The annual Armenian Madagh Picnic is scheduled for June 27 at St. Hagop Church in Racine

Or via this Go Fund Me page at:

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/sthagop2021madagh

Also visit this site to watch an amazing 25 minute multimedia video created by Tali Gelenian from “Madagh”, an Armenian cultural tradition in Racine, Wisconsin: https://racinearmenianmadagh.wordpress.com. (This video was part of Tali’s honors thesis work at the University of Vermont.)

Similar to last year’s event, the church will print any donation and message received by June 1, 2021 on a thank you card that will be distributed to us along with the Madagh and Bulgur pilaf served on the day of the event. event.

In addition, the church will post any donations and messages received at any time on the Armenian “Madagh” Facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Event/Armenian-Madagh-Picnic-St-Hago
p-Racine-Wisconsin Church-250610052493495 /

Madagh is also what Armenians called the stew that is prepared for the event, traditionally made with lamb (or beef) to represent the ram that God asked Abraham to offer instead of his son. , Isaac. Madagh Stew is cooked in open fireplaces and provided free of charge by the church in a spirit of charity, good faith and brotherhood to all.

“On behalf of St. Hagop Armenian Church, we would like to thank everyone in advance for their continued support during these difficult times. Although once again we will not have the opportunity to reunite as one big “Armenian family” at Johnson Park this year, our sincere hope and desire is that we can all symbolically “break bread together” via our June event to continue our 83-year tradition of Armenian family, friends and hospitality, ”adds Khaligian.

If you have any questions or would like to become a sponsor of this year’s event, please contact Zohrab Khaligian at [email protected]. “Our goal this year is to make sure that we provide each donor with the appropriate name recognition to support our church,” he adds.

“It’s my favorite day of the year. What could be better than spending a beautiful summer day with friends and family, eating authentic Armenian food and treats, music and dancing, snacks / drinks for the kids … the list is really long! Don’t miss the free offering in the morning (beef / rice stew) and the children’s entertainment in the afternoon (balloon animals, face painting). always a day, inviting my family and friends… bring your lawn chairs, soccer balls / Frisbees, pets and have fun, ”said supporter Nora Fronjian.

There are many delicious recipes that St. Hagop Armenian Church prepares for the picnic, but for bakers looking to expand their bread repertoire, katah is a great place to start. It is one of the most popular breads, and this particular katah recipe is a story of community and resilience that St. Hagop Church continues to celebrate. “This recipe was brought to Racine by Armenian women from the villages of Tomarza, Khapert and Jujun in the Anatolian region of present-day Turkey. They were among the displaced Armenians who fled their homeland during the 1915 genocide, ”writes Tali Galenian. (See: https://mirrorspectator.com/2021/03/04/breaking-bread-with-armenian-katah/)

“These women and their families gathered in Racine, a small industrial town in the far southeastern corner of Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Michigan. Since then, these recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, largely by word of mouth, until they are finally captured and immortalized in a collective community cookbook, Cooking like mom.

For the recipe, see: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/katah-butter-layered-armenian-pastry-recipe

ORDER TODAY: Cooking Like Mama is available from St. Hagop. If you would like to purchase a copy, please contact Cookbook Custodian Denise Lansing at (262) 672-9265. The cost is $ 25 plus shipping and handling, with all proceeds going to St. Hagop.

Year after year, Cooking Like Mama meals have brought people together to honor the history of the Racine community. While you try St. Hagop’s famous katah recipe, the church invites you to listen to traditional Armenian music on: “Yerkel: A collection of Armenian Folk Songs”, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZxxMKY_Mg4

The references:

Madagh Video Project:

https://racinearmenianmadagh.wordpress.com/

Katah’s blog post:

https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/…/breaking-bread-armenian-...

Katah recipe:

https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/…/katah-butter-layered-arm...

See: