Armenian Genocide Memorial Day / Martyr’s Day

I’m still learning about the Armenian genocide (1915-1923). So while I’ll be reading The Greedy Sparrow with the Earthquakes, I’ll also have to do some of my own grown-up research to learn more about the history of this event, and the impact on modern-day Armenian diaspora, Syrians, Iraqis, and the Turkish people.

When is it?

• April 24th on the gregorian calendar, in memory of the victims of persecution that began on April 24, 1915.

Read

• Read The Greedy Sparrow (ages 4-8)

Watch

What is the armenian genocide? (1915-1917) (ages 8+)

Discuss

• What is compliance?
• What is social pressure? What is peer pressure?
• What is the principle of reciprocation?
• How can we check in with our bodies to see if we’re feeling social pressure?
• How do we respond when a stranger asks for help?
• When should we help? When should we decline?
• What is genocide?
  • Check out this guide from the United Nations as a framework: “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group” / “Killing members of the group;Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.”
• Why is it important that we acknowledge & name genocide?
• How do we prevent another genocide?
• Discuss what you learn along the way about the Armenian Genocide, and how it’s similar to historical events your own family history or current circumstances.
  • If none comes to mind, the fact that you’re reading this in English means your modern lifestyle was created and sustained in part by England’s colonialism & genocide against Indigenous people around the world.

Parenting is Praxis:

1. Check out this fantastic study & activity guide companion to The Greedy Sparrow, created by the author, Lucine Kasbarian.
2. Discuss the current efforts of:
   1. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
   2. The Chinese government targeting Uyghur Muslims and attempted control of Taiwan.
   3. Israel’s apartheid and annexation of Palestine.
   4. Holocaust deniers to erase the history and modern impact of on people targeted by the Holocaust, and their decendants.
3. Talk about what values your family needs to embrace now to prevent future violence and resist modern genocidal regimes.
4. Write an Amnesty International Letter to advocate alongside targets of genocide.

More Resources to Dig Deeper:

• What was the Armenian Genocide (for teens & adults)
• Holocaust Remembrance Day