Screening of the film “Aurora's Sunrise” in Canada’s capital

30 April, 2025

On April 29, on the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia to Canada, with the support of the Zoryan Institute, organized special screening of the animated film* “Aurora's Sunrise” at the Ottawa Art Gallery. The film tells the story of the Armenian Genocide survivor Arshaluys Martikian (Aurora Mardiganian).

At the opening of the event, H.E. Anahit Harutyunyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Canada, and Diran Avedian, Corporate Board Member of the Zoryan Institute, delivered speeches.
In her remarks, Ambassador thanked the Zoryan Institute for their support, touched upon the film’s message and emphasized the role of Aurora Mardiganian in presenting the fact of the Armenian Genocide to the world for many years, which in a way gave voice to those millions of victims and survivors. It was noted that the film’s heroine was one of the examples of strength and courage amid the horrors of the genocide. Ambassador expressed hope that the film would provide the attendees with a moment for reflection.
Diran Avedian Diran Avedian elaborated on the role of the Zoryan Institute’s Armenian Genocide Oral History Archive in the making of the multiple award-winning film “Aurora’s Sunrise”, and in general, in preserving the stories of the Armenian Genocide survivors since 1980s.

The screening was attended by more than 200 guests - officials from Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other departments (state bodies), Ambassadors of more than 30 countries, other representatives of accredited diplomatic missions, His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada, Reverend Fathers, Levon Afeyan, Honourary Consul of Armenia to Quebec, as well as Canadian movie-lovers and members of the Canadian-Armenian community.

* “Aurora's Sunrise” was created with the scientific support of the Zoryan Institute and is based on the Armenian Genocide Oral History Archive of the Zoryan Institute. Aurora’s Sunrise was directed and written by Inna Sahakyan. The production company is “Bars Media” Documentary Film Studio (Armenia), with co-producers “Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion” (Germany) and “Artbox Laisvalaikio Klubas” (Lithuania).

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