Vol. XLIV No. 183 Summer 2005
This beautifully designed issue highlights aspects of Armenian culture: Florence Avakian presents three new films with Armenian connections, Armen Donelian writes about percussionist and composer Gregg Bendian, and Jeremy Kareken reviews the New York premiere of Diamanda Galas' unique concert performance, Defixiones. Armenian archaeology reveals the story of the medieval Armenian capital of Dvin, while Hovhannes Bezazian passes on to Ararat readers the fascinating story of the pekhases, defenders of Armenian honor in Dikranagerd. Gary Braver (Goshgarian) is interviewed, and shows off his talent in an excerpt from his recent thriller Flashback. Works of prominent poets James Baloian and Kosrof Chantikian grace Ararat's pages, while Rachel Goshgarian (no relationship to Gary) interviews Venetian Professor Levon Zekiyan on issues of Armenian identity. Paul Sagsoorian describes his life and times in words and pictures. Four books on a gamut of topics are reviewed: African-American students at Harvard Medical School, the end of Ottoman Smyrna, Armenian soldiers in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and Armenian women's poetry. Michael Minassian's short story "The Wedding Party" portrays recent Armenian immigrants to Los Angeles adapting to the American way of life.
