An Appreciation: Harutune Yeretzian: A Cultural Icon in Los Angeles Dies

Moving to Los Angeles, his intellectual horizons widened further. He set up shop on Santa Monica Boulevard, in Hollywood, Calif., which was the first station for most Armenian immigrants, before moving to more upscale communities.

Harout would not have moved his bookstore to its current location on Broadway Street in Glendale, had he not been mugged a few times in the deteriorating neighborhood of Hollywood. Abril bookstore had become a hub to Armenian literati. Intellectuals still flock to his bookstore to browse his recent acquisitions or to meet other writers.

Abril opened with a bang when Harout began publishing Abril Magazine, which demonstrated the scope of his interests. The magazine had a modern layout and featured a variety of topics, seldom found in the Armenian press.

Abril bookstore was adjacent to Bushnell Theater, a small but very famous experimental theater where prominent artists played. Thanks to Harout’s connections with the theater, several Armenian actors were launched on the international stage, including Gerald Papasian and Nora Armani.

Harout’s life and activities were centered around three focal points: his bookstore, the Tekeyan Cultural Association and the AGBU Ardavazt Theater.

He was a mover and shaker in the community. He was never afraid of big ideas and big projects, which he conceived and executed, always behind the scenes. He was a catalyst in the Armenian cultural life. Major projects would be achieved in the community through him, yet he would keep a low profile. He was never seen on stage giving lectures or introducing a program. He would rather encourage others to take the center stage.