Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Katherine Arslanian
Staff Writer
The Armenian Student Organization (ASO) at Fresno State held an engaging cultural presentation, led by ASO President Grigor Terpogosyan and Vice President Anahid Valencia, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, as part of Fresno State’s “International Coffee Hour.”
The goal of the presentation was to introduce students, faculty, and staff at Fresno State to the richness of Armenian history, identity, and tradition through a combination of a powerpoint and discussion.
“We wanted to give everyone a glimpse into who Armenians are, our past, our culture, and the values our community continues to carry,” shared Valencia.
The presentation began with information about when the Republic of Armenia was founded, highlighting Yerevan as the capital, the country’s population of 2.8 million, and its multilingual connections through Armenian, Russian, English, and French. They explained Armenia’s coat of arms, adopted in 1992, which features an eagle and a lion supporting a shield. The Armenian flag was also discussed, with its red, blue, and orange stripes symbolizing sacrifice, hope, and the fertile lands of the homeland.
A significant portion of the talk centered on the Armenian Diaspora, which today includes more than eight million Armenians living outside the country. The largest communities reside in the United States, Russia, France, Ukraine, Syria, and Lebanon.
“Even though so many Armenians live away from the homeland, our communities stay connected through traditions, language, and advocacy,” Valencia explained. The presenters emphasized the political engagement of diaspora communities, particularly in the United States, where Armenian-Americans frequently organize for humanitarian aid, Genocide recognition, and issues involving Armenia.
The talk then shifted to Armenia’s Christian identity. Through historical storytelling, the presenters described how Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD. They highlighted the roles of key figures such as Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew, early apostles martyred in Armenia, and the story of King Trdat the Great, who persecuted Christians before eventually converting.
“The story of St. Gregory the Illuminator is one of the most important in our history,” stated Valencia. “After surviving 13 years imprisoned in the prison of Khor Virap [the Deep Pit], he healed King Trdat through prayer. That miracle changed the future of Armenia forever.” The presenters also discussed martyrs like St. Hripsime and St. Gayane, whose faith and sacrifice remain important to the Armenians.
The presentation then moved to a discussion of the cultural pillars of food, music, and traditions. Armenian cuisine, explained Terpogosyan and Valencia, reflects both heritage and family. Dishes like dolma, manti, kufta, lavash, and baklava are staples of Armenian gatherings. Terpogosyan noted a common cultural ritual: “Sometimes families hide a quarter inside a kufta. Whoever finds it is believed to receive luck or blessings for the year.” The pomegranate, symbolizing unity and life, was shown in photographs and described as one of the most iconic symbols in Armenian culture.
Music also plays a central role in Armenian cultural life. The presenters showed some instruments such as the oud and the duduk, the latter known for its haunting, soulful tone. They also spoke about Komitas Vartabed, the renowned priest and ethnomusicologist who collected and preserved more than 3,000 Armenian folk songs, explaining that without Komitas, much of our musical heritage would have been lost. His work is the foundation of Armenian classical and choral music. The power-point also covered elements such as the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405 AD, the importance of family values, and major Armenian holidays including Christmas on January 6, Independence Day on September 21, and Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24. Cultural and religious traditions, like Vardavar, the summer religious and water festival, Easter egg dyeing and “egg fights,” and Armenian coffee cup fortune reading, were described with both historical meaning and a personal touch.
To give the audience a sense of place, the presenters shared photographs of major Armenian landmarks, from Lake Sevan and Republic Square to the Cascade in Yerevan and the “We Are Our Mountains” monument in Artsakh.
They also showed local connections by highlighting Armenian churches throughout the Central Valley, including St. Paul Armenian Church and Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Fresno, St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem, and St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Fowler.
They pointed out the distinct architectural similarities these churches share with classical Armenian design.
The presentation closed with an invitation for students to stay connected with ASO and continue learning.
“Our goal is always to educate, celebrate, and build community,” Terpogosyan stated. “When we share our culture, we keep it alive.”