Filmmaker Embarks On Journey To Document Ethiopian Armenian Community
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TEZETA [The Ethiopian Armenians
YEREVAN - Aramazt Kalayjian, an American Armenian who repatriated to
Armenia in 2012, is directing a documentary about the Ethiopian
Armenians.
Kalayjian will be returning to Ethiopia in March to continue the
second phase of production with crew members, Marie Claire Andrea
(Producer), Miles McNulty (Associate Director) and Tamirat Mekonen
(Cinematographer). Ani Jilozian (Editor), Saro Paparian (Sound
Designer), and Raffi Wartanian (Associate Writer) are part of the crew
involved in post-production which will be completed in Yerevan,
Armenia.
Currently, Kalayjian has interviewed 35 members of the Armenian
community, 10 famous Ethiopian musicians, 3 researchers of
Ethiopian-Armenian history, and two members of Ethiopian Orthodox
clergy. Release date is slated to be in April of 2014
About the Ethiopian Armenians
The Ethiopian Armenians' phenomenal achievements have contributed
greatly to Ethiopian society. Armenians brought the first car to
Ethiopia, imported guns to help stave off Italian invasion, and
created the first Ethiopian national anthem. Forty Armenian Genocide
survivors, orphaned and living in Jerusalem, were adopted by Emperor
Haile Selassie I to create the first imperial orchestra of Ethiopia.
One Armenian man raised a generation of musicians and singers who have
moved on to create an addictive form of big-band jazz that has found
an international name today.
Ethiopian Armenians have also met with challenges. They've struggled
to gain acceptance into a larger Ethiopian society and many of their
properties, businesses, and homes have been usurped. They've seen an
exodus of their community members, many of whom fled the communist
Derg Regime. There are no more than 100 members of the Ethiopian
Armenian community left in Ethiopia.
About TEZETA [The Ethiopian Armenians]
The Ethiopian Armenians' story has rarely been told.
In Ethiopia, the communist Derg regime re-wrote much of Ethiopian
history in an attempt to erase the history of imperial influence on
their society, an influence that Armenians benefitted from owing to
their trusted and religious connection to the royalty. There are few
and rare books that document Armenians' migration to Ethiopia. There
are few researchers focusing on that history today. Only recently have
historians and researchers begun to center their attention on this
unique bond and kinship that has lead to a fruitful cultural romance
over the centuries.
This documentary aims at creating a first-ever international film that
will highlight the unique connection between Ethiopians and Armenians.
In order to continue filming with high quality production, the TEZETA
crew needs funds for equipment, travel, crew-hire, permits and
boarding.
http://asbarez.com/108208/filmmaker-embarks-on-journey-to-document-ethiopian-armenian-community/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
`]
TEZETA [The Ethiopian Armenians
YEREVAN - Aramazt Kalayjian, an American Armenian who repatriated to
Armenia in 2012, is directing a documentary about the Ethiopian
Armenians.
Kalayjian will be returning to Ethiopia in March to continue the
second phase of production with crew members, Marie Claire Andrea
(Producer), Miles McNulty (Associate Director) and Tamirat Mekonen
(Cinematographer). Ani Jilozian (Editor), Saro Paparian (Sound
Designer), and Raffi Wartanian (Associate Writer) are part of the crew
involved in post-production which will be completed in Yerevan,
Armenia.
Currently, Kalayjian has interviewed 35 members of the Armenian
community, 10 famous Ethiopian musicians, 3 researchers of
Ethiopian-Armenian history, and two members of Ethiopian Orthodox
clergy. Release date is slated to be in April of 2014
About the Ethiopian Armenians
The Ethiopian Armenians' phenomenal achievements have contributed
greatly to Ethiopian society. Armenians brought the first car to
Ethiopia, imported guns to help stave off Italian invasion, and
created the first Ethiopian national anthem. Forty Armenian Genocide
survivors, orphaned and living in Jerusalem, were adopted by Emperor
Haile Selassie I to create the first imperial orchestra of Ethiopia.
One Armenian man raised a generation of musicians and singers who have
moved on to create an addictive form of big-band jazz that has found
an international name today.
Ethiopian Armenians have also met with challenges. They've struggled
to gain acceptance into a larger Ethiopian society and many of their
properties, businesses, and homes have been usurped. They've seen an
exodus of their community members, many of whom fled the communist
Derg Regime. There are no more than 100 members of the Ethiopian
Armenian community left in Ethiopia.
About TEZETA [The Ethiopian Armenians]
The Ethiopian Armenians' story has rarely been told.
In Ethiopia, the communist Derg regime re-wrote much of Ethiopian
history in an attempt to erase the history of imperial influence on
their society, an influence that Armenians benefitted from owing to
their trusted and religious connection to the royalty. There are few
and rare books that document Armenians' migration to Ethiopia. There
are few researchers focusing on that history today. Only recently have
historians and researchers begun to center their attention on this
unique bond and kinship that has lead to a fruitful cultural romance
over the centuries.
This documentary aims at creating a first-ever international film that
will highlight the unique connection between Ethiopians and Armenians.
In order to continue filming with high quality production, the TEZETA
crew needs funds for equipment, travel, crew-hire, permits and
boarding.
http://asbarez.com/108208/filmmaker-embarks-on-journey-to-document-ethiopian-armenian-community/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress