FOWLER, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The city of Fowler marked a significant milestone this weekend, hosting its first-ever commemorative event honoring the 1.5 million lives lost during the Armenian Genocide.

Community members gathered to walk through educational displays and exhibits highlighting the genocide’s 111th anniversary, while also showcasing elements of Armenian culture. The event aimed to both remember those lost and inform those who may not fully understand the history.

A ceremony followed, featuring speeches, musical performances, and moments of reflection. Among the speakers was Fresno State President Raul Jimenez-Sandoval, who joined community leaders in honoring the victims and their legacy.

Organizers said education remains a central goal of the event.

“I think what it’s doing is allowing us to educate. There’s a lot of people that have heard of it, but don’t know about it. So that was the message we wanted to get with the different panels,” Committee Member Connie Khasigian said.

The remembrance also drew leaders from across the region, including the director of Fresno’s Armenian Heritage Museum, who emphasized the importance of broader community involvement.

“It’s really moving to hear. The community itself is doing it rather than driven by the Armenians and rather driven by the mayor himself. He realized that in 1918, there were thousands of Armenians here, making up about 65% of the Armenian community in the city of Fowler. That was news to me,” Armenian Heritage Museum Director Varoujan Der Simonian said.

Organizers credited Fowler Mayor Juan Mejia and his wife with helping spearhead the effort, including funding and planning for the event.

City officials also announced plans to continue honoring Armenian history locally, saying they are working with international designer Michael Aram to build an Armenian Genocide monument in the near future.