Scholars from throughout the US and Turkey are in Fresno for a conference on the Armenian Genocide called “Empire, Politics and War”. The subject matter is tragic, but many believe it needs to be shared. “It’s very important to introduce new studies and new subjects of matters regarding this great calamity in world history,”

“Armenpress” reports, citing Fresnobee, says visiting scholar Umit Kurt. The genocide began in 1915. Armenian men, women and children lost their homes, their property and lives at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish Government. Thousands were deported and forced to march in the Syrian Desert to their deaths. Many who did survive left. Some came to the U-S, and the valley. Experts on the genocide will offer a detailed account of it’s back-story– what lead up to that tragic time. The director of Fresno State’s Armenian Studies Program, Barlow Der Murgrdechian says the visiting scholars speaking at this conference will share different aspects of the Armenian Genocide. He added, “This is an important conference here at Fresno State because we have to many students and it’s a way for them also to become aware of what’s taking place– and it’s at a very high scholarly level.”

For descendants of genocide survivors, this history lesson is important, and could have a great impact on the future. According to student Michael Rettig, “When you don’t learn about that stuff, it enables it to happen again in the future. And it’s been happening. When you look at Turkey and how they’re treating minorities like the Kurds and the Armenian issues.”