Activities

April 24 Protest

For over two decades, the AYF has organized an annual protest in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles on April 24th, the international day of commemoration for the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide. The demonstration is a symbolic focal point for the community and represents the AYF’s year-long struggle to gain proper recognition and restitution for the crime of genocide perpetrated by the Turkish government.

Dinner Dance

It has become a tradition for the AYF-Western Region to celebrate its anniversary every year with a large-scale dinner dance. Alongside serving the goal of celebrating the organization’s accomplishments throughout the year, the dinner dance  is an opportunity to celebrate Armenian culture and provide a fun environment for hundreds of young Armenians to socialize and interact.

Educational Seminar

Every winter the AYF holds its Annual Educational Seminar at AYF Camp, where members from all chapters have the opportunity to come together in a fraternal and social atmosphere to learn more about our history, political struggles, and current events.

Olympics

Hundreds of members from throughout the region annually turn out for the AYF-Western Region Olympics and compete against each other in various sports such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Aside from the tournaments, a special victory barahantes celebrating the tradition of the Olympics is held every year for athletes, friends and alumni alike.

Quiz Bowl

Since 2006, the Crescenta Valley “Zartonk” Chapter has hosted a special educational Quiz Bowl, pitting chapters against one another in a friendly competition over such topics as history, culture, and current events. Past themes have included the February Rebellion of 1921, the rebirth of Armenian nationalism during the Soviet Era, the role of women in the Armenian revolutionary movement, and the Armenian Zartonk (political/cultural awakening) of the 18th and 19th century.