Marine Vardanyan Staff Writer Described as the first Armenian Genocide movie to make a Turkish audience cry, Lost Birds premiered in Fresno on Friday, April 7, as part of the CineCulture Film Series. The Armenian Studies Program, a sponsor of the screening, invited directors Ela Almayac and Aren Perdeci from Istanbul to speak about their film. Armenian Studies Program Coordinator ...

Haverj Stanboulian Biology Minor in Armenian Studies What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course? I wanted to stay connected to my Armenian roots and expand my knowledge about our amazing culture and history. What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program? The Armenian Studies Program has a great community of Armenians who are ...

Diana Gasparyan Staff Writer At the beginning of the Spring 2017 semester, ASO was invited to give a presentation at the International Coffee Hour (ICH), a Fresno State series that is held every Tuesday from 2-3pm in the Henry Madden Library. The ICH is unique in that it brings people of diverse backgrounds to share their culture, history, and customs ...

Michael Rettig Editor When one typically thinks of the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide, they usually have in mind high-ranking officials who directed policy, such as Talaat, Enver, or Djemal Pasha. The term “perpetrator” might also conjure up images of gendarmes and soldiers herding Armenian refugees through the desert. However perpetrators were often ordinary people, emphasized Dr. Umit Kurt in ...

  Diana Gasparyan Staff Writer The Armenian Students Organization has started many new initiatives this semester, with a silent auction at the Armenian Studies Program 29th Annual Banquet, and a Frozen Yogurt fundraiser. ASO is introducing an award, called the “Member of the Semester,” recognizing a member who has demonstrated exceptional effort in assisting with club events and volunteer work. ...

Diana Gasparyan Staff Writer In the past few months, the Armenian Students Organization has held several socials, events, and fundraisers. The executive team was constantly occupied with planning, organizing, and collaborating on new ideas. There was an even balance between socials and volunteer events, mixing enjoyment and work throughout the semester. The ideas to fundraise arose due to the anticipation ...

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 ...