Fresno's Saroyan Walking Tour {Gadling}

May 9th 2007 10:53PM 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.