News

Editor Tamar Karkazian Layout Barlow Der Mugrdechian Photographers Barlow Der Mugrdechian Erica Magarian Staff Writers Denise Altounian Evelyn Demirchian Andrew Esguerra Tatevik Hovhannisyan Suren Oganessian Ruzan Orkusyan Emma Shaljyan Marine Vardanyan Advisor Barlow Der Mugrdechian barlowd@csufresno.edu

Staff Report The Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) held its 39th Annual Membership meeting on Saturday, November 17, 2012, in conjunction with the Middle East Studies Association (MESA) annual conference held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. At the annual meeting members reviewed the activities of the SAS for the past year and discussed future activities. Plans for panels were ...

Suren Oganessian Staff Writer Narine (singer Narine Torosyan) is an emerging synthpop solo act from Poland. She recently created waves over the past summer when the music video to her first single, “Hay Em Yes” [I Am Armenian], premiered on Armenia TV’s “Bari Luys Hayer” [Good Morning Armenians] program. The music video is a patriotic track with both English and ...

Staff Report William Saroyan once wrote “For when two of them [Armenians] meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” Years later these words still ring true, but instead of just two Armenian students, it’s four Armenians at Fresno State. Denise Altounian, Andrew Esguerra, Tamar Karkazian, and Ann Arpy Soghomonian are not only actively ...

Class Report Talene Karkazian Class of 2009 Major: Fashion Merchandising Minor: Armenian Studies Active in the Armenian Students Organization After graduating from Fresno State, Karkazian went on to pursue a Masters Degree in Fashion Design and Apparel, at California State University, Northridge. She is currently working on her thesis, which focuses on the sustainability and upcycling of clothing. Upcycling is ...

Evelyn Demirchian Staff Writer It’s fitting that my last class at Fresno State ends the same way it began—in a small lecture room with Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian. When I first transferred to Fresno State, I didn’t expect to dive into the Armenian Studies Program. It happened on a whim. I knew plenty about the Program and how deeply it ...

Suren Oganessian Staff Writer Haytomar.com Ancient Armenian Calendar Main Categories: Home, Converter, Calendar, Holidays, Get Buttons, Friends, Contact If you heard that this was the year 4,505, would you believe it? According to the often forgotten ancient Armenian calendar—which places its starting date on the day of the legendary battle between Hayk and the Babylonian King Bel—it would be. Haytomar.com ...

Describe how you and your family celebrate the holidays  with Armenian and American traditions.   What did you find surprising or fascinating in the course? Tatevik Hovhannisyan Staff Writer Zhora Pogosyan Sophomore Major: Biology As Armenians, we celebrate the holidays with respect to the holy aspects. My family does not give gifts—we view it as a religious day. The stories and ...

Marine Vardanyan Staff Writer Many things can reflect the tradition of the Armenian culture, but one rich and unique aspect, which has undoubtedly played a key role in preserving the Armenian heritage, is dance. Even now, it draws individuals together and on Saturday, November 10, feelings of pride and joy were awakened in members of the Armenian community who gathered ...

Denise Altounian Staff Writer For one night only, the unique and diverse student population of Fresno State came together, on one stage, to share their culture through music and dance at Fresno State’s International Culture Night, held at the Satellite Student Union on Saturday, November 17. This annual event is organized by student volunteers to promote awareness about the many ...