'The brutal reality persists': Tigran Mansurian reflects on Armenian Genocide

At the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, renowned composer Tigran Mansurian shared his thoughts with Panorama.am on the significance of the day and whether reconciliation between Armenians and Turks is possible.

Tigran Mansurian: For my family, and for the entire Armenian nation, this is a day of remembrance. It is a painful day. A day of profound national reflection.

Panorama.am: Can the 1.5 million victims ever be forgotten? Can the Armenian Genocide ever be denied?

Tigran Mansurian: First, we must grow in number. When we grow, we will remember even more, deeper and clearer.

Panorama.am: Do you believe Armenians and Turks can ever reconcile, live together in peace?

Tigran Mansurian: Given the current active diplomatic engagements, I would prefer not to delve deeply into that question right now. There are issues of survival, we need open borders and opportunities. We're a landlocked nation with closed borders. It's difficult.

Panorama.am:  And personally, could you ever come to accept the Turkish people?

Tigran Mansurian: How can you? The brutal reality still persists. It's part of my family's story. Both my parents were children of orphanages. Why? What was their fault?