The exhibition “Genocide After the Genocide” taking place in the European Parliament, in Brussels, was officially opened on March 1, in the presence of over a hundred guests. Present were members of the European Parliament, staff members, assistants and representatives of the Armenian community of Belgium.
he exhibition “Genocide after the Genocide” consists of 32 photos, of Armenian churches and religious monuments, before and after the Armenian Genocide of 1915, perpetrated by Turkey. The photos depict the systematic destruction of Armenian monuments, culture and heritage, in Western Armenia, what is now Eastern Turkey. Turkey to this day, denies the reality of the Armenian Genocide, despite international condemnation and resolutions.
It is the first time that the exhibition has been held outside the Republic of Armenia.
Member of the European Parliament and host of the exhibition Nikolaos Androulakis, thanking all those who attended the opening, saying, “I am very pleased to host this exhibition today in the European Parliament. Last year we commemorated the 100th anniversary from the Armenian Genocide. I had the privilege to attend the events organized by the Armenian Government in Yerevan. As the Ottoman Empire was falling apart, other Christian population, especially the Pontius followed the fate of Armenians. At the exhibition you can see photos from religious and other buildings of Armenian culture as they were before the genocide and in their current situation. As these photos show, the millions of dead, deported and forced to exile Armenians were not the only victims. The purpose of the Genocide was the physical and cultural extinction of Armenia. Turkey must face historic truth and recognize the atrocities that took place at the beginning of last century. It is our duty to preserve the memory. It is essential if we want to have a better future and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.”
