CALL TO ACTION: Help Introduce the Treasures of Armenia to the World
Dear Friends,
The Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, Inc. (SNFF), a California-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is embarking upon a new program of cultural outreach. The objective of the program is to introduce the treasures of Armenia to the world by bringing artists, experts, scholars, scientists and other professionals to the United States to share their knowledge with the Armenian and non-Armenian communities. The lectures they present will be recorded and made available on DVD and also via the Internet in order to reach local, national, and international audiences.
The first program that SNFF is committed to implement is the international presentation of “Komitas: the Life and Works,” a multimedia DVD, comprising of a digitized collection of songs, photographs, texts and videos related to Komitas. The multimedia DVD will be presented by Garegin Chugaszyan, co-founder and president of ITE CJSC, specializing in the development of multimedia products for education in Yerevan, Armenia. One of the products of the company, “Aram Khachaturian: The Life and Works” has been selected by the World Summit Award 2005 Grand Jury as the world’s best cultural CD/DVD multimedia product of 2005. “Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923,” another interactive multimedia DVD, received recognition by the World Summit Award 2005 Grand Jury as one of the top 10 products in e-learning category and was given special mention. Both products were winner in the All-Armenian 2005 National e-content contest “Mashtots 1600.”
Our goal is to present the cultural treasures of the Armenian people to the world. We believe this will reflect a positive image of Armenian values and outstanding achievements, which have earned the nation international respect and admiration. We hope that programs such as this will also act as a powerful counterbalance to a negative stereotype of the Armenian people, which has been mushrooming through the news media lately. The presentations will be recorded and made available on DVD and online.
In order to bring Garegin Chugaszyan to the U.S. for the inaugural outreach program, “Komitas: The Life and Works,” we need your financial support. Be it $1 or $1,000, your tax-deductible contribution will help to fly Mr. Chugaszyan to the U.S. from Armenia and provide housing, meals, a modest stipend, travel expenses inside the U.S., and the cost of advertising (newspaper, television, and other news media). We are offering a few great promotional gifts as a thank you for your donations. For a donation in the amount between $100 and $249, we will give you a copy of “Aram Khachaturian: The Life and Works” multimedia CD-ROM; a donation ranging between $250 and $499 will reward you with two multimedia DVDs: a copy of “Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923” and “Aram Khachaturian: The Life and Works” multimedia CD-ROMs. A donation of $500 and more will be thanked with three multimedia DVDs: a copy of “Paruir Sevak. These are my words…”, “Aram Khachaturian: The Life and Works” and “Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923” multimedia CD-ROM s. Regardless of the donated amount, your name will be listed on our sponsor page at www.snff.org, unless anonymity is requested.
The project will have two phases. The first visit will be at the end of April, beginning of May when Garegin Chugaszyan will speak at colleges and universities in California and Massachusetts, including: USC, UCLA, Cal State Northridge, Glendale Community College, Fresno State University, UC Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard, MIT. The visits will take place during regular academic sessions, to reach as many students as possible.
The second phase of the program will take place near the end of May, beginning of June and will be focused on the public at large in Los Angeles, Glendale and the surrounding areas; Fresno, Silicon Valley, San Francisco. Event venues may include: Los Angeles, Glendale and Pasadena Public Libraries; and Ararat-Eskijian Museum. Publicity will include television interviews, newspaper articles, flyer distribution through local community organizations and business channels.
Any funds exceeding the goal set for this project will be directed to the next outreach program organized by the SNFF.
Please help us spread the word by involving your colleagues, friends, family, as well as your online social network, and encouraging them to contribute to and support this inaugural Armenian outreach effort. Let’s bring out the best in us!
To make a tax-deductible contribution for this project, please visit www.indiegogo.com/komitas
Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.
Ara K. Manoogian
Artsakh Representative
Shahan Natalie Family Foundation, Inc.
ULR: www.snff.org
email: ara@snff.org
