Fresno State students are observing the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Thursday, April 24 with several free, public events for Armenian Genocide Commemoration Week.

 “We will honor the 1.5 million victims, their families and the survivors of the atrocities committed by the Turkish government in 1915,” said Vartush Mesropyan, president of the Armenian Students Organization, which is co-sponsoring the weeklong observance on campus with the Fresno State Armenian Studies Program.

The observance began Monday with an on-campus display of “Genocides Around the World.”

Today (April 22), the documentaries “My Mother’s Voice” and “20Voices” will be screened at 6:30 p.m. in McLane Hall, Room 161. The movies highlight the voices of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Director Kay Mouradian will discuss her movie, “My Mother’s Voice.”

Following the showings, at 7:30 p.m., students will walk to the Free Speech Area and hold a candlelight vigil tonight.

On Thursday, April 24, students will conduct a silent protest from noon-1 p.m. in the Free Speech Area to raise awareness of the genocide.

From 1-2 p.m. Thursday, the 99th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide will be held in the Free Speech Area with poems, songs, dances and a reading of genocide memoirs by Armenian Students Organization members, students of the Charlie Keyan Armenian School and guest speakers Congressman Jim Costa and Judge Houry Sanderson.

On Friday, April 25, Dr. Richard G. Hovannisian, professor of Armenian and Near Eastern History at the University of California, Los Angeles,  will discuss “The Armenians of Gesaria,” at 7:30 p.m. in the Industrial Technology building, Room 101.

Free parking is available after 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday.  Lots P23 or P24 are nearest the lecture.

For more information, contact Dr. Barlow Der Mugrdechian at 559.278.2669.

Related links

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader