CHSS Dean Thomas Samuelian Delivers Address at German Music Gala Evening

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On May 15, Converse Bank organized the German Music Gala Evening in appreciation of the German Bundestag’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The event was held in the Mural Hall of the National Gallery of Armenia with His Excellency Mathias Kiesler Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Executive Director of Converse Bank Arthur Hakobyan, and American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Dean Dr. Thomas Samuelian, and other distinguished guests in attendance.

Welcoming speeches were delivered by both Ambassador Kiesler and Mr. Hakobyan. Later Dr. Samuelian was invited to address the guests regarding the significance of Bundestag’s Resolution of the Armenian Genocide.

“Genocide is a crime against humanity. As such, it is the duty of the community of nations to condemn the wrongful act and redress the injury in defense of the community’s own safety and security. The 2016 Bundestag Resolution is a step in that direction. It is significant when a major power forthrightly condemns an egregiously wrongful act and admits its own complicity in that wrong. Condemning wrongful acts is an affirmation of the norms of civilization,” Dr. Samuelian noted in his address.

In looking toward the future, Dr. Samuelian concluded his remarks by noting, “The most urgent and important way of reversing the harm caused by the Armenian Genocide is to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Armenians have the right to protect themselves from becoming collateral damage to mindless geopolitics again. The pragmatic and symbolic act of recognizing Artsakh de jure without further delay would be a logical next step to breathe life into the 2016 Bundestag Resolution and show that Germany means what it says.”