The guest was the author herself Mayda Saris. The lecture was based on the recently published English translation of the book authored by her with the same title. The publisher is AGOS of Bolis the editor Hrant Dink (the same distinguished Hrant Dink who has been in the headlines recently out of Turkey). She is an art consultant and a researcher-writer born in Bolis a rising star in her very early 50 s (my estimate). Quoting from the inside back cover she writes: The fact that these painters- of mostly Anatolian origin- had been unknown in their own country despite the broad reputation they acquired abroad was quite deploring. Extirpating this contradiction and filling a historical gap was obviously an irrefutable acknowledgement due to Armenians from Turkey. Thus as a researcher who has been closely concerned with art-painting in particular-and history and who has desired to reanimate the spirit of Armenia art and culture I have found myself delving into a pile of books written in French English Russian and Armenian. The rich heritage that I have witnessed whilst advancing through a time tunnel accompanied by some odors from the decaying papers of books magazines and documents in the dusty archives was an outstanding indicator of the close ties that have bonded the Armenian community with art. The book 264 pages is very beautifully illustrated with about 400 pictures. The lecture includes a slide presentation and an expert s delivery. Very impressive. In the next few days she is touring the US and Canada taking her to Detroit Chicago Boston New York Montreal and probably more. I strongly recommend for you to attend the lecture (please consult your local calendars for dates and locations). I let her presentation be the best advocate for you to add the book to your collection after studying the content. The contents include: Introduction Historic Background The Outlook. Rock Carvings on the Armenian Plateau and Painting in Ancient Armenia The Early products: Rock Carvings Antiquity. Armenian Miniature Art The Great Master of Miniature: Toros Roslin The Second Peak of Miniature Art: Sarkis Bidzak (The Wasp). 16th - 18th Centuries The Modern Era The First Representative of Modernism: Hovnatanian Aivazovsky and the Generation of Marine Paiters Two Masters of the Transition Period: Atamian and Bashinjaghian The Historical Compositions One a Master of Landscapes the Other Documenting History: Terlemezian and Fetvajian Two Original Painters: Aghajanian and Totossian The Indepedents: Ardzatbanian Nazarian and Khojabekian At the Threshold of the 20th Century A Painter from Kayseri: Seraylian A Master of Engraving: Edgar Shahin A woman Painter from Diyaebakir: Zabel Boyajian A Master of Still Life: Pushman Three Painters in Egypt Two Landscape Painters One Philosopher Organizations Groupings and Painters An Eccentric: Khachadourian Another Painter from Harput: Shishmanian The First Half of the 20th Century Armenian Painters in Ottoman Capital Palatine Painters Aivazovsky in the Ottoman Palace The Other Palatine Painters Exhibitions in Istanbul The School of Fine Arts An Istanbul Romantic Founder of Ottoman Sculpture: Yervant Oskan Miscellaneous Exhibitions A View of Contemporary Armenian Painting Three Leading Figures of Contemporary Painting The New Image The 1950s and Two Tendencies Institute of Fine Arts in Erevan The Resurgence of the 1960s Painting in Diaspora A Peak: Arshile Gorky Colour Revelry in Diaspora One As Destitute As His Name: Gharibian Armenian Painters in Contemporary Turkish Painting The book ends with a rich Acknowledgment; An alphabetic listing of Armenian Painters; References: Encyclopedia and Biographic Dictionaries Annuals Books Journals Exhibition and Auction Catalogues. (This section alone is a witness for how the Armenian communities and their activities were at the edge of Modernism of their times not to mention the painters and their paintings). This caliber of works are multifaceted contributions in Armenian Studies and Arts. In the present charged-up environment in international affairs the work and her place of publishing brings an added dimension... Parivayloom! Mark CHENIAN.