Lebanese Armenians Commemorated the Sixtieth Anniversary of the One and a Half Million Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide

1965 Apr 25 ** On April 25th, approximately 85,000 Lebanese Armenians solemnly and majestically commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which claimed the lives of 1.5 million martyrs. The event was held at “Camile Chamoun” Stadium and was attended by a vast crowd, including political leaders, intellectuals, laborers, and people of all ages and denominations. They gathered to pay their respects to the memory of their martyred loved ones. In honor of the Republic of Lebanon, President Charles Helou was represented by Interior Minister Taqieddin Solh, alongside other officials, including Minister of Public Affairs Sheikh Pierre Gemayel and Minister of Post and Telegraph Antoine Sehnaoui, along with 26 deputies. Representatives of Lebanon's various religious communities, Lebanese and Armenian political parties, unions, military figures, and members of the Arab, Armenian, and foreign press, as well as radio and television, were also present. From 7 a.m., large crowds began arriving at the Camille Chamoun Sports Complex. Around 1,500 young people meticulously managed the event's security. According to the program, at 10 a.m., the spiritual leaders of the Armenian community arrived: Catholicos Khoren I of the Great House of Cilicia, His Holiness Ignatius Bedros XVI Batanian, the Armenian Catholic Patriarch, and Reverend Hovhannes Aharonian, President of the Near East Armenian Evangelical Union. The impressive gathering featured prayers and a requiem service led by the three spiritual leaders, followed by speeches from representatives of the three Armenian political parties. His Holiness the Armenian Catholic Patriarch delivered his address in Arabic. Afterward, a delegation, including the Armenian spiritual leaders and members of the Central Executive Committee, proceeded to the Bourj Square to lay a wreath at the Memorial of the Lebanese Martyrs, victims of the Turkish oppression.