Fresno’s San Joaquin Valley Town Hall features William Saroyan neighbor

In addition to thousands of swimming pools and acres of raisins, the city of Fresno produced the famous author, poet, playwright and musician William Saroyan. Recognized for his literary works, The Human Comedy and The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze, Saroyan brought a new perspective to the modern man.

As freshman and newcomers to the literary landscape, we knew little of this man until we were nominated as Merit Award Scholars to attend “About Saroyan at the Saroyan”, Nov. 19.

The 70 years old San Joaquin Valley Town Hall program gathers six times a year inviting students to attend lectures of various topics. Four different speakers addressed the audience with captivating information about Saroyan in honor of the centennial year of his birth.

A personal friend and former neighbor of Saroyan, Roxy Moradian, 93, attended the event and spoke about her memories with him, such as Sunday lunches and everyday conversations.

Before the lecture convened, the students received the privilege to speak with the panelists.

The moderator, Annette Keogh, a Curator of the Stanford archives about Saroyan, opened the ceremony. The panelists included Saroyan’s lawyer and cousin, Bruce J. Janigan, a noted writer for his book Hunger of Memory, Richard Rodriguez, author of a dissertation on the dramatic writings of Saroyan and Dr. Jon Whitmore.

Growing up alongside Saroyan, Janigan learned the family business from his ‘Uncle Willy.’ Though not wealthy, the Saroyan family found life pleasant with the absence of money and therefore exploitation.

“At all times Willy had to be successful,” Janigan said, “but what did that mean? William Saroyan dedicated his life to art. He saw art as a way to help people grow.”

To resemble Saroyan’s personality, the stage was set with his favorite items of hats and bicycles. After the panelist rode in on the bikes, the presentation began.

Janigian’s focus dealt with the family aspect of the Saroyan household because of his connection to the family. Throughout the duration of his lecture, he spoke of Saroyan on a personal level rather than as a bystander because he grew up with Saroyan.

“William Saroyan had an incredible amount of generosity,” Janigian said, “even though the family was taken advantage of.”

Rodriguez spoke mainly on his ethnic relation to Saroyan. He felt his Mexican heritage and Saroyan’s Armenian culture brought them together because of their youth in cultural minorities of the United States.

“There was something in him that seemed Mexican about him to me,” Rodriguez said. “The sorrow, the hurt. We do not hear about the massacre of the Armenians…. So much sorrow brought people to Fresno.”

Whitmore spoke more from a more removed perspective, seeing Saroyan as an artist rather than family. He chronicled the history of Saroyan and his accomplished works, informing the audience of the celebrated author and playwright.

“[Saroyan] brought joy to the theatre at a time of depression and war,” Whitmore said. “He wrote during World War II because he wanted to tell stories about the lives of the common people.”

Each panelist gave a piece of advice to the students in hopes of widening their horizons and helping them think for themselves. Saroyan always encouraged others to spread their wings to reach their full potential, as Janigian advised.

“Take the time and assert yourselves to meet people,” Janigian said. “Get to know and explore when able, have fun, get out there and enjoy your life. Be your own person; don’t just join anything or anyone.”

The information and direction given by the speakers and the lecture not only inspired listeners to learn more about Saroyan, but also to reach outside the typical thoughts and discover more about ourselves.

The next Town Hall meeting will be led by Ric Burns who will discuss creating dynamic films, Jan. 21, 2009. Burns is well-known for The Civil War series on PBS and his film on the rise and fall of the World Trade Center. Tickets for adults can be purchased for $20 at the door but students are admitted free with a valid student ID and begins at 10:30 a.m.

For more information on Saroyan, read the May 15 article, Prominent actor celebrates Saroyan or the Feb. 22 article, My Name is Aram chronicles Saroyan childhood.