Chitjian Foundation Ribbon Cutting
Honoring the Legacy of Zaruhy Sara Chitjian: A Life Dedicated to Armenian Heritage
In 2013, I was introduced to Zaruhy Sara Chitjian by my longtime friend and collaborator, Father Vazken Movsesian, priest of the Armenian Church. Father Vazken, who had known Sara for nearly two decades and officiated the funerals of her parents, recognized in her a kindred spirit of purpose and passion. At that time, Sara was one of the main patrons behind the 100th Anniversary Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, an immersive exhibition I was commissioned to create for the church and broader community.
That project wove together the deeply personal stories of genocide survivors with a message of light, healing, and human interconnection, themes that lay at the heart of both the ancient Armenian Church and our creative collaboration. The success of that endeavor marked the beginning of a meaningful partnership and friendship between Sara and myself.
When she later asked me to help realize her lifelong vision, a vast and intricate preservation of her family’s story and Armenian heritage, I agreed without fully realizing the magnitude of what lay ahead. What began as a creative commission soon evolved into a profound journey of discovery, learning, and shared devotion. Through her mentorship, I gained a deeper understanding of Armenian roots, ancient regional archaeology, and the cultural and political fabric that shapes the Armenian people.
Under her guidance, Beylerian Studio embarked on an extraordinary archival undertaking, organizing thousands of documents, photographs, artifacts, and writings she had amassed over a lifetime of scholarship and passion. We brought design, structure, and clarity to her life’s work, while honoring the intellectual rigor and academic integrity that defined her as an educator.
Our collaboration continued until the final months of her life, during which we worked closely to ensure her vision would find lasting form. That vision has now been beautifully realized through the establishment of The Chitjian Foundation Archives and Room at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), a permanent home for her and her family’s legacy.
On October 14, 2025, Father Vazken and I had the privilege of attending the official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony at CSUN. The event, hosted by the university’s Armenian Studies Program, honored Zaruhy Sara Chitjian and her parents, Hampartzoum and Ovsanna, who survived the Armenian Genocide and went on to rebuild their lives with extraordinary resilience and love.
Housed in Sierra Tower Room 404, the collection spans the Chitjian family’s journey, from their origins before the 1915 genocide, through their years in Mexico City, and ultimately to Los Angeles. It includes letters written during the genocide, personal artifacts, recordings, and rare photographs documenting encounters with prominent Armenian figures.
“The Chitjian family collection contributes to the study of Armenian cultural history at the micro level,” said Dr. Vahram Shemmassian, Professor and Director of CSUN’s Armenian Studies Program. “It also opens new venues for understanding the Armenian Genocide by humanizing the calamity, rather than reducing it to statistics and events.”
Beyond its historical significance, the Chitjian collection represents a deeply personal testimony of endurance and identity. As Ellen Jarosz, Head of CSUN’s Special Collections and Archives, noted, “Archives like the Chitjian family’s provide unique and personal evidence of how individuals experience historical events, offering researchers and community members invaluable insight for generations to come.”
Sara’s dedication extended far beyond curating her family’s story. Before her passing in 2022, she bequeathed two-thirds of her estate to CSUN, ensuring that future generations would continue to study and celebrate Armenian culture through expanded resources and education.
As I stood at the dedication ceremony beside Father Vazken, witnessing the unveiling of what Sara had envisioned for so many years, I felt a deep sense of completion, a full circle of love, remembrance, and purpose. Sara’s spirit continues to illuminate the path for all who seek to understand not only the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide but the enduring beauty, creativity, and strength of the Armenian people.
My heart remains forever touched by her friendship, her wisdom, and her unwavering devotion to truth and heritage, gifts that will continue to inspire all who encounter her legacy through the Chitjian Foundation Archives.
Click Here To Learn More About The Chitjian Foundation Project.
