News

Staff Report A story of spiritual power, a work of unmatched artistic expression, intertwined with the Armenian Genocide, combined in an intriguing story related by Dr. Heghnar Zeitlian Watenpaugh. The journey of the “Zeytun Gospel,” from its creation by the great Armenian artist and miniature painter Toros Roslin, in the 13th century, to its place of honor in the town ...

Dustin Vartanian Staff Writer The Armenian Studies Organization has had a busy Spring Semester, full of lectures and events. The ASO gathers monthly and organizes social activities to create stronger relationships with its fellow members. The socials are a big part of what the club does.  “The ASO socials are important because they promote involvement with members in the club ...

Staff Report Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian participated in the 7th Annual “Genocide Awareness Week: Not on Our Watch,” organized by Scottsdale Community College, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Der Mugrdechian spoke on the topic of “The Genocide in the 21st Century: Turkey and Armenia,” on Monday, April 15, to students, faculty, and community members. Dr. Taner Akçam, Kalousdian ...

Claire Kasaian Staff Writer On Thursday, March 7, students, professors, and members of the community attended a lecture at Fresno State by Dr. Ara Sanjian, who spoke on the topic of “Armenia’s Road To and Since the ‘Velvet Revolution.’” The “Velvet Revolution” refers to the political events that occurred in Armenia in April of 2018, which led to the resignation ...

Christine Pambukyan  Staff Writer From 1989 to 1994, there was a war between Karabagh and Azerbaijan over the status of the region of Karabagh, also known as Artsakh, located east of the Republic of Armenia and southwest of Azerbaijan. During this war, more than thirty thousand people died. However, despite the war ending with a ceasefire in 1994, the loss ...

Have you ever wanted to travel to Armenia? Why? Andrew Hagopian Freshman I have always wanted to visit our homeland and visit the sites where my ancestors came from. One thing I look forward to seeing is Holy Etchmiadzin because of its significance and connection to the Armenians. I would like to see other Armenian Churches that I learned about ...

Andrew Hagopian Staff Writer Central Valley native and award-winning oud-master Richard Hagopian gave a performance and lecture on Thursday, March 1, titled “Armenian Song Repertoire of the Middle East: Part II.” Accompanying him were his grandsons, Phillip and Andrew Hagopian, who were showcased on the kanun (the Middle Eastern Lap Harp) and the dumbeg (goblet shaped hand drum).  Dr. Partow ...

David Safrazian Staff Writer The Armenians in Turkey today constitute only a small minority compared to the pre-Genocide Armenian population. As such they live interspersed within the larger Turkish community, especially in Istanbul. Thus they also share space in the religious arena, leading to interesting interactions with their neighbors. The St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, located in Kuzguncuk, Turkey, ...

Gregory Krikorian  Staff Writer Armenians and Germans have had strong cultural relations throughout the years and even to this day. There is evidence that Christian Armenian missionaries traveled to what is today Germany in the 4th c. There is also documentation about the relations between Armenians and Germans that dates to the time of the Crusades in the 11th century. ...

Taleen Babayan Associate Director Communications,  American University of Armenia Special to Hye Sharzhoom As a global academic institution of higher learning, the American University of Armenia (AUA) welcomes students from around the world, particularly study-abroad participants. Thanks to the generosity of the Kashian Family Foundation, undergraduates from California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), spend a semester on AUA’s campus in ...