1988_03 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper March 1988

              4U3 eUP*flMT
Hye Sharzhoom
Supplement to the Daily Collegian
Volume 9, No. 2
March 1988
The newspaper of the California State University, Fresno Armenian Students
Organization and Armenian Studies Program
Address
Correction
Requested
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 262
Armenian Studies Program
CSUF, Fresno 93740
Fresno Armenians Rally
for Karabagh
by Linda A. Abrahamian
Editor
Nearly four hundred San Joaquin Valley
Armenians, gathered together in solidarity on
Saturday, March 5, in the Fresno Courthouse
Park, near the 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 Armenian by Josef Stalin in 1923.
Although the territorial issue of Nagorno-
Karabagh is sixty-five years old, it has not
been until recendy, under Secretary
Gorbachev's Glasnost or openness policy,
that Armenians in the Soviet Union have
been able to actively pursue the issue.
Armenians throughout the diaspora, in
Fresno, Los Angeles, San Francisco, France,
and elsewhere, have rallied together to
the demands of their people in the
resno
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 has earned international honors. Stars
Gerald Papasian and Nora Armani of Los
Angeles recendy 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 CSUF
Associated Students. Their weekend was full
of activities as they spoke to a rally in
solidarity with the Armenians of Karabagh
on Saturday morning. Later that evening they
were the guests of honor at a reception held
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George and
Sonia Keshishian of Fresno. Also present at
the reception were Seta Aznavour (daughter
of Charles Aznavour), Mr. and Mrs. Vahan
and Anoush Chamlian, Dr. amd Mrs.
Matthew Papazian, Professor Phillip Walker
of the CSUF Theater Dept., Ricard Lewis a
film make-up artist, Dr. and Mrs. Artin
Jibilian, Mr. and Mrs. Darakjian, and Mr.
and Mrs. Allan Jendian.
Mr. Ralph Shamshoian Jr., President of
the ASO served as a host for the weekend,
assisting in the production of "Sojourn at
Ararat" on Sunday.
As part of the extensive press coverage of
the program Saturday they were interviewed
by Mr. Krikor Kohayan 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. Arthur
Margosian, Deran Koligian, and Richard
Darmanian serving as committee chairmen.
Although the supporters comprised only a
fraction of Fresno's Armenian community,
their enthusiasm far surpassed their numbers.
Four generations of Armenians stood side by
side, joined together in song and spirit
Signs, written in both Armenian and
English, calling for the return of Karabagh
were carried by children and their grandparents
alike.
The program commenced with a moment
of silence for all the victims of the
demonstrations in the Soviet Union. The
Song of Karabagh, sung by Hratch
Soghomonian followed. Representatives
from Fresno's political, civic, religious, and
academic community were invited to speak;
the speakers included Richard Darmanian,
Councilwoman Betty Ramacher, Rev. Datev
Tatoulian of Reedley, Fresno County
Supervisor Deran Koligian, Asadoor
Asadoorian, Linda A. Abrahamian from the
Armenian Students Organization, Bryan
Bedrosian, Dr. Arthur Margosian, and a
representative from State Assemblyman Jim
Costa's office.
Support, unity, solidarity, and the
reunification of not only Armenia but of all
Armenians as well were they key notes
asserted by the speakers. Since the Armenian
community in the United States constitutes a
fairly influencial voting block, the speakers
also encouraged the demonstrators to utilize
their right to lobby: to write letters to their
congressmen and President Reagan urging
them to pressure Secretary Gorbachev into
upholding his 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 to Gorbachev
asserting Armenia's unalienable right to self-
determination 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 overwhelming recitations from
the drama that were relevant not only to the
occasion, but to injustices perpetrated against
all people as well.
more on
Karabagh
page 3
■ i
Karlen Dallakian, President of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Armenian abroad is autographing his latest book on the life of Arshag Chobanian for CSUF Armenian Studies Program Acting
Director Barlow Der Mugrdechian.
Dallakian Visits FSU
by Barlow Der Mugrdechian
Advisor
The Armenian Studies Program was the
host for a visit to the CSUF campus of Karlen
Dallakian, President of the Committee for
Cultural Relations with Armenians Abroad,
on Tuesday, March 17, 1988. Mr. Dallakian
visited Fresno as part of a nationwide tour
and on the invitation of the Armenian
Asembly of America.
Mr. Dallakian was met at CSUF by the
Acting Director of the Armenian Studies
Program, Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian.
Accompanying Dallakian were the editor of
the    Armenian    Observer    Mr.    Osheen
Keshishian, Fresno representative of the
Armenian Assembly, Mr. Allan Jendian, and
President of the Greater Fresno A.G.B.U.,
Mr. Bob Der Mugrdechian. The guests were
escorted to the Armenian 1A (Introductory
Armenian) class taught by Prof. Der
Mugrdechian and where Mr. Dallakian 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 and after answering questions the
group headed to the Special Collection
Department of the CSUF Henry Madden
Library where Special Collections Head Ron
Mahoney described the Saroyan Collection
held by the Library.
Mr. Dallakian later in the evening was the
guest of honor at a meeting with community
leaders and representatives held in the
Armenian Community School of Fresno
Social Hall. A warm reception was given to
the visitor from Armenian as he described his
visit and current events in Armenia
As part of his stay in Fresno Mr.
Dallakian visited various manufacturing and
business sites in the Valley.
During his brief stay in Fresno, Der
Mugrdechian had the opportunity to discuss
with Mr. Dallakian the forthcoming visit of
Armenian Studies Program students to
Armenian and the prospective course of
activities.