News

Staff Report Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian announced that the Leon S. Peters Foundation has made a generous donation of $30,000 to the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State for 2017. This continues the tradition of the Peters Foundation in supporting the Armenian Studies Program Annual Lecture Series, as well as a variety of other activities, including ...

Sarine Topaldjikian Staff Writer The Youth Orchestras of Fresno (YOOF) hosted their annual fundraiser concert, “Love Conquers All,” on Sunday, February 11. The concert featured the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO) and Youth Symphony Orchestra (YSO) combining to perform the first suite from Aram Khachaturian’s energetic, lively, yet romantic ballet, Spartacus, co-sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. Dr. ...

Suzanna Ekmekchyan Staff Writer Looking back at all of the events that took place in Fall of 2017, ASO would like to thank all the members and executives who put in so much time and energy in order to organize some amazing events. For 2018, ASO plans to go above and beyond what was achieved last year and would like ...

Michael Rettig Editor Armenians uniquely remem-ber the region of Van/Vaspurakan in a way that Turks and Kurds do not. Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies Dr. Yektan Türkyılmaz first made this realization during his travels in Armenia, where he noticed that the name of Van permeated the country from printing houses and football teams, to radio stations and more. “It ...

Claire Kasaian Staff Writer London-based Ara Sarafian, director of the Gomidas Institute, introduced his new English translation of Van 1915: The Great Events of Vasbouragan to an audience of students and community members at Fresno State on Friday, February 23. Van 1915, originally published in Armenian in 1917, was written by Hovhannes Ter Martirosian, a notable personality of the Armenian ...

Benefactors Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation Siranouche Krikorian   Patrons Anonymous Phillip Maroot   Friends Varouj & Lena Altebarmakian Armenian General Benevolent Union, Greater Fresno Chapter Armen Aroyan Eleonore Aslanian The Vartkess & Rita Balian Family Foundation    in memory of Vartkess Balian Nerces Leon Dermenjian Grace Kazarian Michael & Jackie Matosian Barbara Vartan Grace Yeni-Komshian   Sponsors Anonymous Dr. ...

Dr. & Mrs. Zaven Adrouny                                             Hillsborough Lucille Apcar                                                                      Mariposa Sam & Annette Apelian                                                    Studio City Richard Asadoorian                                                           Bend, OR David Sarkis Barsamian                                                    Pasadena Kerry Krikorian Bevins                                                     San Diego Hasmig Cingoz                                                                    El Cerrito Helen H. Corrigan                                                 ...

Marine Vardanyan Visiting Armenia is always a special experience, but this trip in particular was one of my favorites. I was already well acquainted with the country and its customs, having been born in Armenia and having visiting many times.  However, there is always something new to learn with each experience. The trip itself was more special to me this ...

Michael Rettig Editor The potential for reconciliation between Armenians and Turks seems distant given Turkey’s century-long denial of the deep wounds it inflicted on the Armenian people. Though the Turkish government remains constant in its policy of denial, a growing number of Turkish citizens have reexamined their government’s position on the Armenian Genocide over the past decade. In 2014, a ...

David Safrazian Staff Writer Dr. Boris Adjemian gave a thought-provoking presentation on “The AGBU Nubar Library in Paris: Safeguarding Western Armenian Heritage through Documentation, Research, and Publication” on Monday, October 9, as part of the Armenian Studies Program Fall Lecture Series. In addition, Dr. Adjemian spoke about “The Armenians in Ethiopia,” which was also the topic of his dissertation. Dr. ...