Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region 104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200 Glendale, California 91206 Phone: 818.500.1918 media@ancawr.org www.ancawr.org

PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: October 4, 2012

Contact: William Bairamian Tel: 818-500-1918

BOHJALIAN TO BE HONORED WITH ARTS AND LETTERS AWARD AT ANCA-WR BANQUET

GLENDALE – Chris Bohjalian, a critically-acclaimed New York Times bestselling author, will be honored with the ANCA-Western Region Arts and Letters Award at its Annual Banquet on October 28 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Bohjalian’s latest book, The Sandcastle Girls, was launched in Los Angeles this summer at a luncheon organized by the ANCA-WR and went on to debut at #7 on the New York Times bestseller list. It also appeared on the Publishers’ Weekly, USA Today, and national Independent Bookstore bestseller lists.

“I hoped that ‘The Sandcastle Girls’ would educate people to the reality of the Armenian Genocide, but I never expected the groundswell of interest from readers across the United States who were unfamiliar with our story. Likewise, I have been overwhelmed by the support of the Armenian community — here and around the world. This particular honor leaves me humbled and moved — and deeply and profoundly grateful,” remarked Bohjalian after learning of the award.

Bohjalian, who has penned fourteen novels, including four other New York Times bestsellers, has called The Sandcastle Girls “the most important book he will ever write.” His novel, Midwives, was a number one New York Times bestseller and was turned into a movie, in addition to two others, “Secrets of Eden” and “Past the Bleachers.”

“Mr. Bohjalian deftly uses his extraordinary writing talent to tell the story of the Armenian Genocide in The Sandcastle Girls, making a significant contribution to the rich literature on this historical tragedy,” said ANCA-WR Co-Chair Chris Guldjian. “The Arts and Letters Award, which Mr. Bohjalian is receiving, recognizes the immense impact this work has had, and will undoubtedly continue to have, on the American public.”

In July of this year, hundreds of attendees from the Los Angeles area welcomed Bohjalian as he was joined by the ANCA Grassroots Film and the Arts Committee, The Genocide Education Project and Doubleday Books in launching the national tour for his latest novel “The Sandcastle Girls.” Similar events were held by the ANCA in San Francisco, New Jersey, and on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

The 2012 ANCA-WR Annual Banquet will also feature Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid receiving the Freedom Award, Dr. Rubina Peroomian receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Rev. Joseph D. Matossian receiving the Khrimian Hayrig Award, and Varant Melkonian receiving the Legacy Award. The Banquet is the premiere gathering of the Armenian American community and will take place on Sunday, October 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. To reserve seats, visit ancawr.org/banquet. For all other inquiries, please call 818-533-8587.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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Attached: Two photos of Chris Bohjalian