Yerevan State University in cooperation with California State University Northridge (USA) and Lepsiushaus Potsdam (Germany) welcomes presentation applications for participation in the international conference dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the publication of Austrian author and humanist Franz Werfel’s historical novel The Forty Days of Musa Dagh telling about the heroic struggle of Armenians of Suedia region bordering Cilicia against Turkish slaughterers.

The objectives of the conference are:

• to assess the historical-political and literary significance of Franz Werfel’s novel “The Forty Days of Musa Dagh” and its impact on the international perception and truthful coverage of the Armenian Genocide, as well as to address Franz Werfel’s pro-Armenian activities;
• to examine the genocidal policy, consistently pursued and realized by the Ottoman rulers at different phases of history, and its ways of manifestation (from physical extermination and forced deportation to Islamization, from destruction of historical-cultural legacy to deprivation of Homeland and property);
• to present Turkey’s persistent denial of the Armenian Genocide, and the issues of legal and material responsibility;
• to specify the demands of the Armenian people from Turkey, and the absence of an accurate assessment of the fact of the Armenian Genocide as a background for new genocides;
• to address the reflection of the Armenian Genocide in historiography, cinematography and literature;
• to analyze Azerbaijan’s (a state established in the 20th century at the initiative of Turkey) genocidal policy against the Armenian people and its manifestations;
• to shed light on the representation of the Genocide of Armenians in mass media, and on the Turkish-Azerbaijani manipulative propaganda of its denial and/or distortion.

We need to have new approaches for a better understanding of historical-political issues. This conference will be an effective platform for demonstrating attitudes and solutions.

Working languages: Armenian, English.

Lodging expenses for international participants will be covered by Yerevan State University.