Armenian Summer Festival in Barsdall Park Delights Community, Promotes Cultural Diversity

HOLLYWOOD, CA – To kick off the beginning of the Summer season, the Nor Serount (New Generation) Cultural Association, held its first ever Armenian Summer Festival at Barnsdall Park on Sunday, June 8.

An eclectic and diverse crowd of families, senior citizens and adolescents enjoyed a day-long celebration of the Armenian cultural identity while listening to Armenian music, enjoying Armenian cuisine and visiting display booths showcasing various cultural items such as historical posters, paintings and rugs. Following the Summer Festival day activities was the Nor Serount Cultural Association’s youth dance ensemble performance, where children as young as four, dazzled the audience with traditional and modern Armenian and international dances at the Barnsdall Art Theater.

Among the dignitaries who attended the event were Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell and Mary Manoukian, representing Assemblyman Mike Gatto. Councilmember O’Farrell presented a proclamation honoring Nor Serount for its outstanding service to the community. He received a big round applause for praising the organization for supporting and promoting the arts and expressed his appreciation of the organization’s commitment to cultural arts as a former professional dancer.

“We are very happy with the successful turnout of the Armenian summer cultural festival and the commencement of Nor Serount’s 60th anniversary celebration festivities,” said Harut Der Tavitian, Chairman of the Nor Serount Cultural Association. “Many spectators, including non-Armenians, were very interested in the rugs, tapestry and vintage posters that we had displayed in the booths and of course, who could resist delicious Armenian food? Our goal was to engage the Armenian-American community in Hollywood and neighboring cities in a cultural event, as well as showcase our culture and heritage to our non-Armenian neighbors and friends. Overall, the event was a smash success,” he added.

The Nor Serount Cultural Association is dedicated to educate Armenian youth about their culture while teaching them to appreciate other cultures, and to introduce the Armenian culture to non-Armenians in pursuit of promoting diversity and harmony.