A grant from Aurora will help the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute to republish Aurora Mardiganian’s book with additional notes
September 10, 2020 – Yerevan, Armenia – The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is glad to announce that it will support the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in its unprecedented efforts to republish “Ravished Armenia” by Aurora Mardiganian with additional references and explanatory notes. This unique publication in Armenian and English will mark the symbolic start of the Mémoires of Survivors of the Armenian Genocide Series, a milestone project of the Museum-Institute.
“Аurora Humanitarian Initiative has been closely collaborating with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute for many years and is especially delighted to support this project in particular, as our Initiative was inspired by the story of Aurora Mardiganian and named after her. As a child, she was subjected to the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide and not only survived but went on to relive the trauma as she told her story to the world on stage and in film, raising awareness of the Genocide. This year, we are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, and this reprint couldn’t have come along in a better time to highlight the importance of shedding light on the resilience and generosity of the human spirit,” said Tom Catena, Chair of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative.
This effort is part of the Mémoires of Survivors of the Armenian Genocide Series, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute’s new publishing project that will feature the memoirs of the Genocide survivors that have never been published before. The re-print of “Ravished Armenia” in English and Armenian, featuring 20 additional pages of references and explanatory notes, will be the first two volumes of the Memoirs Series. The English edition will be published in 2,000 copies and the Armenian one in 1,000 copies.
“More than a hundred years have passed since the Armenian Genocide, and today’s readers are not familiar with many terms and geographical denominations, so these references and explanatory notes are a necessity. In this regard, the collaboration with the Aurora is very symbolic. Both the Genocide Museum-Institute and the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative aim to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide, to fight and prevent modern-day genocides, and to help people going through similar tragedies. This is where our goals and visions align,” emphasized Harutyun Marutyan, Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.
Aurora supports Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute through the Aurora Grants, a program that allows the descendants of the Armenian Genocide survivors to honor the memory of their ancestors’ saviors by helping educational initiatives, promoting Armenian heritage and raising awareness of humanitarian efforts. In accordance with the Memory Act, the Aurora Grants collaborates with the Armenian Genocide Museum-institute, contributing to the preservation of Armenian culture and history.
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About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, is transforming this experience into a global movement based on the universal concept of Gratitude in Action. By addressing real, on-the-ground challenges, the Initiative provides a second chance to those who need it the most. We believe that even in the darkest times, a brighter future is in the hands of those who are committed to giving others help and hope, and Aurora welcomes all who embrace this philosophy. This is achieved through the Initiative’s various programs: Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, Aurora Dialogues, Aurora Grants, Aurora Community, Aurora Index, 100 LIVES Initiative and #AraratChallenge. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is the vision of philanthropists Vartan Gregorian, Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan who have been joined by thousands of supporters and partners. Our Chair, Dr. Tom Catena, draws on his experience is a surgeon, veteran, humanitarian and the 2017 Aurora Prize laureate to spread the message of Gratitude in Action to a global audience.
More information available on www.auroraprize.com.
About the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Foundation is dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of the Armenian Genocide by honoring 1,5 million Armenians who have perished during the horrible events at the beginning of the 20th century. The Museum-Institute teaches universal lessons to combat hatred, discrimination, prejudice and apathy. It fulfils its missions through the permanent, temporary and on-line exhibitions, vigorous research in different topics related to the Armenian Genocide, enrichment, preservation, digitalization and interpretation of its collections, through educational programs and other initiatives that raise the awareness of the Armenian Genocide, promote the value of human rights and foster recognition and prevention of genocides.
More information available on www.genocide-museum.am