Rug woven by Armenian orphans goes on display at White House

The much-anticipated unveiling of the Ghazi Rug, commonly referred to the Armenian Orphan rug took place Tuesday morning with the kick-off of week-long exhibit at the White House Visitor Center.

The exhibit was kicked-off with a Congressional press conference hosted by representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and David Valado (R-Calif.)

Aram Hamparian, the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America visited the Orphan Rug display prior to the press conference and issued the following statement:

“Today’s White House display of the Armenian Orphan Rug is a testament to the generous spirit of the American people, whose unprecedented humanitarian assistance efforts saved hundreds of thousands of survivors of the Armenian Genocide – including the  Armenian orphans who meticulously crafted this unique artifact of American and Armenian history. Unfortunately, the display’s description – using evasive and euphemistic language – deprives this profoundly important work of art of its moral and historical meaning. It also deprives viewers of the opportunity to learn about the Armenian Genocide and draw lessons from this experience to prevent future atrocities.

“We thank Congressman Schiff and Valadao and all their colleagues who helped make this display possible, and whose efforts are already sparking national and international attention to this still unpunished crime. We remain troubled that on the eve of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, Turkey’s gag rule is still in force and remain committed to a truthful and just international resolution of this crime.”

The ANCA joined Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressman David Valadao (R-CA), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), Congressman James McGovern (D-MA), and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) as well as the Armenian Assembly of America and Armenian Rug Society at a press conference marking the opening of White House display of the Armenian Orphan Rug.

Read more at Asbarez.com.