Remembering crimes against humanity
Last night's special screening of the film "Forty Days of Musa Dagh," in Newcomb Theater set a pensive tone at the first annual Virginia Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.
Earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly officially proclaimed April 24th as the Day of Remembrance for the genocide that occurred in 1915 at the hands of the Turkish government.
Turks and Armenians lived in relative peace for centuries until the Ottoman Empire began to collapse. A coup d'teat was initiated against the sultans of the empire, and the nationalistic dictators decided to eradicate all Armenians to promote what they perceived as the national purity of Turkey.
Over 500,000 Armenians were killed between 1908 and 1915.
The film, based on a novel by German missionary Franz Werfel, attests to the atrocities committed against the Armenians by the Turkish government.
A question and answer session followed the film.
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"We just want the [people attending] to discuss different aspects of the genocide," said Arthur Hovanesian, fourth-year Engineering student and member of the University's Armenian Cultural Society.
The event was structured differently from previous years, and the discussions were truncated for the purpose of showing the film, Hovanesian said.
He said that it is a good step that Virginia has taken in finally recognizing the genocide and the Day of Remembrance.
Season's Greeters
Want to help first-years move in and answer all the questions churning through their minds about weird AOL-Instant-Messenger-cyber-sex-driven roommates, the frequency and availability of attractive members of the opposite sex and which gut classes really are easy?
If so, then perhaps you should consider signing up to work as a Greeter for next year.
Greeters have to move in a day early, but they do get a Greeter T-shirt for free.
For students living on-Grounds next year, the Housing Division is willing to bend its rigid policies, allowing students to move in a day early.
Move-in Day this fall is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26, so greeters are expected to arrive at the University by Friday night.
Interested students can sign up in the Old and New Dorms mailing rooms, the post office in Newcomb Hall and Room 149 in the University Union.
Compiled by Adam Justice
Odds ideas? Call Ryann or DJ at 924-1092.
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