Gendale Archives

Armenian American Museum unveils design for Glendale site

December 15, 2016 By administrator

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center (AAM) has unveiled the Concept Design of the museum for the location across from the Central Library in downtown Glendale at a gathering of more than 400 community members at the Brandview Ballroom, Asbarez reports.

The Museum envisions an iconic design that will depict the rock formations and mountain range found in Armenia. Alajajian-Marcoosi Artchitects described the design as also capturing the sensation one gets from the San Gabriel Mountains rising to the north of Glendale.

Over the next two months, the Armenian American Museum will implement its outreach efforts to obtain feedback about the Concept Design.

In March of this year, the Glendale City Council recommended that the Armenian American Museum consider locating the Museum and Cultural Center in what is commonly known as the Central Park Block Project area in the heart of the City near the Colorado Street and Brand Boulevard intersection. An Exclusive Negotiating Agreement was executed by the City and the AAM Governing Board in the summer to initiate the process for conducting feasibility studies, developing concept designs, and negotiating ground lease and development agreements.

The City and the AAM are on schedule to complete the concept design, traffic, parking, economic, and environmental studies in time for the consideration of the ground lease agreement by the City Council during the first quarter of 2017.

The Central Park Block Project envisions the construction of a new downtown public parking structure and repurposing the parking lots located to the south and east of the Central Library to recreational uses. The Concept Design calls for constructing a museum and cultural center on top of the subterranean garage.

The unveiled Concept Design demonstrates how the exhibit galleries, halls, theater, research facilities, learning center, demonstration kitchen, and archive space will connect to each other and the outdoor covered plaza. City and Museum officials are also considering improving the large area between the Central Library and the Museum’s building into a public plaza and paseo connecting the Central Park Block to the Museum of Neon Arts and the Americana at Brand.

City officials and community organizers believe the synergy between the Armenian American Museum and the neighboring Central Library, Museum of Neon Arts, and Americana at Brand could make the downtown area an extremely appealing location for the City’s residents and tourists.

Armenian Americans rally in Glendale to protest weekend of violence in Nagorno-Karabakh

April 5, 2016 By administrator

n response to the deadly clash between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops in the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh this past weekend, members of the Armenian-American community rallied in downtown Glendale Monday night to protest the violence.

An estimated 500 people attended the demonstration, according to Glendale Police Sgt. Robert William.

The impromptu protest, which was loosely organized on social media, took place along West Lexington Drive, beside the Consulate General of Armenia. Traffic was closed on Lexington at North Central Avenue, as police watched over the “peaceful demonstration.”

“There were a few people that were upset about the situation and wanted to make a statement that the Armenian community isn’t just standing by,” said Aran Manoukian of the Armenian Youth Federation, one of a handful of organizations that was present.

A video of the gathering uploaded on YouTube shows people waving the Armenian flag and shouting slogans. Signs, written in English and Armenian, were hung on the fence of the consulate office, calling for peace and prayers in the region, which is largely occupied by ethnic Armenians.

At least 30 soldiers — 18 Armenians and 12 Azerbaijanis — and a boy were reportedly killed when fighting broke out Saturday in the disputed territory, according to the Associated Press.

AYF Announces 24 Hours of Action

April 16, 2014 By administrator

Asbarez GLENDALE—The Armenian Youth Federation will be holding 24 Hours of Action to demand justice for the Armenian Genocide starting at 2 p.m. on April 24 in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles.

The 24 Hours of Action will begin with protesters disseminating information about the Armenian Genocide to the public. At 4 p.m., the AYF’s annual protest will take place, with community activists and civic leaders across the state coming together to publicly condemn the Republic of Turkey for its continued perpetuation of a campaign resulting in the death of over 1.5 million Armenians 99 years ago. The participants will gather in front of the office of the Turkish Consul General at 6300 Wilshire Blvd. from until 6 p.m. to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide and demand justice from the Republic of Turkey, as well as U.S. recognition of the genocide.

Following the protest, musical performances and live art will comprise the “Music as Resistance” and “Art as Rebirth” segments of the 24 Hours of Action. Beginning at midnight, protesters will present Gregory Stanton’s eight stages of genocide as they pertain to the Armenian Genocide and others that followed. A second protest rally taking place from noon to 2 p.m. on April 25 will conclude the 24 hours.

The AYF calls on the community and all concerned citizens to join the 24 Hours of Action. The organization is providing free buses to the consulate, which will depart at 2 p.m. on April 24 from various locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area: the Pasadena Armenian Center, St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, and Ferrahian Armenian School in Encino.

The 24-hour protest is among a number of commemoration events organized by the AYF to mark the anniversary of the genocide. A few such noteworthy events include a candlelight vigil at the Burbank City Hall on April 22 hosted by the Burbank “Varak” Chapter and the Cycle Against Denial bike rally on April 27 hosted by the San Fernando Valley “Sardarabad” Chapter.

The protest is a symbolic focal point for the community and represents the AYF’s year-round battle to gain proper recognition and restitution for the crime of genocide perpetrated by the Turkish government. It will be paired with a social media campaign to trend #ArmenianGenocide worldwide in order to bring global awareness to the issue.