simon Cheher has come to Yerevan from Istanbul for the Centennial commemoration. Thanks to his work as a lawyer, three main Armenian schools in Turkey get financial support and stay open.

Aram, 60, and his granddaughter Nana, 6, will visit the Genocide Memorial the day after tomorrow to avoid large crowds.

This is 65-year-old Sonik. She has been working at Tsitsernakaberd for the past three days. “I clean every corner for our guests,” she said. #cleanYerevan

“We have arrived with our mother and grandmother, who are of Armenian descent. They have very deep ties to their roots and their sentiments also touch us. We’re here for a week to take part in centennial events. Our last name is Morales, because our father is of Spanish origin. Our maternal last name is Setoian.”

System of a Down doing a sound check for the concert starting at 8:30 pm tonight.

Marco from Estonia (left): “This is the first time I am in Armenia. Genocide is the most awful crime and it should be spoken about repeatedly and loudly. Such crimes must never happen again.”

Michael, Tom and their friends came to Yerevan from Poland for the SOAD concert. "We also want to visit the Memorial of the Genocide. The crime of Genocide should be acknowledged and condemned. This is our first visit to Armenia and we are excited to discover the country and the Armenian culture", they say.

Republic Square in Yerevan is gearing up for the System of a Down concert tonight

We caught up with little Seryozha on the streets of Yerevan and he sang in English for us. It’s about spring!

Cafes near the Opera in Yerevan welcome visitors with Armenian tricolor and red tulips – a symbol of the memorial

Orphans' shoes exhibition at the Museum of Tumanyan in Yerevan