One of the many graphics used by Snapchat during its feature of Armenia on Monday

Labor Day saw more than 6 million people around the world being exposed to the sites and sounds of Armenia, thanks to social messaging service Snapchat, which featured Armenia as the first country in its “One Week of Countries” series debuting Monday.

Snapchat users generated about four minutes of video content featuring stories from Dzidzernagapert (the Armenian Genocide Monument), the Mayr Hayasdan Statue, the Magerian Rug Factory, the Denmark vs. Armenia soccer match, a Cross Stone factory, the Republic Square, and the regions of Aragatsodn, Ashtarak, and Lori. Throughout the day, Snapchat users were able to see new content that was being uploaded to the story.

The Snapchat experience also spilled into other social media platforms, with Armenia trending on Twitter in Los Angeles. Twitter users took to the platform to express their excitement about the Snapchat feature.

The effort to have Snapchat feature Armenia was spearheaded by the Armenian Youth Federation Western US Central Executive, which along with the United Human Rights Council appealed to Snapchat after the social messaging site began featuring Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara, skewing toward Turkish propaganda.

The AYF and UHRC delivered a letter to Snapchat, headquartered in Venice, Calif,, highlighting the true history of the Turkish regions, including extensive accounts of Turkish brutality toward its Armenian and Turkish populations in Izmir, as well as historical facts about the Armenian Genocide.

Armenia featured on Snapchat

“We are very proud to have had Armenia included in Snapchat, since it shed light on our homeland to the more than 6 million captive audience worldwide,” said Verginie Touloumian, a member of the AYF Central Executive and an organizer of the effort.

“Snapchat should be commended for opening up its platform and allowing folks in Armenia to engage with their more than 100 million daily users,” added Touloumian.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian-American youth organization in the United States, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian-American youth.