The William Saroyan Foundation Announces "Saroyan Days" in Armenia

A weeklong celebration honoring the iconic Armenian-American writer's life and legacy

Yerevan, September 4, 2025: This September, the William Saroyan Foundation will present

Saroyan Days (September 5–11), a weeklong celebration showcasing rare works and fresh

perspectives on the life and influence of acclaimed Armenian-American author William Saroyan.

Presented in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Yerevan and the Ministry of Education, Science,

Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, the program will unveil 22 previously

unpublished stories and 100 never-before-seen paintings from Saroyan’s archives—marking

the largest release of new Saroyan material in more than two decades. Events will include art

exhibitions, theatrical performances, film screenings, literary discussions, and a showcase of

emerging Armenian creatives.

In a video on posted on the Embassy’s social media, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina

Kvien said, “Today, on the great Armenian-American writer William Saroyan’s birthday, I’m

excited to officially kick off Saroyan Days — a week of cultural events celebrating his life and

legacy. Let’s celebrate the spirit of William Saroyan together. We look forward to seeing you at

Saroyan Days!”

“We are delighted to bring this remarkable new material to Armenia,” said Scott Setrakian,

President of the William Saroyan Foundation. “Alongside these rare works, we’re creating

programs that invite a new generation to engage with Saroyan’s defiant optimism and timeless

vision.”

Event Schedule

September 5

Art Exhibition Opening – "Saroyan: The Colors Behind the Words," featuring 100 never-

before-seen paintings (from 11:00 AM, Museum of Literature and Art – Public, tickets at

the door)• Theater and Film Night (5:00 PM, Yerevan Institute of Theater and Cinematography –

Public, free)

September 6

Book Launch22 Unpublished Stories by William Saroyan, compiled by Scott Setrakian

and published in Armenian by Antares Press. Co-hosted by the Yerevan International

Book Festival, Stanford University, the Ministry of Culture and the Saroyan Foundation

(5:00 PM, National Gallery of Armenia – Public, free)

September 7

William Saroyan Prize for Short Fiction will be awarded during the Yerevan Book

Festival closing ceremony. Hosted by the Yerevan International Book Festival and the

Ministry of Culture (7:00 PM, Hakob Paronyan State Theater of Musical Comedy –

Public, free)

September 8

William Saroyan at the National Library exploring Saroyan's cultural impact and

Armenian-language publications (2:00 PM, National Library of Armenia – Public, free)

Stage PerformanceTrain Stories, a dramatic adaptation by the Malyan Theatre, co-

hosted by U.S. Embassy Yerevan and Saroyan Foundation (7:00 PM – tickets at the door)

September 9

William Saroyan: An Evening of Readings – Readings and discussion of newly

discovered works. Hosted by the American University of Armenia (5:00 PM, AUA,

Akian Gallery – Public, free)

September 10

Young Artists’ Showcase – Celebrating Saroyan's influence on a new generation of

Armenian artists in literature, theater, film, and visual art hosted by Creative Armenia and

AGBU (6:30 PM, AGBU Headquarters – Public, free)September–November

Saroyan Art Contest for Kids – Organized by COAF in partnership with the Charents

Museum and managed from the COAF SMART Center in Lori. Open to youth aged 11–

15 across Armenia, with winners announced in November.

Media Contact:

Scott Setrakian

President, The William Saroyan Foundation

scott@setrakian.com

About the William Saroyan Foundation

The William Saroyan Foundation, established by William Saroyan in 1966, preserves and

promotes the legacy of this Pulitzer Prize and Oscar Award winning writer, playwright, and

artist—widely regarded as history’s most celebrated Armenian-American voice and one of the

great literary figures of the 20th century.

Saroyan Days Partners

Museum of Literature and Art · National Library of Armenia · Office of the High Commissioner

for Diaspora Affairs · Yerevan International Book Festival · Armenia General Benevolent Union

· Creative Armenia · Children of Armenia Fund · Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and

Cinematography · Malyan Theatre · Stanford University · Antares Media Holdings · American

University of Armenia · Zangak Book Store · Armenian Studies Department, Fresno State · The

Alexander Hotel · ArmAs Winery · Blue Wave Creative Agency · U.S. Embassy Yerevan · The

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia · The William

Saroyan Foundation