FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nazan Sahakian
(818) 562-1918

ANC-BURBANK INVITES CITY LEADERS AND TEACHERS TO SEE 'ARARAT'

January 9, 2003 - Burbank, CA - In the middle of the end of year holiday rush on December 18, 2002, the Armenian National Committee of Burbank launched an effort to inform the City of Burbank, schools and civic groups about "Ararat," the landmark film playing in nearby theaters, riveting audiences with thought-provoking issues on the history and denial of the Armenian Genocide. ANC-Burbank invited members of the Burbank City Council, Commissioners, Committees, School Board and teachers from local schools as well as a broad range of Burbank civic organizations for a complimentary showing of the film by Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Atom Egoyan.

Attendees included Burbank Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Alexis Sheehy and School Board candidates Ted Bunch, Lynne Gerred, Steven Hulett and Larry Applebaum; teachers from Burbank High School, Jordan Middle School, Burroughs High School and Daly High School; Burbank City Council candidates Michael Bergfeld and Vahe Honavessian; and representatives of the local Sierra Club and YMCA. For some it was the first exposure to the subject of the Armenian Genocide while for others it was an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding into how generations of Armenians have dealt with the continued denial of the events by the Turkish government.

Numerous members of the ANC-Burbank were there to meet and talk with leaders and teachers of the Burbank community and they were all pleased that so many had taken the time during the busy season to see the film. "Each time someone sees this film, that's one more person awakened to the horrors of the Turkish attempt to annihilate the Armenians in 1915," commented Garen Yeghpairian, chair of the ANC-Burbank Community Relations Subcommittee. "One can't walk away from this film without thinking about man's inhumanity to man - and considering the impact of such crimes on future generations if left unpunished."

The Armenian National Committee of Burbank is a grassroots organization with several subcommittees working in the Armenian community to build civic participation in Burbank. For more information or to join a subcommittee call 818/562-1918 or visit www.burbankanc.org.