Hundreds Gather to Celebrate the Dedication of the Armenian Heritage Walk

By Amna Khalafalla

April 30, 2026     

On April 25, the Armenian Heritage Foundation of Philadelphia and hundreds of area Armenian Americans gathered to dedicate the Armenian Heritage Walk on Kelly Drive outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Walk offers a scenic pathway around the “Young Meher” statue, which was completed in 1976 by artist Khoren Der Harootian (1909–1991) and dedicated that same year in commemoration of the 61st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Saturday’s dedication was the second in a series of events, which began with an intercommunal church service and culminated with a gala at the National Constitution Center. Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, observed the previous day on April 24, marked 111 years since the genocide by the Ottoman Empire in 1915–1916, in which as many as 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives.

“Young Meher” (1976), a sculpture by artist Khoren Der Harootian, depicts a folk hero who symbolizes the faith and resilience of the Armenian people.

Board members of the Armenian Heritage Foundation and representative from the Mayor’s office Jazelle Jones, center, participate in a ribbon-cutting to officially open the Heritage Walk.

Children wave the Armenian flag.

Young dancers perform the Kochari, a Unesco-recognized Armenian dance frequently performed during holidays, festive celebrations and ceremonies. 

Visitors place flowers at the base of the “Young Meher” statue.

A plaque marks the dedication of the Armenian Heritage Walk.

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Amna Khalafalla is a Sudanese American, Philadelphia-raised photo documentarian with a background in international development. She is currently working on a long-term project documenting Philadelphia’s community of Sudanese activists and is an Al-Bustan Journalism Fellow.

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