CSUN’s Armenian student organizations this week are commemorating the darkest chapter in Armenians’ history, as well as celebrating their heritage and working to raise awareness on campus and in the wider community.
April 21 will begin three days of observances, including a vigil to remember the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
“We lost 1.5 million of our people,” said Araz Arabian, president of the CSUN Armenian Student Association. “It was over 100 years ago, but we still remember and commemorate the genocide while celebrating the survival of our language and culture.
“The Armenian Genocide is recognized by the United States now, but there is still the stain of denial that happened for so many years,” said Arabian, a graduating senior and chemistry major. “People still walk by our observances on campus and ask about it — no one really learns about this history in school. We seem to learn about everyone’s history except Armenians’. What we really want to do is raise awareness, even if just a few more students or community members learn more about this each year.”
Arabian’s maternal great-grandparents survived the genocide, ultimately settling in Lebanon. Her family is just one example of the expulsion and dispersal caused by the genocide, she said.
“This is why we’re so spread out across so many different countries. This is why we have a diaspora,” Arabian said. “Some Armenians were left in hiding and adopted Islam. Others fled to nearby countries. There are Greek Armenians, Iraqi Armenians, Russian Armenians, Lebanese Armenians and so many more. The influence of the genocide is tremendous.”
About 8 to 10% of CSUN’s student body is of Armenian descent, one of the highest concentrations of Armenian students at any university in the U.S. Student organizations are also taking time to celebrate Armenian Heritage Month (April) on campus and share their pride in Armenian culture.
“For Armenian Heritage Month, rather than always mourning, we also want to celebrate — that we are here,” Arabian said. “Our ancestors were able to survive such terrible conditions and horrible things that were done to them. That’s why we’re here. We are the descendants of the survivors. It’s also important to remember the lives that were lost.”
The following events and observances are open to the campus community and to the public:
Tuesday, April 21
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Matador Walk, in front of University Library: Silent protest to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide.
Wednesday, April 22
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Matador Square: Armenian Heritage Month celebration – The CSUN Armenian Student Association (ASA) and CSUN Hidden Road Initiative (HRI), an Armenian nonprofit philanthropic organization, will be selling jewelry, roses and gata, a traditional Armenian dessert.
7:30 to 9 p.m., Chaparral Hall 5114: Open meeting and guest speakers – ASA will host a special meeting featuring guest speakers who will discuss the history and roots of the Armenian Genocide.
Thursday, April 23
6 to 8 p.m., Matador Square: Candlelight Vigil – ASA, HRI, and the CSUN chapter of Armenian fraternity Alpha Epsilon Omega will host a vigil to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. The program will include a moment of silence, and students will share stories and display a replica of the eternal flame monument in Armenia that memorializes the genocide.
For more information, visit ASA’s Instagram.
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