PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
December 15, 2006
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ZOHRAB CENTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO DOCUMENTARIAN ANDREW GOLDBERG
By Florence Avakian
The April 17, 2006, airing of the one-hour documentary "The Armenian
Genocide" on PBS was a record breaking evening for the organization’s
fund-raising efforts. Responsible for this soul-searing film, which moved
so many to give, was producer Andrew Goldberg.
On Tuesday, December 12, 2006, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern) hosted a tribute event for the filmmaker organized by the
Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center. During the evening,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, presented the
honoree with the St. Vartan Award.
NO GENOCIDE HAS BEEN SO VOCIFEROUSLY DENIED
Goldberg, who is actively involved in working for the prevention all
genocides, is also an avid animal rights activist. During his remarks, he
related the rocky road he traversed in order to get his most recent
documentary aired.
He said his dedication stemmed from the "intensive denial waged. This story
of the Genocide had never been properly used in the media. No other
genocide has been so vociferously denied. I was frustrated by not being
listened to, by the corporate manipulators, and by a lying Congress that
tried to stop PBS from airing the documentary. I wanted to educate the
millions who don’t know."
Relating the issue to the current situation in the Darfur region of Sudan,
he asked the audience to get involved to prevent the continuation of the
genocide there.
"It rests on all of us individually to do whatever we can, including writing
letters to members of Congress, and contributing financially. I’m asking
for help for those who desperately need it," he said.
HAS GONE WHERE NO ONE BEFORE HAS GONE
Noted author and poet Dr. Peter Balakian, a friend of Goldberg for more than
eight years, related that in feting the filmmaker, the Armenian community
was celebrating his craft as a story teller in the medium of film.
"He shows us slices of history, often dark and violent, but also humane and
emotional. He deeply absorbs the material of history, never separating it
from the communities associated with those histories," he said during the
reception. "It is a complex relationship between history, politics, with
textures that come alive, and with scholars as well as common people, in an
interesting weave. That’s good storytelling."
"Obsessed by corruption and bigotry, and possessing a passion for ethical
issues, this documentary, ‘The Armenian Genocide,’ was an odyssey for him
and the Armenian community. He has gone where no one before has gone,"
Balakian added.
Goldberg has made four documentaries pertaining to Armenian themes. In
1998, he first touched the community with "The Armenian Americans;" then
came "Armenians: A Story of Survival;" followed by "Images of the Armenian
Spirit;" and finally "The Armenian Genocide" this year.
The latest film encompassed "haunting shots" of Ottoman heads of state,
Turkish scholars speaking elegantly of the Armenian Genocide, and voices of
ordinary Turkish citizens.
"It sank into layers of history and its aftermath, and reached millions of
people in the United States, and millions more worldwide," Balakian said.
"Film is the medium of our time. It’s a legacy that goes beyond the one
showing. It’s in the archives forever, and has a life of its own."
HONORING DEDICATION
In presenting the St. Vartan Award to the honoree, the Primate called the
filmmaker "a dedicated friend of the Armenian people. It is through his
fresh eyes that our centuries-old culture has been brought to life in the
powerful medium of film. Our stories – those of our artists, of our
families here in America, and of our ancestors who perished in the Genocide,
have been made accessible to millions of viewers, due in large part to Mr.
Goldberg’s talent as a cinematic story teller""
During the program at the Diocesan Center, Goldberg showed two videos. One
depicted his tireless efforts to speak to Turkish diplomats about the
Armenian Genocide outside the European Union headquarters in Brussels. The
other, which will be shown on PBS at 10 p.m. on January 8, 2007, focuses on
anti-Semitism throughout the world.
Goldberg also has two future documentary projects already in the works: "The
Story of the City of God – Jerusalem" and "For the Love of Animals."
A soulful interlude during the evening was provided by the well-known singer
Hooshere, whose modern interpretations of traditional Armenian music was
used in "The Armenian Genocide."
Aram Arkun of the Zohrab Center organized the event, which drew 150
attendees, including Armen Martirosian, Armenia’s ambassador to the United
Nations. Scheduled speaker New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau,
grandson of America’s ambassador to Ottoman Turkey during the Armenian
Genocide, was unable to be present due to a family illness.
— 12/15/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
Photos by Florence Avakian.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Filmmaker Andrew Goldberg speaks during a reception
honoring him at the Diocesan Center in New York on December 12, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Singer Hooshere performs during a reception at the
Diocesan Center in New York City honoring documentary filmmaker Andrew
Goldberg.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, presents filmmaker Andrew Goldberg, producer of the documentary
"The Armenian Genocide," with the St. Vartan Award during a reception on
December 12, 2006.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress