TEZETA: A CELEBRATION OF ETHIOPIAN-ARMENIAN MUSICAL CULTURE
by Lilly Torosyan
March 6, 2013
The popular Ethiopian song form, “Tezeta,” shares the name of Aramazt
Kalayjian’s documentary on the Ethio-Armenian contributions to the
musical culture of Ethiopia. The documentary features interviews with
Ethiopian-Armenians and ethnic Ethiopians alike, concert footages, and
archival footage and photographs. Kalayjian aims to bring the story
of the Ethiopian-Armenians to a wide audience, using the universal
language of music. Tezeta (meaning nostalgia or ‘garodes’ in Armenian)
has a “beautiful, haunting, and addictive quality that touches the
heart and soul in a very unique way,” explains the filmmaker.
I have been accepted and treated as a member of the Ethiopian-Armenian
family, and I feel very grateful for the graciousness and generosity
the Armenian community of Ethiopia has extended to me.
With the project nearing its final stages–and a slated release for
next year–the means for funding has become more difficult. Kalayjian
is raising money on the documentary’s Indigogo site through Mon.,
March 11.
Kalayjian spoke with the Armenian Weekly in a follow-up interview
about the documentary, its progress, and what’s to come.
Lilly Torosyan: You have been very passionate about this project from
the beginning, when we first interviewed you in August 2012. But what
about the process of making “Tezeta” has motivated you the most?
Aramazt Kalayjian: The most motivating part of our production was
witnessing the Addis Acoustic Project, a tremendous multi-generational
band of Ethiopian musicians, play a piece that was originally arranged
by and dedicated to the late Nerses Nalbandian, who is considered
the father of Ethiopian modern music. This song moved me from the
heart and the soul. Being present to see the singer, Germa Negash,
a famous Ethiopian singer and a former student of Nerses Nalbandian,
perform a song dedicated to his teacher was truly quite moving.
This moment exemplified for me the essence of what I aim to accomplish
through my film. I seek to inspire others to listen to Ethiopian music,
while simultaneously sparking interest in its cross-cultural history
and evoking the global potential that Armenians, once unified, can
share in. As it is now, Armenian society is spread out all over the
world. We need to celebrate facets of our culture that can help focus
and unify our interests.
For more information about “Tezeta,” including the fundraising campaign
currently under way, visit The documentary
is slated for release next year.
This is not just a unique story; it’s also a way to activate the
Armenian Diaspora. Our diaspora has the memory of a homeland of
long ago, a memory of destitution, struggle, and sorrow. However,
we lack full knowledge of the multi-layered and multi-disciplinary
accomplishments we have achieved as a globalized society.
LT: â~@¨How do you assess the impact the documentary is having on
the Armenian community in Ethiopia?
AK: I have been accepted and treated as a member of the
Ethiopian-Armenian family, and I feel very grateful for the
graciousness and generosity the Armenian community of Ethiopia has
extended to me. The Aslanians, Baghdasarians, Bilemjians, Ebeyans,
Gleyzes, Jerrahians, Karibians, Kevorkians, Keurajians, Khatchadurians,
Matouchians, Nalbandians, Parseghians, Sarkissians, Tilbians, and
Vorperians have all treated me with utmost hospitality, respect,
and warmth. They have shared their stories that otherwise may not be
told or heard, which is a great honor and a gift. My hope is that my
film does justice to these stories and brings them to wide audiences.
LT: In what ways has the Ethiopian community shown interest in the
film and its aims?
AK: There have been numerous times throughout the production of the
film when people have recounted their own experiences and encounters
with Armenians. Usually, the elders of the community hold a more
intimate experience and memory of Armenians in Ethiopia. This is,
in part, owing to their age, because they experienced life before the
communist Derg regime came to power and removed any mention of imperial
history achievements of the royal families in exchange with socialist
propaganda. This, in effect, also erased much of Armenian history in
Ethiopia as well, because Armenians were given favored status under
Emperors Menelik II and Haile Selassie I. Only now have Armenians’
contributions to Ethiopia started to become a topic of interest,
and celebrated.
We have now famous Ethiopian musicians interested in performing
in Armenia and we are coordinating the release of the film with an
Armenian-Ethiopian jazz concert in Armenia.
LT: Tell us your future plans, in regards to this project and the
Ethiopian-Armenian community. Is there more to come?
AK: To quote Luys Foundation Executive Director Jacqueline
Kaaraslanian, “Armenians were forced by history to build models for a
new world-citizenship that is a very strong and powerful contribution
to the present knowledge economy. Our modern world needs a frame
work to enhance and support cultures to come together to co-create
and co-produce.” In line with this way of thinking, our hope is to
invite Ethiopians, Ethiopian-Armenians, and others to share music,
art, stories, and research in Armenia to spur creative and educational
programs. These programs will be designed as a model for all Armenian
Diasporan communities to have a venue and audience in Armenia, and
to experiment and collaborate with local Armenians in creating beauty
and teaching through experience.
For more information about “Tezeta,” including the fundraising campaign
currently under way, visit The documentary
is slated for release next year.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/03/06/tezeta-a-celebration-of-ethiopian-armenian-musical-culture/
www.indiegogo.com/tezeta.
www.indiegogo.com/tezeta.