Jackson Bell
Armen Vartanian wanted to do his part in honoring those killed in the
1915 Armenian genocide.
So three years ago, Vartanian set up a website that lists events
around the world for people to commemorate the genocide, in which the
Ottoman Turks are said to have killed more than 1.5-million
Armenians.
"I saw that the public needed a service like this," the
20-year-old Crescenta Valley High School graduate said. "This also
shows everyone -- not just Armenians -- how to commemorate the
genocide, and that the past is not forgotten."
This year is especially important since April 24 will mark the
90th anniversary of the genocide, Vartanian said.
The website, http://www.genocideevents.com, was activated March 24
and will run through the end of the month. The listings will then be
removed by May and replaced by hundreds of photos taken at the events
and submitted to Vartanian.
The website also features video clips about the genocide from
broadcast news sources.
"It's like a central hub," Vartanian said. "It brings all the
events together to a central place so people can find what's
happening in a fast and easy way."
Although Vartanian started and designed the website and posts all
the listings, his brother Aram Vartanian makes sure it is online at
all times. The two own and operate Fast Web Design on Broadway.
Aram Vartanian mainly works to keep hackers from disrupting the
website.
"They would hack into the system and redirect it to Turkish
websites that say false information like the genocide never
happened," Aram Vartanian said.
The ultimate mission of the website is to dispel that belief,
Armen Vartanian said, adding that he also wants the United States to
acknowledge the genocide.
"We want to recognition not only from Turkey but the United
States," he said.
