“Along the Trails of the Armenian Orphans” Photo Exhibition in Yerevan

YEREVAN — A photo exhibition “Along the Trails of the Armenian Orphans” opened in the National Gallery of Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday at the imitative of Naregatsi Art Institute (NAI) and with the support of the Near East Relief (NEF) and the U.S. Embassy in Armenia.

The exhibition illustrates the amazing story of Near East Relief: an American-led humanitarian mission that saved hundreds of thousands of Armenian orphans following the 1915 atrocities in the Ottoman Empire. It includes exceptional photos kept at The Rockefeller Archives

Opening the exhibition, U.S. Ambassador John Heffern called it “a US-Armenia story.”

The Ambassador stressed that 1.5 Armenians were massacred and marched to the death at the end of the Ottoman Empire. However, Mr. Heffern said the exhibition shows not only the tragedy but triumph of the Armenian nation.

He noted that the support to the Armenian orphans is the first example of partnership between the American people and the U.S. government on launching international humanitarian effort.

“Everyone in this country [Armenia] has a personal connection and personal story related to these events,” he emphasized.

In addition, the opening featured the screening of a documentary film, “Lest They Perish,” by Zareh Tjeknavorian, and a musical tribute to Near East Relief performed by the Naregatsi Folk Instruments Ensemble.

Nareg Hartounian, founder of Naregatsi Art Institute, and Chairman of Near East Relief Shant Mardirossian also addressed the guests.

The Embassy, NAI, and NEF opened similar exhibitions at the Naregatsi Art Institute in Yerevan on Sunday, May 26 and the Terchoonian Home Orphanage in Gyumri on Monday, May 27. All three exhibitions will be open, free of charge, until June 8.

The collection belongs to the Rockefeller Archive Center of New York. Below are some samples from the archives: