Near East Relief at National Gallery of Armenia
2013-05-25 00:00 | Naregatsi Art Institute
The historic exhibition entitled "Along the Trails of the Armenian Orphans" featuring rare photographs from the Rockefeller Archives taken by the Near East Relief during 1915-1929, has officially debuted in Armenia for the first time. They will be on display until June 8th at the National Gallery of Armenia, our center in Yerevan, and the Terchoonian Home Orphanage in Gyumri.The project was conceived by Naregatsi Art Institute's founder, Nareg Hartounian after seeing a photo featuring ragged, emaciated Armenian orphan children playing Armenian instruments and dancing in a circle."This photo symbolizes the endurance and persistence of the spirit on behalf of our children playing in the Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble as young musicians", said Nareg at the opening of the event. This exhibition tells us about American generosity and Armenian endurance and we express our gratitude to the American people.U.S. Ambassador John A. Heffern followed by stating that, This powerful exhibition speaks about the history of relations between Armenia and the United States." The opening was also attended by National Assembly Speaker, Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Armen Gevorgyan, National Congress MP, Nikol Pashinyan, ARF MP, Vahan Hovhannisyan, additional MPs from the National Assembly, politicians and artists."We are grateful to the American people for everything they did during the period of 1915-1930's. They did their best to help our fellow survivors, 132 thousand children who were able to build their future life in the United States", said Mr. Abrahamyan in his speech. Today the U.S. helps and supports us, not to overcome hunger, but to strengthen the democracy and human rights in Armenia."He concluded by thanking Nareg Hartounian and the Near East Foundation for initiating and organizing the exhibition.Speeches were made by Shant Mardirossyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Near East Foundation, Hayk Demoyan, Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Byurakn Cheraz Andreasyan, daughter of Vahan Cheraz, and Leslie Malott, the daughter of Azadouhi Gannaway, an Armenian orphan from Marash adopted by NER missionaries, Dr. Charles and Ruby Gannaway.Zareh Tjeknavorians documentary film Lest They Perish was shown. The event was recapped with a performance by the Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble. The exhibition is presented in three parts. The next two will be presented on May 26th at Naregatsi Art Institute's center in Yerevan and on May 27th at Gyumris Terchoonian Home Orphanage. All three exhibitions will be on display until June 8th.
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