Governor Brian Sandoval designated April 19-26 as “Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,” and this week is the first week of operation for the Republic of Armenia in Las Vegas, or the honorary Armenian consulate.
It may have been coincidence for the two-year project to fall on such a landmark and solemn anniversary, as April 24 marks 100 years since the start of the Armenian Genocide.
The honorary consulate is the second honorary office, the other in Fresno, Calif., and joins American’s Consulate General in Los Angeles as only the third Armenian Republic in the United States.
Andy Armenian, honorary consul of the Republic of Armenia in Las Vegas, said many Armenian-Americans have relocated to Las Vegas from California, either for retirement or other business opportunities.
There are about 20,000 Armenian-Americans in Las Vegas. And several notable families have been in that mix – such as legendary and late basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, and MGM Founder Kirk Kerkorian.
The office will not only serve as a cultural center for the Armenian-American population in Las Vegas, but eventually will offer passport and visa services for visiting travelers – a number Armenian estimates to be about 250,000 annual visitors.
Andy Armenian, honorary consul, Republic of Armenia in Las Vegas