Fresno’s Armenian Community Unites in Patriotism

BY: Sevag Jierian

FRESNO, CA–On March 12th,  the Armenian Youth Federation’s Fresno “Kevork Chavoush” chapter, in conjunction with the Fresno ARF “Soghomon Tehlirian” Gomideh, hosted its second annual Patriotic Song Night. The event featured keynote remarks from ARF Bureau member Dr. Viken Hovesepian and world-renowned singer Karnig Sarkissian.

The patriotic song night has been conducted two years in a row and is held in the month of March to celebrate the life of Armenian hero Soghomon Tehlirian and the valiant mission he carried out on March 15, 1921.

“In 1921, Soghomon Tehlirian gave the Armenian community from all over the world a reason to believe and stay hopeful, and we are celebrating that here today,” explained Chapter Chairperson Anto Torossian.

According to Torossian, the event brought in many members of the community along with youth from across the western region of the US. “With over 300 participants, we can truly see how excited the community is to attend such an event, and how Armenian Youth Federation members connect from various places,” he said. “It was wonderful to see so many AYF members participate from chapters ranging from San Francisco to Los Angeles to Las Vegas—along with the huge presence we had from our own community. We could not have done this event without the help of our chapter members and our peers.”

Reflecting upon the deeper meaning of the event and the important statement made by Tehlirian with his assassination of Talaat Pasha, the mastermind of the Armenian Genocide, Torossian added, “This event touches all of our hearts as it takes us back to our rich Armenian history. It really is a privilege to host such an amazing event featuring an ARF Bureau member, who inspired us all with his words, and a world famous singer.”