Saroyan House Museum Opening Celebration Held at the Satellite Student Union on August 31

Annie Rubio

Editor

William Saroyan is a name many consider synonymous with Fresno, California. He was a beloved writer, whose voice united Armenians across the globe and whose works have brought recognition and pride to the Armenian community. 

On Friday, August 31, on what would have been Saroyan’s 110th birthday, a celebration was held to mark the opening of the William Saroyan House Museum in Fresno. The reception was held at the Satellite Student Union at Fresno State to honor this momentous occasion, bringing together an international audience. More than 700 community members gathered alongside visiting dignitaries, university officials, and students to enjoy a program dedicated to Saroyan.

Special guest for the evening was Mr. Artur Janibekyan, founder of the “Renaissance Cultural and Intellectual Foundation” and the chief donor of the Saroyan House project.

The Saroyan House Museum project began with the purchase in 2016 of Saroyan’s former home on Griffith Way. This was one of the two homes that Saroyan lived and worked in over the last seventeen years of his life. A movement to collect and preserve Saroyan’s works for future generations began. The plan was that the Saroyan Museum would be innovative, boasting an interactive experience, with digital archives and a hologram of Saroyan. The Museum also has a research space for students and writers to study and work. Admission to the House Museum is free but reservations are required and can be made online at saroyanhouse.com.

The opening celebration included remarks by Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro and by the Ambassador of Armenia to the United States, Grigor Hovannissian. Ambassador Hovhannisian, who grew up behind the Iron Curtain in Soviet Armenia, recalled how Saroyan’s voice broke through that cultural barrier and reconnected Armenians to their roots. Although Saroyan was born and raised in California, his works spanned across the globe.

Many prominent voices spoke about Saroyan and his impact on Fresno and the Armenian community as a whole. Saroyan’s nephew Hank Saroyan recalled his interactions and humorous stories about the noted writer. Charles Janigian emphasized the need to keep the study of Saroyan alive.

This opening ceremony was not only a milestone for the Armenian community, but for Fresno as a whole. Saroyan loved Fresno and always paid homage to his home and life here. In the words of Congressman Jim Costa, “I may be not be Armenian, but tonight everyone is an honorary Armenian.” Costa had vivid memories of Saroyan riding his bicycle through Fresno, although he had achieved fame as an accomplished writer. 

The new House Museum will allow all of Fresno to learn about and honor the memory of Saroyan.

In addition to being an accomplished author, William Saroyan was also a playwright, songwriter, and artist. His songs “Bari-Bari” and “Giragi Picnic” were performed by Aleksan Harutyunyan and Hasmik Harutyunyan. The lively performances demonstrated another dimension of Saroyan’s works, and reminded everyone of his talents. 

A documentary film gave an overview of Saroyan’s life and about his works. When guests entered the Satellite Student Union, they were greeted by a display of photographs of Saroyan hanging from the walls. 

The Saroyan House Museum recognized several people for their outstanding contribution to the Museum project. These individuals were honored with Appreciation Awards from the Renaissance Foundation. One of the recipients, Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program, expressed his desire that the Saroyan House Museum would be a valuable resource for many generations to come. Artur Janibekyan, founder of the Renaissance Foundation, echoed these ideas with hopes that this project will inspire many others like it.

After the program, guests received souvenir gifts provided by the Renaissance Cultural and Educational Foundation and then enjoyed a reception which followed.