The Fresno State Armenian Studies Program observes its 35th anniversary beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at the Henry Madden Library, Room 2206 with a reading by Lory Bedikian, winner of the 2010 Philip Levine Prize in Poetry.
It’s the first in a series of spring events that are free and open to the public.
Bedikian, a University of California, Los Angeles alumnus twice nominated for the Ina Coolbrith Memorial Prize in Poetry, will read from her “The Book of Lamenting,” which was published in October by Anhinga Press
The Book of Lamenting
Publication of a first book is part of the Levine Prize, which is administered through Fresno State’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program to encourage unpublished poets. The prize program is named for Levine, a professor emeritus of English, Pulitzer Prize winner and the Library of Congress’ poet laureate for 2011-12.
Bedikian’s reading is co-sponsored by the Fresno Poets Association and Fresno State MFA Program in Creative Writing.
The Armenian Studies spring series continues with the 13th annual Armenian Film Festival at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, in the Industrial Technology Building, Room 101. The program begins with short films “The Armenian and the Armenian” (2010), “Le Piano” (2011) and “Bolis” (2011), whose director, Eric Nazarian, will attend. The feature is “Sunrise Over Lake Van” (2011).
The Knight and Daughters of the Vartan and Armenian Students Organization are co-sponsors.
Other events:
- 7-8 p.m., March 2, Alice Peters Auditorium (University Business Center), a talk by former Assemblymember Walter Karabian, about 19th century Armenian artist Hovhannes (Aivazian) Aivazovsky.
- 5 p.m. March 11, Fort Washington Golf and Country Club. This 24th annual banquet celebrates the program’s 35th anniversary and recognizes Dr. Richard Hovannisian, professor emeritus of modern Armenian history at UCLA. Tickets: $50 per person and should be purchased by March 2.
For more information, contact Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Armenian Studies coordinator 559.278.2669 or barlowd@csufresno.edu.
(Copy by student news assistant Reganie Smith-Love)
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