Armenian Genocide commemoration events planned in Fresno area

15:16 19/04/2014 ‘ SOCIETY
Armenian Genocide commemoration events planned in Fresno area

A series of events are planned this week in the Valley to mark the 99th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, The Fresno Bee reports.

– Two showings of the movie, “Music to Madness: The Story of Komitas,” will
be held Monday at the Tower Theater, 815 E. Olive Ave. in Fresno. One
showing is at 2:30 p.m., the second at 7:30 p.m. The movie portrays an
Armenian boy with a perfect singing voice who becomes a great performer as
an adult, but who gets caught up in the genocide and ultimately falls into
madness.

– On Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Ararat Cemetery, 1925 W. Belmont Ave. in
Fresno, wreaths and flowers can be laid at the monument of the Remains of
the Unknown Martyr of the Armenian Genocide. A requiem service will be
officiated by Armenian clergy from throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

– At 9:30 a.m. Thursday, there will be a commemoration and flag raising at
Fresno City Hall, 2600 Fresno St. Among the speakers will be Mayor Ashley
Swearengin and Reps. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, and David Valadao, R-Hanford.
Special attention will be paid to recent attacks by Syrian rebels on the
city of Kessab, where many Armenians were living and have been uprooted in
the fighting.

– A commemoration of the genocide will start at 7 p.m. Thursday at St.
Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, 220 Third St. in
Fowler. Fresno County Superior Court Judge Debra Kazanjian will be the
featured speaker.

– And for the months of April and May, there is a photo exhibition at
the UC Merced Center, 550 E. Shaw Ave. in Fresno, called “The Living
Martyrs,” which shows children who survived the genocide.