Internationally Acclaimed Literary Giant Celebrated For His Contributions To The Arts And The San Joaquin Valley
FRESNO, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Jan 18, 2002--The William Saroyan Festival 2002, Fresno Committee has announced plans to honor Fresno, California`s most renowned, native son and Pulitzer Prize winning author, playwright and artist, during the festival beginning Thursday, February 28, and ending on Sunday, May 5, 2002, in Fresno, Calif.
The William Saroyan Foundation, with assistance from Stanford University, will premiere the literary and art masterpieces that Saroyan created. These collections will be used as cornerstones to highlighting the author`s interesting life and chronicling his achievements through an unprecedented collaboration of 29 Fresno organizations. Among them: Fresno Art Museum; William Saroyan Society, Fresno; California State University, Fresno`s School of Arts and Humanities; The Good Company Players; City of Fresno Convention
Center; Fresno City College, Humanities Division; Fresno Arts Council; Fresno Metropolitan Museum; Valley Public Television; Fresno Pacific University; Valley Public Radio; WIN-WIN (Writers International Network); Fresno Philharmonic; Fresno County Office of Education; Fresno Historical Society; Fresno County Library and Fresno Unified School District. These and other organizations will host theatrical and musical productions, panel discussions, walking tours, exhibits and contests.
Festivalgoers will also be treated to special presentations from a number of celebrated authors, other celebrities and performers as well as Saroyan`s children, Aram and Lucy Saroyan, throughout the duration of the event.
''We are truly pleased to be honoring William Saroyan for his contributions to American Literature,'' said Larry Balakian, committee chairman of the William Saroyan Festival 2002. ''Saroyan reached greatness through his literary prowess and artistic skill. As a result, he has left an indelible mark for future generations to enjoy.''
''William Saroyan is one of the literary giants of the short story among American authors of the 20th Century. He has brought prominence and distinction to his cherished San Joaquin Valley and Fresno, the city of his birth,'' said Robert Setrakian, chairman of the William Saroyan Foundation and executor of Saroyan`s estate. ''He remains one of Fresno`s most beloved sons having given the literary world a unique, rich perspective of Central California and its inhabitants during his creative years of writing.''
Saroyan, the fourth child of Armenian immigrants, battled his way through poverty and rose to literary prominence in the early 1930s when national magazines began publishing his short stories such as The Daring Young Man On The Flying Trapeze, My Name Is Aram; Inhale & Exhale, Three Times Three, and Peace, It`s Wonderful. From short stories, Saroyan then moved on to writing plays for Broadway and screenplays for Hollywood. Some of his most notable works include: My Heart`s in the Highlands, The Time of Your Life, The Beautiful People, as well as his silver screen adaptation of The Human Comedy.
The William Saroyan Festival 2002, Fresno, is being organized by a 50 member, volunteer committee headed by Larry Balakian, chairman in association with the Stanford University Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation. For those interested in attending the two-month long Festival, please log onto www.saroyanfestival.com for more information on tickets, events and travel arrangements.
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