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Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian, Public Relations Director
P.O.Box: 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: 01-349230/1
01-353010/1/2
Haigazian University Honors Renowned Photo Journalist Harry Koundakjian
Beirut 10/05/2007,
On Tuesday, 8 May, 2007, on the occasion of the Lebanese Press Martyrs' Day,
and under the auspices of the Minister of Information, H.E. Ghazi Aridi,
Haigazian University inaugurated the life work of world renowned press
photographer Harry Koundakjian, at an exhibition entitled "50 Years of Photo
Journalism", in the Arthur Matossian Gallery, of the university.
The Mugar Garden hosted a crowd of dignitaries, media, family, and friends
which included, former minister and MP Bahige Tabbara, Head of the Lebanese
Press Order, Melhem Karam, President of the Press Photographers Syndicate in
Lebanon, Jamal Saidi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Stephane De
Loecker, The Head of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the
Near East, Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian, the representative of the Catholicos
of the House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, Father Krikor Chifjian, the
Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Lebanon, Kegham Khatcherian, the
Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Berge Hadjian, and the Vice
Governor of the Central Bank, Alan Balian.
The program opened with a word of welcome by Haigazian University's Public
Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, referring to the martyrs, who were
basically Lebanese journalist that sacrificed their life for independence,
liberal thoughts and freedom of speech and expression.
University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian welcomed the Minister of
Information, and addressed the audience saying, "there are people who make
history, others who write history, still others who read history. But there
are also those who open windows into that history and shed light without
discrimination on its darkest or brightest characters and events."
Haidostian appreciated the high risk factor of journalism, and its mission,
"the journalists pay a high price for their mission. It could cost them
their life. Even though in present day Lebanon, journalism is sometimes
mistakenly seen as a subjective, propagandist, political and partisan
activity, we need to always remember that journalism is a mission, and if
so, then martyrdom is one of its most painful consequences".
Minister Aridi praised Koundakjian for his 50-year career, and appreciated
Koundakjian's bold decision to return to his home, Lebanon, amidst the
country's political instability.
"This gathering of people from the media, politics, art, photography,
reflects a beautiful image of Lebanon, all surrounding Harry Koundakjian to
appreciated his talent and sacrifices of his long term career", noted Aridi.
Then President Haidostian and Minister Aridi presented Koundakjian with the
University's token of recognition.
In his turn, Koundakjian, very touched and emotionally affected by the
crowd, thanked the audience for being faithful and for being there. He
promised the press that soon he will be returning to his beloved Beirut,
ready to serve all the newspapers.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the audience followed Koundakjian in
explaining and presenting his photographs, and the circumstances in which he
shot them.
The exhibition featured some 75 photographs, reminding people of the 20th
century's most dangerous conflicts, historical moments, as well as the
world's famous stars and political figures.
Haigazian had the honor to include in this exhibition two world prize
winning photos: "Princess on the Rocks", is the photo of Princess Lala
Lamia, daughter of the Lebanese Prime Minister, Riad El Solh, watching a
water-skiing competition in Jounieh, Lebanon, in 1963, and "Please Save Me"
is the photograph of a Lebanese taxi driver trapped in the wreckage of his
car in 1962.
Other stars include, Brigitte Bardot deciding on a role with a director,
Omar Sharif, Louis Armstrong, and of course Lebanon's famous singer Feirouz
rehearsing with her husband, composer Assi Rahbani.
People were very touched in seeing the photo of Lebanese President Camille
Chamoun posing with his martyr son Dany, as well as the one of
Parliamentarian and publisher, MP Ghassan Tueni, with his martyr son Gebran
taken before one month of the latter's assassination.
The exhibition also featured photos from the Lebanese war, the Black
September in Sudan, the revolution attempts in Yemen, the 2700th Anniversary
of the Persion Empire, and world religious leaders during special moments.
It is worth noting that many special guests visited the exhibition during
that week, enjoying a private tour with Koundakjian, including the
Catholicos of the House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, MP Walid Joumblat,
MP and Annahar Editor in Chief, veteran journalist, Ghassan Tueni, Indian
Ambassador, H.E. Nengcha Lhouvum, and the general public.
Veteran photographer, Harry L. Koundarkjian began his professional career in
1952, when he joined the Beirut French language paper, "L'Orient" and its
sister Arabic publication Jarida , as the first press photographer in
Lebanon.
He joined the Associated Press in 1967, and was appointed chief of the A.P.
Middle East photo staff in 1969.
Koundakjian also worked as a freelancer to many newspapers and magazines
like, Aztag Daily,Dar Assayad Publications, al Jamhour al Jadid, Magazine,
al Ousbouh al Arabi, and international publications like, Paris Match,
France Soir, Life, , the Illustrated London News, London Daily Mail,
London's Daily Telegraph and London's Economist
Called "Harry the Horse" by his colleagues, because of his tenacity and
indefatigable energy, Koundakjian has been in the thick of danger many times
during his over 50-year professional career in more than 22 countries.
Throughout his career, Koundarjian has been on a first name basis with many
of its leaders, including Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Sadat, Syria's
Assad and Libya's Khadafi. His photos- many, front page- have won him
honors, including the AP Managing Editor's plaque, and the World Press Photo
Award.
Mira Yardemian, Public Relations Director
P.O.Box: 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel: 01-349230/1
01-353010/1/2
Haigazian University Honors Renowned Photo Journalist Harry Koundakjian
Beirut 10/05/2007,
On Tuesday, 8 May, 2007, on the occasion of the Lebanese Press Martyrs' Day,
and under the auspices of the Minister of Information, H.E. Ghazi Aridi,
Haigazian University inaugurated the life work of world renowned press
photographer Harry Koundakjian, at an exhibition entitled "50 Years of Photo
Journalism", in the Arthur Matossian Gallery, of the university.
The Mugar Garden hosted a crowd of dignitaries, media, family, and friends
which included, former minister and MP Bahige Tabbara, Head of the Lebanese
Press Order, Melhem Karam, President of the Press Photographers Syndicate in
Lebanon, Jamal Saidi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Stephane De
Loecker, The Head of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the
Near East, Rev. Megrditch Karagoezian, the representative of the Catholicos
of the House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, Father Krikor Chifjian, the
Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Lebanon, Kegham Khatcherian, the
Director General of the Ministry of Environment, Berge Hadjian, and the Vice
Governor of the Central Bank, Alan Balian.
The program opened with a word of welcome by Haigazian University's Public
Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, referring to the martyrs, who were
basically Lebanese journalist that sacrificed their life for independence,
liberal thoughts and freedom of speech and expression.
University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian welcomed the Minister of
Information, and addressed the audience saying, "there are people who make
history, others who write history, still others who read history. But there
are also those who open windows into that history and shed light without
discrimination on its darkest or brightest characters and events."
Haidostian appreciated the high risk factor of journalism, and its mission,
"the journalists pay a high price for their mission. It could cost them
their life. Even though in present day Lebanon, journalism is sometimes
mistakenly seen as a subjective, propagandist, political and partisan
activity, we need to always remember that journalism is a mission, and if
so, then martyrdom is one of its most painful consequences".
Minister Aridi praised Koundakjian for his 50-year career, and appreciated
Koundakjian's bold decision to return to his home, Lebanon, amidst the
country's political instability.
"This gathering of people from the media, politics, art, photography,
reflects a beautiful image of Lebanon, all surrounding Harry Koundakjian to
appreciated his talent and sacrifices of his long term career", noted Aridi.
Then President Haidostian and Minister Aridi presented Koundakjian with the
University's token of recognition.
In his turn, Koundakjian, very touched and emotionally affected by the
crowd, thanked the audience for being faithful and for being there. He
promised the press that soon he will be returning to his beloved Beirut,
ready to serve all the newspapers.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the audience followed Koundakjian in
explaining and presenting his photographs, and the circumstances in which he
shot them.
The exhibition featured some 75 photographs, reminding people of the 20th
century's most dangerous conflicts, historical moments, as well as the
world's famous stars and political figures.
Haigazian had the honor to include in this exhibition two world prize
winning photos: "Princess on the Rocks", is the photo of Princess Lala
Lamia, daughter of the Lebanese Prime Minister, Riad El Solh, watching a
water-skiing competition in Jounieh, Lebanon, in 1963, and "Please Save Me"
is the photograph of a Lebanese taxi driver trapped in the wreckage of his
car in 1962.
Other stars include, Brigitte Bardot deciding on a role with a director,
Omar Sharif, Louis Armstrong, and of course Lebanon's famous singer Feirouz
rehearsing with her husband, composer Assi Rahbani.
People were very touched in seeing the photo of Lebanese President Camille
Chamoun posing with his martyr son Dany, as well as the one of
Parliamentarian and publisher, MP Ghassan Tueni, with his martyr son Gebran
taken before one month of the latter's assassination.
The exhibition also featured photos from the Lebanese war, the Black
September in Sudan, the revolution attempts in Yemen, the 2700th Anniversary
of the Persion Empire, and world religious leaders during special moments.
It is worth noting that many special guests visited the exhibition during
that week, enjoying a private tour with Koundakjian, including the
Catholicos of the House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I, MP Walid Joumblat,
MP and Annahar Editor in Chief, veteran journalist, Ghassan Tueni, Indian
Ambassador, H.E. Nengcha Lhouvum, and the general public.
Veteran photographer, Harry L. Koundarkjian began his professional career in
1952, when he joined the Beirut French language paper, "L'Orient" and its
sister Arabic publication Jarida , as the first press photographer in
Lebanon.
He joined the Associated Press in 1967, and was appointed chief of the A.P.
Middle East photo staff in 1969.
Koundakjian also worked as a freelancer to many newspapers and magazines
like, Aztag Daily,Dar Assayad Publications, al Jamhour al Jadid, Magazine,
al Ousbouh al Arabi, and international publications like, Paris Match,
France Soir, Life, , the Illustrated London News, London Daily Mail,
London's Daily Telegraph and London's Economist
Called "Harry the Horse" by his colleagues, because of his tenacity and
indefatigable energy, Koundakjian has been in the thick of danger many times
during his over 50-year professional career in more than 22 countries.
Throughout his career, Koundarjian has been on a first name basis with many
of its leaders, including Jordan's King Hussein, Egypt's Sadat, Syria's
Assad and Libya's Khadafi. His photos- many, front page- have won him
honors, including the AP Managing Editor's plaque, and the World Press Photo
Award.