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ASA HOSTS 'MEET THE AUTHOR' SESSION WITH SUSAN PATTI
By:Armenian Weekly
Wed, Jun 15 2011
LEXINGTON, Mass.-On May 31, the Armenian Sisters' Academy (ASA)
in Lexington continued its spring 2011 Visiting Speaker Series
by hosting a "Meet the Author" session with Dr. Susan Pattie, who
introduced her recent children's book, Who are the Armenians? Pattie
is an anthropologist and educator who currently holds the position
of senior research fellow at the University College London, and is
the director of the Armenian Institute in London.
Susan Pattie at ASA "I wanted to write a book that teaches children
of all heritages and backgrounds about being Armenian," she said. "In
this one book I try to introduce elementary age readers to many of
the aspects of Armenian life, such as history, culture, language,
the diaspora, the Republic of Armenia, and our traditions."
While presenting Who are the Armenians, Pattie engaged ASA students
in a lively discussion. Together they explored the history of the
Armenian language, how we use it today, and the connections and
traditions that bind Armenians together. An especially interesting
point to the discussion focused on how varied and different the
"Armenian experience" can be across the world. Students discussed
how many of them speak several languages, have family living in
different countries, and grandparents who speak different versions
of the Armenian language.
"There are many ways to be Armenian," she offered. "We follow different
paths that all belong to the Armenian experience. As Armenians we
have done a very good job of adapting to the countries we live in
while also retaining a connection to our own heritage."
During the discussion, Pattie revealed that her visit to the Sisters'
Academy was her visit to a school to present to a group of students.
In fact, she highlighted that two of the children featured in her
book are currently enrolled at the ASA.
Who are the Armenians is written for and is about elementary-age
children. Filled with photographs, illustrations, and maps, the book
provides a broad introduction in a 50-page format. Topics such as
music, art, dance, history, language, religion, games and sports, and
legends and stories are covered using actual interviews and examples.
Pattie added, "The book includes interviews with children from
around the world sharing their experiences of being Armenian." A CD
illustrating the music, poetry, and languages described in the book
is also provided.
Those interested in copies of Who are the Armenians can contact
the National Association of Armenian Research and Studies (NAASR)
in Belmont, Mass. at (617) 489-1610.
Dr. Pattie's visit is part of the ASA's spring 2011 Visiting Speaker
Series. The series includes speakers such as chemistry instructors
from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), musician
Mari Bertlizian and her introduction to students of the classical
Armenian string instrument "kanon," meteorologist Chris Lambert from
station WHDH as part of the science curriculum's weather unit, and
presentations on colonial America by Diane Douglas of the Billerica
Historical Society as part of the social studies curriculum.
The Armenian Sisters' Academy is located at 20 Pelham Rd. in Lexington.
From: Baghdasarian
By:Armenian Weekly
Wed, Jun 15 2011
LEXINGTON, Mass.-On May 31, the Armenian Sisters' Academy (ASA)
in Lexington continued its spring 2011 Visiting Speaker Series
by hosting a "Meet the Author" session with Dr. Susan Pattie, who
introduced her recent children's book, Who are the Armenians? Pattie
is an anthropologist and educator who currently holds the position
of senior research fellow at the University College London, and is
the director of the Armenian Institute in London.
Susan Pattie at ASA "I wanted to write a book that teaches children
of all heritages and backgrounds about being Armenian," she said. "In
this one book I try to introduce elementary age readers to many of
the aspects of Armenian life, such as history, culture, language,
the diaspora, the Republic of Armenia, and our traditions."
While presenting Who are the Armenians, Pattie engaged ASA students
in a lively discussion. Together they explored the history of the
Armenian language, how we use it today, and the connections and
traditions that bind Armenians together. An especially interesting
point to the discussion focused on how varied and different the
"Armenian experience" can be across the world. Students discussed
how many of them speak several languages, have family living in
different countries, and grandparents who speak different versions
of the Armenian language.
"There are many ways to be Armenian," she offered. "We follow different
paths that all belong to the Armenian experience. As Armenians we
have done a very good job of adapting to the countries we live in
while also retaining a connection to our own heritage."
During the discussion, Pattie revealed that her visit to the Sisters'
Academy was her visit to a school to present to a group of students.
In fact, she highlighted that two of the children featured in her
book are currently enrolled at the ASA.
Who are the Armenians is written for and is about elementary-age
children. Filled with photographs, illustrations, and maps, the book
provides a broad introduction in a 50-page format. Topics such as
music, art, dance, history, language, religion, games and sports, and
legends and stories are covered using actual interviews and examples.
Pattie added, "The book includes interviews with children from
around the world sharing their experiences of being Armenian." A CD
illustrating the music, poetry, and languages described in the book
is also provided.
Those interested in copies of Who are the Armenians can contact
the National Association of Armenian Research and Studies (NAASR)
in Belmont, Mass. at (617) 489-1610.
Dr. Pattie's visit is part of the ASA's spring 2011 Visiting Speaker
Series. The series includes speakers such as chemistry instructors
from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), musician
Mari Bertlizian and her introduction to students of the classical
Armenian string instrument "kanon," meteorologist Chris Lambert from
station WHDH as part of the science curriculum's weather unit, and
presentations on colonial America by Diane Douglas of the Billerica
Historical Society as part of the social studies curriculum.
The Armenian Sisters' Academy is located at 20 Pelham Rd. in Lexington.
From: Baghdasarian