SYDNEY: The Armenian Youth Federation of Australia (AYF Australia), together with the Armenian Relief Society of Australia (ARS Australia) Sosseh Chapter, held a successful film screening as part of the 98th Commemoration of the 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives during the Armenian Genocide.

On the 21^st of April, AYF Australia and ARS Sosseh screened the film ‘Voyage to Amasia’, directed by Eric Hachikian and Randy Bell. Over 150 community members were present to follow Hachikian’s journey back to his grandmother’s hometown of Amasia - formerly part of Western Armenia - to find his roots and trace his family's steps to the United States of America. 

During the genocide of 1915, Ottoman soldiers deported his grandmother, Helen Shushan from their homes in Amasia. The filmmakers spent nearly a month following the route of Hachikian's family's exile from Amasia to Malatya, and, ultimately, to Istanbul. They also visited modern-day Armenia, exploring Yerevan and a village in Armenia settled by the few survivors from Amasia.

Following the film screening, both Eric Hachikian and Randy Bell were made available for a video conference question and answer session with the audience.



AYF Australia Nigol Touman Executive Chairperson, Aram Tufenkjian said: "It was great to see the Agoomp packed for this event, and we would like to thank Eric Hachikian and Randy Bell for appearing live on the big screen and answering insightful questions from our audience."