The Armenian Center in Woodside, N.Y. recently served as a venue for four female writers of the diaspora who presented their works at “Kuragan Koharner yev Kini” (Literary Gems and Wine), a program sponsored by the New York Chapter of the Hamazkayin Cultural Association, Indybay.org reported.

Actress and storyteller Nora Armani, writer and political cartoonist Lucine Kasbarian, poet and artist Lola Koundakjian, and writer and editor Aida Zilelian-Silak shared writings that explored the complexities of the human condition. The collective result was an eclectic compilation of vocal pieces that reflected a moving, contemplative look at life in the Armenian diaspora.



Creator, director and actor in the play, "Sojourn at Ararat," Armani is performing in "Golden Boy," a pilot program for CBS Television. A long-time publicist for the book publishing industry, Kasbarian has written publications about Armenia and the Diaspora for young audiences. Creator and Director of the Armenian Poetry Project, Koundakjian also founded and runs the Dead Armenian Poets Society. New York writer and editor Zilelian is the founder and director of Boundless Tales, a reading series of poetry and prose in New York.

In her introduction, program organizer, rare book librarian and literary devotée Arevik Caprielian expressed her satisfaction in showcasing accomplished Armenian "creatives." "These writers need not be heralded beyond the Armenian milieu in order to be recognized as credits to the global Armenian nation," she said. "While Hamazkayin remains true to its mission of preserving and disseminating Armenian traditional literature and arts, it also moves forward with the times and inevitable changes in diaspora," she continued. "Therefore, it embraces contemporary authors writing in various languages, considering them contributors to the body of Armenian literature." Caprielian concluded by affirming, "A nation maintains its distinction through arts and literature."