llowed by criticism. On April 24, 2015, Bulgaria used the phrase “mass extermination of the Armenian People in the Ottoman Empire”. They were criticized for not using the term “genocide”. The Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov stated that the phrase or idiom was the Bulgarian word for “genocide”.
- Germany announced its recognition twice: in 2005 and 2016. The resolution first passed reading in 2016. The same year in July, the German Bundestag passed it with only one vote against that called the event “genocide”.
Among other countries that recognize the Armenian Genocide are
- the Netherlands,
Many countries that recognize the Armenian Genocide have had representatives visit the memorial
The official memorial to the Armenian Genocide victims in Yerevan is Tsitsernakaberd.
On April, 24, 1965, the Yerevan demonstrations had taken place on the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This was the first step in promoting recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The event was so monumental that for the first time in the Soviet Union, 100,000 protesters held a 24-hour demonstration in front of the Yerevan Opera Theatre demanding the Soviet Union’s recognition.
The slogan of the demonstration was “Just solution to the Armenian question”.This marked a substantial public awareness of the Armenian Genocide in Soviet Armenia. It sparked similar protests throughout the world where the Armenian diaspora exists.
2 years after the mass demonstration, the Armenian Genocide memorial was opened. Later, when the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, the memorial became a part of official ceremonies in Armenia.
The memorial has had many visitors from countries that recognize the Armenian Genocide. A visit there also includes a tour in the museum. Paying tribute to the victims of the massacre also includes planting trees in the area.
Notable visitors of the memorial from countries that recognize the Armenian Genocide
One of Armenia’s most important foreign policy issues is the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. It is the top goal of diasporan organizations as visiting there is deemed as a sign of recognition.
One of the most symbolic visits to the memorial was Pope John Paul II’s arrival on September 25, 2001.
The visit symbolized the 1,700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as the state religion of Armenia. The day after he met with then-president Robert Kocharyan he visited the memorial where he a laid a wreath, made a short speech and read a prayer.
He used the Armenian term for genocide “Mets yeghern” (Մեծ Եղեռն). This caused a controversy regarding whether or not he recognized it as a genocide.
The former First Lady of the US and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Yerevan on July 4, 2010.
She became the highest-ranked US official to visit the country. Since the US has not recognized the Armenian Genocide, her visit became a matter of discussion in the Armenian media. She laid the wreath at the memorial that said “From Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton”. This was a clear political message sent to Turkey by the US.
Famous Visitors of the Armenian Genocide Memorial
Among celebrity visitors are:
- John Malkovich
- George Clooney
- Charles Aznavour
- Alexis Ohanian
- Kim Kardashian
- Khloe Kardashian
- Alain Delon
- Serj Tankian
- Tony Iommi
- Ian Gillan
- Montserrat Caballe
- Kanye West
- Andrei Tarkovsky
- Hrant Dink
- Paulo Coelho
- Gerard Depardieu
- Conan O’Brien
- Ronda Rousey
- Charlie Armstrong
- Pope Francis
- Arthur Abraham
- Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
- Vladimir Putin
- Sergey Lavrov
- Dmitry Medvedev
Among countries that recognize the Armenian Genocide, there have been people who have refused to visit the memorial.
While attending a football match in Armenia between the Armenian and Turkish national teams in Yerevan in September 2008, former Turkish President Abdullah Gul did not visit the memorial. He refused to do so as the Turkish government denies the fact of genocide.
Among other presidents who refused to visit were President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad and former Pre