Your trusted source

A series of events took place on April 24 in Stockholm to mark the 99th anniversary of Armenian Genocide, reports the statement released by the Armenian embassy to Sweden. Note that today the Azerbaijani media disseminated disinformation allegedly the events in Stockholm dedicated to the anniversary of Armenian Genocide did not take place.

It is noted that by the initiative of the Coordination Center of Armenian Associations in Sweden in the Central Square called “Sergels torg” rally was held at which Artak Apitonyan Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ambassador of Armenia to Sweden, the Swedish parliament deputies Hans Linde (Left Party), Fredrik Malm (Liberal Party), Mats Pertoft (Green Party), as well as chairman of the Coordination center Garlen Mansurian and a representative of the Assyrians Union in Sweden made speeches.

In his speech the ambassador Apitonyan noted that the Armenian nation is grateful to Sweden and all other countries that have recognized and condemned that horrible crime. He welcomed the presence of the deputies who have played a decisive role in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Swedish Parliament.

Then the ambassador emphasized that even on the eve of the 100th anniversary of Great Massacre, genocide continues: this time under the veil of denial. According to him, the calls for the dialogue made by the Turkish PM on April 23 looks like an irony as his government suspended the ratification of the protocols signed in Zurich. The ambassador also gave an interview to Swedish television Channel Assyrian.

Before the rally by the initiative of the Coordination Center of Armenian Associations in Sweden a procession took place which was attended by almost 800 people. The march started from the Square of Karlaplan after the liturgy ceremony held by the spiritual leaders of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic communities. Then the procession headed towards the embassy of Turkey to Sweden.

In the course of the day, the Armenian embassy as well held wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of the Swedish missionary Alma Johansson who in the years of Armenian Genocide carried out missionary work in Western Armenia and saved many lives.

The ceremony was attended by the ambassador Artak Apitonyan, Deputies of National Assembly of Armenia, Arpine Hovhannisyan and Karine Poghosyan, heads of the spiritual and secular structures of Armenian community in Sweden.

The ceremony began with a liturgy carried out by spiritual pastor of Armenian Apostolic Church in the Scandinavian countries archimandrite Eghishe Avetisyan and the pastor of Armenian Catholic church archimandrite Hovsep Page. After that the ambassador Apitonyan, representative of the Coordination Center of Armenian Associations in Sweden Vahagn Avetian and Armenian NA MP Arpine Hovhannisyan made a speech.

On the same day in the church of Vantör in Stockholm a concert was held dedicated to the memory of Genocide victims. The concert was organized by pianist of Armenian descent Karin Hellman-Gevorgyan. Works of Komitas Johann Sebastian Bach and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach were performed.