Mahseredjian1

Mayda Mahseredjian
Professor Lawson
English 113b
8 May 2015
1445 Word Count
Project Space Rough Draft
Throughout the years we Armenians have always tried to put ourselves
out there because we have been looked down up caused by false
accusations. For example if one hears the word Armenian, they think Kim
Kardashian. Every year we push ourselves to try harder and harder to show
the world we truly are. Whether it is done through protests or small
traditional events, we find a way to show the world. In 1915 the Turkish
Government massacred the Armenians and majority survived and fled across
the world. Little did they know we are multiplying each year and educating
our generation about the past, therefore each area or building that has to do
with Armenian culture is strongly meaningful to us. A small street in
Hollywood Blvd, CA, provides three key components of what the Armenian
art consists of: a bakery, a church, and a private Armenian school. Keep in
mind that these three elements are all on one street. Even though each form
of expression might seem like another culture to an outside, it not only has a
powerful meaning, but also a huge impact on who we are.
I would like to start off with the bakery and not because its the finest
in Hollywood, but because it is the first thing your eye catches while turning
from the street. I could not attend the bakery alone, otherwise my mother

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would have been furious because it is her second favorite bakery in LA. This
place was known as Taron Bakery. They are known for their delicious cheese
melt otherwise known as boureg as well as the Armenian Pizza or
lehmajoun. Walking in and having the fresh smell of break hit your face just
makes your body weak. Especially if youre walking in on an empty stomach.
Aside from the smell, the dcor was built in a way to remind us of back home
and show the non-Armenians what home means to us. Then entrance wasnt
the only place with traditional designs, the cooking space was also created
just like how people back then would bake. The menu for instance, isnt
written or typed in modern format. The writing is engraved on wood to make
it look identical to how it was back in the days. Speaking of menus, this
bakery surprisingly has decent prices. Usually an Armenian dish would be
pricy but it all depends on what is being ordered. This bakery sells a cheese
melt for $1.50 each, a bakery near my house charges $1.99 for the exact
same meal. Some argue and state it is better to pay more for something
delicious, but I disagree because this bakery is one of the most popular
Armenian bakeries in Los Angeles. Aside from the price range, I noticed an
old man picking up his order and I paid attention to what the cashier was
handing him. He ordered three cheese melts and two meneyish (another
type of Armenian pizza). This man was either about to devour it all by
himself, or he was taking it to his family for a traditional Saturday morning
breakfast with tea.

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I had the chance to talk to the owner for a couple minutes and ask him
a couple questions. My first question was about the shop. I was interested in
knowing why a bakery. His response brought a smile to my mothers face as
well as mine. Its what I love and I do it for my people all of LA, he said. My
other question had to do with what made this place feel at home. He
responded by explaining how all the employees are very close and on top of
that very friendly to any customer. He also explained how the menu is
straight forward and simple, nothing out of the ordinary. One thing that I
realized after this mini interview was that this man had pride, something
many of us do not have about our culture.
Once our breakfast was finished, we decided to walk a couple
apartments down to reach the church because that was our next closest
stop. My plan was not to talk to anyone, just to have a casual observation,
but that didnt work out. We saw familiar faces and we had to say hello which
led to the explaining what I was doing at church on a Saturday morning (not
something my mother or I usually do). Once I was finished with what I was
doing at church, they had a bright smile across their face. Their reaction
touched me. While everyone was walking out, my mom and I walked in. as
she lit a couple of candles, I was spotted the beauty of the church. The way
the light passed through the glass art on the wall brought me in awe. The
quiet and calm scenery was like the cherry on top. Being a Saturday the
priest was not there and from what I know, an Armenian church only speaks
Armenian. No other language is spoken while preaching the word of Jesus

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Christ. However some have Armenian/English written bibles and (books with
songs). Walking out. I took a glance at the church and its outside dcor. An
Armenian church is identical to the ones in Armenia. It is built just the way
churches back home. Almost as if it were copy and pasted. I find it amazing
how each religion and its worship area have a different style.
Right across the church was a private school called Rose and Alex
Pilibos Armenain School. It was named after rose and Alex who founded the
school in 1969. This school, like many other schools, is connected with the
church. Usually on special occasions all the students line up and sit inside
the church while the priest start their preaching. I was hoping the school
administration would be open on Saturday because I wanted to get a few
words from my friends mother who is the principal of that school. Sadly, it
was closed. But, from what I remember every detail as if I had been there
yesterday. There is a basketball court in between two buildings and a large
gym right next to it. The large gym has a door opening to a stairway leading
to the gym. It starts off high level, but as soon as the doors open there are
stairs leading downstairs to the large gym. It starts off high level, but as soon
as the doors open there are stairs leading downstairs to the large shiny
courts. The reason I remember this school is because my childhood was
mostly at this gym even though my school was located in a different area.
Being in a sport as a child gives one the opportunity to play many different
schools, private or non- private. While playing in different schools, you get a
chance to compare both schools. Even though this high school was not the

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school I attended, I already know that all Armenian private schools teach
English, Armenian, and Armenian History. Unlike other schools where Spanish
is taught. On special religious occasions the principal cancels all classes for
all grades and the students attend the church that is connected with their
school and later on go home. I know this information because my friends
attended two different Armenian schools and she did not feel a difference;
except her classmates and teachers.
Living in America we are exposed to many different types of cultures
and traditions and everyone has their own specific relationship with a
culture. There are thousands of restaurants for example who try their best to
remind the people of their culture and hometown. Some try and do not
succeed because it is under the term Americanized, but some succeed and
being in that restaurant makes one feel like they are sitting at a restaurant
back in their country. Three components that I had mentioned earlier might
not be a restaurant but all being on one street is bigger than that.
Before choosing my project space location, I had two options, either
Hollywood Blvd or this location. Now I look back and I think how could I have
had to choose between an area that I found cool between that was not only a
part of me but also apart of who I was and my family. In the future it is up to
the up to the younger generation to do more than we do now. But how will
they know what we do? That is what we and the old traditions that are kept
until today come in as role models and explain the true meaning of being an
Armenian.