Armenian Bar Applauds Rescheduled Screening of ‘My Sweet Land ‘at UC Berkeley Following Attempted Suppression
BERKELEY — The Armenian Bar Association, in collaboration with the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian Students Association of UC Berkeley, the Armenian Studies Program, and the Armenian Alumni Association of Berkeley, announced the rescheduled screening of the award-winning documentary “My Sweet Land” at UC Berkeley School of Law on September 18. This important event comes after the original screening was cancelled following reported external pressure from the Consul General of Azerbaijan.
The decision to reinstate the event followed unified advocacy efforts by Armenian organizations, students, faculty, and alumni committed to academic freedom and the defense of human rights. The Armenian Bar Association strongly condemns the initial cancellation, which represents an alarming instance of foreign interference in academic discourse and cultural expression.
“The silencing of Armenian voices and stories—especially those tied to human rights atrocities—has long been a tool of historical erasure. We are proud to stand with our community and our partners at Berkeley to ensure that truth prevails over intimidation,” said Lucy Varpetian, Past Chair of the Armenian Bar Association.
The screening of “My Sweet Land,” followed by a panel discussion, will be held on Wednesday, September 18 at UC Berkeley School of Law (enter building next to Café Zeb). Check-in begins at 5:15 p.m. It is required to RSVP. Register by September 16 at 5 p.m.. No day-of registration permitted.
Event Co-Sponsors include:
- UC Berkeley Human Rights Center;
- Armenian Studies Program;
- Center for Middle Eastern Studies;
- Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures;
- Institute of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies.
“My Sweet Land,” directed by Sareen Hairabedian, follows an 11-year-old boy in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) whose dreams of becoming a dentist are shattered by war. Returning to a devastated homeland, he confronts shifting power dynamics and an education system preparing children for war rather than peace.
The documentary gains added urgency in light of the mass exodus of over 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Artsakh in September 2023, following a military offensive by Azerbaijan. Numerous human rights organizations have described this as ethnic cleansing, citing forced displacement, civilian targeting, and a systematic campaign of intimidation. The offensive culminated in the dissolution of the Republic of Artsakh on January 1, 2024.
Panelists & Speakers:
- Sareen Hairabedian, Director of “My Sweet Land”;
- Jennifer Redfearn, Professor, Graduate School of Journalism, UC Berkeley (Moderator);
- Myrna Douzjian, Lecturer, Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures, UC Berkeley;
- Betsy Popken, Executive Director, Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley Law;
- Dzovinar Derderian, Executive Director, Armenian Studies Program, UC Berkeley.
This screening is more than a film event—it is a reaffirmation of free expression, historical truth, and the right of communities to tell their stories without coercion. The Armenian Bar Association encourages all who value human rights, justice, and academic integrity to attend and stand in solidarity.
Founded in 1989, the Armenian Bar Association is a nonprofit professional organization of judges, attorneys, law students, and legal scholars dedicated to the development of law, protection of rights, and promotion of justice for the Armenian people worldwide.
