Los Angeles County is home to the largest number of Armenians outside of Armenia, with more than 200,000 living in the region.
At its April 4 meeting, the county Board of Supervisors named April as Armenian History Month, and remembered the genocide that wiped out millions of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire. At the meeting, leaders also supported the inclusion of an Armenian category in the 2030 U.S. Census.
In a letter to residents, Supervisor Hilda Solis recognized Armenians who came to Los Angeles fleeing persecution, establishing new lives and “adding to the rich tapestry of cultures” in the area.
“Despite the attempt to eradicate the Armenian population over a century ago, Armenians have survived, thrived, and continue to enrich the lives of those around them,” Solis said. “To that end, it is critical that we recognize their history and accomplishments.”
Recognition of L.A.’s Armenian community also comes in the wake of anti-Armenian hate flyers found around Beverly Hills and surrounding neighborhoods earlier this year.
At the end of March, racist flyers — calling for a “completion of Armenian genocide” — were found near St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church and in other areas of Glendale — where about 40% of residents are of Armenian descent.
Former Glendale Mayor Andy Kassakhian condemned the recent attacks in a March 31 statement.
“Our country has seen a spike in hate incidents in the last decade as hate speech and violent acts have visited various communities throughout the U.S.,” Kassakhian said. “It is important that we speak out against such acts and condemn them no matter who the victim or targeted group may be. The cowardly act of pasting hate-based flyers on light poles promoting genocide in front of a house of worship is unconscionable and intolerable.”
But the community remains resilient, recognizing Armenian heritage and history in Los Angeles with events that celebrate its rich culture, while remembering the Armenian genocide over a century ago in April 1915.
The Glendale Central Library will host a day-long Armenian History Month celebration on Saturday, April 15, at 10:30 a.m. Library officials say it’s the first of its kind highlighting traditional Armenian arts and culture through dance, music, poetry, film, craft and food. Themed “Origins,” the free event — part of the city’s Be The Change series — celebrates Armenian artists, creators and inventors.
Staff will share traditional children’s stories and songs, and the Armenian Artist’s Association will teach a calligraphy class. Raffi Joe Wartanian, Glendale’s inaugural poet laureate, will lead a collective poem. The USC Institute of Armenian Studies will present an oral history, and the library will display archival photos, family heirlooms and community artwork from Glendale Community College.
Lernazang Ensemble, a traditional folk music group, is set to perform, followed by a music and dance workshop.
Glendale will also observe a Week of Remembrance of the Armenian genocide, with community events and film screenings from April 16 through April 25.
On Wednesday, April 19, the Glendale Central Library auditorium will host a special conversation with Inna Sahakyan, director of the Armenian film “Aurora’s Sunrise.” The animated documentary is based on the life of genocide survivor Aurora Mardiganian. The free event at 7 p.m. is part of the “100 years of Armenian Cinema” celebration.
On April 24 at 7 p.m., Glendale will also host its 22nd annual Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event at the Alex Theater. The theme, “Armenian Experience Through the Lens,” celebrates Armenian cinema and will include a viewing of “Aurora’s Sunrise” and a tribute to current events in Artsakh. Actor-producer Joe Manganiello is set to speak.
Montebello, which has its own Armenian Genocide Martyrs monument, will have a religious commemoration at the city’s monument at Bicknell Park on Saturday, April 22, presented by the United Armenian Council of Los Angeles.
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With these programs and initiatives, officials in Los Angeles hope to honor its diverse Armenian community and the struggles it has faced.
In April, the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region Committee partnered with LAUSD board member Kelly Gonez to create a K-12 Teacher’s Guide of resources to help educators teach about the Armenian Genocide in classrooms.
The school board passed a resolution in 2020 that establishes April 24 as a day off for district students and staff to observe and remember the Armenian Genocide. A “Remembering the Armenian Genocide” event on Wednesday, April 19 will feature student performances at Mt. Gleason Middle School in Sunland.
In the fall, the Armenian American Museum completed its first phase of construction at the downtown Glendale Central Park. Officials have said the center aims to be open by summer 2024.
For more information on Armenian History Month and community events: www.glendaleca.gov, www.eglendalelac.org/armenian, 818-548-4844, LibraryInfo@GlendaleCA.gov.