ARS Cambridge and Watertown Chapters Promote Maronian’s ‘Women of 1915’

On the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the ARS Cambridge “Shushi” and the Watertown “Leola Sassouni” Chapters recently held an inspiring weekend of events celebrating Bared Maronian’s films, “The Orphans of the Genocide” and “The Women of 1915.”

ARS Cambridge "Shushi" and Watertown "Leola Sassouni" chapter members with Bared Maronian — ARS Cambridge “Shushi” and Watertown “Leola Sassouni” chapter members with Bared Maronian

The weekend started with a film screening on March 28 at the Chenery Middle School in Belmont, Mass, where Maronian shared his documentary and answered questions from the audience. The screening was followed by a lavish fundraiser hosted by Aurelian and Anahid Mardiros, who graciously opened their home to the community to support Maronian’s work and his upcoming film, “The Women of 1915.” Guests enjoyed dinner and cocktails with a beautiful performance by Hooshere, whose amazing voice can be heard in the “Orphans of the Genocide” film. She was accompanied by the famous John Berberian on oud. It was a very moving and emotional selection of Armenian songs—somber given the occasion, yet powerful.

Ungerouhi Heather Krafian, chair of the weekend’s events, gave the opening remarks with ARS Regional Chairlady Ungerouhi Talin Daghlian. She thanked the hosts as well the benefactors of the Khatchig Babikian Fund for their $10,000 contribution to the ARS to support Armenoid Productions and the “Women of 1915” film.

Aurelian and Anahid Mardiros, Jean-Jeaques and Nicole Babikyan Hajjar and Talin Daghlian with Bared Maronian

Nicole Babikian Hajjar, the daughter of Khatchig Babikian, and her husband Jean-Jaques Hajjar were present for the evening’s festivities. Maronian followed with a presentation about his upcoming film. The screening raised nearly $8,000 to support “The Women of 1915” project. This documentary will shed light on the plight of women who survived the horrors of the genocide, of war, religious and cultural discrimination, and both physical and moral abuse. It will honor and celebrate the rise of these survivors, inspiring future generations of women worldwide.

On March 29, the ARS Cambridge “Shushi” Chapter continued its fundraising of Maronian’s “The Women of 1915” film with a performance by Zulal Armenian A Cappella Folk Trio at the Chenery Middle School. The female a cappella trio takes Armenia’s village folk melodies and weaves intricate arrangements that pay tribute to the rural roots of the music while introducing a sophisticated lyricism and energy. Zulal’s singers, Teni Apelian, Yeraz Markarian, and Anaïs Tekerian, have been singing together since 2002 in such esteemed venues as the Getty Museum, Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, and New York’s Symphony Space, along with performances for Cirque du Soleil and the Silk Road Project. Zulal is expecting their third album, “Seven Springs,” to be released in 2015.The trio celebrates the trials and joys of old Armenian village life: girls cast fortunes by the moon’s light, morning smoke rises from the tonir, young brides weave golden threads through their hair as others spin wool into gossip.

The trio of events weaved a theme of strength and survival and of coming full circle to Maronian’s next project, “The Women of 1915.”

The ARS chapters thank the Khatchig Babikian Fund, the Mardiros family for hosting the fundraiser, and all supporters who attended the weekend’s events.