By Natalie Basmaciyan

California is home to one of the largest Armenian populations in the world, from the fertile farmlands of the central valley to southern California.
The Armenian Genocide and subsequent Diaspora affect the community’s sense of identity and perseverance to this day, since the tumultuous events are still recent history to many Armenians.

Armenians was the first nation to adopt Christianity as the state religion, with the Armenians Apostolic Church serving as the religious and cultural focus of the people. Woven into this shared history is the live of storytelling, food and family.
Williams Saroyan remains the most celebrated author chronicling the Armenian-American experience in the Central Valley. “My Name Is Aram” a work of fiction, presents the story of a young boy exploring his Armenian identity and heritage amid the farms of Fresno.
The Central Valley drew Armenian immigrants because of agricultural conditions that are similar their homeland, and his many other works explore the immigrant and first-generation experience of his people.

“Apples of Immortality; Folk Tales of Armenia” by Leon Surmelian, contains classic stories of Armenian ingenuity, logic and ethos.
The text is rich in religious symbolism and tales of morality that reveal the deep faith of the people.
On DVD, explore the life and times of one of Armenian’s most celebrated figures. “The Color of Pomegranate’s” presents a stylized biography of noted 18th-century Armenian. Poet and troubadour Sayat Nova, Based on his writings. It depicts the poet’s life in eight sections, from childhood to death, and is rich with symbols of sacred and secular.

Celebrated local chef Zov Karamardian continues to draw large, enthusiastic audiences to the library’s “What’s Cooking “ events, and she will return in the fall for another cooking demonstration. Her Armenian-inspired recipes are perfect for home cooks wanting to learn her techniques. Check out
“Simple Zov: Rustic Classics with a Mediterranean Twist. “And Zov Recipes and Memories from the Harts.
“The Armenian table: More than 165 Treasured Recipes that bring together Ancient Flavors and 21st-Centery style,” by Victoria Jenanyan Wise, and “The Cuisine of Armenia,” by Sonia Uvezizn, present classic Armenian food interwoven with family traditions.

Vartan Gregorian, a decorated Armenian academic who immigrated to the United States to attend Stanford University, most famously resorted the venerable New York Public Library to cultural landmark. “The Road to Home: My life and Times” chronicles his many successes and endeavors. “Children of Armenia: A Forgotten Genocide and Century-Long Struggle for Justice,” by Michael Bobelian, present a well-documented, harrowing examination of the effects of war and diaspora on the Armenian people; including the challenges and politics facing immigrants to the United States.
“An Armenian sketchbook,” by Vasily Grossman’s, is an enthralling travel narrative set in Armenia in 1962.

Grossman’s impressions of the ancient churches, welcoming people and stunning landscape takes the reader to faraway places.
“The Crossing Place: A Journey among the Armenians, “by Phillip Marsden, is part travel essay, part history lesson. It explores the effect of the genocide and Soviet rule in the region.
“Back dog of Fate: A Memoir, “by Peter Balakian, recounts the duality of growing up Armenian in suburban New Jersey in the 1960s with the haunting family secrets of the genocide looming in his home life. He deftly present the normalcy of riding bicycles with his friends and attending school with the foods of Armenia packed in his lunchbox.

By Natalie Basmaciyan

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