On Thursday, the 26th of October 2017, Haigazian University screened renowned Film Director, Haigazian University Alumnus, Bared Maronian’s long-awaited, highly acclaimed documentary movie, “Women of 1915”, to a diverse capacity audience composed of academicians, diplomats, journalists, community leaders, and students.
On this special occasion, University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian presented Maronian a trophy, in appreciation of his unwavering efforts in spreading the message of the Armenian Genocide, and highlighting the lives of honorable women of 1915. In his word, Haidostian also emphasized on the importance of shedding light on such stories, as genocides happened not only with Armenians, but with other nations and people too, and history is still repeating itself till our current days.
The program was introduced by the University’s Public Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, who shared with the audience the documentary’s main message; unveiling to the world the vital role Armenian women played in their respective communities during the Armenian Genocide, and the humanitarian efforts of American and European women who came to their aid and rescue. Among the women highlighted in the film are survivors, volunteers, and resisters, including survivor Aurora Mardiganian, American volunteer Mary Louise Graffam, first Armenian diplomat Diana Apkar, and Danish missionary Maria Jacobsen.
Bared Maronian is a four time Emmy Award winning American-Armenian documentary filmmaker, a 2016 Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Award Laureate, and most recently the recipient of the eminent ANCA-Western Region Arts and Letters Award.
Founder of the Armenoid Team in 2006, Maronian primarily produces thematically Armenian documentary films for international distribution. His critically acclaimed documentary Orphans of the Genocide has been the longest continually aired Armenian-themed film in the history of television broadcasting in the USA, reaching over 100 million viewers.
After ninety minutes of total attention and fusion with the heart-touching stories, the mesmerized audience gave a well-deserved applause to Maronian, who enthusiastically was there to answer all their questions.
The event concluded with even more chats over an elegant reception and toasts.
Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
