Tweet
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 16, 2010
Author Margaret Ahnert Presents Her Book "The Knock at the Door" at
AGBU's Central Office in New York
On July 28, 2010, author Margaret Ahnert presented her gripping book,
"The Knock at the Door," to a large audience at AGBU's Central Office in
Manhattan for the second year in a row. "The Knock at the Door" is a
unique first-person narrative chronicling the harrowing experiences of
the author's mother, Ester, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. The
book weaves together two narratives, including firsthand stories told by
Ester about her miraculous escape as a 15-year-old girl who narrowly
survived the Genocide, as well as the author's own thoughts on her
connection to her mother, culture, and the memories of the tragedy that
Ester lived with every day of her life. The book has been translated
into many languages, including Armenian and Spanish.
Ahnert's presentation immediately caught the attention of her audience,
as she read her mother's recollection of the words of a Turkish
neighbor, "We will sharpen our knives so that you won't feel any pain."
Ahnert recalled the last days of her mother's life, when Ester was 98
years old. The author expressed mixed emotions, showing sadness and
holding back tears, then smiling with pride. Ahnert also discussed her
personal struggles after publishing the book, including being honored
with the award for "Best Fiction" during the New York Book Festival.
Despite strong pressure from her publisher, Ahnert informed The New York
Book Festival Award Committee that she could not accept the award
because her book was not a work of fiction. Recognizing their
unintentional error, the New York Book Festival Award Committee
immediately awarded her with "Best Historical Memoir." Ahnert's
presentation was followed by an in-depth question-and-answer session
with the audience.
After the event, the author signed copies of her book and met with the
attendees, which included 31 participants of the AGBU New York Summer
Intern Program (NYSIP). The event was particularly emotional for the
author, as the participants of NYSIP had recently fulfilled their
community service obligations by taking part in Sunshine for Seniors, an
AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY) event which takes
place annually at the Armenian Home for the Aged in Queens, NY. Ahnert's
mother, Ester, spent the last few years of her life there and was
frequently visited by the author.
Margaret Ahnert's presentation of "The Knock at the Door" has become an
annual event for AGBU's NYSIP, which is currently celebrating its 23rd
anniversary.
Each summer, the New York Summer Intern Program (agbu.org/nysip) chooses
30-35 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to
participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience in New York City.
Students intern in a variety of industries, including finance, media,
law, international relations and the arts. Applicants must have
completed their sophomore year of college to be eligible for
participation. After selecting the most qualified applicants, NYSIP
conducts a search of available positions and discusses options that suit
the demands of each student's professional goals. All students are
housed at the New York University dormitories. The interns participate
in specially organized social, educational and cultural activities that
highlight current and Armenian topics.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.
From: A. Papazian
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 16, 2010
Author Margaret Ahnert Presents Her Book "The Knock at the Door" at
AGBU's Central Office in New York
On July 28, 2010, author Margaret Ahnert presented her gripping book,
"The Knock at the Door," to a large audience at AGBU's Central Office in
Manhattan for the second year in a row. "The Knock at the Door" is a
unique first-person narrative chronicling the harrowing experiences of
the author's mother, Ester, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. The
book weaves together two narratives, including firsthand stories told by
Ester about her miraculous escape as a 15-year-old girl who narrowly
survived the Genocide, as well as the author's own thoughts on her
connection to her mother, culture, and the memories of the tragedy that
Ester lived with every day of her life. The book has been translated
into many languages, including Armenian and Spanish.
Ahnert's presentation immediately caught the attention of her audience,
as she read her mother's recollection of the words of a Turkish
neighbor, "We will sharpen our knives so that you won't feel any pain."
Ahnert recalled the last days of her mother's life, when Ester was 98
years old. The author expressed mixed emotions, showing sadness and
holding back tears, then smiling with pride. Ahnert also discussed her
personal struggles after publishing the book, including being honored
with the award for "Best Fiction" during the New York Book Festival.
Despite strong pressure from her publisher, Ahnert informed The New York
Book Festival Award Committee that she could not accept the award
because her book was not a work of fiction. Recognizing their
unintentional error, the New York Book Festival Award Committee
immediately awarded her with "Best Historical Memoir." Ahnert's
presentation was followed by an in-depth question-and-answer session
with the audience.
After the event, the author signed copies of her book and met with the
attendees, which included 31 participants of the AGBU New York Summer
Intern Program (NYSIP). The event was particularly emotional for the
author, as the participants of NYSIP had recently fulfilled their
community service obligations by taking part in Sunshine for Seniors, an
AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY) event which takes
place annually at the Armenian Home for the Aged in Queens, NY. Ahnert's
mother, Ester, spent the last few years of her life there and was
frequently visited by the author.
Margaret Ahnert's presentation of "The Knock at the Door" has become an
annual event for AGBU's NYSIP, which is currently celebrating its 23rd
anniversary.
Each summer, the New York Summer Intern Program (agbu.org/nysip) chooses
30-35 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to
participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience in New York City.
Students intern in a variety of industries, including finance, media,
law, international relations and the arts. Applicants must have
completed their sophomore year of college to be eligible for
participation. After selecting the most qualified applicants, NYSIP
conducts a search of available positions and discusses options that suit
the demands of each student's professional goals. All students are
housed at the New York University dormitories. The interns participate
in specially organized social, educational and cultural activities that
highlight current and Armenian topics.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.
From: A. Papazian