Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Tamar Karkazian
Editor
Living in the Central Valley, we often find ourselves entertained and preoccupied with things special to the Valley, such as Fresno State football, agriculture, and ValleyPBS. So when the Armenian Students Organization was asked to help answer telephones to raise money for ValleyPBS on Tuesday, August 9, the students were ready to help—especially since it was a station they grew up watching—and because the evening’s programming was dedicated to the Armenian community.
Hosted by Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program and KSEE24 anchor Stefani Booroojian, the broadcast featured two films, Armenian Minstrels and Armenian Exiles, reflecting Armenian culture and history.
ValleyPBS relies heavily on financial support from the local community, which is why it hosted this event. The ASO manned the phones for the second half of the evening. “I was nervous at first, but once I started taking the phone calls and witnessed the enthusiasm, I grew really excited,” stated Armen Arikian.
As the students arrived they were briefed on the correct procedures for answering the telephone, as well as the set up for the night. Working together, their goal for the night was to get 15 new membership pledges, which they easily accomplished, thanks to the generous donations of the Armenian and Fresno community. “I had a lot of fun,” recalls Sarin Karamanlian. “And I was happy to do good for the community.”
Armenian Minstrels explores the efforts of Yerevan-based Professor Tovmas Poghosyan in reviving ancient Armenian musical traditions. The film followed Poghosyan in his mission to revitalize the ashough (minstrel) tradition, as well as his success directing the Sayat-Nova Minstrel Song Ensemble.
Armenian Exiles, produced and directed by Hagop Goudsouzian, delved into the question of Armenian identity. The story recounts Goudsouzian’s first journey to Armenia in search of the ultimate connection with his forgotten and sometimes ignored identity.
ValleyPBS followed up the successful evening with the screening of another Armenian film, Screamers, on Friday, August 12. Director Carla Garapetian was the special host for the screening, assisted by Leslie Davis of ValleyPBS, and Prof. Der Mugrdechian. Screamers features the Armenian band “System of a Down,” and focuses on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the crime of genocide in general.
All the films were re-broadcast several times in the succeeding weeks, bringing Armenian culture to the San Joaquin Valley. Due to the great support, ValleyPBS plans to continue their efforts to reach out to the Armenian community by screening more Armenian-themed films.