News

Katrina Bissett Staff Writer “All the stars were against Armenia to survive,” stated screenwriter Mardik Martin. But Armenians did survive, and they are now telling their story. Armenian-themed films are beginning to gain popularity, and Fresno has now hosted the screening of two such films this year. A special screening of The Cut, an independent film centered on the life ...

Aramayis Orkusyan Editor The Young Turk Revolution was a critical point in the history of not only the Ottoman Empire, but also the history of the Armenians. This pivotal year was the topic of a lecture by Dr. Bedross Der Matossian titled “The Political Culture of the Young Turk Revolution of 1908: Space, Symbolism, and Language” presented on Friday, October ...

Staff Report Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) President Barlow Der Mugrdechian chaired the 41st Annual Meeting of the Society on Saturday, November 21, in Denver, Colorado. The Annual Meeting is an opportunity for members to discuss the major challenges of the Society and to hear a variety of reports. Der Mugrdechian reported on the activities of the Society during 2015, ...

Michael Rettig Staff Writer One important narrative of the Armenian Genocide that has been neglected is the story of the righteous Turks who risked their lives to save Armenians. It reminds us that animosity towards Armenians was not universal among Turks in the Ottoman Empire and that there were those who would defy the law to protect Armenians. This narrative ...

Lucie Ekezyan Staff Writer Fresno State offers many cultural classes and among these are courses offered by the Armenian Studies Program, which explore Armenian history, the art inspired by it, and the language that defined it. Since its inception in the 1960’s, more than a thousand students from diverse backgrounds have learned elementary Armenian language skills: speaking, writing, and reading. ...

Staff Report At the end of 2014, Dr. Sergio La Porta published a collection of essays on The Armenian Apocalyptic Tradition. Co-edited with Prof. Kevork Bardakjian of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the volume, published in the Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha series of Brill publishers, contains some 30 articles by a diverse body of scholars from the United ...

Michael Rettig Staff Writer One of the most vibrant aspects of Armenian culture is art. Whether it is illuminated manuscripts, domed cathedrals, or khatchkars (stone-crosses), Armenians have passed down a rich artistic heritage. This art gives one a glimpse into the society that created it. On Wednesday, October 14, Dr. Ron Marchese presented his research on art from the Armenian ...

Tadeh Issakhanian Staff Writer The Armenian Students Organization has many exemplary members who make an impact in the local community. Among them are sisters Lauren and Marina Chardukian. Lauren, a senior majoring in Biology and minoring in Armenian Studies, will be graduating this Spring, while Marina, a sophomore, is majoring in Communicative Disorders and Speech Pathology. In between classes and ...

Elena Sarmazian Staff Writer As soon as you step inside “Ark Mediterranean Grill,” a new restaurant that opened up in Northeast Fresno this August, you immediately get a sense that it is not your typical Armenian restaurant. “Ark Mediterranean Grill” has a sleek, modern touch to the design, which differs from the classic cultural environment of many Armenian restaurants. The ...

  Haverj Stanbulian Staff Writer What is your favorite Armenian tradition and why? Sevag Sanikian Freshman, Biology My favorite tradition is related to the Armenian holiday of Vartavar [held in July]. I like the fun that people have during this holiday, when they throw water on each other. This tradition is my favorite especially because it gets so hot in ...