«Мы заплатили очень высокую цену»: что заявил Путин о теракте в «Крокусе» https://t.co/8YmxKHgLK7 pic.twitter.com/VE1f3dmkyB
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) April 2, 2024
Day: April 2, 2024
The atmosphere was electric at An Unlikely Story bookstore and cafe in Plainville, Massachusetts on March 26, 2024, as over 200 eager fans awaited the appearance of New York Times best-selling author Chris Bohjalian. Among a crowd of devoted readers, pre-event chatter buzzed with discussions and questions about favorite books from his extensive repertoire, each response offering a unique perspective. It was no surprise, considering Bohjalian’s latest release, The Princess of Las Vegas, marks his 24th book and 35th book tour. Anticipation for a warm and witty presentation ran high, yet few could have predicted the sight of “stand-up comedian Chris Bohjalian,” bedecked in a glittering tiara, greeting the audience.
“Stand-up comedian,” New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian
The evening commenced with book influencer Robin Kall Homonoff of Reading with Robin and a longtime friend of Bohjalian’s, with whom he engaged in a remarkable conversation in 2018 in Rhode Island in honor of Armenian Genocide remembrance day. Homonoff initiated the conversation by delving into Bohjalian’s early writing days, favorite genres and the influences shaping his distinctive style. While Bohjalian’s work is primarily literary fiction, he prefers the straightforward term “fiction” and takes pride in delivering what readers desire. He humorously acknowledged his debut novel’s shortcomings, as a mystery catering to the appetite for young adult misbehavior in the 1980s. Reflecting on shifts in storytelling over the past 12 years, he noted the prevalence of dread in cable dramas and streaming series, a thematic element he embraces as his literary super power, evident in his novels and the hit HBO series “The Flight Attendant,” based on his novel of the same name, which he views as a character study of a functional alcoholic.
The Princess of Las Vegas plunges readers into a world of suspense with a brutal mob hit early on, weaving a narrative thread of dread. Its cast of characters includes two beautifully flawed sisters: one an impersonator of Princess Diana in Las Vegas, the other a fintech innovator navigating the complexities of family and mob entanglements. Homonoff observed that unlike fans of writers who stick to predictable series, Bohjalian’s audience eagerly consumes whatever he pens, prompting inquiry into his secret. With a gleam of pride, he credited three influential women: his wife of 18 years, Victoria Blewer, who has been a steadfast reader of his four million words; his daughter, a principal reader since high school; and his editor, Jenny Jackson, also a best-selling author of Pineapple Street.
The discussion turned to the evolution of reading habits in the smartphone era, with Bohjalian lamenting his dwindling attention span for reading, now punctuated by smartphone distractions. Recalling a recent interview revelation, he expressed a desire to “write the kind of book that makes you silence your phone.” Reflecting on his research expeditions to Las Vegas and studies of Princess Diana, Bohjalian remarked on the challenge of keeping pace with rapidly evolving global events, such as the Ukraine crisis and FTX scandals, which necessitated revisions to his latest novel.
An enthralled crowd enjoys the conversation between Chris Bohjalian and Robin Kall Homonoff
He stated that The Sandcastle Girls may always be the most important of his works to him. “As a grandson of two survivors of the Armenian Genocide, I wrote that book to educate Americans about the Armenian Genocide,” Bohjalian said. The line that is most often quoted from the book is from his female stand-in, Laura Petrossian: “There’s a direct line between the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, the Cambodian killing fields, Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur. It’s a very long line, but how much genocide can one sentence handle?”
Following the engaging discussion, Bohjalian distributed Las Vegas playing cards for audience queries, sparking lively interactions as eager readers lined up for signed copies of his books.
The video of the evening is available on An Unlikely Story’s Facebook page.
Author information
Victoria Atamian Waterman
Victoria Atamian Waterman is a writer born in Rhode Island. Growing up in an immigrant, bilingual, multi-generational home with survivors of the Armenian Genocide has shaped the storyteller she has become. She is a trustee of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church and chair of the Armenian Heritage Monument in Whitinsville, MA. She is the author of “Who She Left Behind.”
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CARROLLTON, Texas—56 Texas secondary school teachers attended a full-day professional development workshop in February titled “Seeing the Humanity in Each of Us: The Lessons of the Armenian Genocide.” The workshop, held in-person as well as online, was made possible through a grant from the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) and hosted by St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Carrollton, Texas.
Beth Hudson, Former Austin ISD History educator and curriculum specialist, spoke about “Teaching the Armenian Genocide with Texas teaching standards for Social Studies and English Language Arts.”
The Genocide Education Project’s (GenEd) Education Director Kerri Flynn led the workshop, providing guidance on appropriate classroom pedagogy for teaching about the difficult topic of genocide and the Armenian case, as well as the history of the Armenian Genocide, its long-term denial and its current effects.
Texas Armenian American David Rejebian recounted his personal family story of genocide survival.
Shevan Basmadjian, Texas Armenian American community leader, organized the event on behalf of the St. Sarkis Church Education Committee and THGAAC Grant Program Manager. Basmadjian has been a liaison of The Genocide Education Project for numerous years, partnering with GenEd on Armenian Genocide education initiatives across Texas.
Ava Waters Henry, a descendant of the first Armenians to settle in Texas, spoke about the community’s history in the state.
What Texas educators said:
“I didn’t know much about the Armenian Genocide or really the history of Armenia, and I am so grateful for this opportunity and the knowledge I’ve gained from this experience. Thank you for your generosity and for inspiring me to share this with my students.”
“I have a genocide project that uses the original eight stages of genocide as a template. Because of this workshop, I have the updated 10 stages and some new ideas on how to better incorporate the stages as a tool to teach about genocide.”
Rev. Ajamian gave attendees a tour of the newly consecrated St. Sarkis church. The church’s architecture was inspired by Armenia’s seventh-century St. Hripsime Church, and its facade is etched with 1.5 million unique pixels representing the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Rev. Ajamian discussed the role of the church in Armenian identity and during the genocide. St. Sarkis Church also hosted the teachers to an Armenian lunch.
“I have a strong background in the humanities and am frequently surprised and disappointed at how little many adults with whom I converse know about history, geography and culture. I try to remedy that in whatever way I can – talking with groups, teaching lifetime learning classes, visiting book clubs, etc.”
“This is my first year teaching genocide studies, and the Armenian Genocide is the last one we are going to study. I feel better prepared for the lesson.”
GenEd at the California Council of the Social Studies 2024 Conference
GenEd Teacher Fellow Cynthia Martinez led a session at the CA Council for the Social Studies annual conference held in Orange Grove on March 8-10, 2024. She introduced GenEd’s new 10-lesson flexible curriculum unit, “The Armenian Genocide: Resistance, Agency and Empowerment.”
GenEd Teacher Fellow Cynthia Martinez presents a CCSS session on “Resistance” – Session #2.
Upcoming Workshops led by GenEd and GenEd Teacher Fellows
April 2 & 4, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Fresno, CA
“Resistance”: A two-part afternoon workshop introducing GenEd’s new flexible unit, “Resistance, Agency and Empowerment” (Open to FUSD Social Studies and English teachers, grades 7-12; Contact: Michelle Orelup, Michelle.Orelup@fresnounified.org)
April 3, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Fresno, CA
“Bird Letters”: An afternoon workshop introducing GenEd’s “Bird Letters” lesson-activity on Armenian identity and cultural preservation after genocide. (Open to FUSD teachers, third grade and higher; Contact: Michelle Orelup, Michelle.Orelup@fresnounified.org)
April 9, 4-6 p.m. PT, Online via Zoom
“Voices of Resilience: Understanding Genocide through Indigenous and Armenian Narratives”: Join GenEd and Redbud Resource Group for an afternoon of learning and exploring the resilience of Indigenous and Armenian peoples in the face of genocide.
April 10, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Danvers, MA
“Genocide Then and Now: The Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust”: GenEd Teacher Fellows Justin Bilton and Jason Stark will present current research and best practices for teaching comparative genocide studies. Register by Monday, April 1.
GenEd Executive Director Roxanne Makasdjian, Education Programming Assistant Christina Chiranian and Education Director Kerri Flynn at GenEd booth at CCSS.
April 27, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
This full-day seminar, led by GenEd Teacher Fellow George Dalbo, will help teachers meet Wisconsin’s Act 30 genocide education requirements and will explore the interconnected histories of the Armenian Genocide, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Armenian community of Wisconsin. More info here.
May 3, Macomb, MI: Michigan Council for the Social Studies Conference,
“Forget Me Knot: Armenia”: This workshop will help educators understand how the events of the past in Armenia affect the Armenian people around the world today. The themes of self-determination, territorial integrity and the role of the international community, young people in Armenia and America will be addressed.
May 7, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m, University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI
“Teaching about genocides around the world”: Sessions will include experts from UM’s International Institute, a panel on Teaching about Genocide, a review of curated teaching resources, planning, collaboration and reflection with colleagues and experts. GenEd Teacher Fellow Amy Perkins will present the Armenian Genocide, and GenEd Teacher Fellow Jen Sepetys will present the Cambodian Genocide.
June 4-6, Kennesaw, GA Kennesaw State University
Summer Institute for Teaching the Holocaust: GenEd Education Director Kerri Flynn will be presenting research-based strategies for teaching the difficult history of the Armenian Genocide and its connections to the Holocaust, as well as presenting new GenEd teaching materials.
GenEd Executive Director Roxanne Makasdjian, Education Director Kerri Flynn, Programming Assistant Christina Chiranian with GenEd Teacher Fellow Manuel Lopez and Cynthia Martinez.
June 13-14, Cleveland, Ohio
GenEd Teacher Fellow Misty Ebinger will lead this two-day workshop on the Armenian Genocide at St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church. More details to follow.
June 23-26, Los Angeles, CA
Applications are now open for participation in The California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Studies’ Summer Institute, which will connect middle and high school teachers to experts in the field, as well as tools to combat hate and implement innovative curricula. GenEd will lead a session on its new, flexible 10-lesson unit on “Resistance, Agency, and Empowerment.”
June 24-28, Columbia, SC, South Carolina Council on the Holocaust
“Foundations of Teaching the Holocaust”: GenEd Teacher Fellow Kristi Ugland will lead the first session of the summer institute, drawing important interconnections and parallels between the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust.
July 15, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm, Northampton, MA
“Humanizing the History of Genocide in the Classroom”: GenEd Teacher Fellow Kate Todhunter will lead this full-day workshop on genocide education, highlighting lesser-known genocides, including the Armenian Genocide by Ottoman Turkey during World War I, the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, and will examine the legacy of colonization in the U.S.
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Guest Contributor
Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.
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