Isfahan, Iran, Armenian Genocide Memorial

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Subject:The victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. (view image)
Type of Memorial:Commemorative Plaque, Inscription, Monumental Sculpture
Sponsor(s):Financial support by Yervand Saboonchian; Members of the Armenian community of Julfa helped construct the monument on volunteer basis.
Architect/Designer/Artist:Designer: Albert Achemian; Architect: Yervand Saboonchian.
Placement:Freestanding sculptural work on flat land.
Physical Setting:Located in the courtyard of "Vank Cathedral" which is the main Armenian Apostolic Church of Isfahan.
Tourist Amenities:Yes
Map Designation:"Vank Cathedral" - the main Armenian Apostolic Church of Isfahan.
Physical Condition:Some stones are dislocated; otherwise in satisfactory condition.
Inscription:In memory of two million Armenian martyrs massacred in 1915 in Western Armenia by the Turkish Government. (Translated from Armenian and Farsi).
Location:Vank Avenue, Vank Street
Isfahan, 4 Iran
Location Description:The monument is not marked outside the Church property. It is visible at the entrance of the perimeters of the cathedral.
Proposal Date:1974
Design Date:competition in 1974
Construction Began:1974
Construction Completed:1975
Dedication Date:April 24, 1975
Redesign Date:1985 (replaced water fountain with eternal fire.
Prior Use of Site:Courtyard of the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral.
Development/Construction Process:Material used: Azbestis concrete. The monument has a central tower-like element which symbolizes the renovation of life after the genocide. The tower signifies the revival of the remaining Armenian culture. This tower is surrounded by tombstone-like figures,and has an eternal fire container and a two dimensional cross figure at its base.

There was a water fountain, which was replaced by an eternal fire in 1985. Most of the construction was done by the members of the Armenian community of New Julfa on a volunteer basis.

History of Ownership:Owned by the Armenian Church (Vank) of Isfahan.
Commemorative Activities:Annual commemoration & memorial services by the Iranian-Armenian community and the Armenian bishop of Isfahan.
Additional Information:‘Alik’ daily magazine, Tehran (1975).

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