Andrew Hagopian will present a lecture entitled “Preserving Identity Through Sound: Armenians in California from 1900 to 1960,” which examines how Armenian immigrants and their descendants safeguarded and reshaped their musical heritage in the diaspora. Drawing from his recently completed master’s thesis at Fresno State, Hagopian explores the critical role that music played in preserving Armenian identity in California, particularly in the Central Valley, where Armenian communities flourished after the genocide of 1915. His research relies on oral histories, rare private recordings, community archives, and published works to demonstrate how musicians and entrepreneurs kept Armenian song and dance traditions alive while adapting them to their new environment.

Raised in the Fresno Armenian community, Hagopian has been immersed in the traditions he now studies, giving him a rare insider’s perspective. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern and Armenian Studies and a Master of Arts in History from Fresno State, dedicating the latter part of his undergraduate and all of his graduate research to understanding the preservation of Armenian music in California.

Date: Thursday, Sept. 25
Time: 7 - 8 p.m.
Location: University Business Center, A. Peters Auditorium, Room 191

For more information or questions, contact Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian at barlowd@csufresno.edu.