Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Tamar karkazian
Editor
Truth. That was the theme for this year’s Armenian Genocide commemorations in the Fresno community, commemorating the 97th anniversary of the Genocide. Many speakers, students, pastors, and professors, touched upon various elements of truth. In all of their accounts, they discussed the importance of finding and remembering the truth about the Genocide. Three events in particular illustrated the theme: the ASO Annual Free Speech Commemoration, the Fresno Community Commemoration, and the ASO Movie Screening and Night Vigil.
ASO Annual Free Speech Commemoration
The ASO commemoration event held at the Free Speech area on Tuesday, April 24, strove to raise awareness of the Genocide on campus. It was organized by the Armenian Students Organization and the Armenian Studies Program, with partial funding by the Associated Students Inc.
The program showcased a dance performance by the Arax dancers, songs performed by students of the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, and poetry readings by Fresno State students. Student Michael Rettig shared accounts of his family’s amazing story of survival and how they were able to escape death thanks to a Turkish neighbor’s warning. The family hid in a missionary hospital and eventually made their way to America.
Hygo Ohannessian, an active member of the Armenian community, was the keynote speaker; she also shared her family’s story of survival and how the atrocities of the past haunted her grandparents. Her message to students was that they “have a duty to know the truth,” and that history will reveal the truth. She posed the question, “Who are you going to help?” She said to consider fellow Armenians as part of their family, and that Armenians must do whatever they can to ensure that the past will not be forgotten.
Following the program, a group of thirty students and community members, marched across campus in a silent tribute. “Fresno State students are just as passionate as the students at larger campuses and we wanted to pay our respect and raise awareness,” explained Andrew Esguerra. The silent march was a representation of the suppression of truth by the Turkish government’s denial of the Genocide.
Fresno Community Commemoration
Every year San Joaquin Valley Armenians come together at one of four local Armenian churches, to pay their respects to their ancestors. This year the annual service and commemoration was held at the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Fresno.
After the services and messages in the sanctuary, more than 400 people gathered in the church social hall to hear Dr. Sergio La Porta’s keynote address. Dr. La Porta explained what steps people should take to ensure that atrocities like the Armenian Genocide, and others don’t happen again. Instead of focusing on getting recognition, he emphasized that people should focus on raising awareness of the truth.
Dr. La Porta discussed the unprecedented humanitarian effort mounted by the United States to help the Armenians beginning in 1915. It is an exemplary example in history of America’s strength and compassion. The relief effort sent to Armenia during the Genocide represents the greatest such effort by the United States, in absolute terms, since that time. Those involved in the humanitarian effort ranged from everyday people, actors, actresses, presidents, politicians, and to even athletes, such as Babe Ruth. By sharing this shining moment in American history, Armenians would accomplish a goal of raising awareness about the Genocide
In closing, Professor La Porta stated, “Never be afraid of truth.”
Night Vigil and
Movie Screening
The April 24th commemorative week concluded with the screening of the feature movie “The Lark Farm” and a night vigil at Fresno State. Students and community members relived the pain of the Genocide through the Italian film directed by brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, adapted from a novel by Antonia Arslan. The film followed the lives of the Avakian family, as the Young Turks began to implement their plans of annihilation. The audience saw the atrocities of the past from a more personal perspective, as they witnessed the killing of the men, and the women and children deported on a death march. Although in Italian, with English subtitles, the audience could feel the pain of the Armenians.
The solemn mood from the movie transferred into the night as those present took part in the night vigil. Led by the notes of a duduk, played by Aramais Orkusyan, the group held candles and made their way across campus. The vigil began with a prayer by Fr. Vahan Gosdanian, pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic church. The vigil ended with a short program encompassing the many talents and experiences of Fresno State students. Aramais Orkusyan and Michael Rettig honored their ancestors by performing “Adanayi Voghperk,” while Ruzan Orkusyan and Tatevik Hovhannisyan sang “Chinar Es.”
Faten Kassabian gave a brief message and survival account and ASO President Vartush Mesropyan closed the evening by stating, “We must fight for the truth and it must be recognized.”
As the month of April passes it is important to remember the truth. We will never forget the atrocities of the past, and now we must strive to share that truth.