San Bernardino Sun, CA
Los Angeles Daily News
Oct 2 2005
Development of Armenian alphabet focus of new exhibition
Alex Dobuzinskis, Staff Writer
GLENDALE – The Armenian alphabet was created 1,600 years ago by
Mesrop Mashtots, a monk, theologian and linguist who was interested
in translating the Bible into native tongue.
The alphabet strengthened Armenia’s church and its kingdom and
started a national literature that continues today.
The Glendale Central Library opened Saturday a monthlong display on
the development of the Armenian alphabet, one of several planned for
this month in the Glendale area.
“What it’s made me realize is the significance of the book and the
significance of writing to the Armenian culture,” said Nancy
Hunt-Coffey, Glendale’s director of libraries.
“Writing and the manuscripts are valued in the same way that we value
priceless works of art. The writing is sort of inextricably tied to
(Armenian) cultural development in the same way that the great
artists are tied to western development.”
The display features dozens of books and more than 50 pieces of art,
including prints, sculptures and pottery. Material for the display
comes from the Matenadaran book depository in Armenia.
Armenian alphabet expert Nona Manoukian from the Glendale Public
Library visited Matenadaran recently and brought back the material.
The display, which runs through Oct. 31, also highlights the Glendale
Public Library’s acquisition nearly a year ago of 12,500 Armenian
books donated by the now defunct American Armenian International
College in La Verne.
Librarians are still going through the collection and have begun
putting some of the books on shelves. Some of the more academic books
will go to local universities. The library had 4,000 Armenian books
before the donation.
“It’s a tremendous infusion of resources that are in high demand,”
Hunt-Coffey said.
Today, the Alex Theatre will host a celebration of the 1,600th
anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet.
The free program is presented by the Hamazkayin Educational &
Cultural Society, and it will feature keynote speakers from UCLA and
UC Berkeley and performances by dancers and musicians.
On Oct. 6, His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, will visit the Homenetmen
Glendale Ararat Chapter for the opening of its exhibition on the
Armenian alphabet.
The exhibition will be open to the public from Oct. 7-9.
“Since its creation, the letters were never changed or reformed,
making the Armenian language one of the most extremely precise
languages,” said Armond Gorgorian, executive director of the
Homenetmen chapter.
Homenetmen is an an international Armenian youth organization.
IF YOU GO
A display of Armenian arts and culture runs through Oct. 31 at the
Glendale Central Library, 222 E. Harvard St.
The Hamazkayin Educational & Cultural Society will present a
Celebration of the 1,600th Anniversary of the Armenian Alphabet, 6
p.m. today at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Free.
The Homenetmen art exhibition on the Armenian alphabet will open to
the public Oct. 7-9 at Homenetmen’s Ararat Chapter, 3347 N. San
Fernando Road, Los Angeles. His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia, will mark the opening of the exhibit at an
invitation-only ceremony at 7 p.m. Oct. 6.