NEW YORK, NY – On Friday, November 6, 2015 the Armenian National Committee of New York and St. Illuminator’s Cathedral together with partner organizations Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of New York, Armenian Relief Society New York “Mayr” Chapter as well as the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations hosted a book presentation for Indian-American author Abie Alexander’s latest novel “For the Love of Armine.” 

The premiere of the book in New York took place at the Armenian Center in Woodside. Over 100 attendees enjoyed the presentation by the author, readings of book excerpts in English and Armenian by members of the community accompanied by a violin performance by Diana Vasilyan. The program concluded by the wine-blessing (kinedzon) of the book by H.G. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, the Vicar of the Eastern Prelacy and a reception immediately after.

In his opening remarks Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, welcomed everyone for attending event and described Abie Alexander as a good friend of the Armenian community, a person of strong moral conviction who has not remained silent about the Armenian Genocide and other similar crimes against humanity.

ANCA-ER Community Outreach and Communications Director Artur Martirosyan talked about the three main values of the book – its artistic beauty as a fiction novel; breadth of research and references to unique segments throughout the Armenian history; and awareness raising for the Armenian Genocide. He further added that, “We, through decades of hard work, have already reached a point where the fact of the Armenian Genocide is no longer a disputed issue by academics and historians alike, yet we should continue the efforts of educating, motivating, and activating ordinary citizens about this still-unpunished international crime, which “For the Love of Armine” does so beautifully.”

Mikael Sarukhanyan, of the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN, welcomed the initiative and stressed the centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Indian nations and further elaborated on the dynamic developing political and economic relations between the two states within the framework of the UN and beyond.

In his presentation, Abie Alexander talked about the motives and story behind writing his fifth book, which happened to be on the topic of the Armenian Genocide. “Every right thinking human being must stand up against injustice to another human being. The injustice does not have to be only against oneself, one’s family, or one’s community. As human beings, we must raise our voices against oppression, cruelty, and intolerance anywhere in the world. A crime against one human being is a crime against humanity,” he said, and continued, “If we are passive and do not protest against the injustice to another, we are, in effect, tacitly condoning the crime. We are on the side of the oppressors. The Genocide was much more than mere injustice or oppression – it was an officially sanctioned, organized attempt to exterminate the Armenian people. The atrocities perpetrated by the Turks cannot be described in words. Yet, that country continues to deny that the Genocide ever happened. And there are other nations that shy away from acknowledging it.”

In his closing remarks Bishop Anoushavan congratulated organizers and on behalf of the Armenian community expressed gratitude to Mr. Abie Alexander for his invaluable input in the Armenian Genocide centennial commemoration.

Mr. Alexander donated all proceeds from the sales of the English, Russian and Armenian copies of the book to the upcoming 9^th Annual ANCA-ER Banquet in support of the organization’s mission and ongoing projects. To make a donation, please, visit: www.ancaef.org/banquet .

The ANCA Eastern Region Endowment Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization that supports the ANCA Eastern Region in outreach to Armenian-American communities.