Hundreds Gather in OC to Commemorate the Armenian Genocide

By Garo Madenlian

On April 20, 2023, hundreds of community members gathered at Gugasian Hall in Orange County to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide organized by the newly formed OC Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee with the participation of over 20 community organizations (See full list below). The highlights of the evening included amazing performances by AGM Armenian School students and expressions of solidarity and proclamations local, county, state and federal elected officials, and for the first time three Armenian Judges including the presiding judge of the County. The commemoration was organized by the newly formed OC Armenian Genocide Memorial.

The crowd rose in silence for the national anthems of the United States and Armenia followed by the opening prayer conducted by Reverends Karekin Bedourian and Serovpe Alanjian of Forty Martyrs and St Mary Armenian Apostolic Churches. Greg Mikhanjian (AYF) and Narek Martirosian (ACYO) co-emceed the evening, provided opening remarks then invited ACF and ARF chairman Garo R. Madenlian to address the crowd. He invited Orange County Board Supervisor Katrina Foley and California Assemblyman Tri Ta both of whom expressed their solidarity and support, and presented proclamations. Garo then explained how the Ottoman Turks regularly massacred Armenians prior to the genocide in ongoing and continuous attempts to annihilate the Armenians from the Hamidian massacres in 1895-96 and the Armenian Genocide to the recent 44 day attack on Artsakh in 2020 and the current blockade of Armenians in Artsakh since December; he emphasized the resilience of the Armenian people noting that during its most difficult times Armenians united and rose to the occasion to survive, fight, and gain independence, such as in 1918 and again in 1991 in Artsakh and Armenia, and can do so again.

AGM Principal Ani Sarkissian spoke next and stressed the important role Armenian schools play in diasporan communities and specifically AGM in Orange County. She emphasized the students receive a strong Armenian foundation, are a symbol of our survival and source of strength and represent the future of our community and nation.

AGM Kindergarten and first grade students took the stage and told the story of an evil hunter who wounded a bird, that survived in its nest then flourished; a metaphor for Armenians surviving the Genocide, then flourishing again in Armenian schools. AGM students Maria Megerian recited Oukhd Araradin, Megheti Bedourian recited Ahavor Pan Mu Ga Ayndegh then an amazing version of Kohar opera. Allen Aslanyan and Leo Shaverdian beautifully sang Bedee Bashdbanem, and Fifth and Sixth grade students performed Million Ou Ges.

ANCA OC chairperson Violet Bulujian spoke about the Genocide and the current situation in Artsakh, emphasized the need for activism on all fronts, specifically the situation in Irvine where the Mayor is preparing to recognize OC Turkish American Association (OCTAA), a chapter of the ATAA who actively denies the Armenian Genocide. She then invited the following elected officials in attendance who expressed their solidarity with and commitment to the Armenian community, and presented proclamations: State Senator David Min; Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Tammy Kim and councilmembers Larry Agran and Kathleen Treseder; Brea Mayor Marty Simonoff and City Councilmember Cecilia Hupp; Mayor Pro Tem of Laguna Niguel Stephanie Oddo; Santa Ana Councilmember Thai Viet Phan; Claudio Gallegos representing Congressperson Lou Correa; and the Presiding Judge of Orange County Maria Hernandez along with Judges Gassia Apkarian and Isabel Apkarian.

Second to sixth grade students from AGM students then took the stage and passionately sang traditional and patriotic Armenian songs Doun Eem Hayreni, Abrel oo Abreel, Hye Zinvor, and closed with Yes Hay Em to a thundering applause.

Chairman of the OC Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee Dr. Kevork Abazajian took the podium and explained that the commemoration remembers and honors the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide and recognizes the resilience of the Armenian people. He went on to say, “We look forward to future commemorations at the OC Armenian Genocide Memorial in Irvine.”

Reverends Bedourian and Alanjian lead the crowd in the traditional singing of Giligia to close the program.

Lahmajoune and tahn was provided afterwards and many stayed and continued to discuss the Genocide and the current situation in Artsakh.

Participating Organizations

ARF Armen Karo

Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church

AGM Armenian School

ANCA Orange County

AGBU Saturday School

ACF Orange County

ACYO Orange County

ARS Karni & Saturday School