The Ararat-Eskijian Museum (AEM), the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) in Yerevan, Armenia and the California State University Northridge Armenian Studies Program hosted a two-day conference dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Armenian to America on March 16, 2018.

“Martin the Armenian” arrived in Virginia in 1618. The conference focused on the history and legacy of the Armenian-American community and its significant accomplishments from very humble beginnings.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Diocesan Primate attended the conference on Friday March 16 accompanied by Mr. Derik Ghookasian, Chief Operating Officer of Ararat Home and member of the Diocesan Council of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. The George Deukmejian Community Center of Ararat Home in Mission Hills was the venue of the conference.

The opening reception featured the performances by the Chookasian Folk Ensemble, which was followed by the evening program. Marc A. Mamigonian, Director of Academic Affairs of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, served as the Master of Ceremonies. The program commenced with a performance of his solo play the Soujourners by Joseph Ryland. Dr. Mary Papazian, President of San Jose State University, delivered the keynote address. The unveiling and presentation of “Armenian Legacy in America: A 400-Year Heritage” authored by Dr. Hayk Demoyan, the Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan, Armenia, was held.

In his remarks, Archbishop Derderian commended the organizers of the highly informative and culturally enlightening conference thanking Maggie Mangassarian-Goschin, the Curator of the Ararat-Eskijian Museum for her dedication and organizational prowess. “Mrs. Mangassarian-Goschin’s commitment to preserving the rich heritage of the Armenian-American community is truly commendable. She deserves the immense respect of our community,” said Archbishop Derderian.

Reflecting on Dr. Demoyan’s valuable publication, Archbishop Derderian stated: “Mr. Hayk Demoyan, the Director of the Genocide Museum in Yerevan is one of the most outstanding academicians who successfully publishes works of immense importance. The young scholar undoubtedly has gained the respect of the academic world.”          

Commenting on the importance of the conference, the Primate said “The 400 years of celebration has to be marked with due respect as Armenians who have immigrated to this country inspire their children to become contributors to this blessed land of freedom.”

The program continued with a screening of a short documentary film on Armenian-Americans in politics by Peter Musurlian, two-time Los Angeles Area Emmy Award-winning journalist. Leon Surmelian’s play “I Ask You, Ladies and Gentlemen” was staged by Hollywood actor Ludwig Manukian.

The evening concluded with a musical presentation of the Art Songs of Alan Hovhaness by renowned pianist Vatche Mankerian accompanied by Garineh Avakian, a chorister in the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

A special exhibition featuring Armenian-American heirlooms and historical artifacts were on display.

The second day of the conference consisted of a four-part session including Early Armenian Life and Community Building Efforts in America, Identities of the New Community and Armenian-American Art, Film and Literature, and Moving Ahead: New Challenges, Strategies and Perspectives for the Community (Panel Discussion).

Presentations by Dr. Hayk Demoyan, David Gutman, Associate Professor of History at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York; Dr. Ben Alexander, a professor of American History and Government at the New York City College of Technology; Harry S. Cherken, Jr., Partner in the law firm of Drinker Biddle and Reath LLP in Philadelphia; Gregory Aftandilian, adjuct professor at Boston University and American University and long-standing member of the Board of Directors of National Association for Armenian Studies and Research;  Dr. Vartan Matiossian, Executive Director of NAASR; Prof. Richard Hovannisian, Professor Emeritus of Armenian and Near Eastern History at the University of California, Los Angeles; Heghnar Zeitlian-Watenpaugh, Professor of Art History at the University of California, Davis; Zareh Arevshatian, a Los Angeles-based film scholar; and Mark Arax, author of bestselling books on California, were made.

Dr. Hayk Demoyan, Daniel Fittante, Armen Hovannisian and Sedda Antekelian were the panelists of the fourth and final session titled Moving Ahead: New Challenges, Strategies and Perspectives for the Community.