Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE October 4, 2012
Contact: William Bairamian
Tel: 818-500-1918
BOHJALIAN TO BE HONORED WITH ARTS AND LETTERS AWARD AT ANCA-WR BANQUET
GLENDALE – Chris Bohjalian, a critically-acclaimed New York Times
bestselling author, will be honored with the ANCA-Western Region Arts
and Letters Award at its Annual Banquet on October 28 at the Beverly
Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Bohjalian’s latest book, The
Sandcastle Girls, was launched in Los Angeles this summer at a
luncheon organized by the ANCA-WR and went on to debut at #7 on the
New York Times bestseller list. It also appeared on the Publishers’
Weekly, USA Today, and national Independent Bookstore bestseller
lists.
“I hoped that ‘The Sandcastle Girls’ would educate people to the
reality of the Armenian Genocide, but I never expected the groundswell
of interest from readers across the United States who were unfamiliar
with our story. Likewise, I have been overwhelmed by the support of
the Armenian community — here and around the world. This particular
honor leaves me humbled and moved — and deeply and profoundly
grateful,” remarked Bohjalian after learning of the award.
Bohjalian, who has penned fourteen novels, including four other New
York Times bestsellers, has called The Sandcastle Girls `the most
important book he will ever write.’ His novel, Midwives, was a number
one New York Times bestseller and was turned into a movie, in addition
to two others, `Secrets of Eden’ and `Past the Bleachers.’
`Mr. Bohjalian deftly uses his extraordinary writing talent to tell
the story of the Armenian Genocide in The Sandcastle Girls, making a
significant contribution to the rich literature on this historical
tragedy,’ said ANCA-WR Co-Chair Chris Guldjian. `The Arts and Letters
Award, which Mr. Bohjalian is receiving, recognizes the immense impact
this work has had, and will undoubtedly continue to have, on the
American public.’
In July of this year, hundreds of attendees from the Los Angeles area
welcomed Bohjalian as he was joined by the ANCA Grassroots Film and
the Arts Committee, The Genocide Education Project and Doubleday Books
in launching the national tour for his latest novel `The Sandcastle
Girls.’ Similar events were held by the ANCA in San Francisco, New
Jersey, and on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
The 2012 ANCA-WR Annual Banquet will also feature Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid receiving the Freedom Award, Dr. Rubina Peroomian
receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Rev. Joseph D. Matossian
receiving the Khrimian Hayrig Award, and Varant Melkonian receiving
the Legacy Award. The Banquet is the premiere
gathering of the Armenian American community and will take place on
Sunday, October 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA.
To reserve seats, visit ancawr.org/banquet. For all other inquiries,
please call 818-533-8587.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.
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Attached: Two photos of Chris Bohjalian