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Fresno's Saroyan Walking Tour
Small towns are fiercely proud of their local heroes who have made it big on the world stage. Fresno is no exception. This blip of a metropolis in the center of California gave birth to Pulitzer Prize winner William Saroyan.
Today, the William Saroyan Society is dedicated to keeping the author's memory alive and to "to educate the public about the human values depicted in his works; to promote the heritage of the Armenian/American culture and its unique and rich experience."
Fresno has been home to a large Armenian community since the end of the 19th century when immigrants arrived in the Central Valley to work in the region's rich agriculture sector. Today, the Armenian/American population is still an integral part of Fresno cultural diversity.
Delving into the city's Armenian past and exploring Saroyan's personal connection with it will be the focus of a walking tour on April 21 in downtown Fresno. Participants will tour the city's Armenian Town and the important role various locations played in Saroyan's writings. The event starts at 9:30 in front of the William Saroyan Theater (naturally).
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Armenia, Books
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Natasha Vaubel May 10th 2007 12:20PM
I am very eager to learn about what sorts of activities are being planned for the centenary of William Saroyan's birth in AUgust, 2008. I am from Minnesota, and not of Armenian descent, but as a teenager I became immersed in all-things Saroyan, and then Armenian (I created Armenian alphabet flash cards in an attempt to teach myself, though I didn't get very far.) From there I became a huge fan of Aram Khachaturian and David Oistrakh, and then Alan Hovhannes. From my high school typing teacher I learned a few Armenian phrases, which I was able to use in Moscow and Leningrad when I visited in the 1980's and met several Armenians (the Armenian boxing team, and several cabbies).
I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Fresno. I have never been to California. I have pledged to get myself to Fresno next August. I would greatly appreciate if anyone could provide information.
Thank you very much,
Natasha Vaubel/Shaiashnikov
PhD candidate in Comparative Literature, Indiana University.