Avdoyan to Speak at Columbia, Haratunian to Be Honored

NEW YORK—The Armenian Center at Columbia University is sponsoring a fascinating double-billed program on Thurs., Dec. 1, featuring an illuminating lecture by Library of Congress specialist Dr. Levon Avdoyan entitled, “To Know Wisdom and Instruction: 500 Years of Armenian Printing.” The event will also honor Michael Haratunian, the former chair of the Armenian Center and a Board member for many years.

The words “To Know Wisdom and Instruction” come from Proverbs in the Bible, and were the first words written in the Armenian alphabet in 405 A.D. In the year 1512, 72 years after the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg, Armenian letters were printed by movable type. Since that time, Armenian writers have developed a unique body of work and an impressive library heritage.

Avdoyan, the Armenian and Georgian specialist at the Library of Congress since 1992, will focus his talk on the 500 years of Armenian printing, and a history of the Armenian collection at the Library of Congress. A world authority on manuscripts from this region, he will also relate a forthcoming exhibit at the Library of Congress celebrating the 500^th anniversary of Armenian printing, and conduct a special tour of the extensive Armenian collection in the Library.

Under Avdoyan’s direction, the Armenian collection has increased from 7,000 items to approximately 45,000 pieces. He has also authored an entire illustrated guide to the Near East Collection at the Library of Congress, as well as several articles on both scholarly and library subjects.

The evening will also pay tribute to the many years of service that Michael Haratunian has rendered to the Board of the Armenian Center at Columbia University. “On behalf of the entire Board of the Armenian Center, we owe Michael Haratunian our deep gratitude for his remarkable dedication to the cause of Armenian studies at Columbia University,” said Mark Momjian, the chair of the Armenian Center. “Michael’s leadership has been inspirational, and we are indebted to him for his incredible support of public programs showcasing the field of Armenian Studies.”

The program, with a reception to follow, will take place at 7 p.m. at the Faculty House, 1207 Amsterdam Ave., between 119^th and 120^th Streets.