Visiting professor teaches Armenian Studies from first-hand experience in Armenia, Beirut

By Daniel Kenney

The Henry Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor position in the Fresno State Armenian Studies department has yielded a well-traveled addition to the campus’ part-time staff.

Ara Sanjian is teaching Armenian Studies 120T, “Armenia in the Soviet Period, 1920-1991,” as well as Armenian Studies 108T, a survey course, this semester.

Sanjian is also slated to give three public lectures on “Mountainous Karabagh in the Soviet Era.” Two of those lectures have already been given.

He is also the author of two books, and numerous articles concerning Armenian culture and history.

A native of Beirut, Lebanon who lived there for 27 years, he is the first non-American who has been selected for the Khanzadian Kazan program.

Sanjian said Fresno is a great place for Armenian Studies.

“ Fresno is known worldwide throughout the Armenian community,” Sanjian said. “Most Armenians who have had some education know of Fresno, California.”

Sanjian said a lot of first-generation Armenian immigrants who settled in Fresno wrote a wealth of literature concerning their experiences here and that many of these writings are in Armenian textbooks. He also said the works of arguably Fresno’s most famous writer, William Saroyan, were also required reading in Armenian schools.

“ When I read literature during my studies, one of the books required was the Human Comedy, translated into Armenian, as Saroyan wrote in English,”

Although many Armenians worldwide may not know where Fresno is, Sanjian said that, due to its strong Armenian presence throughout history, Fresno is a well-known place.

Although a native of Beirut, Sanjian is an ethnic Armenian. His ancestors settled in Lebanon as a result of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. He has lived there most of his life, not counting his college years.

Sanjian will return to Lebanon after his time here, for which he took a four-month leave of absence from Haigazian.

Sanjian is taking advantage of his part-time status here to do research for various projects and to visit Los Angeles, which has a high Lebanese immigrant population.

Sanjian said he has enjoyed his time in Fresno so far.

“ The weather is very similar to my home is Lebanon, as it is like the Mediterranean climate,” Sanjian said. “This is a very peaceful town, and the (Fresno State) library is very helpful in my research. I look forward to the future.”