The Armenian History Lecture Series at the University of California, Irvine, continued this month with a lecture by Richard Hovannisian, professor emeritus of Armenian and Near Eastern History at UCLA. Hovannisian’s talk, “The Changing Landscape of Historic Western Armenia: Reflections on a Journey into the Past,” took attendees on a visual journey through contemporary and ancient Armenia using slides from his recent journeys through Armenia and historical photographs.
According to Asbarez, more than 170 UCI students, faculty and local community members gathered to hear Hovannisian at the University Club. Many in the audience were transported home again, seeing images of Armenia where their parents and grandparents grew up. For most of the students in attendance, this was their first “trip” to Armenia and what better tour guide than Hovannisian, who wrote the definitive encyclopedia on Armenian history.
After the lecture Charles Barsam, on behalf of the Orange County Armenian Professional Society, presented a check for $10,000 to Vicki L. Ruiz, dean of the School of Humanities, to support Armenian history at UCI.
Dr. Vahe and Armine Meghrouni, who last December generously donated $50,000 to fund community lectures and quarterly Armenian courses, matched their 2011 donation with another $50,000. Dr. Meghrouni spoke briefly on the importance of confronting “revisionists, reductionists and deniers” of Armenian history and providing a place where students can get an accurate picture of Armenian history.
Dean Ruiz awarded certificates of appreciation to Sylvie and Garo Tertzakian and the Meghrounis for their continued vision, support and dedication.
A camera crew from USArmenia, the most watched Armenian television network in the world, filmed the lecture and interviewed guests afterwards. Coverage of his talk was broadcast to more than 150 countries.
The quarterly lecture series – made possible through gifts to UCI – offers the local community opportunities to learn more about Armenian history. This past year the series included lectures by Sebouh David Aslanian on his book From the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean: The Global Trade Networks of Armenian Merchants from New Julfa and Tom Mooradian on his memoir The Repatriate: Love, Basketball and the KGB which chronicles his 13 years behind the Iron Curtain as an Armenian repatriate.
Undergraduate courses in Armenian history continue in the upcoming spring quarter with an offering in modern Armenian history.
