CONFERENCE OF ARMENIAN WRITERS AT UCLA WITH A CELEBRATION WEEKEND OF ARMENIAN CULTURE. NOV. 6-8 The public is cordially invited to attend a convention of Armenian authors writing in languages other than Armenian to be held at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall over the weekend of November 6-8. The third bi-annual conference of its kind is organized by the Writers’ Union of Armenia, the Ministry of Culture of Armenia and the UCLA Naregatsi Chair of Armenian Studies. The Conference is partially funded by Ara Abrahamyan of Moscow, President of the Union of Armenians of Russia. The purpose is to draw writers of Armenian descent into dialogue with each other, with their counterparts writing in Armenian, and with their readers and potential readers in the wider Armenian community about the core issues connected with this type of literature. While the two previous gatherings were held in Erevan, Los Angeles was selected as the venue this time around in recognition of North America as the center of this literary activity. In addition to the panels and readings during the day, the convention will feature a play performance and chamber concert in the evenings, as well as an ongoing exhibition of contemporary Armenian art and book exhibit. The official opening speech by Levon Ananyan, President of the Writers Union of Armenia, will be followed by an introductory panel highlighting recent publication trends by Armenian writers in media other than Armenian by language and region (Europe, the Spanish World, Russia, North America, and the Middle East). This will then be paralleled by an update on recent translations of this literature into Armenian ending with the presentation of a brand new anthology of translations published specially for the occasion to indicate the interest these works have generated among readers of Armenian. Seminal Literary Topics The ensuing sessions review a range of seminal topics from the role of family as a core motif in this writing, and the impact of the Genocide and questions of memory, to different perspectives on homeland and problems of identity and talking points between writers in non-Armenian language media and their those writing in Armenian. Each of these will be addressed in an opening paper by a literary critic, some more focused reflections by writers, and general discussion. Each afternoon time has been allocated for writers to read from their recent works and round table exchange of views. The gathering will conclude with a consideration of current trends and future expectations that will include an initial report on the project to designate Yerevan World Book Capital 2012 in celebration of four-hundred years of Armenian printing. Among the academics taking part will be Profs. David Calonne, Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Alan Whitehorn, and Osheen Keshishian, while the participating writers include more senior figures like Diana Der Hovanessian, Peter Sourian, and Alicia Kirakosian, as well as younger representatives like Mark Arax and Shahe Mankerian, a group of poets from Greater Los Angeles In addition, a delegation of ten writers, literary critics, and translators will be participating from Yerevan. The panels, scheduled to take place in the Jan Popper Auditorium, will be accompanied by a book exhibit organized by Abril Bookstore, Glendale. Cultural Program – Play, Concert and Exhibition The accompanying cultural program comprises a performance of "The Hungerers," a powerful play by William Saroyan reflecting on the hardships of the Depression and the invincibility the human spirit. It will be staged by Arena Productions on Friday, November 6, under the direction of Dr. Anahid Keshishian Aramouni. The performance will be followed by refreshments and a Q & A session with the cast. On the 7th a concert will be held of contemporary and modern Armenian music featuring composers and musicians from the Armenian Republic and various diasporan centers under the direction of Prof. Movses Pogossian. Apart from renowned exponents like Alan Hovannes and Tigran Mansurian, currently marking his seventieth anniversary, the program will grandstand works by younger composers like Vache Sharafyan (Yerevan), Gregory Ayriyan (Moscow), Kevork Andonian (Canada), and Ashot Kartalyan (Pasadena), several receiving their LA premiere. Both the play and concert commence at 8 p.m. Tickets ($10) can be purchased in advance or at the door. An exhibition of works by young Armenian artists of Southern California curated by Vazken Brutian will run in Kerckhoff Gallery over the three days of the conference after its official opening on the afternoon of the sixth. Parking for all these events is available in Parking Structure 2, UCLA. For further information please call or contact Prof. Osheen Keshishian at (818) 781-0714 and Okesh@aol.com or Prof. Peter Cowe at (818) 986-0718 and cowe@humnet.ucla.edu. | 
