PRESS RELEASE
The Hamazkayin Central Executive of the Western USA
Contact:
Ara Oshagan/Oshagan Family Foundation at 818-679-2226
(ara@araoshagan.com)
Hrayr Sherikian/Hamazkayin at 818-427-3916
(HSherikian@Hamazkayin.net).
Elizabet h Grigorian at 818-546-2821 (elizgrigorian@earthlink.net)
The debut of Jamporte (the traveler) & A Day with Vahe Oshagan
A new book of poetry and a day-long international conference
September 17, 2006
Glendale, CA-On Friday evening and all day Saturday, September 22
and 23, two major events devoted to Vahe Oshagan-one of the Armenian
Nation’s most important literary figures of the 20th century-will
be held at the Glendale Public Library Auditorium. Friday will mark
the debut of Oshagan’s latest book of poetry, Jamporte, and Saturday
will feature a day-long international conference exploring Oshagan’s
literary work and life.
On Friday evening, Sept 22, 2006, at 7 p.m., a milestone publication
will be presented. Vahe Oshagan’s Jamporte (the traveler), a
100-page poetic oeuvre, will be presented and discussed by literary
critic and poet, Maroush Yeramian from Aleppo, Syria. This poem is
the culmination of Oshagan’s decades-long exploration of the human
condition, laying bare and probing in-depth his ideas of existential
man, the traveler through life, and his place in the universe.
The next day, Saturday, September 23, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
will be "A Day with Vahe Oshagan." Scholars and speakers will examine
and discuss various aspects of Vahe Oshagan’s work and literary
ideas and artists in several media will present and interpret his
writings and life. The day will be spent not only analyzing
Oshagan’s work but also in hearing, seeing and experiencing his
literature and ideas.
"A Day with Vahe Oshagan" will feature some of the best literary
minds of our times as they consider Vahe Oshagan’s literary and
cultural oeuvre and his impact on Armenian literature. Krikor
Beledian-poet, novelist and literary critic-will reflect upon
Oshagan’s poetry. Gourgen Arzoumanian, LA-based editor and writer,
will discuss Oshagan’s prose work-short stories and novellas. Marc
Nichanian, literary critic and professor at New York’s Columbia
University, will speak about Oshagan’s theatrical works-an
understudied but crucial genre in Oshagan’s literature. Raffi
Ajemian, writer and literary essayist, will take up Oshagan’s
influential literary criticism and analysis-also a topic rarely
studied. And finally, Vrej-Armen Artinian, editor and critic from
Montreal, will explore Oshagan’s role as one of the Armenian
Nation’s preeminent intellectuals.
The day will include staged readings-by several actors and
readers-of Oshagan’s poetry, prose and theatrical work as well as
unique audio recordings of the author reading his own work. A
multi-faceted photographic portrait of Oshagan will be presented by
his son, photographer Ara Oshagan. Hrayr Anmahouni, artist and
filmmaker, will present a documentary about Oshagan’s writings and
life. Throughout the day, his presence will also be seen and heard
via short audio-visual presentations featuring him speaking about his
own life and work.
The publication of Jamporte is the first in a series of Oshagan’s
works to be published posthumously. And this day-long conference is
the first step in the process of understanding his crucial
contribution to 20th century Armenian literature and letters.
The presentation of Jamporte and "A Day with Vahe Oshagan" have been
initiated by the Oshagan Family Foundation and are sponsored by the
Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society of Western U.S.A.
Regional Executive. The organizing committee consists of Elizabeth
Grigorian, Hrayr Sherikian and Ara Oshagan.
The Oshagan Family Foundation, founded in 2006, is the repository of
the Oshagan family legacy. Its purpose is to publish, promote and
disseminate works of literature and art by the Oshagan family.
The Hamazkayin Educational & Cultural Society, founded in 1928,
continues to fulfill its worldwide endeavor to nourish those who
enrich the Armenian culture. The Western U.S.A. Regional Executive
appreciates your support and participation to celebrate the life of a
long time member, intellect and writer.
Admission to both events is free and the public is cordially invited
to attend. On Saturday, lunch will be served. Both events will be in
the Armenian language only. The Glendale Public Library Auditorium is
located at 222 E. Harvard St, Glendale, CA, 91205.
Ara Oshagan
818.679.2226
ara@araoshagan.com
www.araosh agan.com