1988_03 The Daily Collegian March 1988

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Hye Sharzhoom
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Supplement to the Daily Collegian
Volume 9, No. 2
March 1988
The newspaper ol the Cafiforma Stale University   Fresno Armenian Students
Organization and Armenian Studies urogram
Address
Correction
Requested
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 262
Armenian Studies Program
CSUF, Fresno 93740
Fresno Armenians Rally
for Karabagh
Abraham ian
Nearly four hundred San Joaquin Valley
Armenians, gathered together in solidarity on
Sarurday. March 5. in the Fresno Courthouse
Park, near !he David of Sassoun statue. Last
month, up to a million Armenians in
Yerevan and in the region of Nagorno-
Karabagh demonstrated for the return of the
historical territory that was severed from
Soviet Arrr.^nian by Josef Stalin in 1923.
Although th'- territorial issue of Nagorno
Karabagh is sixty-five years old, it has not
been until recently, under Secretary
Gorbachevs Glasnost or openness policy.
lhat Armenians in the Soviet Union have
been able to actively pursue the issue.
Armenians throughout the diaspora, ui
Fresno, Los Angeles. San Francisco. France,
and elsewhere, have rallied together to
support the demands of their people in the
Fresno
Premiere of
"Sojourn at
Ararat"
Hye Sharzhoom Staff
The Fresno premiere of the award winning
"Sojourn at Ararat" was a smashing success
in the Fresno Memorial Auditorium on
Sunday. March 6. 1988. Several standing
ovations concluded the theatrical presentation
which hV earned international honors. Siars
Gerald Papasian and Nora Armani of Los
Angeles recently returned from a tour of
Armenia where they performed "Sojourn at
Ararat" before standing room only crowds.
They captured on stage the spirit of the
centuries-long struggle of the Armenians to
create and progress.
Papasian and Armani were the guests of
the Armenian Studies Program and the
Armenian Students Organization and their
appearance was partially funded by the CS U P
Associated Students. Their weekend was full
of activities as they spoke to a rally in
solidarity with the Armenians of Karabagh
on Saturday riximirig. Later lhai evening they
were the guests of honor at a rrxepoon held
at lhe home or Mr. and Mrs. George snd
Soma Keshishian of Fresno. Abo present u
ihe rrxsrxion were Sett Aznavour (daughter
of Charles Aznavour), Mr. and Mrs. Vahan
and Anoush ChamHan. Dr. «md Mum.
Mailhew Papuan. Professor Phillip Walker
of the CSUF Theaaer DepU We*** Lewi* ■
Bin make-op artist. Dr. and Mrs. Artrn
Jibtlian. Mr. and Mn. Darakjian, and Mi.
and Mrs. Allan Jendim
Mr. Ralph Shsrnshoian Jr.. Presideni of
the ASO served as a host for the weekend.
assisting in the production of "Sojourn a
Araral" on Sunday.
As part of the extensive press coverage of
ihe program Sarurday they were interviewed
by Mr. Krikor Kohaytn of the Armenian
Radio Hour of Fresno. They also were
interviewed by David Hale of the Fresno Bee.
see Theater Magic, pg. 6
Fatherland. The Fresno rally was sponsored
by the Solidarity Committee for the
Reunification of Armenia, with Dr. Anhur
Margosian. Deran Koligian, and Richard
Darmanian serving as committee chairmen.
Although the supponers comprised only a
fraction of Fresno's Armenian communily,
their enthusiasm far surpassed their numbers
Four generations of Armenians siood side by
side, joined together in song and spirit.
Signs, written in both Armenian and
English, calling for the return of Karabagh
were canned by children and their grandparents
alike.
The program commenced wiih a moment
of silence for all the victims of the
demonstrations in the Soviet Union. The
Song of Karabagh. sung by Urate h
Soghomonian followed. Representatives
from Fresno's political, civic, religious, and
academic communily were invited to speak:
the speakers included Richard Darmanian,
Couneilwoman Betty Ramacher, Rev. Datev
Tatoulian of Reedley. Fresno County
Supervisor Deran Kohgian. Asadoor
Asadcorian. Linda A. Abrahamian from the
Armenian Sludents Organization. Bryan
Bedrosian. Dr. Arihur Margosian. and a
representative from State Assemblyman Jim
Costa's office.
Support, unity, solidarity, and Lhe
reunification of not only Armenia but of all
Armenian as well were they key notes
asserted by the speakers. Since the Armenian
community in the United Stales constitutes a
fairly influencifU voting block, the speakers
also encouraged the demonstrators io utilize
their right to lobby: to write letters to their
congressmen and Presideni Reagan urging
ihem to pressure Secretary Gorbachev into
upholding h;s Glasnost policy and resolving
to territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabagh.
The Solidarity Committee for the
Reunification  of  Armenia   has  sent  such
letters as well as a telegram lo Gorbachev
asserting Armenia's unalienable right to self-
delermination and reunification.
Also present at the Fresno rally were'Nora
Armani and Gerald Papasian, of Los Angeles,
actors in the award winning Sojourn at Ararat
Both gave overwnelming recitations from
the drama that were relevant not only to the
occasion, bui to injustices perpetrated against
all people as well.
more on
Karabagh
page 3
Karkn DalUkian, President of the Committee for Curtunl Retatforis with Armenian abroad is autographing bis latest book on the life of Arehag Chobaniaa for CSUF Armenian Studies Program Actog
Director Bartow Der Mugrdechian.
Dallakian Visits FSU
by Barlow Der Mugrdechian
Advisor
The Armenian Studies Program was the
host for a visit to lhe CSUF campus of Karkn
Dallakian, President of the Committee for
Cultural Relations with Armenians Ahmad,
on Tuesday, March 17, 1988. Mr. Dallakian
visited Ftesno at part of a nationwide tour
and on the invitation of the Armenian
Asembly of America.
Mr. Dallakian was met al CSUF by the
Acting Director of the Armenian Studies
Program. Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian.
Accompanying Dallakian were the editor of
lhe    Armenian    Observer    Mr.
-esno representative of tbe
Armenian Assembly. Mr. Allan Jencban. and
Presideni of the Greater Fresno A.G.B.U.,
Mr. Bob Der Mugrdechian. The guests were
escorted io the Armenian 1A (lriiroductory
Armenian) class taught by Prof. Der
Mugrdechian and where Mr. Dtdiakian was
given an enthusiastic welcome. Many of the
students in the class are bound for Armenia
in June of this year. After describing the
work of the Committee for Cultural
Relations snd after answering questions the
group headed to the Special Collection
Department of the CSU? Henry Madden
Library where Special Collections Head Ron
Mahoney described the Saroyan Collection
held by lhe Library
Mr. Dallakian later in (he evening was tbe
guest of honor at a meeting with community
leaders snd representatives held ■ the
Armeniara Community School of Fresno
Social Hall. A warm reception was given K
the visitor from Armenian as he described his
visit and current events in Armenia.
As pan of his stay m Fresno Mr.
Dallakian visited various manufacturing and
business sites in the Valley.
Dunng his brief stay in Fresno, Der
Mugrdechian had the opportunity id discuss
with Mr. Dallakian the fonhcoming visit of
Armenian Studies Program students to
Armenian and the prospective course of
aarvities.