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AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, February 23, 2008
Armenian Translation of Levon Surmelian's "Techniques of Fiction
Writing" Published in Yerevan
The Armenian translation of the late Levon-Zaven Surmelian's "Techniques
of Fiction Writing: Measure and Madness" was launched at a special event
at the American University of Armenia's Business Center on Tuesday,
February 17, 2009, which was organized by AGBU and the M. Abeghian
Institute of Literature of the RA National Academy of Sciences. This
book by the well-known Armenian-American writer, poet and educator is a
useful guide for young aspiring writers and literary critics. In
addition to "Techniques of Fiction Writing," which was first released in
English in 1968, Surmelian is best remembered today for his "I Ask You,
Ladies and Gentlemen" (1945), a best-selling memoir documenting his
escape from the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian Genocide.
Translated into Armenian by Aram Arsenian, "Techniques of Fiction
Writing" was funded by the AGBU Levon Zaven Surmelian Fund and published
by the Abeghian Institute of Literature as part of their "Literary
Studies XX century" series.
Deputy Director of AGBU Armenian Representation Hovig Eordekian was the
master of ceremonies for the event. He, in turn, invited AGBU Armenian
Representation Director Ashot Ghazarian to make opening remarks, which
dealt with an overview of AGBU's publishing activities and focused on
the publication of works by Armenian writers who create in foreign
languages. Azat Yeghiazarian, literary critic and editor of the Armenian
translation of "Techniques of Fiction Writing," delivered a speech
emphasizing the importance of the "Literary Studies XX Century" series
as a valuable resource to writers and the public of Armenia. On this
occasion, singer Knarik Abrahamian performed songs by Komitas for the
audience in attendance.
Among those who spoke at the event were literary critic and director of
"Spyurk" scientific-educational center Suren Danielian, translator Aram
Arsenian, painter Hagop Hagopian and Surmelian's nephew Sargis Sargsyan.
The latter proudly spoke about the book, which is still used as a
textbook in a number of U.S. universities, and also touched upon the
relationship between Surmelian and Vahan Tekeyan, which includes a
correspondence that is in the nephew's private collection. A closing
speech was made by Levon Ananian, Chairman of the RA Writers' Union, who
commended the quality of translation.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) 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 serving some
400,000 Armenians on six continents.
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, February 23, 2008
Armenian Translation of Levon Surmelian's "Techniques of Fiction
Writing" Published in Yerevan
The Armenian translation of the late Levon-Zaven Surmelian's "Techniques
of Fiction Writing: Measure and Madness" was launched at a special event
at the American University of Armenia's Business Center on Tuesday,
February 17, 2009, which was organized by AGBU and the M. Abeghian
Institute of Literature of the RA National Academy of Sciences. This
book by the well-known Armenian-American writer, poet and educator is a
useful guide for young aspiring writers and literary critics. In
addition to "Techniques of Fiction Writing," which was first released in
English in 1968, Surmelian is best remembered today for his "I Ask You,
Ladies and Gentlemen" (1945), a best-selling memoir documenting his
escape from the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian Genocide.
Translated into Armenian by Aram Arsenian, "Techniques of Fiction
Writing" was funded by the AGBU Levon Zaven Surmelian Fund and published
by the Abeghian Institute of Literature as part of their "Literary
Studies XX century" series.
Deputy Director of AGBU Armenian Representation Hovig Eordekian was the
master of ceremonies for the event. He, in turn, invited AGBU Armenian
Representation Director Ashot Ghazarian to make opening remarks, which
dealt with an overview of AGBU's publishing activities and focused on
the publication of works by Armenian writers who create in foreign
languages. Azat Yeghiazarian, literary critic and editor of the Armenian
translation of "Techniques of Fiction Writing," delivered a speech
emphasizing the importance of the "Literary Studies XX Century" series
as a valuable resource to writers and the public of Armenia. On this
occasion, singer Knarik Abrahamian performed songs by Komitas for the
audience in attendance.
Among those who spoke at the event were literary critic and director of
"Spyurk" scientific-educational center Suren Danielian, translator Aram
Arsenian, painter Hagop Hagopian and Surmelian's nephew Sargis Sargsyan.
The latter proudly spoke about the book, which is still used as a
textbook in a number of U.S. universities, and also touched upon the
relationship between Surmelian and Vahan Tekeyan, which includes a
correspondence that is in the nephew's private collection. A closing
speech was made by Levon Ananian, Chairman of the RA Writers' Union, who
commended the quality of translation.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) 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 serving some
400,000 Armenians on six continents.