SPECIAL WEEK FOR LOCAL ARMENIANS
by Felicia Cousart Matlosz
Fresno Bee
February 26, 2008 Tuesday
California
Culture minister visits for folk ensemble and Saroyan celebration.
The vice minister of culture for Armenia is spending a few days
in Fresno this week, drawn by a performance tonight of a renowned
Armenian folk ensemble and the centennial celebration of William
Saroyan’s birth in Fresno.
Karine Khoudikyan will attend this evening’s presentation by The
Shoghaken Folk Ensemble of Armenia at Fresno State. The group,
founded in 1991, is considered one of the preeminent traditional music
ensembles in Armenia. The musicians use only traditional Armenian
instruments to maintain an authentic sound. They are currently on a
tour through the United States and Canada, including a performance
last month in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Barlow Der Mugrdechian, a lecturer in the Armenian Studies Program
at California State University, Fresno, says the vice minister wanted
to see the program as well as learn more about the Saroyan centennial
festivities scheduled this year in Fresno and the Central Valley.
Saroyan — famous for works as "The Human Comedy" and "My Name is Aram"
— was born in Fresno in 1908 and died in the city in 1981.
During his life, he visited his ancestors’ homeland in Armenia.
The writer, who earned awards that included the Pulitzer Prize and
an Academy Award, still is much revered in Armenia. Der Mugrdechian
says centennial events honoring Saroyan are planned in that country.
"He’s very big. He’s very popular," Der Mugrdechian says. "People
really know and respect him."
The vice minister arrived this weekend and is scheduled to stay
through Saturday. During her visit, Der Mugrdechian says she will
meet with different groups and check out other Saroyan-related
activities. Tonight’s performance is presented by the Armenian Studies
Program in cooperation with the Knights and Daughters of Vartan and
the Fresno chapter of the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
As Der Mugrdechian says, "I think it’s important that she sees
the place where William Saroyan was born and lived the majority of
his life."
The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559)
441-6428.
INFOBOX
If you go
What: The Shoghaken Folk Ensemble of Armenia When: 8 p.m. today Where:
Satellite Student Union at Fresno State, Shaw and Cedar avenues
Details: (559) 278-2669 or (559) 431-5259