Kickstarter

Dear friends,

It's been two months since our last update and we wanted to inform you of some important milestones for our documentary.

Articles - We've acquired articles pertaining to the contributions of Armenians in Ethiopia to art, business and culture. These articles are now in the process of translation

Archival Photographs - we've acquired archival photographs from magazines and personal collection of members of the Armenian community in Addis Ababa and from people who have been generous and with foresight to help with donating photographs.

Translation - 80% of our interviews with several legendary Ethiopian musicians have been translated and transcribed from Amharic to English. Armenian translation has not yet begun.

Interviews - We've conducted interviews with some elders of the community who offer personal insight into the transformation of the community over the decades and give a priceless perspective as to the trajectory the community is headed.

Music Video - We've also directed, produced and edited the music video for Ethiopia's only performing Ethiopian-Armenian artist, Vahe for his song titled Yene Tizita (My Memory). Stay tuned for a posting of the music video on this website to promote an Armenian artist living and performing in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

As always, your support is appreciated every moment we are able to continue our work and we want you to know your backing has been tremendous.

Thank you for keeping independent documentary filmmaking alive!

-Aramazt Kalayjian

Dear Friends, 

I landed in Ethiopia early yesterday morning and hit the ground running. Since I landed I've already filmed an historical ceremony at the Armenian church. A rare evening mass saw the culmination of four clergymen Bishop Ashot Mnatsaganian (Egypt), Bishop Avak Asadourian (Iraq), Archbishop Voryun Babyan (Antilias, Lebanon) and Archbishop Narek Alamezyan (Antilias, Lebanon) during which a sermon was given about good shepherding.

I've also spent the morning with Francis Falceto, the mind and ears behind the exquisite 27-album Ethiopiques series which many rare tracks of Ethiopian music and big-band orchestral jazz from Ethiopia. We're discussing the possibility of organizing a concert of Ethiopian music in Armenia and his is an experience perspective having created several music festivals himself. 

Just as a reminder, we've decided to ask for mailing addresses, t-shirt sizes and photograph choices three months before our delivery date of April 24, 2014. We're forever grateful for your patience and trust in us making the best film possible. We're working hard to complete the film and have just entered our final round of production in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

We are also now in the process of raising funds to complete our production on our Indiegogo site: www.indiegogo.com/tezeta

You've already been so generous in supporting our initial fundraiser and we'd like to invite you to shout out to the world that you've given to our project!  Please share your support for your film with others and encourage them to give at any level to help complete our film!

As always, thank you for keeping independent documentary filmmaking alive.  You all are heros and heroines in my eyes!

Much love from Addis Ababa.

Aramazt Kalayjian

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

2013 Is set to be the busiest year for TEZETA as we have our second phase of production, editing and mastering as well as film festival submissions scheduled all for this year.  It is challenging and exciting and we look forward to taking on the new year with positivity and optimism. 

Our first phase of production has been dense and intense! During these past two months we have achieved interviewing over 48 people comprised of 35 members of the Armenian community, 10 amazing Ethiopian singers and musicians (including Alemehayhu Eshete, Mulatu Astatqe, Germa Negash, Marawi Sitot, Getatchew Debalke and Dawit Yifru!) and specialists/experts like Francis Falceto, the creator of the Ethiopiques series, Boris Ajemian PhD who is an authority on Ethiopian-Armenian history as well as two members of Ethiopian Orthodox Christian clergyman, whew!  

It has truly been a rewarding experience to have the opportunity to listen to so many people speak of their memories, studies, thoughts and feelings about the Ethiopian and Armenian cultural romance that has been and still is in Ethiopia. 

We also have a goal to interview every willing member of the Armenian community in Ethiopia, which we are well on the way to accomplishing.  We also have an immense challenge of translation and transcription ahead of us before we begin the editing process.  We are planning to launch a second fundraiser via Indiegogo in the coming days so keep on the lookout for our new trailer and appeal for funding coming soon.  

To show the breadth of our interviews, below is a montage of stills and photos from some of our interviews.  It's only a portion and shows how much we've been able to achieve over the last two months!  Many sincere thanks to all of you for gifting the TEZETA team the opportunity to act as witness to a community that is so immense with history and culture. It's been our honor and privilege to be your harbinger. 

Also, regarding the rewards you all I'm sure are anxious to hear about.  We will be sending emails and surveys over the next couple of weeks to get everyone's addresses and PO Boxes right so that you all receive your gifts on time and at the right place. Thanks again!

If you still wish to give or donate to our documentary, we are accepting funds through PayPal at the following link:

GIVE TODAY!

Thank you again from all the crew at TEZETA [The Ethiopian Armenians].

-TEZETA Staff & Crew