23.04.2025


On April 23, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) opened a new temporary exhibition titled “Documenting the Crime: Eyewitness Records of the Armenian Genocide”, dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests, including: Nora Arissian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Syrian Arab Republic to Armenia, Merieke Harriet Monroy-Winter, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Petr Piruncik, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Marcin Różycki, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Poland, Maksim Seleznev, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, Rev. Fr. Ararat Poghosyan, Director of the “Vatche and Tamar Manoukian” Library of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Kiro Manoian, Head of the Armenian Cause Office of the ARF Bureau, Gabriel Chemberdjian, President of the “Pyunik” Foundation, Gevorg Orbelyan, Director of the Yerevan History Museum, Lusine Sahakyan, Acting Director of the Komitas Museum-Institute, Maya Grigoryan, Director of the Fundamental Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Clergy, cultural figures, and other officials.

AGMI Director Edita Gzoyan delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the importance, content, and uniqueness of the exhibition. She noted: “The courage of these individuals continues to challenge us today. In an era of denial and ongoing crimes, their testimonies remind us that documentation is both a humanitarian and historical obligation. By opening this exhibition, we reaffirm our commitment to research, education, and the preservation of truth.” She also shared moving and powerful excerpts from the memoirs of genocide eyewitnesses.

Seda Parsamyan, Head of Exhibitions at AGMI, provided a detailed overview of the exhibition’s structure and content, including the wide range of documents, materials, and items on display: “This exhibition features around seventy firsthand testimonies—memoirs, diaries, official reports, photo-documentary materials, films, and more. The eyewitnesses came from over two dozen countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Venezuela, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Greece, Italy, the Vatican, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, India, Persia, Syria, and others. These individuals were in the Ottoman Empire under various circumstances and bore witness to the genocide, recording what they saw.”

Hovnan Shahbazyan, founding director of Futuris Architects, who played a major role in curating the exhibition, also addressed the audience. A descendant of genocide survivors himself, Shahbazyan stated that organizing this exhibition free of charge was his personal tribute to the memory of the victims.

After the official remarks, guests toured the exhibition halls, guided by Director Gzoyan. The exhibition will be open to visitors until April 2026.