The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., will host a poetry reading, book-signing and informal reception with award-winning poet and author David Kherdian on Friday, April 18 from 4-6 p.m. at the Library. Kherdian will read selections from his Root River collection of poems about Racine and from his new book "Forgotten Bread." Kherdian will also be available to sign books and meet with the public. Books will be available for purchase at the event. Authentic Armenian desserts provided by members of the St. Hagop and St. Mesrob churches will be available during an informal reception following the reading. This is a free event open to the public; no registration is necessary.
Kherdian was born and raised in Racine during the 1930's and 1940's and has frequently celebrated his life here in his books. Many of his major themes focus on the city of Racine and its history, and on the conflict he experienced between his parents' Armenian culture and his need to assimilate into American life. Kherdian's Root River Cycle is a collection of dozens of poetry books containing autobiographical remembrances of his boyhood. Collectively these poems are a poetic and literary tribute to the city of Racine, life in the Midwest, and to the places and people which molded this young writer.
Kherdian is the author of the 1980 Banta Award-winner, "The Road from Home," an account of his mother's flight from Turkish genocide and over 50 other books of poetry, memoirs, novels, biographies and children's stories, some in collaboration with his Caldecott Medal –winning illustrator and wife, Nonny Hogrogian.. His most recent publication, "Forgotten Bread," is a collection of works from 17 Armenian-American writers.
The Racine Public Library Foundation has selected David Kherdian as the first recipient of the Emily Lee Award, given to persons with Racine connections who have distinguished themselves in the world of literature. It is named after the wife of the first president of the Library Board who, in 1927, left the library $100,000. Kheridan will receive public recognition for his work at a special awards luncheon on Sunday, April 20, 1-3 p.m., at the Racine Marriott, 7111 Washington Ave. In addition, librarian Nancy Elsmo and the Racine Public Library Friends of the Library will receive the Distinguished Librarian award and the Friend of the Library award. "We invite the public to honor these awardees and show their appreciation for the years of good work done for the Library by these folks," says Andrew McLean, president of the Foundation. Tickets for the event are $35 and may be purchased at the Racine Public Library or by calling 262.636.9170.
Kherdian was born and raised in Racine during the 1930's and 1940's and has frequently celebrated his life here in his books. Many of his major themes focus on the city of Racine and its history, and on the conflict he experienced between his parents' Armenian culture and his need to assimilate into American life. Kherdian's Root River Cycle is a collection of dozens of poetry books containing autobiographical remembrances of his boyhood. Collectively these poems are a poetic and literary tribute to the city of Racine, life in the Midwest, and to the places and people which molded this young writer.
Kherdian is the author of the 1980 Banta Award-winner, "The Road from Home," an account of his mother's flight from Turkish genocide and over 50 other books of poetry, memoirs, novels, biographies and children's stories, some in collaboration with his Caldecott Medal –winning illustrator and wife, Nonny Hogrogian.. His most recent publication, "Forgotten Bread," is a collection of works from 17 Armenian-American writers.
The Racine Public Library Foundation has selected David Kherdian as the first recipient of the Emily Lee Award, given to persons with Racine connections who have distinguished themselves in the world of literature. It is named after the wife of the first president of the Library Board who, in 1927, left the library $100,000. Kheridan will receive public recognition for his work at a special awards luncheon on Sunday, April 20, 1-3 p.m., at the Racine Marriott, 7111 Washington Ave. In addition, librarian Nancy Elsmo and the Racine Public Library Friends of the Library will receive the Distinguished Librarian award and the Friend of the Library award. "We invite the public to honor these awardees and show their appreciation for the years of good work done for the Library by these folks," says Andrew McLean, president of the Foundation. Tickets for the event are $35 and may be purchased at the Racine Public Library or by calling 262.636.9170.
No comments:
Post a Comment