Turkish journalists cried at the Genocide Museum
During the tour at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute the President of Russia was more interested in the events of 1918 May heroic battle and the President of France was interested in the battle of Musaler, tells Deputy Director of the museum Suren Manukyan. They have tried to introduce the materials in such a way that a representative of any nationality can find any fact connected with his country and nation. “Museum has become more anthropocentric, you won’t see large numbers like in the past, but you will see stories of different people. Turkish journalists even cried when they saw the room dedicated to the orphans, it affected them,” notes Mr. Manukyan. There are 50 headlines at the museum and it takes a long time to see everything. Turkish journalists explored the whole museum, which took them 1 hour 40 minutes. There were also 60 Arab journalists, who also cried impressed by what they saw. The museum also obtained original materials and documents. There is also a document of law on confiscation of property used by the Turks in the 1910s. Turkish journalists didn’t believe it, but they couldn’t say anything when they were shown the document. There is also audio-guide in 7 languages and it gives opportunity to tour alone and get information about any headline and material. There is also the diary of national hero Soghomon Tehlirian. The first sentence of the diary is “Today is a happy day”. It was written by Tehlirian in prison after revenge on Talaat Pasha. Two days ago an exhibition dedicated to the Armenian Genocide was held in Paris and 150 original materials were sent from the museum. The same initiative was held in Russia on April 20. “On May 8 an exhibition is planned in the USA. In July about 300 genocidologists from all the world will come to Armenia to take part in a large conference,” says Deputy Director of the Genocide museum-institute. Mr. Manukyan also highlighted that it isn’t advisable to visit the museum with little children, as there are ruthless photos. “No money from the state budget was spent on the museum. Tsitsernakaberd foundation had been established with the supervision of the President and a number of companies made investments. The employees even refused the premiums suggested to them,” summed up the Deputy Director of the museum.
