Armenian Genocide Commemoration at GCC

 by Ani Keshishian and Zohara Kaye

In commemoration of the 100th Year anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the GCC Board of Trustees passed Resolution No. 7 designating April 2015 as “Month of Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915”.

The GCC Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration Committee, was chaired by Sarkis Ghazarian and committee members included students, faculty, and staff: Teni Bazikyan, Liza Hakobyan, Lara Kartalian, Ani Keshishian, Osheen Keshishian, Levon Marashlian, Tzoler Oukayan, Isabelle Saber; and Board of Trustee Armine Hacopian. A month long series of events was planned out by the committee to educate the GCC campus community about the Armenian Genocide.  Different segments of the GCC community collaborated to make the series of events on campus possible.  The events were widely attended by GCC students, faculty, staff, administrators, and Board of Trustees members. The committee members were also honored at the April 21st Board of Trustees meeting for their work, where Dr. Hacopian also acknowledged Ms. Ann Simon and Mrs. Sally Holmes for their contributions to the series of events.

                                Events Synoposes and Reviews

- 3/31, Armenian Culture Day - Element Band performed and the ASA Students had a wonderful display setup. They also performed dance numbers and GCC student Gasia Keuork sang a couple of beautiful songs. Lunch was served for the attendees.

- 4/2, Armenian Literature Panel - Dr. Roobina Peroomian (Dr. Vahe Peroomian's mother) and Osheen Keshishian gave speeches on the literary perspectives relating to the genocide and its legacy.

-4/7, Cultural Diversity Lecture Panel - Roger Bowerman, Elizabeth Kronbeck and Fr. Vazken Movsesian engaged the audience in a panel discussion on genocides in the 20th and 21st century.

-4/9, Armenian History Lecture - Dr. Levon Marashlian presented, through various archival video clips, the history leading up to the genocide and the repeated denial by various legislators in the United States. He highlighted the reasons U.S. officals cited and the compelling evidence coutering each reason.

-4/21, Armenian Musical Event - Various GCC faculty, students and guests came together to produce a wonderful program highlighting the pre-genocide happiest times, the somber moments during the hardships, and the rebirth of the Armenians in the years after.

-4/23, Commemoration Event - Dr. Viar introduced the program and Dr. Vahe Peroomian gave a powerful keynote speech. Dr. Armine Hacopian recounted her father’s tragic story which was featured in the Glendale News Press and the L.A. Times the day after the event. Representatives from Congressman Adam Schiff, Senator Carol Liu, and Assemblymember Mike Gatto's office attended. Congressman Schiff sent a video message which was playing during the program. The Mayor of the City of Glendale, Zareh Sinanayan, Councilmember Ara Najarian, and Councilmember-Elect Vartan Gharpetian were also in attendence. Other dignitary attendees included: Sandy Russell, Nayiri Nahabedian, Armina Gharpetian from the GUSD Board, and City of Burbank Councilmembers Jess Talamantes and Emily Gabel-Luddy.

At the conclusion of the event, the attendees were led by a flute player to a wreath laying ceremony at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Plaque in Plaza Vaquero. The Armenian Students Association (ASA) students used 100 red carnations to create a moving display on the lawn, and the attendees were handed red carnations to lay beside the plaque.

-4/28, Art Exhibit Reception - held in the Art Gallery, this exhibit featured many pieces dedicated to the Armenian Genocide and its commemoration. The following students were awarded:
Cash Awards:

People’s Choice – First place
Namir Michael
“Crime and Punishment”
Acrylic and collage on canvas

Best in Theme – First place
Arsen Petrosyan
“Armenian Woman”
Acrylic on canvas

Best in Theme – Second runner up
Ana Gasparyan
Diptych “Symbols”
Photo print

Best in Theme – Third runner up
Alice Haghnazarian
“Genocide”
Oil on canvas

Art Scholarships:

Michael Coomes Memorial Scholarship
Kylie Ruan
“Lava Flow”
Stoneware, Porcelain

Walter Huber Art Scholarship
Lernik Mgharvichgharacimian
“Hope”
Mixed Media

ASGCC Visual Arts Scholarships
Ellen Cheong
“Korean Traditional House”
pen and ink

Lucine Khoudikian
“Acknowledge 1915, Turkish Consulate 2015”
Photography

Lorena Ochoa
“Humanity Series”
Charcoal on Vellum

In addition to these events, the library featured a book display for the month of April highlighting literature documenting the Armenian Genocide in news sources and personal narratives, as well as, books celebrating Armenian art and artists, music and musicians, religion, folklore, and traditions. The book display also featured select articles from the 100Years100Facts project.

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