Reading by Askold Melnyczuk slated at Printers Row Book Fair (05/26/02)

Reading by Askold Melnyczuk slated at Printers Row Book Fair

CHICAGO - As part of the 18th annual Printers Row Book Fair, Ukrainian American author Askold Melnyczuk will read from his highly acclaimed second novel "Ambassador of the Dead." The reading, sponsored by the Kyiv Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, will take place June 1 at 3-4 p.m. in the Reader's Tent located on the northeast corner of Dearborn and Polk.

Mr. Melnyczuk is regarded as an important contemporary literary presence, recognized for both writing and editing. His first novel "What is Told" earned him the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Award and was named a New York Times Notable Book. As editor of the literary journal AGNI, an international literary force, he earned the Nora Magid Award for Magazine Editing from the international writers' organization PEN. Mr. Melnyczuk teaches at Boston University and at the Bennington Graduate Seminars.

His contribution to the literary world extends beyond writing and editing. He has been called an "eloquent champion" for Ukrainian America. He is co-editor of "From Three Worlds," an anthology of new Ukrainian literature. His latest novel, "Ambassador of the Dead" is a passionate tale about friendship, family and the other side of the Ukraine-American immigrant's dream. Nick Blud, a successful Boston physician and son of Ukrainian immigrants, is drawn in to a history fraught with secrets and lies as he examines what loyalties he owes the old world.

Mr. Melnyczuk lives in Bedford, Massachusetts.

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Kyiv and Chicago have been sister cities since 1990. Chicago has some 21 other sister and friendship cities throughout the world. Under the auspices of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago Sister Cities International Program facilitates volunteer efforts to increase international trade, economic development, promote exchanges of culture, education, medicine, environment, technology and social services with its sister cities for the benefit of the City of Chicago, its residents and businesses.

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