On May 16, 2015, the presentation of the Georgian edition of “The Armenian Genocide” book by Ruben Sahakyan (Head of the Department of New Ages, Institute of History at the RA National Academy of Sciences) took place in Tbilisi Marriott Hotel. On this occasion the Director of the Institute of History at the RA National Academy of Sciences and the author of the book attended the event, together with the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Georgian MP Ruslan Poghosyan, Counselor from the RA Embassy in Georgia, Karen Melikyan, high-ranking representatives of the clergy from sister churches, public figures, politicians, scientists, historians, NGO heads, representatives of Greek, Assyrian, Ukrainian, Ossetian, Bulgarian, Latvian and other communities.
The Head of the working group and the host of the event, Gisane Hovsepyan, noted that giving the Georgian society the opportunity to learn about the Armenian Genocide in their native language was a very important step taken by the State Commission on Coordination of the events for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. She offered special thanks to Zoia Mkhitaryan (Translator), Givi Shahnazar (Advisor), Khatuna Gaprindashvili (Editor), Levon Chidilyan (Coordinator), Diana Ter-Baghdasarova (Proof-reader) and Goga Davtyan (Designer).
Ruben Sahakyan expressed his gratitude to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia for provided support. He mentioned that the main purpose of the Georgian edition was to familiarize the readers with the history of the Armenian Genocide, including the Ottoman Empire policy and self-defense battles in different cities and villages.
The translator Zoia Mkhitaryan shared her emotions experienced during the translation of the book.
Academician Ashot Melkonyan gave an essential speech and highlighted the materials, mainly correspondence of embassies and consulates operating in Turkey during that period of time, containing the information about the Armenian Genocide in 35 languages kept in the archives of 55-60 counties. Mr. Melkonyan noted that the genocides committed in Batumi against Georgians and Armenians, in Diyarbakir against Assyrians and in Trabzon against Greeks are duly described in the book. The speaker also mentioned that there were no acts of military aggression by Armenians; all the battles were only for the purpose of self-defense. Academician expressed his hope that the Georgian edition of the book will do its part in recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the Georgian government.
At the end of the event, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan blessed the people present and spoke about the genocide that still continue against Yazidis, Assyrians and other nations and called on the civilized world to face the facts and fight for justice.
The book is available scholars studying the history of the Genocide, historians and average readers.
