|
Genocide Remembrance Day, each April 24, is a
sad occasion made colorful as hundreds of thousands
mark their memories with flowers carried up the
long walk to Tsitsernakaberd Monument.
Many, and in the broader sense, all, are descendants
of maybe a million or more Armenians who perished
in Turkey starting 88 years ago on this day.
The normally quiet park stirs early with preparations
for local and foreign dignitaries' visits, made
with great pomp and presentation. But mostly the
day is one of communal grief turned public.
By mid-day the circumference of the Eternal Flame
is ringed in a knee-deep bouquet of flowers place
one or a few at a time until the air is sweet
with fragrance at the sacred monument.
The thousands make their march, taking an hour
or more to reach the top, then descending the
hill back to their regular lives of remembering
in private.
|
Copyright