AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: press@agbu.org
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, May 10, 2010

AGBU Montevideo Hosts "Damascos en Flor" Book Launch in Punta Del Este

AGBU Montevideo and Botella al Mar Editions held a book launch of the
Armenian-Argentine author Alicia Bederian-Arcani’s new novel,
"Damascos En Flor," on February 1, 2010 in Punta del Este,
Uruguay. The event, held in the auditorium of the Apart Hotel Punta
Sol, drew guests from various AGBU chapters, members of the Board of
Directors, fellow writers, friends and relatives of the author.

The Argentine poet Alfredo Villegas Oromí opened with a discussion of
cultural perspectives on the Armenian Genocide. Montevideo’s Chapter
Chairman, Gustavo Zulamian, followed with a brief lecture about the
historical details of the Genocide, and spoke at length about the
value of personal history in relaying collective history. "The life of
a man – any of our grandparents’ lives – symbolizes the life of the
whole Armenian people," Zulamian said. This particular idea generated
a great deal of interest and discussion among members of the audience.

Alicia Bederian-Arcani described "Damascos En Flor" (Damascus in
Bloom) as a tribute to her parents and every immigrant who has been
united by the lack of choice. "The main character of the book closely
refers to me and my own life, but I decided to call her by another
name so as not to limit her, so she could fly, so she could do and say
things that I could not," the author said during her talk. "I want my
book to be an instrument through which as many people as possible know
the suffering undergone by my Armenian people."

After reading a chapter from the book, the author signed copies for
the audience. To conclude the evening, members of the AGBU Montevideo
Board, Botella al Mar Editions’ representatives, family and friends
met at the author’s residence for dinner. The evening was filled with
poetry, stories, and Armenian music. Guests felt truly welcomed by
Bederian-Arcani’s warmth and openness.

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.

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please
visit