Vartabedian’s ‘Armenian Village People’ Display at Library

Tom Vartabedian appeared on a recent WHAV Open Mike Show.

A photo exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is taking place throughout the month of April at the Haverhill Public Library.

The collection by photographer Tom Vartabedian is titled “Armenian Village People—A Country Kaleidoscope” and depicts life in modern-day Armenia, a century following a devastating massacre by the Ottoman Turkish Government that killed 1.5 million people and left another million displaced from their homeland.

Thirty color images represent part of a collection taken by Vartabedian during two trips to Armenia over the past decade, covering scenes of people living and toiling in the mountains and valleys.

The images depict life in this historic land whose history dates back more than 3,000 years.

The Haverhill library is among others throughout Merrimack Valley and the North Shore which will feature the exhibit during this centennial year.

It is being displayed on the second-floor gallery by the children’s room.

Vartabedian, a Haverhill Gazette columnist, worked as a photographer for 40 years before retiring a decade ago. Much of his photography these days is dedicated to travel and pleasure.

This exhibit can be seen on the second floor during regular library hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. during the month of April. The library will be closed Sunday, April 5; Sunday and Monday, April 19 and 20.