Gary Moskowitz
A few thousand people are expected at Verdugo Park this weekend
for the fourth annual Armenian Independence Day Festival, an event
designed for people of all ages.
The festival will be from 11 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Verdugo Park,
1621 Canada Blvd. The event is free and open to the public.
The event, which will celebrate the 11th anniversary of Armenia's
independence from the former Soviet Union, is sponsored by the Nor
Serount Cultural Assn. and the Gaidz Youth Organization.
The event provides a chance for Armenians to celebrate their
independence and for people not familiar with Armenian culture to get
more acquainted with its music, art, food and literature, Gaidz Youth
advisor Sevak Khatchadorian said.
"It's a very big deal for the Armenian community," Khatchadorian
said. "It's all-inclusive, so non-Armenians can come and enjoy the
experience also."
Traditional Armenian music and dance will be performed by seven
groups, including Peria. Display cases of books on Armenian history
and culture will be set up, and adults will conduct book readings for
children 4 to 9, Khatchadorian said.
Proceeds collected from a donations booth will go toward a fund
for Armenian orphans, Khatchadorian said.
