Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Denise Altounian
Staff Writer
Photo: Denise Altounian
The San Joaquin Valley is lucky to be home to a melting pot of distinct cultures. Immigrants from all over the world, including the Armenians, have settled here to become the backbone of its success. One of the most important missions we have is to preserve these rich cultures.
The Valley Cultural Coalition (VCC), a local non-profit organization, has taken on the task to both preserve and build appreciation of all cultures in Central California, in an effort to improve the quality of life. Their mission is “dedicated to ensuring the health of the arts and cultural community through advocacy, communication, cooperation, and collaboration.”
VCC members gathered at the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School on Thursday, March 14, to enjoy a delicious Armenian meal and to learn more about one of the Valley’s most prominent groups, the Armenians. Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program, gave a talk entitled “From Armenia to California: The Odyssey of the Fresno Armenians (1881-2013),” about the history of the Central Valley Armenian community.
The audience was enthusiastic to learn about the journey of the Armenians to California, one of many cultural groups highlighted in the monthly VCC series.
Der Mugrdechian covered the initial phase of Armenian immigration to the East Coast, and eventually the journey to California.
Fresno simultaneously grew as both a city and a region with the contribution of the growing Armenian immigrant community. The city of Fresno was incorporated in 1885, some four years after the first Armenians had already settled there. Many Armenian immigrants settled in Fresno and quickly established small businesses and found themselves very successful in the agricultural industry. Today, Fresno is home to one of the last remaining Armenian Diaspora communities that has significant involvement in agriculture.
Those in attendance left with a better understanding of the history and culture of the Armenian-American community of Fresno.