On March 11-12, an international conference entitled “Armenian Genocide. 1915-2015. 100th Anniversary of the Mets Eghern” was held on the occasion of Centennial of the Armenian Genocide at the main hall of the University of Padua.

The conference was organized by the group studying the Shoah and massacres, Department of Political Science, Law and International Studies at the University of Padua, in cooperation with Shoah Memorial Museum in Paris and in sponsorship of the University of Padua. Padua Municipality, “Nairi Onlus” Association, “Glass House” Cultural Association, Union of Armenians of Italy, Jewish community of Padua and “World apostles’ garden” organization had their input in the organization of the event.

Rector at the University of Padua Giuzeppe Zaccaria, Ambassador of Armenia to Italy Sargis Ghazaruan, Head of the Department Political Science, Law and International Studies Antonio Varsori and representative of Padua Municipality for cultural affairs Flavio Rodechiero delivered welcoming speeches at the event.

Lecturer at Paris Sorbonne University Yves Ternon, lecturer at the American University of Armenia Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, lecturer at Sabanci University Halil Berktay, Professor at University of Padua Antonia Arslan, Member of International Association of Genocide Scholars Marcello Flores, almost two dozens of lecturers and experts at universities and research centers of Milan, New York, Padua, Venice, Hamburg and other cities were among the speakers of the conference.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ghazaryan mentioned that events of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be held in four directions, namely, tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and canonization by the Armenian Apostolic Church; gratitude of the Armenian people to those who extended helping hand to the Armenians during difficult days of Genocide; support to the efforts of the international community towards prevention of new acts of genocide; rebirth of the Armenians, that survived the Genocide and re-established independent statehood.

Ambassador also reflected on the fact that number of Western Armenian intelligentsia are alumni of University of Padua, and mentioned, that part of them fell victim to the Armenian Genocide.

During the conference, speakers touched upon social, political, legal and religious aspects of the Armenian Genocide, Turkish nationalism and denial, Convention on Genocide and other issues on that topic.