If you missed the online book launch of Tenny Arlen’s groundbreaking book of poetry, you can now watch the recording on YouTube.

100 friends, family, colleagues, and literature enthusiasts gathered to hear the book presented by Zohrab director Dr. Jesse Arlen, Prof. Hagop Gulludjian (UCLA), Arthur Ipek (NYU), and Dr. Susan Barba (NY Review of Books).

You’ll hear from Zohrab Center director Dr. Jesse Arlen about how the book came together, background on Tenny’s life and works, and what is included in this new edition.

Learn from Prof. Hagop Gulludjian about how Tenny and her literary accomplishments revolutionized the method of language instruction at UCLA, leading to the “creative literacy” method that has inspired hundreds of students after her to make their own attempts at producing and creating in Armenian.

You’ll also hear perceptive literary analysis and close readings from Arthur Ipek (Zohrab Center / NYU) and Susan Barba (NY Review of Books).

Published via Tarkmaneal Press (New York), To Say with Passion: Why Am I Here? is now available for purchase through the NAASR Bookstore and on Amazon and will be available in Abril Bookstore (Los Angeles) soon.

Thank you to the sponsors and co-sponsors of the event!

Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center
International Armenian Literary Alliance
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
Narekatsi Chair of Armenian Studies, UCLA
Promise Armenian Institute, UCLA
Richard Hovannisian Endowed Chair in Modern Armenian History, UCLA University of Michigan’s Center for Armenian Studies