UCLA Presents Eighteenth Conference on Armenian Studies

By JANO BOGHOSSIAN
Janoboghossian@ucla.edu

The UCLA Conference on Armenian Studies- Asia Minor by Jano Boghossian

The Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in modern Armenian history at UCLA presented its eighteenth and final international conference in its series of “Historic Armenian Cities, Provinces and Communities.” The conference was held on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Rolfe Hall at UCLA, with the support from the UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, Center for European and Eurasian Studies, Bob and Nora Movel Fund, and the Organization of Istanbul Armenians.

This year’s event focused on the lesser known but vibrant small communities of Asia Minor, such as Izmid, Adabazar, Bardizag, Bolu, Bursa, Banderma, and Kutaya, some 50 to 200 miles from the imperial capital of Constantinople. The morning session included presentations from UCLA Professors Richard Hovannisian and Peter Cowe giving an overview and history of the region, and scholars from Los Angeles and London. The afternoon session had presentations from Yerevan State University, the Madenataran, Boston University, and Project SAVE- that archived thousands of Armenian photographs before and after the genocide.

Professor Hovannisian, one of the organizers of the event said, “I am happy that this series has turned into something of an institution for our community and that we have been able to acquaint increasing numbers of Armenians with UCLA and its resources.” He was highly gratified by the large turnout and warm reception accorded by both colleagues and community members, and was particularly please to note the presence of UCLA students right after finals week.

UCLA Alumnus Alex Khatchaturian said of the conference, “The audience participated with interesting questions and the discussions revealed a great deal of interest on the topics covered, in particular on matters of the education of Armenian girls and the Genocide.” The proceedings of each conference are being edited and enhanced by Professor Hovannisian before being published as a part of a series titled Historic Armenian Cities and Procinces. To date, there have been eight volumes published, with two more scheduled for 2010.