KINGSTON, R.I.—October 16, 2008—Anyone interested in learning more about the Armenian genocide, meeting a prize-winning novelist, and/or viewing a film directed by foremost Italian directors should mark their calendars for Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. Here’s why:
Antonia Arslan, an Armenian-Italian award-winning novelist, will visit the University of Rhode Island Oct. 20 to present the English translation of her novel, La masseria delle allodole (2004)/Skylark Farm based on the true story of her family’s experiences in the 1915 Armenian genocide. Kirkus Reviews called the book “An Armenian Schindler’s List.”
A reception for Arslan, sponsored by the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, will be held Monday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium of Swan Hall (formerly Independence Hall), 60 Upper College Road, Kingston.
Following the reception, Arslan will speak at 7 p.m. in Swan Hall auditorium.
Her lecture, “From Tragedy to Rebirth: Skylark Farm, a Novel about the Culture and the Survival of the Armenian People,” will be given in English. Siobhan Nash-Marshall, the Mary T. Clark Chair of Christian Philosophy at Manhattanville College, will provide an introduction on the genocide.
The following night, Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m., the University –after receiving special permission–will screen the film adaptation of Arslan’s book, La masseria delle allodole (2007) with English subtitles. Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, considered two of the most important Italian directors of the 20th/21st centuries, directed the film, which has not yet been released in the U.S. Arslan will be available for a question and answer session after the screening.
The events are free and open to the public. Directions to the building can be found at http://www.uri.edu/home/visitors/finder/index.php.