“Ghazir Rug” goes on display at the White House Visitor Center

18 November, 2014

On November 18, the exhibition of the historic “Ghazir Rug”, known as the Armenian Orphan Rug, was officially opened at the White House Visitor Center. The rug, waved by the orphans of the Armenian Genocide who were sheltered in the Ghazir Orphanage of the American “Near East Relief” organization, was a gift of gratitude and appreciation to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge. The exhibition will continue till November 23.

Prior to the opening of the exhibition a press conference was held at the National Press Club of Washington, during which Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressman David G. Valadao (R-CA), Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian and Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny delivered their speeches. Dr. Martin Deranian the author of "President Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug" and Hratch Kozibeyokian from the Armenian Rugs Society Board of Directors, made special reports on the history of the rug and developments around it.

H.E. Tigran Sargsyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States, US Congressmen, H.E. John Evans, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, leaders and members of the Armenian lobbyist organizations and numerous representatives of the Armenian community attended the opening ceremony at the White House Visitor Center.

Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian of the Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church chanted a special blessing prayer at the ceremony.

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