12

[rastinac]

Ok, the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan consists of (amongst other smaller features) a needle, an eternal flame, a memorial wall and a museum. At the eternal flame the fire is set below the ground level and is surrounded by (I believe 12) large semi-verticle rocks (I've read they "slouch over the flame in sorrow"). I believe the stone is basalt. I've been told, these symbolize not 12 cities (as there were far more than this) but 12 Armenian provinces. The cities (I am not sure if all are covered or just the larger ones where the Genocide took place) have their names carved into a very large and long wall of stone that runs parallel to the walk up to the eternal flame. For example the cities of Kharpert and Sebastia (where my grandparents came from, and where their families were slaughtered by Turks) were on the wall.

I will try to find out what the 12 province names were for you, but it might take a while. Does what I said already help? If you want I can try to post the pictures I've taken when there...

Hovik

Thank you

[Hovik]

Thank you

Well I thought you'd probably like to see the pictures anyway so I posted them in the photos section which you can get to by selecting "photos" from the "main menu" tab in the top left corner of this window. Or you can select this link:

http://www.armeniangenocide.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=511

Heres an example: (Copyright 2004 Hovik)