Glendale Marks 25th Annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration

Glendale, CA – On April 23, 2026, the City of Glendale hosted its 25th Annual Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event at the historic Alex Theatre, welcoming more than 1,000 attendees for an evening of remembrance honoring the 1.5 million+ Armenians who perished during the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

 

This milestone year’s program embodied the theme “Memory Across Generations: The Continuing Echo of 1915,” highlighting the history and resilience of the Armenian people and serving as a reminder that the pain experienced more than a century ago remains deeply felt today.

 

The program opened with student performers from Sonata Music School, whose performances captured the depth and energy of Armenian musical tradition. The students performed two songs on the Armenian dhol — a traditional double-headed cylinder drum played with bare hands to produce deep bass and high treble tones, and a percussion instrument in Armenian folk music. “Sabre Dance” by Aram Khachaturian — with its driving rhythms symbolizing strength and victory — was paired with “Artsakh” by Ara Gevorgyan, whose powerful, evocative tones reflect identity, homeland, and fortitude.

 

The AGBU LA Choir delivered a choral performance that included “Hayasdan” (meaning Armenia), a patriotic anthem associated with conductor Sergey Smbatyan that evokes unity and reverence for the homeland. The Lilia Dance Group followed with Armenian dance, including “Im Anush Tavigh” (“My Sweet Harp”), arranged by Khachatur Avetisyan — a beloved folk piece that examines themes of love, longing, and the beauty of nature.

 

Duduk artist Jivan Gasparyan Jr. delivered a moving performance of “Krunk” (meaning the crane), a traditional Armenian melody symbolizing longing and exile. Performed on the duduk — Armenia’s ancient national instrument, crafted from apricot wood and known for its warm, soulful tone — the piece conveys the emotional depth of the Armenian experience across homeland and diaspora.

 

Attendees also viewed “The Road to Justice,” a short video presentation produced by the City’s Glendale TV Studio, reflecting on the continuity of Armenian displacement from 1915 to the present.

 

The program featured video messages from elected officials representing Glendale — including U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Laura Friedman, State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Assemblymembers Nick Schultz and Jessica Caloza, and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger — each offering words of remembrance and support. State Senator Pérez and Assemblymember Schultz attended the event in person.

 

Mayor Ardy Kassakhian served as Master of Ceremonies, providing historical context throughout the evening, and was joined on stage by fellow City Councilmembers, demonstrating the City’s unified commitment to remembrance.

 

“Memory is a vital defense against genocide denial—it is carried and passed from generation to generation, not just as history, but as identity,” said Ardy Kassakhian. “That’s why the City organizes this annual program.  And as we see the ongoing threats to Armenians in Armenia and Artsakh in recent years, we have an obligation to remember the past—not as ritual, but as responsibility. And when we remember the Armenian Genocide, we commit to recognizing injustice everywhere.”