Zaven Kouyoumdjian
Encyclopedia
Zaven Kouyoumdjian is a well known Lebanese
talk show
host of both Armenian and Lebanese
descent. His show, Sirée Wenfatahet (Arabic
سيرة وانفتحت), is one of the highest rated in the Middle East. Zaven is married to Laury Haytayan and has two children, Marc (2003) and Ara (2007).
In 1988, he entered the Lebanese American University
as a Business Administration major, but his love for journalism gave him the courage to transfer to Communication Arts. His parents were not supportive at first because they felt that he would have a hard time finding a job because Lebanese Armenians were stereotypically known to be weak in Arabic and journalism in Lebanon was mainly in the Arabic language
and was then associated with war coverage only. He was not discouraged and continued his major, focusing on TV journalism while taking private lessons in Arabic. He graduated with a BA in Communication Arts with honors.
as a reporter and late-night news anchor. Soon afterwards, he became Télé Liban
’s news correspondent at the Presidential Palace
in Baabda
. He started his first weekly talk show, "5/7" in 1995, and his investigative journalism made him a household name in Lebanon. The controversial issues he investigated, such as the dumping of toxic wastes, the Israeli kidnapping of Mousafa Aldirani and the ban of the Lebanese Forces
, made headline news. He was often interrogated by the then Syrian-controlled government. Despite the Syrian-controlled government’s attempt to censor and even ban his program, he continued to produce his show. "5/7" became Télé Liban
's longest running talk show in the 1990s and scored the highest rating for a single talk show episode in 1996. During his coverage of the Israeli "Grapes of Wrath" offensive on South Lebanon, Zaven did not hide his emotions as he brought the horrifying footage of the Israeli massacres at Qana
and Mansouri villages to the world. The Syrian-controlled government was finally able to ban his show from airing on Télé Liban
in 1998. Zaven shaved his head as an expression of protest. Seven months later, he moved to Future Television
and started his new show, “Siré Wenfatahit,” which quickly became one of the most popular talk shows in the Arab world
. In 2004, Zaven convinced four HIV positive individuals to appear on his show about life after AIDS and discrimination. This was the first time that HIV positive individuals appeared on any Arab channel without covering their faces. Also in 2004, he published his first book, Lebanon Shot Twice. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey
, he launched the first Arab television book club, the "Nesreen Jaber Book Club". Zaven launched a new series, called Ana Ala'an (meaning Me Now) in 2006. The series aimed at giving the chance for Arab youth to express their thoughts and feelings on TV using their personal camera.
Lebanese people
The Lebanese people are a nation and ethnic group of Levantine people originating in what is today the country of Lebanon, including those who had inhabited Mount Lebanon prior to the creation of the modern Lebanese state....
talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host of both Armenian and Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
descent. His show, Sirée Wenfatahet (Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
سيرة وانفتحت), is one of the highest rated in the Middle East. Zaven is married to Laury Haytayan and has two children, Marc (2003) and Ara (2007).
Early years
Zaven was born in Beirut on May 15, 1970 to Ardashes Kouyoumdjian and Souad Kaadi. He received his primary and secondary education at the Armenian Evangelical College in Beirut.In 1988, he entered the Lebanese American University
Lebanese American University
The Lebanese American University is a secular, private and independent American university located in Lebanon...
as a Business Administration major, but his love for journalism gave him the courage to transfer to Communication Arts. His parents were not supportive at first because they felt that he would have a hard time finding a job because Lebanese Armenians were stereotypically known to be weak in Arabic and journalism in Lebanon was mainly in the Arabic language
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
and was then associated with war coverage only. He was not discouraged and continued his major, focusing on TV journalism while taking private lessons in Arabic. He graduated with a BA in Communication Arts with honors.
Career
In 1992, he joined Télé LibanTélé Liban
Télé Liban became the first Lebanese public television network, owned by the Lebanese government. Télé Liban was a result of the merger of two privately-owned stations, CLT and Télé Orient in 1977. Currently, it mainly broadcasts terrestrially throughout Lebanon. TL is the current Lebanese...
as a reporter and late-night news anchor. Soon afterwards, he became Télé Liban
Télé Liban
Télé Liban became the first Lebanese public television network, owned by the Lebanese government. Télé Liban was a result of the merger of two privately-owned stations, CLT and Télé Orient in 1977. Currently, it mainly broadcasts terrestrially throughout Lebanon. TL is the current Lebanese...
’s news correspondent at the Presidential Palace
Baabda Palace
Baabda Palace is the official residence of the President of Lebanon. It is situated on a hill in the mountain town of Baabda overlooking Beirut. It is surrounded by the Ministry of Defence and various military posts...
in Baabda
Baabda
Baabda is the capital city of Baabda District as well as the capital of Mount Lebanon Governorate, western Lebanon. Baabda was the capital city of the autonomous Ottoman Mount Lebanon....
. He started his first weekly talk show, "5/7" in 1995, and his investigative journalism made him a household name in Lebanon. The controversial issues he investigated, such as the dumping of toxic wastes, the Israeli kidnapping of Mousafa Aldirani and the ban of the Lebanese Forces
Lebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
, made headline news. He was often interrogated by the then Syrian-controlled government. Despite the Syrian-controlled government’s attempt to censor and even ban his program, he continued to produce his show. "5/7" became Télé Liban
Télé Liban
Télé Liban became the first Lebanese public television network, owned by the Lebanese government. Télé Liban was a result of the merger of two privately-owned stations, CLT and Télé Orient in 1977. Currently, it mainly broadcasts terrestrially throughout Lebanon. TL is the current Lebanese...
's longest running talk show in the 1990s and scored the highest rating for a single talk show episode in 1996. During his coverage of the Israeli "Grapes of Wrath" offensive on South Lebanon, Zaven did not hide his emotions as he brought the horrifying footage of the Israeli massacres at Qana
Qana
Qana also spelled Cana is a village in southern Lebanon located southeast of the city of Tyre and north of the border with Israel. The 10,000 residents of Qana are primarily Shiite Muslim although there is also a Christian community in the village....
and Mansouri villages to the world. The Syrian-controlled government was finally able to ban his show from airing on Télé Liban
Télé Liban
Télé Liban became the first Lebanese public television network, owned by the Lebanese government. Télé Liban was a result of the merger of two privately-owned stations, CLT and Télé Orient in 1977. Currently, it mainly broadcasts terrestrially throughout Lebanon. TL is the current Lebanese...
in 1998. Zaven shaved his head as an expression of protest. Seven months later, he moved to Future Television
Future Television
Future Television a television station broadcasting from Lebanon. It was founded in 1993 by Rafik Hariri, a former Prime Minister of Lebanon. Future TV is also available via satellite in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Politically, the channel supports the views of the Future...
and started his new show, “Siré Wenfatahit,” which quickly became one of the most popular talk shows in the Arab world
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
. In 2004, Zaven convinced four HIV positive individuals to appear on his show about life after AIDS and discrimination. This was the first time that HIV positive individuals appeared on any Arab channel without covering their faces. Also in 2004, he published his first book, Lebanon Shot Twice. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
, he launched the first Arab television book club, the "Nesreen Jaber Book Club". Zaven launched a new series, called Ana Ala'an (meaning Me Now) in 2006. The series aimed at giving the chance for Arab youth to express their thoughts and feelings on TV using their personal camera.
Awards
- His live coverage of the “Grapes of Wrath” won him the prestigious Honors Certificate of the Lebanese Press Order, establishing him as one of Lebanon’s leading TV journalists.
- In 1997, he received the Appreciation Certificate of the United Nations Development Program for Sustainable Development for his work in "5/7".
- The municipality of Bourj HammoudBourj HammoudBourj Hammoud is a suburb in North-East Beirut, Lebanon in the Metn district. The suburb is heavily populated by Armenians as it is where most survivors of the Armenian Genocide settled...
granted him the honorary key of the city in 1997. - In 2002, he received Arab Media Award 2002 of the UK International College – London for “his efforts in creating a Pan Arab dialogue on social issues”.
- In 2002, he received best social talk show award of the Media Festival - Beirut which was organized by the Lebanese University.
- In 2005, NewsweekNewsweekNewsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
listed Zaven as one of 43 most influential people in the Arab World. http://www.zavenonline.com/newsweek_en.shtml - In 2006, he won the best social talk show award of the fourth Media Festival - Beirut 2006 organized by the Lebanese University.
- In 2008, he won Student Choice Award for best social talk show.
- In 2009, he was honored by the municipality of Ghazir town in keserwan (Mount Lebanon)in a ceremony honoring the ten of its notables for their live achievements and good will.
- During his live show on the 21st of December 2010, Zaven received the best social talk show prize of the Arab Youth Media Forum 2010. The forum was held under the patronage of Jordanian prime minister in Amman, Jordan on the 6th of December