The annual commemoration, hosted by the Pasadena "Nigol Touman" Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), came less than a week before the AYF's yearly April 24th protest outside the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles. This year's demonstration, at 6300 Wilshire Blvd., will begin at 4pm.
Friday's event featured a wide array of speakers and performers, all of whom are members of the Armenian community in Los Angeles. It started off with a message from the Chapter Chairperson, Shant Matossian, who spoke about the importance for Armenian youth in the Diaspora to maintain strong links to their identity.
The keynote speaker of the evening was Alice Petrosian, a member of the California Department of Education. A former member of the AYF "Musa Dagh" chapter, Petrosian told her grandfather's epic story of survival during the genocide. "Although he was a survivor of the Genocide, he still died because of the Genocide," said Petrosian, as she proudly held a framed picture of her Grandfather and his story.
The rest of the event included musical performances from "Nigol Touman" members, as well as a candle light vigil led by AYF juniors from Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley.