CROWD ENJOYS TASTE OF ARMENIAN CULTURE
By Jennifer Abel

New Britain Herald
09/05/31/news/doc4a233723f34b0096088372.txt
May 31 2009
CT

NEW BRITAIN — The stereotypical librarian loves silence and
runs through the library hissing "Hush!" or "Be quiet!" whenever
anyone dares make a sound. But New Britain librarian Linda McNair
completely defied this stereotype Saturday, and encouraged people
to make lots of noise. Armenian noise, to be exact, since Saturday
was the grand climax of the library’s month-long "World of Words"
festival celebrating Armenian culture.

Despite the beautiful sunny weather Saturday afternoon, around
100 people crowded into the library’s Community Room to enjoy the
"Armenian Cafe," featuring traditional Armenian food, needlework,
handicrafts and music.

"We’ve had a great turnout," McNair said. "Just amazing. And so many
people brought so much delicious food. We already had our own, but
people brought more."

Four musicians played traditional Armenian music. Jimmy "King"
Shahrigian played bass viol, while Harry Bedrossian played an unusual
stringed instrument. What’s that instrument called?

"If I told you, we’d have to break your legs," Bedrossian joked. "No,
it’s called an ‘oud.’ Think of the word ‘good,’ and then drop the
‘g.’ That’s how it’s pronounced."

Next to him sat Roger Derderian with an equally exotic stringed
instrument called a ‘kanoun.’ "It was invented in the ninth century
by a Persian mathematician named Faraby," he said.

"It’s the progenitor to today’s harpsichord or piano," he said. "See,
put keys on one side of it and that is a piano."

Rounding out the quartet was Gary Houhanessian, keeping the beat on
a small silver drum.

McNair manned the food table, and in addition to a variety of pastries
and other treats, there were two objects that looked like elaborately
carved wooden spoons. Little stickers on those spoons had the word
"Mamool."

"They use these as molds to make cookies," said reference librarian
Danielle Tapper. "But I can’t show you those. They’ve all been eaten."

McNair surveyed the scene with a satisfied smile. "This has been
a wonderful group of people supporting the program and celebrating
Armenian culture," she said.