By Mary O’KEEFE

The community turned out for the 2nd Annual Korean Armenian Festival that was held at Crescenta Valley High School on Sunday. The event promotes harmony and understanding, not just between the two cultures but between all cultures.
Last year’s event was spread over two days and held at Crescenta Valley Park. Although the park was a beautiful setting, organizers said they wanted something more intimate and moved it to the CVHS campus. They also shortened the event from two days to one.

“We listened to feedback [from the audience last year],” said Arick Gevorkian, member of the Korean Armenian committee and master of ceremonies.
The changes seemed to please the nearly 500 people who visited the campus to watch performers from the Armenian and Korean cultures.

“We had 30 local vendors,” said Gevorkian. “We even had to turn [an additional] five away because we didn’t have room.”

There was also a strong law enforcement presence on site with Capt. Bill Song and Dep. Jorge Valdivia from the CV Sheriff’s Station and a number of officers from Glendale Police Dept.

Lt. Lola Abrahamian, North Area commander, and Capt. Todd Stokes were joined by GPD officers, several of whom were of Korean American and Armenian American heritage. It was a visual reminder of how diverse the department is.
Gevorkian welcomed people to the event and set the tone for the day.

“We have two historical and vibrant cultures coming together,” he said. “…People with cultural diversity, living in harmony.”

He added that when several cultures work together it makes the city a better place to raise children.

Many officials attended the festivities including CV Town Council President Cheryl Davis and Councilmember Harry Leon. Also attending the festivities were Glendale Unified School District Board President Nayiri Nahabedian, former state Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and representatives from both Senator Carol Liu and Assemblymember Mike Gatto.

“I want to welcome you all to this great event,” said Dr. Carman Ohanian, festival committee member. “[We are here] to celebrate the diversity and cooperation to the betterment of our community as a whole.”

James Pak, another committee member, told the audience the event was a way for people from different cultures to get to know each other.

“Please introduce yourself to other people and make new friends,” he urged attendees.