Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Andrew Esguerra
Staff Writer
Following the 20th anniversary of Armenian independence, which fell on September 21st of last year, a Fresno State audience of more than 200 gave their attention to a truly unique speaker, Raffi Hovannisian.
Hovannisian, who visited Fresno on Friday, December 23, offered a look at Armenia from the perspective of a former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia, leader of the Heritage Party in Armenia, and a Fresno native. The first hand-account of someone who was so intimately involved in the development of the burgeoning Republic of Armenia from the eyes of an Armenian-American was fascinating. The lecture took place because of the collaboration between the Fresno State Armenian Studies Program and the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School.
Armenian Studies Program Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian welcomed the audience. Remarks were made by Keyan Community School Principal Zar Der Mugrdechian, followed by Hrair Messerlian, who introduced Raffi Hovannisian.
Reminiscing about the inception and recognition of the independence of Armenia, Hovannisian spoke about his family, their experiences, and the challenges that face the Armenian nation today. Joined by his wife Armenouhi, who is the head of the Orran Benevolent Organization in Armenia, Hovannisian spoke on his family life focusing on the time when he was growing up. He recalled his trips from L.A. to Fresno, the “Armenian school [he] never had,” every weekend. Along the way he would visit his uncles and aunts and his hardworking grandparents. Kaspar, a proud man and a fighter who hailed from Kharpert, “lost everything yet danced in the face of adversity,” and his wife Siroun, who represented a more Americanized culture and took the nickname Sarah, helped shape Hovannisian’s personal cultural identity. His other grandparents “gave their world to their grandchildren” even though they were plagued by nightmares of what they had been through. It is of note that his family history is documented in Garin Hovannisian’s (Raffi’s son) book, Family of Shadows, which was launched in Fresno this past September.
Hovannisian insisted that the young republic needs to become a viable nation economically and socially by emphasizing the legitimacy of its leadership by means of fair elections. The Armenian government must strengthen its sovereignty by becoming more independent in its duties, such as in national defense.
Regarding the Armenians in Karabakh, Hovannisian felt that the government in Armenia should support the Armenians in Karabagh and their stance that they are an independent country, which should be internationally recognized (this sentiment is also shared by the Heritage Party). By striving to become a modern, democratic nation and by putting the people in charge of their own matters, Armenia earned its position on the world stage, reaffirming the meaning and significance of our tricolor flag flying at the United Nations.
Raffi Hovannisian offered a one-of-a-kind story of how one Armenian-American can give back so much to the historical homeland of Armenians. His message was one that was fresh and motivating for the Armenian-American audience and especially important for the future generations, especially to the Charlie Keyan Armenian School students in attendance, to show them that they can one day make a difference in a land so far away, yet so close to all of us.