Attend our genocide education session and visit our virtual exhibit booth
Aurora Speaks: Understanding Genocide through a Woman’s Experience
Sunday, December 6, 11:15 a.m. (EST)
Participants will learn about Aurora Mardiganian, who experienced and witnessed extreme atrocities during the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government (1915-1918).
Assisted by American humanitarian aid, the orphaned teenager, Aurora, came to the U.S., wrote her memoir, and starred in a 1919 Hollywood film adaptation of Ravaged Armenia. Through the film, Aurora became the face of the Armenian Genocide around the country, raising millions of dollars to rescue other Armenian orphans.
Aurora was also exploited and left deeply scarred by the physical and psychological conditions of the filming and publicity efforts. Through her unique story, students gain insights into multiple layers of the phenomenon of genocide and the Armenian case: its causes and significance in terms of modern history, the impact of the massive crime and its denial on individual victims and women, in particular, the contribution and agency of a single survivor, and the U.S. role in the aftermath. Educators will also connect this history with issues facing different immigrant groups in the U.S. today and engage students in discussing human rights and political activism in today’s world.
Ask our GenEd Education Director – Sara Cohan will be available at our booth on Saturday, December 5th at 9-11 a.m. (ET) and Sunday, December 6th at 12-2 p.m. (ET) to answer all your questions about teaching genocide education. The first 10 educators to ask a question will receive a thumb drive with teaching resources on the Armenian Genocide (offer only available for those in the US).
Ask a Historian – Dr. Dikran Kaligian will be available at our booth on Saturday, December 5th at 1-2 p.m. (ET) to answer any questions you may have about the history of the Armenian Genocide. The first 10 educators to ask a question will receive a copy of “Deli Sarkis: The Scars He Carried” (offer only available to those in the US) generously donated by the author, Ellen Sarkisian Chestnut (lesson plan available on our website for free download).
It is not too late to register for the conference. All sessions will be recorded, and you can view all of them throughout the year.
