Ilya Vasilyev, a political scientist, also Advisor for Russia and CIS countries, visited Gyumri by the invitation of the Head of the “Victoria Historians Club”, Lilit Asoyan. Gyumri Russian books at home hosted “Alexander Pechersky. Disruption to Immortality” book presentation. Ilya Vasilyev is the project manager dedicated to Pechersky. The book is dedicated to the memory of the Soviet officer Alexander Pechersky, thanks to whom 200 Jews outlived during the Holocaust at the rebellion organized in the Sobibór death camp. And as to why it was decided to hold the presentation of the book in Armenia and in very Gyumri, the Head of “Victoria Historians Club” NGO Lilit Asoyan warmly explained, “In 2015, anniversary of two significant events will be marked in Armenia: the Centennial of the Great Armenian Genocide and the 70th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War. The two events are closely related to the events described in the book.
During the Holocaust in the World War II, as well as during the Genocide, there were rebellions. Like, Armenians organized self-defense on Musa Mountain, in Van and Şebinkarahisa, similarly Alexander Pechersky managed to organize a rebellion in the concentration camp and rescue dozens of people’s lives. In addition, the post-earthquake Gyumri is in need for spiritual renaissance and such events promote to Gyumri residents’ spiritual revival.” The guests presented in detail the Soviet officer Alexander Pechersky, describing in detail all the heroic episodes in his life and career, which dealt with Polish and other concentration camps.
Advisor of Deputy Speaker of Israeli Knesset initially announced that he does not take parallels between the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide. However, one of the participating artists, Araks Margaryan inquired how people that have experienced pain and suffering cannot admit someone else’s pain, why they do not admit the fact of the Armenian genocide. Araks Margaryan emphasized that at least the Germans admit their mistake in the case of the Jews and try to compensate, whereas Turkey – does not. Israeli Knesset’s Speaker, also Advisor for Russia and CIS countries Ilya Vasilyev said that he had come to Gyumri not as an official, but as a project manager dedicated to Alexander Pechersky. “Knesset’s Speaker was in Armenia 3 years ago, he was asked this question and he had answered, hardly I can add anything by him. You know the complicated geopolitical situation in the Middle East better than I, and you know the position of the National Assembly better than I. Therefore, let me answer the questions, which I have a clue about and for which I have come here,” said Ilya Vasilyev. Details in the video.
Nune AREVSHATYAN
