GLENDALE, CA - Over one hundred literary, academic and cultural figures from the community attended the Dec. 12th book presentation here at the Central Public Library, organized by Harout Yeretzian of Tekeyan Cultural Association's Los Angeles chapter. Published last year by Wayne State University Press, A Reference Guide to Modem Armenian Literature, 1500-1920 (with an Introductory History) was compiled and written by University of Michigan Professor Kevork B. Bardakjian over a 20-year period.

Speaking in Armenian, Dr. Arpi Sarafian, Cal State LA English Dept. Lecturer, described the contents of the 714-page volume: General History of Armenian Literature; six Introductory Essays about each of the six periods into which the modern period is divided, followed by six brief Surveys of the Literature of the Age; Bio-bibliographical Entries in alphabetical order of Armenian authors born between 1500 and 1920, followed by a list of each author's work, their translations and criticism. Bibliographies and Reference Literature; Overviews with the political, social and cultural realities prevailing in both homeland and Diaspora, Anthologies, and Special Topics complete it. Initially conceived as a joint enterprise with Robert Thomson at Harvard, the project eventually became two separate books with Thomson covering Classical Armenian Literature to 1500. She praised Bardakjian's skill in examining and summarizing primary texts and cited his optimism towards the evolving sense of national awareness, despite threats to a dispersed people. She noted happily how much Armenians have achieved here in the last 40 years.

Dr. S. Peter Cowe, Narekatsi Chairholder at UCLA and recent co-author with Nishan Parlakian of Modem Armenian Drama Anthology, noted, "The Guide is of great cultural significance as it expands to the modern world... will encourage reading and further investigation of these works." He called it "a daunting task, an immense work" that rightfully excludes journals and newspaper articles or manuscripts, using instead printed material from the 16th-18th centuries. The post-genocide 1920 cutoff date is appropriate, he said, since the Western-Armenian standard ended then and the diasporan literature began. Born just before 1920 means including living writer Silva Gaboudikian's full bibliography. Bardakjian struck a balance between classical, modern Eastern Armenian, and the previous Soviet period, a time when socialist realism was forced on authors and 13th-century mysticism was ignored. Cowe, in his long review, concluded, "In a few years, this fine volume may be joined by a companion bringing it up to the 21st century. Secure your own copy as this will remain standard for many, many years."

A smiling Dr. Kevork Bardakjian greeted everyone, thanked the speakers and Tekeyan, his old friend Peter Cowe, and Louise Simone of AGBU, without whom, he said, it would have been a much costlier book. He introduced his mother in the front row. He thanked Prof. Thomson with whom he worked until he went to England and Bardakjian to Michigan. He especially acknowledged the help of UCLA-trained researcher Jeff Goshgarian, now in France, and two devoted translators in Armenia. He apologized for unintentional omissions... "This effort has been a labor of love. Even the most atrocious episodes I now remember with fondness." He saluted "the literary genius of Armenian literature and the vitality of Armenian writers."

Moderator Osheen Keshishian, teacher and news editor, cited the rarity and importance of works in English about Armenian writers, even as in recent times books about Armenians in French, Russian and Spanish are being published. He pointed out Professors Richard Hovannisian and Levon Marashlian in the audience, the publisher of 34 books in Armenia, Haroutiun Simonian, and poet and professor of literature Artem.Aroutunian, translator of the Armenian Anthology of American and British Poets. Shant translator Dr. Anne Vardanian and international library consultant Sylva Natalie Manoogian also attended. So many found the Reference Guide a great gift idea at $50 that dozens were snapped up from the Abril Books table. The colorful book jacket was designed by Seeroon Yeretzian of Glendale.