Leo Hamalian
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
Email agbuwb @ agbu.org
Website www.agbu.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 16, 2005
AGBU ARARAT ISSUES BOOK-LENGTH LEO HAMALIAN ISSUE
New York, NY - The AGBU quarterly Ararat has published a special edition to honor Leo Hamalian (1920 - 2003). A prominent American intellectual, Hamalian was editor of Ararat for over thirty years and maintained the magazine as a leading forum for Armenian-American thought and writing.
Hamalian was an accomplished writer who published and edited scores of books on non-Armenian as well as Armenian topics, and a beloved teacher and colleague who maintained friendships over decades and continents.
This 156-page book-sized volume, prepared by Linda Hamalian and Aram Arkun, is an extensive collection of Hamalian's fiction, poetry, literary criticism, and prose pieces on culture and politics. Hamalian's writing is wry and entertaining, even on the most serious of topics.
Selections deal with his Armenian experiences, the turbulence of America in the 1960s and 1970s, and important films and writers. The special Ararat issue contains a biographical essay by Linda Hamalian focusing on Leo's early years, and reminiscences and tributes drawn from colleagues, students, and friends whose lives were influenced by his wisdom, compassion, and love for teaching literature and writing.
Among some of the well known Armenian contributors are Jack Antreassian, Michael J. Arlen, Peter Balakian, Vartan Gregorian, Nishan Parlakian, Peter Sourian, Robert Hewsen, Laura Kalpakian, Sonia Ketchian, Harry Keyishian, and Nancy Kricorian. Also included is a 14-page color photograph album that features Leo's childhood, college days, and travels through the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
A homage to Leo Hamalian's talent and wit, the issue encapsulates a rich life devoted to words, ideas and love of literature.
Ararat (www.agbu.org/ararat) is an international quarterly of literature, popular culture and the arts published by AGBU. Individual copies of the special Hamalian issue or other issues are available at $7 each (plus $3 shipping & handling), while annual subscriptions are $24. Please submit orders or subscribe by emailing ararat@agbu.org, calling 212-319-6383, ext. 131, or mailing your request, along with a check, to ARARAT/AGBU, 55 East 59th Street, NY, NY 10022-1112.
For more information about AGBU and its many cultural initiatives, please visit www.agbu.org.