On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, representatives of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, the Afeyan Initiatives for Armenia (AIFA), and partner organizations came together to hold a series of commemorative events. These gatherings honored not only the memory of the victims but also celebrated the enduring strength and legacy of the survivors.
The day began with a solemn visit to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial, where participants paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
As part of a longstanding tradition, the commemoration continued at the Matenadaran—the repository of Armenian written heritage. There, a special month-long exhibition of the Chronicles of Aurora manuscript was unveiled, featuring a newly added tribute page dedicated to the Aurora Mardiganian memorial statue.
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Vahe Torosyan, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs at the Matenadaran, specifically noted:
“The Chronicles of Aurora plays an extremely important role in continuing the tradition of manuscript art and the vital humanitarian mission reflected in the Armenian manuscripts.”
Talar Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Afeyan Initiatives for Armenia (AIFA), added that on April 24, we not only honor the memory of the victims but also remember and recognize the strength and determination of the survivors:
“Throughout history, we have created unique works of art and offered inspiring examples of humanitarianism that have become part of the heritage not only of our people, but of all humanity. This manuscript stands as a powerful symbol of that legacy.”
In 2024, marking the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, the organization’s dedication to gratitude in action and the spirit of survival culminated in the creation of a unique space for remembrance in Yerevan—the memorial dedicated to Aurora Mardiganian and the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, located in the Komitas Museum-Institute Garden area.
A symbolic flower-laying ceremony brought together the teams and partners to honor the victims, celebrate the courage of the survivors, and recognize the extraordinary life of Aurora Mardiganian, whose story inspired Aurora’s founding.
Chronicles of Aurora
First presented on April 24, 2018, The Chronicles of Aurora is the first manuscript created at the Matenadaran in the 21st century. Crafted entirely from natural materials, including parchment, it reflects the rich traditions of Armenian manuscript art.
This unique volume chronicles the story and impact of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative through a combination of traditional Armenian calligraphy and illustrations created by a new generation of artists affiliated with the Matenadaran. It stands as a rare modern testament to the continuity of Armenian cultural and humanitarian heritage.
Aurora Mardiganian Memorial
Unveiled on September 30, 2024, in the Komitas Museum-Institute Garden area in Yerevan, the Memorial to Aurora Mardiganian and the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide holds deep symbolic significance. Beneath the monument lie soil from Aurora Mardiganian’s resting place in Los Angeles, California, and relics from the Deir ez-Zor desert-where countless victims of the Genocide perished-brought from Antelias, Lebanon.
The two-sided sculpture—envisioned by Marine Ales, Chair of Aurora’s Creative Council, and brought to life by Italian-Armenian sculptor Vighen Avetis and architect Ashot Arshakyan—powerfully captures the dual arc of Aurora’s life. One side portrays the suffering endured by Armenian women during the death marches, with a young Aurora among them. The other side depicts her rebirth as a survivor and witness, standing tall as a woman who overcame atrocity and shared her story with the world. The asymmetry of the sculpture—its unaligned edges—allows light to pass between the two scenes, symbolizing the connection between darkness and resilience, past and present.
Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
Afeyan Initiatives for Armenia (AIFA)
