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PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
Fax: 617-484-1759
E-Mail: [email protected]
LECTURE ON ARMENIANS IN EGYPT TO TAKE PLACE AT ARARAT-ESKIJIAN MUSEUM
Sona Zeitlian of Los Angeles, CA, will give a lecture on "Armenian
Pioneers and Statesmen of Egypt," at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105
Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA, on Sunday, March 4, at 4:00 p.m.
The lecture will be co-sponsored by the Museum and the National
Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).
Zeitlian is the author of The Armenians in Egypt: Contributions of
Armenians to Medieval and Modern Egypt (2006). This is a richly
illustrated study of the Armenian involvement in the politico-military
and cultural developments of 11th and 12th centuries, as well as the
input of Armenians in the politico-economic evolution of modern Egypt,
the overhaul of its legal system and the reform of its educational
system.
Unique Perspective on Small But Significant Community
Although there have been several books written about Armenians in Egypt,
this volume offers a unique perspective on Armenians and the Armenian
community in the context of the sociopolitical reality of Egypt's most
interesting and pivotal periods of history.
Armenians have had an uninterrupted presence in Egypt from the Roman and
Byzantine periods to modern times and, although numerically the
smallest, they rose to rank first among Egypt's diverse minorities
mainly because of their active involvement in the fabric of Egyptian
society.
As personalities have counted far more than systems in Egypt, Muslim
Armenians have held leadership positions during the 11th and 12th
centuries, contributing to the political, economic, military, and
cultural development of medieval Egypt. Most of them were former
slaves, yet they had a palpable awareness of their identity and an
appreciation of their heritage as Armenians. During their tenure, the
Armenian See was established which functions to this day, Armenian armed
forces were instituted, and waves of Armenian refugees were given
opportunities to rebuild their lives, worship freely, and develop a
prosperous community.
The author also documents the achievements of Armenians in ministerial
and other leadership positions whose talents, foresight, and
statesmanship played a major role in shaping the Egyptian society and in
helping develop a vibrant Armenian community during the 19th and 20th
centuries.
Zeitlian offers a unique perspective on Armenian leaders, highlighting
their sense of responsibility as citizens, their respect for the law and
social justice, and the humanitarian treatment of people, regardless of
rank, economic standing, religion, or ethnic origin. They upheld these
values at a time when the concept of human rights did not even exist.
Sona Zeitlian was born in Cairo, Egypt. She has studied social sciences
and psychology at the American University in Cairo and taught in
community schools in Cairo and Beirut, and finally in Los Angeles since
1989. She has acted as senior editor of Los Angeles-based HSZ
Publications. In 1995 she was nominated to the Advisory Board of the
Gustave E. Von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies at UCLA. She
has been active in educational work and community service and is highly
acclaimed for her lectures, panel discussions, and seminars.
Her previous publications include The Role of Armenian Women During the
War of Liberation (winner of the Cilician Catholicosate's Melitinetsi
Award), The Folktales of Musa Dagh (with illustrations by Lucy
Tutunjian), Legendary Armenian Braves (four volumes, with illustrations
by Lucy Tutunjian), and The One and Only (Armenian/English folktale,
with illustration by Shushig Arslanian).
More information on Zeitlian's lecture may be had by calling
617-489-1610, by fax at 617-484-1759, by e-mail at [email protected], or by
writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478; or by contacting
the Ararat-Eskijian Museum at 818-838-4862 or by e-mail at
[email protected].
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
Fax: 617-484-1759
E-Mail: [email protected]
LECTURE ON ARMENIANS IN EGYPT TO TAKE PLACE AT ARARAT-ESKIJIAN MUSEUM
Sona Zeitlian of Los Angeles, CA, will give a lecture on "Armenian
Pioneers and Statesmen of Egypt," at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105
Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA, on Sunday, March 4, at 4:00 p.m.
The lecture will be co-sponsored by the Museum and the National
Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).
Zeitlian is the author of The Armenians in Egypt: Contributions of
Armenians to Medieval and Modern Egypt (2006). This is a richly
illustrated study of the Armenian involvement in the politico-military
and cultural developments of 11th and 12th centuries, as well as the
input of Armenians in the politico-economic evolution of modern Egypt,
the overhaul of its legal system and the reform of its educational
system.
Unique Perspective on Small But Significant Community
Although there have been several books written about Armenians in Egypt,
this volume offers a unique perspective on Armenians and the Armenian
community in the context of the sociopolitical reality of Egypt's most
interesting and pivotal periods of history.
Armenians have had an uninterrupted presence in Egypt from the Roman and
Byzantine periods to modern times and, although numerically the
smallest, they rose to rank first among Egypt's diverse minorities
mainly because of their active involvement in the fabric of Egyptian
society.
As personalities have counted far more than systems in Egypt, Muslim
Armenians have held leadership positions during the 11th and 12th
centuries, contributing to the political, economic, military, and
cultural development of medieval Egypt. Most of them were former
slaves, yet they had a palpable awareness of their identity and an
appreciation of their heritage as Armenians. During their tenure, the
Armenian See was established which functions to this day, Armenian armed
forces were instituted, and waves of Armenian refugees were given
opportunities to rebuild their lives, worship freely, and develop a
prosperous community.
The author also documents the achievements of Armenians in ministerial
and other leadership positions whose talents, foresight, and
statesmanship played a major role in shaping the Egyptian society and in
helping develop a vibrant Armenian community during the 19th and 20th
centuries.
Zeitlian offers a unique perspective on Armenian leaders, highlighting
their sense of responsibility as citizens, their respect for the law and
social justice, and the humanitarian treatment of people, regardless of
rank, economic standing, religion, or ethnic origin. They upheld these
values at a time when the concept of human rights did not even exist.
Sona Zeitlian was born in Cairo, Egypt. She has studied social sciences
and psychology at the American University in Cairo and taught in
community schools in Cairo and Beirut, and finally in Los Angeles since
1989. She has acted as senior editor of Los Angeles-based HSZ
Publications. In 1995 she was nominated to the Advisory Board of the
Gustave E. Von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies at UCLA. She
has been active in educational work and community service and is highly
acclaimed for her lectures, panel discussions, and seminars.
Her previous publications include The Role of Armenian Women During the
War of Liberation (winner of the Cilician Catholicosate's Melitinetsi
Award), The Folktales of Musa Dagh (with illustrations by Lucy
Tutunjian), Legendary Armenian Braves (four volumes, with illustrations
by Lucy Tutunjian), and The One and Only (Armenian/English folktale,
with illustration by Shushig Arslanian).
More information on Zeitlian's lecture may be had by calling
617-489-1610, by fax at 617-484-1759, by e-mail at [email protected], or by
writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478; or by contacting
the Ararat-Eskijian Museum at 818-838-4862 or by e-mail at
[email protected].