Armenian Sources and 1915 Genocide Focus of Discussion at National Library of Armenia (6 Dec. 2017)

Van 1915: The Importance of Armenian Sources in English-Language Discussions of the Armenian Genocide  

Historian Ara Sarafian (Gomidas Institute, London) will present the English translation of Van 1915: The Great Events of Vasbouragan [Original title “Great events in Vaspuragan in 1914-1915] by Hovhannes Ter Martirosian (A-Do). This presentation will be accompanied by a discussion on the importance of Armenian sources in English-language debates concerning World War I and, in this case, the destruction of Armenians in Van-Vasbouragan circa 16 April 1915. It will focus on A-Do’s work, which was (originally published in Yerevan, 1917) alongside the major Armenian documentary compilation, “Hayots Tseghaspannoutiunu Osmanyan Tourkyayoum : Verabradzneri  Vgayoutyunner Pasdatoughteri Zhoghovadzou” (Yerevan, 2012). Sarafian will stress how the availability of such first-rate sources–and Van 1915 is truly a first-rate source–will benefit historians and demonstrate the importance of Armenian records in the history of the Armenian Genocide. He will also critique the works of Justin McCarthy, Edward Erickson and Sean McMeekin in light of A-Do’s report. He will end his talk with suggestions to raise the profile of Armenian printed and archival records in English-language discussions of the Armenian Genocide and beyond.  

Ara Sarafian is a British-Armenian historian specialising on modern Armenian history. He is currently the executive director of the Gomidas Institute (London). His earlier works include the critical edition of the 1916 British Parliamentary blue book, The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915-16, and Talaat Pasha’s Report on the Armenian Genocide.

Gomidas Institute,42 Blythe Rd., London W14 0HA, England. For more information contact