Carina Karakashian and Nyrie Karkazian Staff Writers Question: Why do you enjoy taking Armenian Studies classes at Fresno State?   “Because I am Armenian, and I feel it’s important to learn about my culture and past. The Armenian Studies Program is a major reason why I came to Fresno State, and so far I am enjoying the classes.”     ...

Barlow Der Mugrdechian Advisor Twenty-five years ago, in the spring of 1979, Hye Sharzhoom began its existence at Fresno State, when a small group of students, under the direction of Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, realized a dream that continues today. That first special edition was devoted to the Armenian Genocide, and to the recognition of the genocide. Succeeding issues have brought ...

By Leslie Perryman, Honors Armenian Art Poem written in response to book To The Desert: Pages From My Diaries by Vahram Dadrian, Discussed by Ara Sarafian A child’s eye, once exposed to childhood fancies, Freedom flights and family duties, Full of love and full of life, Now, all the child’s eye sees is suffering, Pain for his people, pain for ...

Hakop Tataryan Staff Writer On Tuesday, September 30, Ara Sarafian gave a lecture on the diary of the “Armenian Anne Frank,” Vahram Dadrian, and discussed his book To the Desert: Pages from My Diary. The lecture was part of the Armenian Studies Program Fall Lecture Series. Ara Sarafian, an archival historian specializing in the late Ottoman Period, is one of ...

Staff Report Armenian composer, conductor and teacher Born: Tbilisi, 24 May/6 June 1903 Died: Moscow, 1 May 1978. He is considered by some to be the central figure in 20th-century Armenian culture and, along with Prokofiev and Shostakovich, was a pillar of the Soviet school of composition. He influenced the development of composition not only in Armenia but also in ...

Dikran Chekian Staff Writer In commemoration of the 100th birthday of the famous Armenian composer Aram Khatchaturian, the Armenian Studies Program, the Armenian General Benevolent Union of Fresno, and the Phillip Lorenz Memorial Keyboard Concerts, with special support from Dr. David Cox, co-sponsored a concert dedicated to the late composer. World-renowned pianist Sahan Arzruni made his return to Fresno for ...

Mitchell Peters Staff Writer After watching Images of the Armenian Spirit, two words come to mind: inspiring and educational. Not only did the film refresh and reinforce my knowledge of Armenian culture and history, but it also reminded me of the beauty and unbreakable spirit of the Armenian people. The telling one-hour documentary, which aired nationwide on PBS, was written, ...

Barlow Der Mugrdechian Advisor Armenian studies scholars from throughout the world gathered in Yerevan, Armenia for the First International Congress of Armenian Studies, September 15-20, 2003. The Congress, devoted to the topic “Armenian Studies Today and Its Development Perspectives,” was jointly co-sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan State University, and was held ...

Dikran Chekian – President Major: Business Administration-Entrepreneurship Minor: Armenian Studies This year will mark the end of my college career. Upon graduation, I will be involved in managing the family business. Last year, as an active member in the Armenian Youth Federation, I gained valuable leadership skills, which I feel will help guide this year’s ASO into newer places. I ...

Zhanna Bagdasarov and Marine Ekezyan Staff Writers The much-anticipated elections for the new executive committee of the Armenian Students Organization (ASO) took place in the Bedrosian Conference Room of the Peters Business Building on September 25 at seven o’clock in the evening. Twenty-two anxious members gathered together to cast their vote for the candidates of their choice. Former president, Sevag ...