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Careen Derkalousdian Staff Writer “It’s a great event to bring the Armenian community together,” said Kef Time guest Alicia Minasian. “It represents our heritage, and we are so proud of it!” On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the highly anticipated Kef Time Fresno IV took place at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church Social Hall. Featuring the Kef Time Legacy Band, this ...

Staff Report Dr. Talin Suciyan was named the 21st Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies at California State University, Fresno for the Spring 2025 semester. “We are happy to welcome Dr. Suciyan for the spring semester,” said Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Berberian Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program. “Dr. Suciyan will bring a new and active element to the Program.” ...

Ani Sargsyan Staff Writer Fresno State’s Armenian Students Organization has been putting together events for students and community members to come together at least once a month. These social gatherings are important in keeping the student body close-knit while also celebrating and preserving Armenian culture. In the fall semester, ASO had several successes, including a celebration for Armenian Independence day, ...

Staff Report J. Michael Hagopian’s “Strangers in a Promised Land” was recently digitally remastered and was screened at The Vineyards-California Armenian Home. Fresno State Armenian Studies Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian was invited to give an introduction for the film and to discuss the film with guests after the screening. Narrated by former California Governor George Deukmejian, “Strangers in a Promised ...

‘Armenia & Byzantium without Borders V: Disruption and Resilience’ – Graduate and Early Career Workshop, Univ of Oxford Dr. David Zakarian reports: In 2018, as a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford, I had the opportunity to participate in a transformative academic experience – the “Armenia & Byzantium” without Borders workshop. Organized by Prof. Claudia Rapp and ...

Lori Agazarian Staff Writer The Fresno State Armenian Studies Program and the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Greater Fresno Chapter, hosted noted photographer Hrair Hawk Khatcherian on Thursday, November 14, to discuss his research on khatchkars and their connection to Armenian culture, art, and history. The lecture, “Khatchkars: Emblematic Art of Armenians,” was part of the Grace and Paul Shahinian Armenian ...

Staff Report Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian chaired a panel on “Remembering the Armenian Genocide” and gave a presentation on “The Armenian Genocide: Remembrance and Denial” at the 6th Annual International Conference on Genocide, held at Sacramento State University, November 14-16, 2024. The theme of the Conference was “Dimensions of Genocide: Persistence, Denial, Resistance and Justice,” and attracted a large number ...

Ani Sargsyan Staff Writer The Armenian Students Organization had a very successful semester, with four events held during the Fall 2024 semester, and one being planned for the month of December. On Friday, October 25, students gathered for the ASO Halloween Party, and students were encouraged to bring pumpkins for a painting/carving contest, as well as participating in a costume ...

Anahid Valencia Staff Writer  “My work attempts to build this narrative that we have another story, we have a real story, we have the original story that we could and should bring to the surface,” said Dr. David Zakarian in his lecture titled “The Portrayal of Women in Early Armenian Literature,” given on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Dr. Zakarian’s lecture ...

Natalie Agazarian Editor “I feel that I offer an interesting mix of forensic, theoretical, and political perspectives, as well as an appreciation of the agency of target groups,” remarked Dr. Simon Maghakyan, reflecting on his position as the 20th Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies at California State University, Fresno for the Fall 2024 semester. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Dr. ...