X
    Categories: 2018

Asbarez: Paul Krekorian Honors William Saroyan’s Life and Legacy

Councilmember Paul Krekorian with Ani Boyadjian, Los Angeles Public Librarian John Szabo and Aram Kouyoumdjian during Los Angeles City Council Meeting in Los Angeles City Hall, John Ferraro Council Chamber.

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian on Friday hosted a special City Council presentation to honor the life and legacy of William Saroyan, one of the great American writers of the 20th Century. During the presentation, Krekorian discussed some of the touchstones of Saroyan’s storied career, including winning the Pulitzer Prize and the Academy Award.

From left: LA Public Librarian John Szabo, Ani Boyajian, Aram Kouyoumdjian and Councimember Paul Krekorian

Krekorian also spotlighted two important cultural events happening in Los Angeles and the people who put them together. This month through October 7, the Los Angeles Public Library is debuting a new exhibit at the Central Library that features images of Saroyan taken by photographer Boghos Boghossian, focusing on the author’s visit to Armenia shortly before his death in 1981.

On September 15, the city is hosting the world premiere performance of Saroyan’s unpublished “Diasporan” plays, also at the Central Library. Krekorian and his wife, Tamar, helped bring these events to fruition, along with Research and Special Collections librarian Ani Boyadjian, and acclaimed playwright and producer of the September 15 performance, Aram Kouyoumdjian.

Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS