Orange County Armenian Community to Mark 111th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma to deliver keynote address at countywide commemoration on April 22; memorial project at Irvine Great Park advances toward 2028 installation
Santa Ana, CA — For Immediate Release | April 2, 2026
The Orange County Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee (OC AGMC) will host a countywide commemoration of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the OC Armenian Center in Santa Ana. The evening will bring together community members, elected officials, clergy, students, and all who stand for remembrance and human dignity in a solemn tribute to the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during the Genocide of 1915–1923.
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma will serve as the keynote speaker, joined by Orange County elected officials and leaders from across the Armenian American community. Students from local Armenian schools will present performances honoring the memory of the victims and the enduring spirit of the Armenian people. The evening will also feature the maquette of the Armenian Genocide Memorial sculpture, offering attendees their first in-person look at sculptor Brittany Ryan’s vision for the monument that will stand in the Heart of the Park at Irvine Great Park.
Armenian Genocide Commemoration
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: OC Armenian Center — 5305 W. McFadden Ave, Santa Ana, CA
Hosted by: OC Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee
Admission: Open to the public
The commemoration comes at a moment of significant progress for Orange County’s Armenian American community. In October 2024, the Irvine Great Park Board approved the schematic design and budget for the Orange County Armenian Genocide Memorial—the first public Armenian Genocide memorial in the county—to be located in the Heart of the Park at the Irvine Great Park.
In January 2026, the OC AGMC executed a Preliminary Design and Project Agreement with acclaimed sculptor Brittany Ryan of Laguna Beach. Ryan, whose public commissions include a monumental Marine Corps War Memorial for the City of Laguna Hills, is now developing the conceptual design and a twelve-inch maquette for the memorial sculpture, to be completed this spring.
The proposed sculpture will depict a mother holding a small child with cranes in flight around them—symbolizing survival, memory, protection, and the transmission of life and history across generations. Set upon a mosaic rug of traditional Armenian design within a twenty-foot circular pad, the eleven-foot bronze sculpture will serve as a permanent place of remembrance, reflection, and education for all of Orange County’s 3.2 million residents and visitors.
“This commemoration is both a moment of remembrance and a moment of resolve. As we honor the 1.5 million lives lost, we also mark the progress our community has made toward building a permanent memorial in Orange County—a place where future generations can bear witness and stand against indifference.”— Dr. Kev Abazajian, President, OC Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee
The memorial project has a total budget of $600,000 to $900,000, to be raised through community fundraising over a three-year period. The OC AGMC was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in April 2025, and installation is planned to coincide with the opening of the Heart of the Park in early 2028.
The City of Irvine has supported the memorial effort since 2023, when the Irvine City Council directed staff to work with the Armenian community on its development. In April 2025, Mayor Larry Agran, Vice Mayor James Mai, and Councilmembers Melinda Liu and William Go formally recognized the community’s efforts in a special Council session. The City of Irvine proclaimed April 24 of every year as a day of remembrance for the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
The OC AGMC represents more than twenty Armenian American organizations across Orange County, encompassing both Armenian Apostolic churches in the region, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and civic groups.
Participating Organizations
ARF Orange County Armen Karo Chapter · Forty Martyrs Armenian Church · St. Mary Armenian Church · AGM Armenian School · ANCA OC · AGBU OC Saturday School · ARS Karni & Saturday School · ARS Sevan & Saturday School · AYF Aghpiur Serop Juniors · AYF Ashod Yergat · Daughters of Vartan Anoush Lodge · Forty Martyrs Ladies Auxiliary · Hamazkayin Siamanto · Homenetmen Sartarabad · Knights of Vartan Vahan Lodge · OC Armenian Center · OC Armenian Professional Society
Media Contact
Dr. Kev Abazajian, President
Orange County Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee
committee@ocagm.org | (949) 424-5141
