Mayor and community leaders mark Armenian Genocide anniversary with flag-raising in Lowell
April 25, 2026 | Lowell City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
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More than a hundred residents, clergy and civic leaders gathered in Lowell on April 25, 2026 to mark the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with prayers, songs and a city proclamation recognizing the Armenian community’s contributions.
Event organizers from the Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley opened the ceremony and introduced the Armenian American Veterans of Lowell Honor Guard, led by Commander Richard Juknavorian, which presented the American and Armenian flags. Clergy including Reverend Father Khachadourian Kasabian and Father Stepan Baljian led an invocation and a closing blessing.
Youth speakers framed the program. Michael Melebjian, introduced as a treasurer of the North Andover AYF Sassoun chapter and a financial analyst at W.B. Mason, said, “We gather to remember the Armenian Genocide and the 1.5 million Armenians whose lives were taken,” and urged remembrance “with dignity, not hatred.” Alex Senek, speaking for the Armenian Church Youth Organization, recalled the events beginning on April 24, 1915 and warned against silence, quoting George Santayana that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Both speakers emphasized preserving memory and passing history to new generations.
Councilor Leahy read a city proclamation issued on behalf of the mayor that affirmed Lowell’s immigrant history and recognized the Armenian community’s contributions. The proclamation declares April 25, 2026, in the text read at the ceremony, “as Armenian Independence Day in the City of Lowell” and calls on residents to honor the community’s history. Organizers then moved the program outdoors for the raising of the Armenian flag and a performance of Mer Hay D'Anig, followed by refreshments provided by the Lowell Lusine Tok ARS chapter and St. Vartanantz Church.
The program combined liturgical prayers, musical tributes and civic recognition, centering youth voices and municipal acknowledgement in a remembrance event hosted across the Merrimack Valley by the Armenian National Committee.
Event organizers from the Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley opened the ceremony and introduced the Armenian American Veterans of Lowell Honor Guard, led by Commander Richard Juknavorian, which presented the American and Armenian flags. Clergy including Reverend Father Khachadourian Kasabian and Father Stepan Baljian led an invocation and a closing blessing.
Youth speakers framed the program. Michael Melebjian, introduced as a treasurer of the North Andover AYF Sassoun chapter and a financial analyst at W.B. Mason, said, “We gather to remember the Armenian Genocide and the 1.5 million Armenians whose lives were taken,” and urged remembrance “with dignity, not hatred.” Alex Senek, speaking for the Armenian Church Youth Organization, recalled the events beginning on April 24, 1915 and warned against silence, quoting George Santayana that “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Both speakers emphasized preserving memory and passing history to new generations.
Councilor Leahy read a city proclamation issued on behalf of the mayor that affirmed Lowell’s immigrant history and recognized the Armenian community’s contributions. The proclamation declares April 25, 2026, in the text read at the ceremony, “as Armenian Independence Day in the City of Lowell” and calls on residents to honor the community’s history. Organizers then moved the program outdoors for the raising of the Armenian flag and a performance of Mer Hay D'Anig, followed by refreshments provided by the Lowell Lusine Tok ARS chapter and St. Vartanantz Church.
The program combined liturgical prayers, musical tributes and civic recognition, centering youth voices and municipal acknowledgement in a remembrance event hosted across the Merrimack Valley by the Armenian National Committee.
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