events 2008

William Saroyan would have celebrated his 100th birthday this August

An Evening with William Saroyan

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of this famous writer’s birth

When: Wednesday, October 29, 6 p.m.
Where: American Center (Tržiště 13, Praha 1)

The U.S. Embassy and the Embassy of Armenia would like to invite you to a program that will commemorate the life and art of the famous Armenian-American from several perspectives. Speakers will talk about Saroyan´s roots, his career in the United States and his visit to Czechoslovakia in 1980. Translators and publishers of his books will also share their insights.
In addition, on display will be photographs of Saroyan, his abstract drawings, newspaper articles about his visit to Czechoslovakia, books in Czech, English and Armenian, a video sample of a theater adaptation of “Tracy´s Tiger” and more.

A discussion with the audience will follow and light refreshments will be served.

The event will be held in Czech and English; simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

Program:

- Welcome (A. Hovakimian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Czech Republic (Vienna), J. Law, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Prague)
- Saroyan in Yerevan (A. Voskanian, Prague Office of the Embassy of Armenia in Vienna)
- Saroyan in the United States (J. Čáp, translator and journalist)
- Saroyan in Prague (L. Falteisek, writer)
- On Czech translations of Saroyan´s books (J. Josek, V. Klásková, translators)
- Presentation of Saroyan´s books (J. Kuchař, Eminent publishing house)

The event will be moderated by Jan Čáp.