Re-Introducing: "Motherland," the Armenian Earthquake Statue

Amongst the disastrous natural events that have taken place in the past thirty years, the earthquake in Armenia in 1988 may not come to mind. However, the Spitak Earthquake registered at a magnitude of 6.8, killed at least 25,000 people and injured at least 30,000 more. This tragedy was also momentous in that the Cold War Soviet government actually asked the United States for aid. Three years later, Armenian sculptor Frederic Sagoyan gave this sculpture of a mother fiercely holding a fearful child to the American Red Cross as a show of thanks for their support in the aftermath of the quake. The sculpture, called "Motherland," stands on the north lawn of the Red Cross Headquarters.
· "Motherland" by Frederic Sagoyan [Flickr]
· Armenian Earthquake (Sagoyan) [Wikipedia]
· 1988 Spitak Earthquake [Wikipedia]
· All Hidden Memorials [CDC]