Centennial of the Armenian Genocide Marked in Kingston, Canada

Centennial of the Armenian Genocide Marked in Kingston, Canada –

KINGSTON, ON – Kingston, Ontario resident Varant Sarmazian marked the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with Mayor Bryan Paterson, on May 5.

During their meeting, Sarmazian detailed the history of the genocide and of the Armenian people. The two also discussed the small but growing Armenian community of Kingston, which consists of about 15 families.

Sarmazian then presented the mayor with a hand-carved plaque from Armenia depicting the very first church in Armenian history, Holy Etchmiadzin. Presenting this plaque was the Armenian community’s way to acknowledge the anniversary while supporting Kingston.

“I’m proud to live in this country, I’m proud to be a Kingstonian and I’m proud to be a part of this beautiful city. We want to say that we’re thankful for the recognition and we want to make sure that everyone is aware of the commemoration this year,” said Sarmazian about the meeting. “Canada’s first international humanitarian mission aimed to save orphans from the Armenian Genocide. The stories of Canada and Armenians are closely interconnected, so it is important to discuss this and the rest of our history in our nation’s first capital, Kingston.”