Wales Genocide Memorial

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Armenian Genocide monument in Wales on November 2007
Armenian Genocide monument in Wales on November 2007

The Wales Genocide Memorial is a monument in the garden of Temple of Peace, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide that took place in Ottoman Empire carried out by the Turkish government against the Armenian population from 1915 to 1922.

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[edit] Unavailing

The memorial was erected and unveiled on November 2, 2007 at an initiative of Wales-Armenian Society. The opening of the monument was consecrated in a service conducted by Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Great Britain. The ceremony was attended by Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas Presiding Officer of the National Assembly of Wales, His Grace David Yeoman the Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, and Dr Vahe Gabrielyan, Armenian Ambassador to the UK[1].

Over 300 people attended the opening ceramony. Attempts by Turkish protestors to disrupt the service were controlled by the South Wales Police[2].

[edit] Desecration

Armenian Genocide in Wales desecrated January 27, 2008
Armenian Genocide in Wales desecrated January 27, 2008

In the early hours of January 27, 2008 the ornate Armenian Cross was smashed by a hammer, which was found at the scene[3]. Eilian Williams of Wales Armenia Solidarity condemned the attack, which happened just hours before a memorial service could take place in remembrance of Holocaust, Armenian Genocide and Hrant Dink.

Eilian Williams has said:

"We shall repair the cross again and again, no matter how often it is desecrated. We also challenge the UK government and the Turkish Embassy to condemn this racist attack.'"'

Hammer used to desecrate the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Wales
Hammer used to desecrate the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Wales

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