Istanbul, 24 April 1915:
The door fly open and soldiers enter the home, arresting Dikran Chökürian, one of many Armenian writers.
Eastern Turkey, a few months later:
The Najarian family huddles together at the sound of hooves signaling the approach of Turkish death squads. Marta holds her daughter Mari close as a soldier grabs her and holds her down while she screams, “Hayır!”* repeatedly. The soldier ignores her, insulting her. He then shoots her.
The villagers are deported, and marched through the desert. Mari collapses from fatigue and dehydration. A soldier shoots her.
A Turkish family shelters a survivor.
*Hayır is Turkish for “No”.
This Friday Fictioneers story is dedicated to the 1.5 Armenians killed in the Armenian Genocide during WWI. Hitler later asked, “After all, who today speaks of the annihilation of Armenia?” The answer is many do. #NeverForget. To this day the Turkish government denies the genocide. The event started with the deportation of around 250 Armenian intellectuals on April 24, 1915, of which writer Dikran Chökürian was but one.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields has arranged for this Friday Fictioneers, and Liz Young provided the photo.
seekeroftruthweb 
There is too much savagery in the world, and to what end?
LikeLike
Oh dear! How ghastly. Well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Kevin,
It’s always good to shed light in the dark corners of history. This might interest you. https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/movie-exposing-muslim-genocide-armenian-christians-targeted-muslim-activists.html
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I saw this movie earlier this week, and highly recommend it!
LikeLike
No this another terrible event that cannot be forgotten… and still it’s being denied.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Turkish writer Elif Şafak faced prosecution for referencing the Armenian Genocide in her novel The Bastard of Istanbul.
LikeLike
History is so full of such evil occurrences, it feels like each one encourages the next. So sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think a major part is too few learn from them, like the cliché, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another crime against humanity that must not be forgotten. Good and timely story.
LikeLiked by 2 people