Pasadena’s Armenian Community Unites for Groundbreaking Cultural Festival

In an unprecedented display of cultural unity, twenty-eight Armenian organizations, including seven local churches, are joining forces to present Pasadena’s first Armenian Cultural Festival at Victory Park.

The free, day-long celebration on Saturday, Nov. 16, represents the largest collaboration of Armenian organizations in Pasadena’s history, originating from a conversation between two community leaders.

Committee Member Vache Sevajian of Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church and Committee Member Alex Giragosian of the Hovsepian School Board spearheaded the initiative through regular meetings with city officials.

“We wanted to do something that wasn’t geared only for the young or for the old, but that was going to be an event that was going to bring every generation in Pasadena together, or every Armenian generation in Pasadena together,” Sevajian said.

The festival, running from 9:55 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2575 Paloma Street in Pasadena, will begin with an Armenian General Benevolent Union and Homenetmen Scouts Opening Ceremony at Victory Park.

“We identified three goals for this festival. The first goal is to showcase Armenian culture to the broader San Gabriel Valley community. The second, it’s basically a fundraiser to support our local Armenian schools and programs. And the third is build working relationships between the different Armenian organizations,” Giragosian explained.

The event will benefit three local institutions: St. Gregory A&M Hovsepian School, Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School, and L&H Tavlian Armenian Preschool and Kindergarten.

A dedicated logistics committee is overseeing security, sanitation, and permits for the festival’s four main components: stage performances, craft and food vendors, a children’s play area, and on-site Armenian food preparation stations.

“We wanted to prioritize the local dance groups, choirs, musical ensembles, karate organizations. So we prioritized our local groups – and as well as performances by our local Armenian school students,” Giragosian said.

The Element Band Instrumental Quartet will headline the performances, with Sonia Movsesian serving as Master of Ceremonies for the day’s events.

Organizers have arranged transportation from Armenian General Benevolent Union parking lots to accommodate visitors, with additional parking available on surrounding streets and in the park’s main lot.

“Just like on July 4th, everyone’s American and on St. Patrick’s, everyone’s Irish,” Sevajian said. “On November 16, I want everyone to be Armenian. So come and enjoy and not only just see, but also be a part of us and just get to enjoy that day with us. This is for everybody.”

The festival, currently planned as a one-time event with potential to become annual based on success, represents a historic collaboration between Armenian churches, schools, political organizations including Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Armenian General Benevolent Union, and various cultural groups.

For more information, visit https://www.pasadenaarmenianfestival.com/.