Michael Rettig Editor Like many Armenians, I had been eagerly anticipating the release of “The Promise” since first hearing that such a film would be released. I did not initially have high hopes when I heard that Kirk Kerkorian would be funding a Hollywood blockbuster about the Genocide because I had too often been disappointed with similar announcements in the ...

Arthur Khatchatrian Staff Writer Mesmerizing is the only word that can encompass the magnificence of “The Promise.” From the beginning of the film to the end, the viewer is captivated by its invigorating scenes and direction that keeps one on the edge of their seats. “The Promise” deals with the topic of the Armenian Genocide in a way that resembles ...

Andrew Esguerra  What was your first reaction to “The Promise”? One of the most surprising things about this movie was how few of the main actors were actually Armenian, but when I saw them on screen, I saw people that I thought could be part of my family. I looked at them and could see my ancestors, a friend from ...

Michael Rettig Editor Few have done more to preserve traditional Armenian folk music than local Fresno oud master Richard Hagopian. On Thursday, April 27, Hagopian recounted his first experiences with the oud and showcased traditional Armenian songs in his presentation, “Melodic and Rhythmic Considerations in Oud Performance” as part of the Middle East Studies Lecture, Performance & Film Series, cosponsored ...

Michael Rettig Editor The Armenian Genocide prompted one of the largest humanitarian aid campaigns in American history. The American Committee for Relief in the Near East spearheaded this effort to alleviate the sufferings of the Armenian people. Dr. Keith Watenpaugh (UC Davis), in his lecture “The Drowned, the Saved, and the Forgotten: Genocide and the Foundations of Modern Humanitarianism,” on ...

Staff Report Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian has been teaching an Armenian history survey course at Fresno State for more than thirty years. This semester twenty-three students are enrolled in the Armenian Studies 108B-Modern Armenian History course, which is a survey of Armenian history from the fall of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia to the establishment of the Modern Armenian Republic. ...

Table Sponsors • Arnold & Dianne Gazarian Benefactor • Valley Children’s Healthcare Patron Mrs. Herbert Lion Sponsors Deborah & Mark Astone Supporters Debbie Adishian-Astone Adeline Arakelian    in honor of Dianne Gazarian’s birthday John & Madeline Arakelian    in honor of Dianne Gazarian’s birthday Levon Baladjanian Betty Ann Hagopian Vahe & Armine Meghrouni Irma Noroian Barbara Stepanian Eleanor H. Yazijian ...

Annual Fund Donors through  May 1, 2017 Mr. & Mrs. Russell Adams                                   Fresno Richard Asadoorian                                            Bend, OR George & Mary Atashkarian                              Moraga David Sarkis Barsamian                                     Pasadena Karl DeKlotz                                                          Fresno    in memory of Haig Nishkian Lucille Gahvejian                                       ...

Elina Karapetyan Staff Writer On April 24, Armenians around the world came together for the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Pursuing worldwide recognition and honoring both survivors and lost souls of 1915 is incredibly important for the modern Armenian today. On Sunday, April 30, a large audience gathered at the Fresno State Leon and Pete Peters Educational Center auditorium ...

Staff Report Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian participated in the 5th Annual “Genocide Awareness Week,” organized by Scottsdale Community College, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Der Mugrdechian spoke on the topic of “The Armenian Genocide and International Recognition,” on Monday, April 17, to students, faculty, and community members. This year Der Mugrdechian was joined by guest speaker Dr. Khatchig ...