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Uncovering an Untold Story: The Fresno Saroyans
August 31 marks the 114th birth anniversary of Armenian American writer William Saroyan—the son of Bitlis’ Armenak and Takoohi and a first-generation Fresno Saroyan. But the story of the Fresno Saroyans did not start or end with the most famous Saroyan family member.
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Great article! Thank you so much!
Dear Tony
Wonderful article. My husband Oscar (Asadour) and I had the distinct pleasure of being in Dr. Surens company when we were out in Calif. many many years ago. I’m fact he was so sweet, after dinner he presented us a bottle of champagne and said ….take it to the hotel and celebrate….Other than that we were in the company of William Saroyan when we were at Carnegie Hall for an event and as we were taking pictures and were introduced and asked our last name….!!!!!!! He exclaimed we are related…..the Karofhlanians from Bitlis……..wonderful memories…..and although we spell it with a C, was changed coming through Ellis Island. Soooooo. Hello distant cuz…..my father in laws family went through Bitlis from Malatia
Great article and story of this Saroyan family. By chance, I just found an old 33 rpm record called “Voice of Armenia” recorded in CA by the Armenian National Committee and
and recorded by the National Broadcasting Company. The two men who spoke were Souren Saroyan and George Mardikian. The Armenian National Choir sang also. I am assuming this is the same Souren Saroyan. It talks about being loyal Americans and being good Armenians. Very interesting record. I didn’t know I had this record until just a few days ago.
Anytime I see the name William Saroyan it intrigues me. As a freshman in high school back in 1972, we were told we needed to read 6 books over the summer months. The first one I chose was “The Human Comedy” by Saroyan. I was watching Turner Classics a few years back and there it was again. His original quote says something like, “See if the race will not live again when two of them meet in a beer parlor, twenty years after, and laugh, and speak in their tongue.” Every once in a while, we have what we call the William Saroyan night out on the east coast in Providence, RI at a local pub. In his honor.