FOX 11 Los Angeles Celebrates Armenian Heritage Month with a Special Showcasing Culture, Travel, and Inspiring Stories
By Paul Chaderjian
LOS ANGELES — KTTV FOX 11 is marking Armenian Heritage Month with a special that brings viewers closer to Armenia and the Armenian American community in Southern California.
This year’s broadcast features a virtual journey through Armenia, offering viewers a look at historic landmarks, rich traditions, and everyday life. The special is hosted and reported by FOX 11 anchor Araksya Karapetyan.
The Armenian travelogue at the beginning of the FOX 11 Armenian Heritage special highlights Armenia’s ancient monasteries, welcoming streets, and a culture built on resilience. It also shows how affordable food and drink, street safety, and deep hospitality make Armenia an inviting destination for travelers.
“This special really opens a window into Armenia,” said Karapetyan. “You see the history, the beauty, the culture, and you realize how accessible and welcoming it is for anyone thinking about going.”
The special includes an update on the Armenian American Museum in Glendale. “This museum is about preserving who we are and sharing it with future generations,” Karapetyan said. “It’s a place that connects our past with what comes next.”
Viewers will also meet Tro Khayalian, a mechanic turned artist who transforms scrap metal and discarded car parts into striking works of art. His creations blend Armenian identity with elements of pop culture, turning industrial materials into symbols of pride and storytelling.
Another featured voice is Dr. Andre Panossian, a Los Angeles-based, board-certified plastic surgeon who leads humanitarian missions to Armenia. Specializing in pediatric reconstructive surgery, including cleft lip and palate repair, he works with organizations like Mending Kids to provide life-changing care to children in need.
The special also highlights the new TUMO Center in Los Angeles. Originally founded in Armenia, TUMO has grown into a global education model focused on technology and creative learning. The program offers young people hands-on training in fields like animation, filmmaking, and coding, combining self-directed learning with mentorship in a model now replicated around the world.
As part of the celebration, Karapetyan welcomed the Gevorgian Dance Academy to Good Day L.A., FOX 11’s eight-hour morning show she co-anchors, for a live performance that brought traditional Armenian dance to large morning audiences across Southern California and beyond.
Good Day L.A. also featured Armenian American basketball player Gary Chivichyan, who made history as the first Armenian drafted into the NBA G League. Known for his scoring ability and international play, Chivichyan continues to build a professional career while representing Armenian athletes on a broader stage.
Karapetyan said she was pleased that, for the first time this year, she was able to take her production team and shoot the special on location at the Armenian American Museum.
“This is more than a broadcast. It is a chance to share who we are with the world,” she says. “All month long, we’re highlighting our music, our food, and our art.”
“I’m also incredibly proud of the team behind this,” she added. “From our newsroom to our creative services department, our videographers, editors, and the entire FOX 11 management team, this was a true group effort to bring these stories to life.”
The special will stream regularly on FOX 11’s website at https://www.FOXla.com/live and on the FOX Local Los Angeles app.
