Enthusiastic Crowd Celebrates Armenian Independence

GLENDALE—An enthusiastic crowd of around 1,000 community members turned out Sunday to mark the 95th anniversary of Armenian Independence at an event at Glendale City Hall Plaza organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee.

The event was highlighted by performances by Andre, Ani Christy, Element Band, Raffi Semerdjian, Antoine Bezdjian and the Hamazkayin “Nairi” Dance Troupe, all of whom elevated the spirit of the audience in a fitting celebration of Armenia’s victorious independence of May 28 1918.

The program began with an impressive flag ceremony conducted by the Homenetmen Western Region Scouts. Masters of Ceremonies David Arakelyan and Lori Boghigian adeptly guided the program in Armenian and English respectively.

The message by the youth of the community was presented by Avetis Shanlian, the chairman of the Armenian Youth Federation Western US. In his remarks, Shanlian pointed to the importance of the May 28 independence and pledged the Armenian youth’s commitment to advancing the Independence message and legacy.

The keynote of the evening was delivered by long-time community leader and Chamlian School principal Vazken Madenlian, who highlighted the accomplishments of the 1918 independent Republic and expressed hope that the lessons of democracy and national unity of that era would one become a reality in the modern-day Armenian Republic.

During a grand finale led by traditional Armenian music, the crowd that had gathered converged on the center of the plaza and danced and celebrated this venerable Armenian holiday.