Ravished Armenia And The Story Of Aurora Mardiganian: A Harrowing Tale of Survival and Resilience

An Unforgettable Journey

Imagine being torn away from your home, ripped apart from your loved ones, and forced to endure unimaginable horrors. This was the reality for Aurora Mardiganian, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, whose harrowing tale of resilience and bravery continues to captivate audiences today. Her story, famously known as Ravished Armenia, sheds light on one of the darkest periods in human history and serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

A Witness to Atrocities

At the tender age of 14, Aurora Mardiganian, an Armenian girl living with her family in a small village, was suddenly thrown into a world of chaos and destruction. In 1915, the Ottoman Empire unleashed a systematic campaign of extermination against the Armenian population. Mardiganian and her family, like many others, became victims of this mass atrocity. They were forcibly removed from their homes, separated, and subjected to unspeakable acts of violence.

As a survivor, Mardiganian witnessed firsthand the horrors inflicted upon her people. She endured physical and sexual abuse, starvation, and the loss of loved ones. Despite the unbearable suffering she endured, Mardiganian found the strength to tell her story, ensuring that the world would know about the atrocities committed during the Armenian Genocide.

Ravished Armenia and the Story of Aurora Mardiganian

by Anthony Slide (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3078 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	292 pages

FREE

From Surviving to Thriving

After escaping from her captors, Mardiganian embarked on a mission to bring awareness to the plight of the Armenian people. In collaboration with author and screenwriter Harvey Gates, she published her memoir, Ravished Armenia, in 1918. This powerful account of her experiences quickly gained international attention and became a valuable tool in the fight against Armenian genocide denial.

Mardiganian's incredible journey didn't end with the publication of her memoir. In 1919, she starred in a silent film adaptation of Ravished Armenia titled Auction of Souls. The film, directed by Oscar Apfel, aimed to expose the atrocities committed during the Armenian Genocide and raise funds for Armenian orphans and refugees.

A Lasting Impact

Mardiganian's work played a crucial role in raising awareness about the Armenian Genocide, ensuring that the voices of the victims were heard. Her courage and determination made a lasting impact on countless individuals and helped shape the way the world perceives and remembers this dark chapter in history.

Today, Ravished Armenia and Auction of Souls continue to be regarded as important historical documents that shed light on the untold stories of the Armenian Genocide. Mardiganian's legacy serves as a beacon of hope for those facing oppression and injustice.

The Call to Remember

As we reflect on the incredible journey of Aurora Mardiganian, it is our responsibility to ensure that the memory of the Armenian Genocide lives on. By acknowledging and remembering the past, we can strive to build a future free from such atrocities. Mardiganian's story reminds us of the strength we possess to overcome adversity and fight for justice.

In

Ravished Armenia and the story of Aurora Mardiganian is a poignant tale of survival, resilience, and the power of one individual to make a difference. Through her memoir and the silent film adaptation, Mardiganian shed light on the Armenian Genocide, ensuring that the world would never forget the atrocities committed against her people. Her legacy continues to inspire and educate, serving as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Ravished Armenia and the Story of Aurora Mardiganian

by Anthony Slide (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3078 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	292 pages

FREE

"Ravished Armenia" and the Story of Aurora Mardiganian is the real-life tale of a teenage Armenian girl who was caught up in the 1915 Armenian genocide, the first genocide in modern history. Mardiganian (1901-1994) witnessed the murder of her family and the suffering of her people at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Forced to march over fourteen hundred miles, she was sold into slavery. When she escaped to the United States, Mardiganian was then exploited by the very individuals whom she believed might help. Her story was published in book form and then used as the basis for a 1918 feature film, in which she herself starred.

The film Ravished Armenia, also known as Auction of Souls, is a graphic retelling of Aurora Mardiganian's story, with the teenager in the central role, supported by Anna Q. Nilsson and Irving Cummings and directed by Oscar Apfel. Only twenty minutes of the film--the first to deal with the Armenian genocide--is known to survive, but it proves to be a stunning production, presenting its story in newsreel style.

This revised edition of Anthony Slide's "Ravished Armenia" and the Story of Aurora Mardiganian also contains an annotated reprint of Mardiganian's original narrative and, for the first time, the full screenplay. In his , Slide recounts the making of the film and Mardiganian's life in the United States, involving a cast of characters including Henry Morgenthau, Mrs. George W. Vanderbilt, Mrs. Oliver Harriman, and film pioneer William Selig. The also includes original comments by Aurora Mardiganian, whom Slide interviewed before her death. Acclaimed Armenian Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan, who created a video art installation about Mardiganian in 2007, provides a foreword.