Cultural festival at Verdugo Park

Cultural festival at Verdugo Park
Armenian American festival marks country's independence with party of pride in food, music, literature.


By AMBER WILLARD

VERDUGO MOUNTAINS -- Gooey baklava -- thin layers of dough wrapped around crushed walnuts and dripping with syrup -- and cultural music players will be just a few of the sights at the Armenian American Cultural Festival on Sunday.
Last year, the festival at Verdugo Park drew several thousand people.
"The first festival far exceeded what we expected," said Garry Sinanian, executive director of the Gaidz Youth Organization, which is one of the groups organizing the event at Verdugo Park this year.
The event was started in 1999 to commemorate the date -- Sept. 21, 1991 -- that Armenia became an independent nation, Sinanian said.
"It's a dream that has become a reality," Sinanian said of the country's democratic independence. "Our grandparents and parents dreamed this dream. Finally, our generation is the one that lives it."
The idea for the festival came last year from the teens involved with the Gaidz Youth Organization who wanted to present their culture to the surrounding communities, Sinanian said. The Nor Serount (meaning New Generation) Cultural Assn. worked with the youth group to set up the festival both years.
"We want to get the youth involved because they are at risk of not following up on their culture. There are so many other things for them to do, we don't want them to lose track of their heritage," Sinanian said.
The festival is a way to remind the youth of their roots and to draw the greater community into the celebration, organizers said.
Aside from ethnic food and music, the free event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include readings of Armenian poetry and books. Local politicians are scheduled to attend the festival, Sinanian said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Second Annual Armenian American Cultural Festival.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Verdugo Park, 1621 Canada Blvd.
WHY: To celebrate the Armenian culture and the country's ninth year of independence.