On Tuesday, May 26, the Municipality of São Paulo held a solemn meeting on the Armenian Genocide, based on an initiative by Councillor Gilberto Natalini and the Armenian National Committee of South America, Prensa Armenia reports.

"Brazil has a long tradition of coexistence with the peoples of the world. It has a position of dialogue and mediation in conflicts. What we are doing here on behalf of the city of São Paulo, it is to pay tribute to the Armenian people. Not only to revive a sad moment, but also to set an example for the present and the future, that is necessary for people to live together harmoniously and peacefully," Natalini said.

In addition, Natalini presented a petition to the Supreme Court, the Federal House of Representatives, the Senate and the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, so that all instances of power in Brazil could join the nations that have already acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.

At the end of the event, Maestro Alexey Kurkdjian was honored by the Municipality of São Paulo and the Armenian National Committee with an honorary doctorate of merit for his commitment to the preservation of Armenian music.