🕊️ A Note from the Armat Team

🎉 Upcoming Armenian Events in California

📸 Last Month in Review

🏛️ Heritage & History Spotlight

🗞️ News from Armenia

🗣️ Word of the Month – Khelqid dziun ga

🧺 Recipe of the Month – Harissa

🌟 Community Spotlight – Ani, Armenian Photographer

💼 Armenian Business Spotlight – Jumpin’ Java Kitchen

🎶 What were Listening to – HyeHouse

Stay Connected

Dear Armat Community

November brings crisp autumn days, colorful leaves, and plenty of opportunities to gather, celebrate, and reflect on our Armenian heritage. In this edition, we’re excited to share the highlights from last month, upcoming events across California, cultural stories from Armenia, delicious recipes, and inspiring community spotlights.

Let’s stay connected, celebrate our roots, and explore what our vibrant Armenian community has to offer this month.

– The Armat Team

📅 November 16 | 🕓 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Online
🎨 Interactive watercolor classes for beginners and intermediate learners, exploring Armenian art styles. Learn techniques, create your own artwork, and connect with fellow participants.
👥 Armenian community / online participants | 🎭 Workshop / Educational
🔗 Details → armatplatform

📅 November 15 | 🕙 10:00 AM
📍 100 N. Garfield Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
✨ The 2nd Annual Pasadena Armenian Festival celebrates Armenian culture with food, music, kids’ activities, and local vendors — a full day of community and joy.
👥 All ages | 🎪 Cultural Festival
🔗 Details → armatplatform

📅 November 15 | 🕙 10:00 AM
📍 225 W Wilson Ave, Glendale, CA 91203
🔬 A premier gathering for innovators, researchers, and policymakers — focused on sustainable solutions and science-driven collaboration.
👥 All ages | 💼 Conference
🧩 Organized by Armenian Engineers & Scientists of America

📅 November 9 | 🕔 5:00 PM
📍 842 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
🎶 A celebration honoring Karen Gevorgyan, Art Director of the legendary Armenian National Dance Ensemble “Berd.” Expect breathtaking dance and unforgettable artistry.
👥 All ages | 🎭 Cultural Gala
🔗 More info → armatplatform

Last month, Armenians in Los Angeles gathered once again for Ginifest, a beloved annual celebration uniting wine, music, and Armenian culture. The event brought together dozens of Armenian wineries from across the world offering tastings that told stories of heritage, resilience, and craftsmanship in every glass.

Throughout the day, guests explored rows of local vendors and artisans, showcasing handmade crafts and gourmet treats. The air buzzed with excitement as live performances filled the venue, blending traditional sounds with contemporary beats. 

Students came together for an interactive Armenian history quiz, testing their knowledge of national milestones, cultural achievements, and legendary heroes. The friendly competition sparked lively conversations and encouraged teamwork among participants, turning history into a shared, engaging experience rather than just a subject.

Events like these continue to strengthen the Armenian presence on campus and remind students that preserving culture begins with curiosity and collaboration.

Last month our community came together to celebrate the historic film about Armenia’s legendary king, Tigran the Great.

The premiere sparked enthusiasm among Armenian youth, historians, and cinema lovers alike, providing a space to connect over shared heritage and cultural pride. Audience members left inspired, carrying with them both a renewed appreciation for Armenia’s rich history and excitement for the country’s growing presence in world cinema.

High in the Vayots Dzor mountains, Areni-1 Cave is a remarkable window into prehistoric Armenia, where the ingenuity of our ancestors emerges from 6,000 years of preservation. Archaeologists have uncovered an astonishing array of artifacts: pottery, woven fibers, ropes, cloth, and metal tools, revealing that ancient Armenians were skilled farmers, weavers, vintners, and metalworkers long before the pyramids or Stonehenge were built.

Areni-1 is most famous for housing the world’s oldest known winery and wine press, dating back over 6,000 years. The discovery of a large clay treading basin, fermentation jars, and grape remnants shows that these early winemakers were producing wine on an impressive scale. Chemical analyses even confirmed the presence of red wine pigments, cementing Armenia’s place as a pioneering winemaking nation.

The cave also preserved the world’s oldest leather shoe, a 24.5 cm cowhide moccasin carefully stitched for its wearer, alongside ancient burials and even the oldest preserved human brain discovered in the Old World. These finds illustrate that Areni-1 was not only a home and workshop but also a sacred space, where daily life, craftsmanship, and ritual were intricately connected.

Visitors today can imagine barefoot vintners stomping grapes, artisans shaping copper tools, and families honoring ancestors with ceremonial libations. Areni-1 Cave is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and cultural sophistication of ancient Armenians, linking the achievements of the past with the pride and heritage of modern Armenian communities.

Celebrate the ingenuity of our ancestors and explore a story where innovation, artistry, and spirituality converged — all preserved in the dry, cool embrace of Areni-1.

Nestled within the dramatic red cliffs of Vayots Dzor, Noravank Monastery is more than a historical site but a living testament to Armenian faith, artistry, and resilience. Founded in the 12th century under the patronage of the Orbelian princes, Noravank became a center for scholars, calligraphers, and master craftsmen. Its walls and manuscripts carry centuries of devotion and knowledge, showcasing the enduring spirit of Armenia.

The monastery is inseparably linked with Momik, the master sculptor and architect whose genius shaped its most celebrated structures. The Surb Astvatsatsin Church, completed in 1339, features a unique two-story design that invites visitors to climb to the upper chapel, a symbolic ascent from earth to heaven. Surrounding khachkars (cross-stones) — many attributed to Momik — are more than decorative carvings; they are prayers frozen in time, each bloom of stone reflecting eternity and devotion.

Legends of love, betrayal, and human ambition intertwine with Noravank’s architecture. Stories tell of Momik’s tragic romance with a local prince’s daughter and his near-miraculous construction of the monastery, a feat cut short by treachery yet immortalized in stone. Today, visitors still feel the layers of history — from the chants of monks to the chisels of artists — and the way the cliffs themselves seem to participate in the sacred space, their red hues glowing with the passage of the sun.

Noravank is not merely to be seen but to be experienced: a place where nature and human creativity converge, where faith and love are carved into every stone, and where the resilience of Armenian culture resonates across the centuries.

On October 12, the capital city of Yerevan marked its 2807th birthday, a milestone that turned the city into one large celebration of heritage, community, and the future. Festivities began on the evening of October 11 in Diana Abgar Park, where residents and visitors gathered from 18:00 with music, food, and a festive atmosphere.

The main day of October 12 saw performances and activities across multiple districts of Yerevan — from jazz and pop concerts in the Cascade area, to rock music in Diana Abgar Park, culminating in a grand event at Republic Square at 21:00 featuring a light show and fireworks.

The theme for the year, “Erebuni‑Yerevan 2807: A City to Fall in Love With,” emphasized the warmth, culture, and enduring spirit of Armenia’s capital.

Yerevan Fashion Week (Oct 24–26) transformed the city into a hub of creativity at the Meridian Expo Center. Over 20 runway shows, exhibitions, and talks showcased the fusion of Armenian heritage with modern global style.
Designers from Armenia and abroad presented everything from symbolic couture to contemporary streetwear. Beyond the runway, art-inspired exhibits, sustainability showcases, and a 60+ brand pavilion highlighted craftsmanship and innovation.
By drawing international media and fashion professionals, the event affirmed Armenia’s growing influence on the global fashion scene — with Yerevan contributing its own distinct creative voice.

After over a decade, Armenia’s beloved circus returns as the modern Tashir Arena, a state-of-the-art venue in the heart of Yerevan. The reopening features ETERNIA, an international-scale performance with acrobatics, music, lights, and visual effects, telling a story of transformation, love, and adventure.

Produced by Meduse Production Center, the show uses no animals, reflecting global ethical standards. The arena now hosts diverse cultural events, reconnecting Armenians with a treasured part of their childhood while offering a spectacular, modern entertainment experience.

Khelqid dziun ga – Խելքիդ ձյուն գա
Meaning: “Let it snow on your brain” said when someone says or does something unreasonable. Suggests they refresh their thinking.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Fun fact: The name comes “harir sa” — “stir this,” reflects the hours of careful stirring required. Traditionally served on holidays, it symbolizes resilience and community.

Enjoy Harissa with friends and family this November, a taste of history in every bite!

Founded in 1995, Jumpin’ Java evolved from a coffee house into a local culinary gem. Enjoy breakfast all day, California-Mediterranean cuisine, and family-style dishes with personal twists. Favorites include Paris toast, blueberry pancakes, and fresh salads. Chef/Owner Sona Grigorian brings family recipes to life in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

California-based Armenian creative Ani Harutyunyan (@anicaptureslight) is redefining product photography with her colorful, light-driven style and imaginative compositions. Originally from Armenia, Ani began her artistic journey through painting and drawing before discovering her passion for photography and Photoshop. Today, her work combines vibrant color, water elements, and playful minimalism to make everyday products shine in new ways.

Ani’s attention to detail and inventive approach have caught the eye of major beauty brands and inspired a loyal community of creators who admire her editing reels and behind-the-scenes storytelling. Beyond her artistry, Ani stays grounded in her roots and passion for learning, whether she’s experimenting with lighting, traveling, or cooking as a form of therapy.
Her advice for aspiring photographers? “Share your work non-stop, keep learning, and create what makes you happy.”

This month, our music spotlight is on Hye House, a dynamic creative hub and event series based in NYC. Tapping into the vibrant pulse of the city, Hye House curates unforgettable experiences and fosters a powerful sense of community.

Deeply connected to our Armenian roots, they bring together cutting-edge electronic, house, and disco music, creating a unique space that celebrates heritage. They are a key platform for championing emerging DJs and artists, fostering an inclusive community built on breakthrough sounds and a shared, inclusive energy. Follow their journey and catch their next event via their Instagram: @hyehouse.nyc.