A community-wide Armenian Genocide Commemoration Ceremony was held on Saturday, April 19, on the steps of Burbank City Hall. The event opened with a ceremonial march by the Homenetmen Sipan Chapter scouts and drew over100 attendees, including elected officials such as Congresswoman Laura Friedman, State Assembly member Nick Schultz, representative of Senator Menjivar, members of sister organizations and Burbank Armenian Association.

ANCA Burbank Chairman Sarkis Simonian delivered powerful remarks, with Mayor Nikki Perez and City Council Members Zizette Mullins and Konstantine Anthony in attendance. Burbank Unified School District Board Member Armond Aghakhanian also joined the gathering along with board member Emily Weisberg. A flower-laying ceremony followed, where participants paid tribute at a memorial built by the Homenetmen, echoing the spirit of the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan.

On Tuesday, April 22, the City of Burbank issued an official proclamation designating April 24, 2025, as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. Mayor Nikki Perez presented the proclamation during a City Council meeting to ANCA Chairman Sarkis Simonian, and board members Anne Bedian, and Antranik Jarchafjian. Board member Anne Bedian made her remarks, on behalf of ANCA Burbank, thanking the city for its continued support for justice and truth. The proclamation reaffirmed the city’s recognition of the genocide and its commitment to remembrance and justice.

Throughout the week of April 22 to 27, two public awareness initiatives helped amplify the message of remembrance:

• A street banner was displayed at the corner of Hollywood Way & Magnolia Blvd., drawing attention to Armenian Genocide Commemoration Week.
• Both Burbank City Hall and Burbank Water and Power buildings were illuminated in the colors of the Armenian flag as a visual tribute to the lives lost and the resilience of the Armenian people.

ANCA Burbank also continued its annual Genocide Commemoration Scholarship Program, inviting local students to submit original works—either visual art or written pieces such as essays and poetry—that reflect on the genocide and its legacy. 

The week culminated on April 25, when ANCA Burbank board member Anne Bedian was invited as the guest speaker for the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Assembly at Burbank High School. Addressing hundreds of students, Bedian shared the powerful true story of Elizabeth Sultanian, a genocide survivor whose photo, legacy, and letters formed the foundation of a deeply personal and historical presentation.

The ANCA Burbank chapter is proud to continue its mission of advocacy, education, and remembrance through these annual commemorations and remains committed to uplifting the voices and stories of the Armenian community.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank Chapter is dedicated to advocating for the Armenian American community in Burbank and neighboring regions through robust advocacy efforts, educational initiatives, and community engagement. ANCA Burbank empowers individuals to actively contribute to the pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

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The Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State announced the release of its latest publication, “Microhistories in Armenian Studies,” volume 22 in the Armenian Series of The Press at California State University, Fresno.

Based on five probing papers delivered at an international conference organized by Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program and Dr. Ümit Kurt in 2023, this volume showcases new themes and innovative approaches in contemporary Armenian Studies: Armenian refugees during the Syrian Great Revolt in 1925-1926 (Victoria Abrahamyan), the life and travails of Ottoman agronomist Ohannes Toros Doumanian (Samuel Dolbee), the economic destruction of Aintab Armenians during WWI (Ümit Kurt), the liquidation of Armenian Community Leaders from Sivas at Kötü Han in 1915 (Robert Sukiasyan), and a reported battle in Morenig, 1915 (Ara Sarafian).

“I was pleased with the original conference in 2023, and even more so with the articles which are appearing in this publication,” said Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program and general editor of the Armenian Series. “Such projects push the boundaries of Armenian Studies.”

Previous conferences and publications include “The State of the Art of the Early Turkish Republic: Historiography, Sources and Future Directions,” “The Committee of Union and Progress: Founders, Ideology, and Structure,” and “Armenians and Kurds in the Late Ottoman Empire.”

“Microhistories in Armenian Studies” is available for purchase through Abril Bookstore, the NAASR Bookstore or on Amazon.

Information about Armenian Series books is available online.

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This grant contributes to the Tufenkian Foundation’s broader $2+ million initiative to resettle approximately 20 families from Artsakh in the Svarants community of Syunik province as part of their Syunik Village Revitalization Program. Each family will receive a new home on a 1,000-square-meter (¼ acre) plot with a mini-barn, complemented by agricultural support tailored to their experiences and preferences.

“The ‘Come to Svarants’ initiative is a win-win approach that addresses both the needs of displaced Artsakh families and the revitalization of underpopulated villages in Syunik,” stated Greg Bedian, Director of the Tufenkian Foundation. “Beyond the new houses, this project includes improvements to village infrastructure, agricultural support programs, and initiatives to connect Svarants to the regional tourism network. We’re particularly grateful for the CNF’s contribution, which will ensure these homes are energy efficient and provide families with sustainable livelihood opportunities through beekeeping.”

The Svarants community is located adjacent to the Zangezur Sanctuary within the Zangezur Biosphere Complex–one of the region’s most significant protected areas that provides crucial habitat for threatened species, including the Caucasus leopard.

Tufenkian’s Syunik Village Revitalization Program seeks to provide homes, hope, and opportunity to the villagers of rural Syunik and the displaced villagers from Artsakh. By investing in physical, social, and economic infrastructure and by rebuilding village populations through the resettlement of displaced villagers from Artsakh, this program aims to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for rural Syunik.

Learn more about the Come to Svarants initiative online.

Founded in 1999, the Tufenkian Foundation is dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges facing the people of Armenia and Artsakh. The Foundation’s work spans a wide range of areas, including housing, education, health, rural development, and social justice

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The May edition of Literary Lights 2025 reading series will feature Gregory Djanikian, award-winning author of “Nostalgia for the Future,” in conversation with writer and New York Review Books editor, Susan Barba. The virtual event will take place on May 10 at 10 a.m.

With “Nostalgia for the Future: New and Selected Poems, 1984-2023,” award-winning poet Gregory Djanikian returns to the literary scene with a collection that spans and celebrates his prolific career.

Written over several decades, “Nostalgia for the Future” takes for its many subjects romantic love and its difficulties, the horrors of the Armenian genocide of 1915, the émigré experience and the joys and struggles of acculturation, the allure of landscapes and vast distances, the polarity of our material life on earth and our longing for what is ethereal and elusive, all in tones that are humorous, elegiac, contemplative, lyrical, and suffused with a gratitude for the mysteriousness and wonder of life itself.

“Like each of us, Gregory Djanikian keeps re-realizing that to be alive is deeply dangerous. ‘Sometimes the earth’s a desert of promise, / the world-soul damaged, dream-cities ruined.’ The world is cosmically scary, so we need at least ‘a surprise / to make you think / it’s not all ruthless / even as the shots ring out / in the heart of the city.’ Beyond that, we have to believe in some ongoing meaning in our lives—so each day we suspect ‘Whatever has a surface has a deeper meaning.’ We keep looking for ways to accept life; when Djanikian finds a way, his acceptance is more grateful than skeptical. ‘Never pass up a good time, history tells me, / and I’m breathing in that crazy oxygen.’ His generously readable poems help us feel that life is livable, full of ache but also of possibility,” said Mark Halliday.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt of Armenian parentage, Gregory Djanikian came to the United States when he was 8 years old and spent his boyhood in Williamsport, PA. For many years, he was the Director of Creative Writing at the University of Pennsylvania and is the author of seven collections of poetry from Carnegie Mellon, most recently of which is “Sojourners of the In-Between.” His poems have appeared in numerous journals, and in many anthologies including “Best American Poetry,” “Good Poems,” “American Places” (Viking), “Killer Verse: Poems of Murder and Mayhem” (Knopf), “Seriously Funny” (Georgia), “Becoming Americas: Four Centuries of Immigrant Writing” (Library of America), “Poem in Your Pocket” (The Academy of American Poets), “Language for a New Century: Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia & Beyond” (Norton), and “180 More: Extraordinary Poems for Every Day” (Random House). Learn more by visiting the website.

Susan Barba is the editor of “American Wildflowers: A Literary Field Guide” (2022), winner of the 2023 American Horticultural Society award, and the author of “Fair Sun” (2017) and “geode” (2020), a finalist for the New England Book Awards and the Massachusetts Book Awards. She has received fellowships from the MacDowell Colony and Yaddo, and her poems have been translated into Armenian, German, Romanian, and Swedish. She works as a senior editor for New York Review Books. Learn more by visiting the website.

To register for the event, visit the website.

Literary Lights 2025 is a monthly reading series organized by the International Armenian Literary Alliance, the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, and the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center. Each event—held online or in-person—will feature a writer reading from their work, followed by a discussion with an interviewer and audience members. Keep an eye on our website and socials for the exact dates of each event. Read along with the series by purchasing titles from the IALA Bookstore powered by Bookshop.

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TEMECULA, Calif.—One couple from Eastvale, Calif. is back at work this week after winning a whopping $4,178,889.94 at Pechanga Resort Casino early Sunday morning, April 13.

The husband and wife decided Saturday they would make use of some EasyPlay they had available at Pechanga, then stay the night and enjoy a staycation out of the overnight trip. After dinner at Kelsey’s, they played a few games, then talked about getting back to their hotel room for some sleep. The man’s wife suggested he play IGT’s Megabucks® MegaVault game for a few minutes before they turned in.

He told casino staff he put $100 into the wide area progressive machine and played a few spins of three to five dollars each. He said something told him to bet a bit bigger. He played two $10 spins at the maximum bet level and on that second spin, he hit the Megabucks jackpot, instantly becoming a multimillionaire. 

“I didn’t know we won at first. I thought I hit $230, but then the machine glass popped up the words saying, ‘call attendant,’ so I knew it had to be something bigger,” said the incredulous winner. “It hasn’t hit home yet. She was sitting right there with me. I thank God she [his wife] told me to play it.”    

The man and his wife who celebrated their wedding anniversary last month said they decided they are not quitting their professional jobs following their windfall. He told Pechanga Resort Casino staff they would be assisting their three adult children by “helping them get a little further in life” which he said meant paying off some student loans and car payments. The couple said they’ve been enjoying coming to Pechanga Resort Casino for staycations since 2017 when they won a $17,000 slot machine jackpot. 

Exactly one month earlier on March 13, a guest hit a $1,232,300.19 jackpot playing a Dragon Link slot machine at Pechanga Resort Casino. 

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted best casino/resort in the United States by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, the best casino outside of Las Vegas by Newsweek and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5,500 of hottest slots, 152 table games, a 1,100 room and suite hotel, dining, luxury spa, and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination unrivaled anywhere in California. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit the website. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Instagram, Facebook and on X @PechangaCasino.    

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The event marked the 110th anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide, honoring the memory of 1.5 million martyrs and reaffirming the Armenian-American community’s enduring commitment to truth, justice, and remembrance.

Hundreds gathered at the monument for an emotional program conducted by KTLA 5 News reporter Jaqueline Sarkissian. The ceremony brought together community members, elected officials, and families in a night of unity, resilience, and solemn remembrance.

In his keynote remarks, Garo R. Madenlian, Chairman of the ARF Western U.S. Central Committee reminded  the audience that the Armenian Genocide is not simply a historical event, but a continuing struggle. 

“They may kill me, but they can’t kill us. Remember that. And together, we’re going to continue this fight because it’s the right fight. It’s the just fight,” said Madenlian, referencing the recent genocidal ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Artsakh and the importance of national unity.

California State Senator Bob Archuleta, a longtime supporter of the Armenian-American community, celebrated the designation of the Montebello monument as a California State Historical Landmark. 

“Let’s fight because we’ve got unity. We’re going to join with the Armenian community all over the state of California because we have a message: We are not going to forget the genocide,” declared State Senator Archuleta, recalling his years of advocacy and partnership with local leaders.

Chair of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, and the only member of the State Assembly of Armenian descent in the California, John Harabedian, connected the remembrance of the victims of the Armenian Genocide victims to present day calls for justice. 

“As long as there are Prisoners of War sitting in Baku… just because they’re Armenian, we will not rest,” affirmed Harabedian. “Let this be not only a day when we remember what happened in the past, but a reminder every day of the year, to not stop,” Harbedian said.

Montebello Mayor Salvador Melendez emphasized the city’s ongoing solidarity with the Armenian community. 

“Montebello will always be a city that stands for truth, for justice, and for the unbreakable spirit of the Armenian people,” said Mayor Melendez, noting the City Council’s recent resolution calling for the unconditional release of Armenian prisoners unlawfully detained in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Former Montebello Mayor and Chairman of ARF Dro Gomideh Jack Hadjinian urged the public to remain vigilant in the face of global denial campaigns. 

“We don’t need a political to tell us that the Armenian Genocide happened… But what we need from them is to help us have the Turkish government and the Azeris held accountable for the injustices,” said Hadjinian, calling for renewed grassroots efforts to counter disinformation and secure lasting accountability.

Montebello’s “Vahan Cardashian” Armenian Youth Federation Chairman Arapo Demirjian delivered an emotional speech, invoking the memory of his ancestors and the resilience of the Armenian People. 

“We refuse to let go of what they were fighting for ––freedom… We are not just fighters, we are warriors, poets, we are Armenian,” said Demirjian, pledging to honor the legacy of those who gave their lives for the nation’s survival.

The evening featured musical performances that evoked both sorrow and resilience. Ara Dabandjian opened the program with soul-stirring melodies, followed by a moving performance by composer and conductor Greg Hosharian accompanied by violinist Angela Amirian and vocalist Giselle Hosharian. Alicia Keoshgerian, a student at Armenian Mesrobian School, delivered a heartfelt solo on the kanon, a traditional Armenian folk instrument, symbolizing the strength of Armenian heritage passed down through generations.

As the program drew to a close, attendees gathered at the base of the monument for a candlelight vigil. Prayers were offered by religious leaders, and participants laid flowers in a collective tribute to the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello stands as the oldest and largest memorial of its kind in the United States–a symbol of the Armenian-American community’s deep-rooted presence and unrelenting advocacy for genocide recognition and pursuit of justice.

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After months of detailed preparation, the day we were eagerly waiting for had finally arrived. The Meghety Choir Members and Artists Exclusive Talent Competition kicked off on Saturday, March 29 in Northridge, California.

Since its inception in 2017, the focus of MCMA has always been to discover, encourage and promote young talents within the Armenian Diaspora.  A mission which has always been the core vision of founder, Nora Roumian Bairamian, who is also the current pianist and conductor of Meghety Ladies Chamber Choir, an integral part of MCMA, previously known as the American Armenian Circle of Artists. 

March 29^th was an unforgettable afternoon showcasing selected young Armenian performers taking the stage in a unique competition event organized by MCMA.  A total of 19 carefully selected finalists, who were ready to demonstrate their musical and artistic talents live on stage in front of four professional judges.  Finalists, who were selected from interested Armenian contestants from various educational institutions to include Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School, Armenian Mesrobian School, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School, and Lark Musical Society.

Our emcee, Arick Gevorkian, started the event with his opening remarks and a brief description of MCMA. He proudly introduced Nora Roumian Bairamian by welcoming her on stage, after which time The Meghety Chamber Choir Ladies joined her to sing the Meghety Anthem, A cappella, a tradition observed prior to any MCMA hosted event.  The audience carefully listened with anticipation and eagerness to see their family member take the stage with their selected method of performance.  Performances varied and included singing, dancing, reciting and playing a musical instrument with the aim to impress our judges and qualify for a monetary award.    

Once all the finalists, whom MCMA considered winners since they were selected to be present at this unique event, completed their individual performances the judges who consisted of Garineh Avakian, PhD, Petros Boyadzhyan, Shushana Hakobyan and Maral Varjabedian, rendered their decision and the following finalists were chosen as the winners in our two age categories.  MCMA would like to reiterate their gratitude to our four named judges who voluntarily dedicated their valuable time by immensely helping our non-profit organization achieve their goal and fulfill mission of promoting young artists.

Winners of the 11 to 14 years old category were:

• Emmanual Emil Kazaz, Jr. is a 14-year-old from Wilson Middle School who attends Lark Musical Society. 1^st Prize Winner. Awarded $2,000.00 monetary award for his performance of Dance of Sassoun by Alexandar Arutiunian on piano.
• Alex Garibekian is a 13-year-old from Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School. Tied as a 2^nd Prize Winner. Awarded $1,000.00 for his performance of Czardas by Vittorio Monti on piano.
• David Goossens is a 14-year-old from Birmingham High School. Tied as a 2^nd Prize Winner. Awarded $1,000.00 or his performance of Waltz from Masquerade Suite by Aram Khatchaturian.
• Lia Stepanian is a 13-year-old from Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School. 3^rd Prize Winner for her recitation of Shushi by Gurgen Stepanian.

Winners of the 15 to 18 years old category were:

• Alicia Keoshgerian is a 16-year-old from Mesrobian Armenian School. 1^st Prize Winner. Awarded $2,000.00 for her performance of Sirelis by Armen Mandakunian – Kanon improvised by Tsovinar Hovhannisyan on kanon. 
• Zareh Achekian is a 16-year-old from Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School. 2^nd Prize Winner. Awarded $1,000.00 for his performance of Ballade No. 4, Op. 52 by Frederic Chopin on piano.
• Lim Kalemkarian is a 17-year-old from Mesrobian Armenian School who attends Lark Musical Society. 3^rd Prize Winner. Awarded $500.00 for her performance of Prelude No. 7, D Flat Major by Eduard Abramian on piano.

MCMA would like to take this opportunity to publicly congratulate the named seven winners of our Exclusive Talent Competition once again. A one-of-a-kind event, which demonstrated that we Armenians do have massive talent in our young generation and it’s so very critical they are encouraged and recognized properly so they may thrive.   This event was not just live performances on stage, but a magical experience with breathtaking musical and artistic displays elevating MCMA’s core mission of promoting our Armenian artists.  MCMA wishes to continue this competition event every other year with positive and major hopes of discovering new talent each and every time.  

You may view the talented performances of all our winners on our Facebook Page.  To stay up to date and informed about our future events, be sure to follow us on our social media platforms and help our circle grow.

Rosine Krikor Seraydarian is a member of the MCMA Committee.

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BY SHAHE YENI-KOMSHIAN

In solemn remembrance of the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, St. Andrew Armenian Church hosted a deeply moving community event in collaboration with the ANCA Silicon Valley, Homenetmen Santa Clara “Ani” Chapter, AGBU Silicon Valley, ARS “Agnouni” Chapter, and ARF “Sartarabad” Chapter. The evening served both as a tribute to 1.5 million lives lost and as a rallying call for justice, truth, and recognition in the face of ongoing denial and oppression.

Held in the church’s sanctuary, the event drew a diverse and engaged audience. The presence of distinguished public officials—including Congressman Sam Liccardo, State Assemblymember Ahrens, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, Mayor of the City of Cupertino Liang Chao and Vice Mayor Kitty Moore, San Jose City Councilmember George Raffi Casey, former Supervisor Joe Simitian and staff members of several offices in the region—underscored the Armenian American community’s growing civic presence in the region.

The Homenetmen Santa Clara Ani Scouts opened the evening with a solemn and graceful flag ceremony. Cultural performances by Dr. Lori Panossian, Mariam Abgaryan, Khachatur Khachaturian, and Alla Petrosyan added emotional resonance and artistic depth.

Master of Ceremonies Arra Yerganian anchored the evening with warmth and clarity, offering a powerful reminder that genocide is not confined to the past. He highlighted ongoing violations in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), including the continued imprisonment of over 135 Armenians in Azerbaijan. Of the 23 officially acknowledged prisoners on trial, many were captured during the forced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenian population in September 2023. The group includes:

• Three former Presidents of Artsakh;
• The last Chair of Parliament;
• Former Foreign and Defense Ministers;
• The former Commander of the Artsakh Army;
• Former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, the most high-profile detainee.

In addition, Armenia’s Investigative Committee has confirmed 32 more POWs from prior conflicts, and human rights advocates estimate that over 80 additional Armenians may be held without official disclosure.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a leading analyst on Middle Eastern and Eurasian affairs. Invited from Washington, D.C., Dr. Rubin delivered a searing critique of U.S. policy toward Armenia and the South Caucasus.

“Genocide is not just a historical crime—it becomes an ongoing threat when its ideology is never dismantled,”Rubin warned.

He emphasized that unlike the Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide, the Armenian Genocide has never been fully acknowledged or repudiated by its perpetrators. Turkey and Azerbaijan, he argued, continue to reward denial—enabling the persistence of anti-Armenian ideology that today manifests in territorial aggression and systemic repression.

Rubin framed his analysis around three core critiques of American foreign policy in the region:

• Historical Amnesia: U.S. policymakers often lack the historical depth necessary to understand entrenched regional conflicts.
• Ideological Misreading: The tendency to view authoritarian regimes through overly optimistic lenses—labeling Turkey an “Islamic democracy,” for example—has resulted in dangerously naïve policies.
• Grievance vs. Ideology: Rubin argued that American diplomacy frequently mistakes ideological aggression for grievance-based conflict, leading to compromise-driven strategies where deterrence is needed.

He cited Azerbaijan’s decision to launch the 2020 Artsakh War on the centennial of Ottoman attacks on the First Republic of Armenia as a symbolic yet overlooked act of ideological continuity.

“Rubin called for the continued political presence of the democratically elected Artsakh government in exile, emphasizing that the displaced population must retain a voice. Without such representation, he argued, lasting peace and meaningful prospects for the future would be unattainable”

“You cannot impose peace on a population that doesn’t trust the process—especially when their aggressor bars international observers,” Rubin said.

Rubin offered several concrete steps the United States can take to recalibrate its approach:

• Normalize military cooperation with Armenia, even with its use of Russian equipment—just as the U.S. does with India.
• Allow U.S. security monitoring alongside Russian forces, following precedents in Djibouti and Syria.
• Provide transitional protection for Armenia’s economy in the event of Turkey-Armenia border normalization.
• Elevate Armenia as a diplomatic intermediary in the region, given its democratic credibility.

He cautioned that the assumption authoritarian systems will moderate simply through leadership change is unfounded:

“Institutions shaped by decades of Erdoganism or Aliyevism will not simply liberalize with new leadership.”

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Rubin acknowledged the strength and resilience of the Armenian diaspora. But with strength, he noted, comes responsibility. He urged Armenian Americans and their allies to shift from reactive outrage to proactive education and long-term strategy. Raising awareness of ideological threats—rather than relying solely on emotional appeals—he emphasized, will ultimately elevate Armenia’s position within American strategic thinking.

The evening concluded with Arra Yerganian reminding the audience of the untapped civic and economic power of the Armenian American community. His final message was clear: honoring the past must include protecting Armenians today and shaping a just future. What could not be broken in 1915, cannot and will not be broken in 2025. He said, “Let us carry forward this unbreakable spirit-With dignity, with unity, and with hope.”

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Event to Benefit Charities that Fight Human Trafficking and Support the Homeless and Refugees

The Sparkles Foundation will host its 4^th Annual Children’s Benefit Fashion Show luncheon on Saturday, September 27 at the Torrey Pines Hilton La Jolla.

The exciting afternoon of elegance, entertainment, and philanthropy will feature boutique shopping and a silent auction, musical performances, live auction and a fashion show produced by San Diego Visual Productions, featuring 40 models of all ages, wearing designs from Macy’s Fashion Valley, including students from nearby San Diego schools.

The event will again be emceed by Zanni Kalaydjian and co-chaired by Kathy Kassardjian and Dr. Anna Khachatrian, to support charities that fight human trafficking and support homeless, orphans and refugees, locally and around the world. Guest of Honor will be San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan.  

Last year, more than $100,000 was raised to support multiple charities, and this year proceeds will again support the Armenian Missionary Association of American Orphan Fund; Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, fighting child trafficking in San Diego; ECF (Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund); and the AGBU (Armenian General Benevolent Union) Children’s Fund.

The Boutique Shopping and Silent Auction will begin at 10:30am, with the Luncheon and Entertainment at 12pm. To donate or get more information, visit the website, or San Diego Sparkles Foundation Inc/Facebook. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities visit the website, email sparklefoundation@yahoo.com, or contact Suzanne Meader at (619) 246-2041 or the Sparkles office at (619) 630-4697.

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In an op-ed published on the Fox News website on Thursday, David Vardanyan recalled Trump’s pre-election promise to protect “persecuted Christian Armenians in Azerbaijan” and challenged the president to make good on his pledge.

“President Trump has vowed to protect persecuted Armenian Christians in Azerbaijan and beyond. His National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz, has also called for the release of the Armenian political prisoners. It is this kind of support and pressure that will ultimately prevail,” David Vardanyan said in the op-ed. 

“My family and I look to the leadership of President Donald Trump to fulfill his commitment as a President of Peace. He can do this by making the regime in Baku understand that it must adhere to international rules and show its commitment to peace in the Caucuses by releasing my father and the other Armenian prisoners,” he added.

The younger Vardanyan also spoke of America’s role in rescuing survivor’s of the Armenian Genocide through the efforts of Near East Relief, saying that his ancestors were rescued by missionaries affiliated with the American effort in Etchmiadzin.

Despite not recognizing the Armenian Genocide, Trump, in his April 24 message, referred to the Near East Relief effort as a way to bolster his message about America’s role in the aftermath of the Genocide.

Below is David Vardanyan’s article, culled from the Fox News website.

My dad has been in prison for 550 days for simply being Christian.

Imagine entire communities forced to abandon homes, churches, and graves of ancestors in just 24 hours. Elderly neighbors collapsing on mountain roads while fleeing, children crying from hunger, and families separated forever.

This nightmare became a reality for 120,000 Armenian Christians when Azerbaijan ethnically cleansed Nagorno-Karabakh, otherwise known as Artsakh. Among those paying the price is Ruben Vardanyan, who now sits in a prison cell for trying to help.

The last time this happened to Armenians, America responded heroically. When Ottoman Turks slaughtered 1.5 million Armenian Christians in the first genocide of the 20th century, ordinary Americans launched the Near East Relief Foundation, raising over $117 million (equivalent to $2.7 billion today) to save Armenian orphans and refugees, America’s first major international humanitarian effort. President Wilson championed their cause, calling it “the starving Armenians” in a phrase that entered national vocabulary.

Those rescued Armenians became part of America’s fabric. Every time Americans enjoy Cher’s music, watch Kim Kardashian’s shows, or remember Andre Agassi’s tennis victories, they’re witnessing the legacy of Armenian Genocide survivors who found safety in America.

Today, however, my father, Ruben Vardanyan, has no voice to tell his story. For more than 550 days, he has been a political prisoner for simply advocating for the rights of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to live in their ancestral homelands.

He is not alone. Today, there are at least 23 other Armenian Christian prisoners illegally detained in Baku. Even more concerning, civil society organizations estimate that Azerbaijan also now holds more than 300 political prisoners, a group that has swollen in recent months to include more Armenian and Azeri human rights defenders, journalists, and activists.

My father’s imprisonment stems not from a life of political activism, but from his unwavering support for those facing adversity around the world, including in Nagorno-Karabakh. Before he became a political prisoner, he was known as a businessman and humanitarian. 

Over the last 10 years, his life’s purpose has been focused on philanthropy, especially in his native Armenia. As part of this work, he also co-founded the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, a global humanitarian movement which honors humanitarians who risk their lives to help others in places such as Rwanda, Iran, and Afghanistan.

As was the case 110 years ago, we remain hopeful that the United States will once again come to the aid of Armenians prosecuted for their nationality and faith today.

Personally, I am alive because my great-grandfather was saved by an American orphanage organized by Christian missionaries in Etchmiadzin, Armenia. Today, we see signs that Armenians are again not alone.

Most importantly, President Trump has vowed to protect persecuted Armenian Christians in Azerbaijan and beyond. His National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz, has also called for the release of the Armenian political prisoners. It is this kind of support and pressure that will ultimately prevail. 

My family and I look to the leadership of President Donald Trump to fulfill his commitment as a President of Peace. He can do this by making the regime in Baku understand that it must adhere to international rules and show its commitment to peace in the Caucuses by releasing my father and the other Armenian prisoners.

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