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San Gabriel Valley Tribune, CA
Pasadena Star-News, CA
April 15 2006
Locals commemorate Armenian genocide
By Patricia Jiayi Ho Staff Writer
PASADENA - At Friday evening's rehearsal, Tro Mgrditchian had to
stand on his toes to reach the microphone.
The 8-year-old had a tall task: He was playing the role of an
Armenian exile in an event held to commemorate the forced evacuations
and subsequent deaths of more than a million Armenians in 1915.
"That's how I grew up and that's how I want my son to learn about our
heritage," said Tro's mother, Shoghair.
The play is part of a 90-minute event organized by the Pasadena
Armenian Youth Federation and held later Friday at the Pasadena
Armenian Center.
Also included were poetry readings, traditional Armenian dance,
readings of survivor stories and a slideshow.
The program is intended to be more introspective than the protest
marches held annually on April 24, which call for the Turkish
government to acknowledge the genocide.
"That's when we all go out and yell with our picket signs," said
Razmig Jierian, 22, an organizer. Friday night's event "is a
dedication to our ancestors. It's sad and dramatic. I think we'll
have everyone crying by the end."
That genocide occurred is not a matter of fact for all - the Turkish
government opposes the term and attributes Armenian deaths during and
after World War I to civil war.
The massacre of more than a million Armenians is recognized as
genocide by the state of California but not by the U.S. government.
Part of Pasadena AYF's goal is to make sure memories of the tragedy
are not lost between generations.
"We're going to commemorate our ancestors the best we can, from our
youngest kids to our oldest adults," said Jierian, a Pasadena-born
student at Cal Poly Pomona.
"We don't know how far our family trees goes," Jierian said. "Some of
our grandparents don't even know their real names because it was
changed back then."
About 80 people from the Pasadena AYF, ranging in age from 8 to 22
years old, are involved in the program.
"My parents, my grandparents, they've been talking about this
throughout my life," said Tro Karkourian, 19, a student at Pasadena
City College. "I think about this all the time, but this month
especially."
Pasadena Star-News, CA
April 15 2006
Locals commemorate Armenian genocide
By Patricia Jiayi Ho Staff Writer
PASADENA - At Friday evening's rehearsal, Tro Mgrditchian had to
stand on his toes to reach the microphone.
The 8-year-old had a tall task: He was playing the role of an
Armenian exile in an event held to commemorate the forced evacuations
and subsequent deaths of more than a million Armenians in 1915.
"That's how I grew up and that's how I want my son to learn about our
heritage," said Tro's mother, Shoghair.
The play is part of a 90-minute event organized by the Pasadena
Armenian Youth Federation and held later Friday at the Pasadena
Armenian Center.
Also included were poetry readings, traditional Armenian dance,
readings of survivor stories and a slideshow.
The program is intended to be more introspective than the protest
marches held annually on April 24, which call for the Turkish
government to acknowledge the genocide.
"That's when we all go out and yell with our picket signs," said
Razmig Jierian, 22, an organizer. Friday night's event "is a
dedication to our ancestors. It's sad and dramatic. I think we'll
have everyone crying by the end."
That genocide occurred is not a matter of fact for all - the Turkish
government opposes the term and attributes Armenian deaths during and
after World War I to civil war.
The massacre of more than a million Armenians is recognized as
genocide by the state of California but not by the U.S. government.
Part of Pasadena AYF's goal is to make sure memories of the tragedy
are not lost between generations.
"We're going to commemorate our ancestors the best we can, from our
youngest kids to our oldest adults," said Jierian, a Pasadena-born
student at Cal Poly Pomona.
"We don't know how far our family trees goes," Jierian said. "Some of
our grandparents don't even know their real names because it was
changed back then."
About 80 people from the Pasadena AYF, ranging in age from 8 to 22
years old, are involved in the program.
"My parents, my grandparents, they've been talking about this
throughout my life," said Tro Karkourian, 19, a student at Pasadena
City College. "I think about this all the time, but this month
especially."