Fresno State Community Commemorates April 24 With Solemn Activities at Free Speech Area

Zhanna Bagdasarov
EDITOR

Fresno State students gathered on Tuesday, April 24, to solemnly commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the Genocide.

As members of the Armenian Students Organization (ASO) at Fresno State distributed t-shirts depicting a large cross and reading Remember April 24, 1915, a group of young children from the Armenian Community School were practicing the poem they planned to recite. Sounds of the somber duduk were heard in the distance and posters depicting infamous photos of the atrocities were examined by those who passed by. The date was Tuesday, April 24, at noon in the Free Speech area at Fresno State.

ASO President Grigor Kyutunyan

ASO President Grigor Kyutunyan opened the commemoration event with his comments on the Armenian Question and urged the community to work together toward one goal–recognition of the Armenian Genocide. His brief commentary paved the way for a poem recited by a group of students from the Armenian Community School of Fresno. The children movingly presented poet Barouyr Sevag's Menk Kich Enk Payts Hye Enk.

Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program then introduced the keynote speaker, former Fresno City Council member Tom Boyajian. Boyajian, who has spoken at such events before, felt very comfortable sharing personal memories of his family members and their struggle with the Armenian Question, especially since his grandmother was massacred in the Genocide. Boyajian also brought attention to the continuation of the Genocide, which was evident by the murder of Hrant Dink, writer and editor of the Agos newspaper in Istanbul, on January 19, 2007. Because events like these persist, he reminded the students that it is more important than ever for the Genocide issue to be resolved.

Former Fresno City Councilman Tom Boyajian was the keynote speaker at the April 24th commemoration.

Boyajian has contributed to the fight for recognition with his participation in a long march from Los Angeles to Sacramento, to bring attention to the passing of a Genocide recognition bill. He continued to reiterate that he would do anything in his power for this particular issue and that all Armenians should contribute to the fight.

Following Boyajian's speech, members of the ASO distributed red, pink, and white carnations to each attendee. The tradition of placing flowers on the replica of the Armenian Martyrs Monument (the original of which stands in Armenia), has been alive at Fresno State for many years, and on this day it was once again honored. The melodic strains of the duduk began to play in the background while each student and member of the community made their way to the platform to place their flowers. One by one carnations were placed on the small monument and sorrowful eyes mourned the terrible events of 1915.

Students place flowers at the base of the replica of the Armenian Martyrs Monument.

ASO Vice-President Gary Krboyan

Students and community members gathered at the Free Speech Area at Fresno State.

Students of the Armenian Community School of Fresno reciting a poem by Barouyr Sevag.

L. to R.: Harutyun Mesropyan, Arman Kalamkarian, and Pateel Mekhitarian helped to distribute informational flyers on the Armenian Genocide, the week of April 24th.