YEREVAN, 24 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The traditional torch-lit march to the summit of Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial, which is dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, kicked off from Republic Square. As “Armenpress” reports, thousands of young Armenians, as well as members of various political parties, non-governmental organizations and student unions are participating in the march.

 Before the march, the participants respected the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide with a moment of silence and burned the Turkish national flag as a sign of protest and as a way of expressing their anger against Turkey’s policy of denial. The participants of the march are expressing their determination to stand united and stand up for their rights, demanding that Turkey and the international community recognize the events that took place in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 as the Armenian Genocide. This is the 16^th torch-lit march taking place in Yerevan.

 Director of the ARF-D Office for the Armenian Cause and Political Affairs Kiro Manoyan urged the youth to continue the struggle. “The whole world is focused on Armenia, and particularly the youth. We don’t consider anyone our enemy, but we won’t let any country move forward at the expense of our rights. Turkey will acknowledge its liability, and we will restore our rights. We simply have to continue the struggle for a better Armenia,” Manoyan mentioned, lit the first torch and transmitted it to the youth.

This year the date and route for the torch-lit march had been changed. Every year, the march is held on April 23, but on the occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, it was moved to April 24.