Over the past few months, the Armenian Students Organization (ASO) held several events that brought students together through fun activities and meaningful remembrance. From a group hike to an important cultural commemoration, members had the chance to connect while celebrating and honoring their culture.
The ASO planned several events for the Armenian Genocide Commemoration in the month of April. The first was on Thursday, April 23, when the Armenian Studies Program screened the movie “Mayrig.” The film, written by Henri Verneuil, followed the Zakarian family from the Genocide to their final destination in France. Prof. David Zakarian presented the film with introductory comments.
After the screening, the ASO held a night Vigil, where attendees walked from the University Business Center to the Armenian Genocide Monument on the Fresno State campus and placed lights around the eternity symbol and shared a moment of silence.
On Friday, April 24, ASO hosted an Armenian Genocide Commemoration at noon at the Fresno State Genocide Monument. Students, faculty, and community members gathered to honor the victims and survivors. ASO Executive members and students passed out flyers to educate students about the Armenian Genocide, while attendees placed flowers around the eternity symbol in memory of the lives lost.
ASO Vice President Anahid Valencia was the Master of Ceremonies and shared a few words emphasizing the importance of recognizing and calling the Armenian Genocide what it is, a Genocide. The event included speeches and personal stories, making the ceremony especially meaningful for those in attendance.
Valencia introduced Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, who reflected on the importance of holding Genocide commemorations.
“When we gather to commemorate the Armenian Genocide, we gather to remember more than a tragedy,” said Prof. Der Mugrdechian. “We gather to name a historical truth. We gather to honor the victims and to reject the silence and denial that so often follow crimes of this scale.”
“Today, as we stand together, we do more than look backward,” concluded Prof. Der Mugrdechian. “We bear witness. We honor those who lost their lives in the genocide. We honor the survivors. We honor the descendants who have carried memory forward.”
ASO Secretary Emily Sahakian shared her family’s story, including a recently discovered letter from her great-grandfather. She explained that telling her family’s history made the past feel more real and showed how Armenians remained strong and preserved their culture.
“Commemorating the Genocide is important to me because it’s important to never forget our history and we must keep talking about it and make sure that these atrocities never happen again,” said Sahakian.
ASO Treasurer Jordan Mazmanian also spoke, sharing that it was an honor to talk about her family’s journey to Fresno after escaping violence, which occurred before 1915. She high-lighted that every story is unique and important to share in order to raise awareness. For her, April 24 is a deeply meaningful day to remember both the victims and the survivors.
Earlier, in March, ASO members went to Friant, California, and hiked at Pincushion Peak. During the hike, students saw beautiful views of nature, and once they made it to the top of the trail, they were able to see views of Millerton Lake. Even though this hike is known to be a challenging one, members made it to the top and enjoyed the views. After the hike students went to enjoy lunch at Kilokabob in Friant and continued spending time together as a group.
Overall, these events brought ASO members closer together while honoring Armenian history and culture.
Keep your eye out for upcoming information about it! You can follow ASO activities on Instagram @fresnostateaso.