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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The American Turkish Society
and Moon and Stars Project
305 E. 47^th Street New York, NY 10017
www.americanturkishsociety.org
www.moonandstarsproject.org  

PROMINENT TURKISH-ARMENIAN JOURNALIST REMEMBERED IN NEW YORK

New York, April 26, 2010—The American Turkish Society and Moon and Stars Project will present a special benefit concert in New York on May 8, 2010, at 8pm, paying tribute to Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian journalist and editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos newspaper, who was killed on January 19, 2007.

World renowned percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan and rock artist Yasar Kurt will share the stage of The Kaye Playhouse with musicians from the Armenian Navy Band to perform Tuncboyaciyan’s timeless songs, as well as works from Yash-Ar’s debut album Against Hatred and Animosity (Nefrete Kine Karsi), which includes a special song dedicated to the memory of Hrant Dink. Proceeds of the concert will go to The International Hrant Dink Foundation.

Notwithstanding a troubled history and ongoing political, social and cultural hurdles to mutual understanding, the concert comes at a time of renewed reconciliation efforts between the two countries. “The concert offers a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the role of music in uniting communities together and promoting cultural diversity,” says Binnaz Saktanber, Vice President of Moon and Stars Project. Highlighting the late Turkish-Armenian journalist’s lifelong struggle to foster dialogue between the peoples of Turkey and Armenia and their respective communities worldwide, Saktanber adds “This special program is a genuine effort to follow in his footsteps.”

In order to maximize support for the International Hrant Dink Foundation, The American Turkish Society and Moon and Stars Project seek individual and institutional supporters. The Chrest Foundation, Ramerica International, and Turkish Kitchen are initial sponsors of the concert, and a number of individual donors offer additional support.

The American Turkish Society, founded in 1949, is America's oldest not-for-profit organization seeking to enhance economic, political and cultural ties between the United States and Turkey. Moon and Stars Project highlights the best of Turkish arts and culture in the United States since 2002 and hosts the New York Turkish Film Festival.

The International Hrant Dink Foundation was founded in 2007 to carry on Hrant Dink’s legacy of creating a culture of dialogue, empathy and peace among the peoples of Turkey, Armenia and Europe. For more information, please visit www.hrantdink.org.

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Purchase Tickets:
Ticket prices for the concert are $50, $40, $20 (Student & Senior). A special VIP ticket of $125 (incl. reception and CD) is available. To purchase tickets and artists' CDs please follow related links on the event's page on www.americanturkishsociety.org or www.moonandstarsproject.org.

Support the Concert:
Individuals interested in supporting the concert may make a tax-deductible donation online, by phone or mail. Donations may be made by check, credit card or cash. For details, please check www.americanturkishsociety.org and www.moonandstarsproject.org.

Media Attendance:
Media representatives wishing to attend the event need to RSVP and state the equipment that they will bring. 

Contact:
Please contact Doga Kayalar at d.kayalar@americanturkishsociety.org with questions regarding making a contribution, if you are media personnel and need to RSVP, or any other inquiries.

** For Turkish version, please click HERE **