Armenia Commemorates 1915 Genocide Anniversary with Torchlit Procession
Thousands march in Yerevan and diaspora cities to mark 109th anniversary of Ottoman-era killings, burning Turkish and Azerbaijani flags in protest
Quick Look
- Armenia commemorated the 109th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian genocide with a torchlit procession from Republic Square to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan, honoring an estimated 1.5 million victims under the Ottoman Empire.
- Thousands participated in a silent march led by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation's youth wing, with some burning Turkish and Azerbaijani flags in protest against denial of the genocide and Ankara's backing of Baku in recent tensions following the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Armenian Genocide of 1915 under the Ottoman Empire is recognized by numerous countries as genocide, though Turkey denies it. The 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict saw Azerbaijan reclaim the region after a lightning military offensive, displacing nearly all ethnic Armenians from the area.
A torchlit procession from Republic Square to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial paid tribute to an estimated 1.5 million Armenians killed in 1915 under the Ottoman Empire. On 23 April, crowds gathered again at the memorial to lay flowers at the eternal flame, while parallel events took place across the Armenian diaspora, notably in London, Paris and Los Angeles. Thousands joined the silent march, led by the youth wing of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Participants carried torches and banners, and some burned Turkish and Azerbaijani flags in protest against "denial of the genocide" and recent tensions. Demonstrators also voiced frustration over relations with Azerbaijan following the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as Ankara's backing of Baku. Although Armenia and Turkey have taken tentative steps towards normalising ties since 2022, including direct flights and trade talks, progress remains fragile and public sentiment cautious amid stalled border reopening.
Open Questions
- Will Turkey and Armenia successfully reopen their border?
- How will the normalization process affect regional stability?
- What concessions might Armenia make regarding genocide recognition?
