KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Countless losses, social, economic and political transformations, collapse of empires, as well as numerous problems connected with the World War I that still remain in the dark. These and many other issues were the main topic of the discussion organized by the Faculty of History and Law of Armenian State Pedagogical University. 

Historians say that although one hundred years have passed since the outbreak of World War I, comprehensive analysis and discussion of the lessons learnt and unlearned from the war remain topical. 

The participants of the conference entitled “World War I: From Collapse to the New World Order” were welcomed by Edik Gevorgyan, Dean of the Faculty of History and Law,  who said World War I was a major event in the 20th century that ‘mixed up the cards.’ “Armenians did not stay away from the war which had disastrous consequences for Armenians since the Young Turks seized the opportunity to perpetrate genocide against Armenians.”

ASPU Vice-Rector Srbuhi Gevorgyan highlighted the conference saying each generation analyzes problems in their own way, and similar initiatives enable them to introduce new visions from time to time. 

“Wars continue and destructive processes that result in economic, political, social, civic and psychological crises, have a lasting effect on future generations,” she said. 

“The liberation of the Balkan peoples became a gravestone for Armenians,” said Levon Shirinyan, Head of the Department of Political Sciences and History of Law. Then he spoke about the Balkan wars and Turks’ plans to destroy Armenia during the wars.

The political analyst says Turkey was involved in World War I to realize its plans connected with the destruction of Armenians and perpetration of the Armenian Genocide. 

 

 

 

 

Levon Shirinyan also presented political assessments and opinions on conflicts and cultural differences between the two countries - Armenia and Turkey, and called on the participants [on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide] to put aside all works and reports that have ideological colouring and be guided by national interests.

 

His speech was followed by reports presented by the conference participants.  The conference will continue on Wednesday, November 12.