The Fowler Museum invites you to the launch of Remain in Light: Visions of Homeland and Diaspora, edited by Gassia Armenian. This powerful collection brings together photography and poetry that illuminate the contemporary Armenian experience both in the homeland and in Los Angeles, where one of the largest Armenian communities in the world resides.

Saturday, October 11, 2025
4:30 PM - 7:00 PM (Pacific Time)
The Fowler Museum at UCLA
308 Charles E Young Drive North
Los Angeles, 90024

This powerful collection brings together photography and poetry that illuminate the contemporary Armenian experience both in the homeland and in Los Angeles, where one of the largest Armenian communities in the world resides.

The book showcases the perspectives of three Los Angeles-based, diaspora-born Armenian photographers—Sossi Madzounian, Ara Mgrdichian, and Ara Oshagan—whose work captures the evolving social fabric of Armenian life, from survival and memory in the homeland to the immigrant experience in the diaspora. Their photographs are paired with evocative poetry by Tina Demirdjian, Arminé Iknadossian, Arthur Kayzakian, Shahé Mankerian, and Raffi Joe Wartanian.

This artistic collaboration reflects on Armenian migrations to California, from the late 1800s through waves following the 1915 genocide, Soviet-era displacement, and more recent movement from the Middle East and Iran. Each generation has worked to preserve and reinterpret cultural traditions, language, and identity across new geographies.

Join us for an afternoon of poetry reading and Armenian music, including a premier of a musical interlude of Armenian melodies performed by Garo Hussenjian on his hand pan. Books will be available for purchase and signing for $45. Light refreshments to follow.

Sponsor(s): The Promise Armenian Institute, Fowler Museum at UCLA