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PRESS RELEASE

Friday, November 13, 2009

Writers’ Union of Armenia Opens a Printing House with AGBU’s Help

Continuing its strong support of cultural programs, particularly its
contribution to the development of Armenian literature and book
publishing both in Armenia and the diaspora, the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) has expanded its cooperation with the Writers’
Union of Armenia. With the financial support of AGBU, WUA has published
works of Armenian writers and organized pan-Armenian conferences.

With a new initiative to promote book publishing, Armenian General
Benevolent Union has sponsored the establishment of a printing house at
the Writers’ Union of Armenia, which will carry the name of prominent
Armenian-American writer Levon Zaven Surmelian. Funds have been provided
by the "AGBU Levon Zaven Surmelian Fund" for the purchase of the
necessary printing equipment. Months ago, the same fund had also
sponsored the publication of Levon Zaven Surmelian’s textbook,
Techniques of Prose: Measure and Madness, in Eastern Armenian as part of
the "History of Literature: XX Century" series.

The official opening ceremony of the "AGBU Levon Zaven Surmelian
Printing House" took place at the Writers’ Union of Armenia on November
3 with the participation of AGBU President Berge Setrakian and WUA
Chairman Levon Ananian.

"Having our own printing house has been the dream of our writers for
decades. Even in Soviet times we could not realize this dream. And
today, despite all the hardships, despite the global economic crisis,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union extended a helping hand and so we
have our modern printing house. Surmelian is one of our prominent
writers and his name will be on every book published here," said Ananian
during his speech.

"Levon Zaven Surmelian was a great writer and a great philanthropist.
This is our tribute of respect to keep his memory alive in his
homeland," said Setrakian. He highlighted the efforts of Torkom
Postajian, Surmelian’s executor, towards the creation of the newly
opened printing house.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.