YEREVAN. – Armenia’s FM Edward Nalbandian and Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan were on hand Tuesday at the official opening of the Armenian Heritage Park and the Armenian Genocide Memorial located at the heart of Boston, MFA informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.  

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Congressman Ed Markey, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino delivered remarks and underscored the local Armenians’ contribution to the development of the United States. Also, they reflected on the need to remember, recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide.       

In his remarks, Edward Nalbandian thanked Massachusetts’ state and Boston’s municipal authorities and the Armenian community organizations for materializing the idea of the Armenian Heritage Park and the Armenian Genocide Memorial.

“The Armenian Heritage Park is the first downtown Boston monument which is founded in an area belonging to the State of Massachusetts. Also, this park is an expression of the Armenian community’s gratitude to the United States and to this city, which welcomed thousands of Armenians who were dispossessed of their lands as a consequence of the Armenian Genocide,” Nalbandian said.  

“Our combined efforts are beginning to yield results. The discussion [with reference to the Armenian Genocide], which was put under a lock in Turkey for nearly a century, is opened. The Armenian Genocide remembrances in Istanbul and in other Turkish cities are a proof of this,” Armenia’s FM also stressed.  

Prior to the Armenian Heritage Park’s opening, however, Edward Nalbandian and Hranush Hakobyan met with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. They examined matters with respect to strengthening friendly Armenian-American partnership, and the regional issues of the South Caucasus.  

In Boston, Armenia’s FM and Diaspora Minister also visited the Holy Trinity Armenian Church, the Armenian Cultural and Education Center, and the Armenian Museum.