Ahnert to Present Book at ALMA

WATERTOWN, Mass.—On Wed., July 17, Armenian-American author Margaret Ajemian Ahnert will discuss her award-winning book, The Knock at the Door, at the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) in Watertown.

Author Margaret Ajemian Ahnert
Author Margaret Ajemian Ahnert

Growing up, Ahnert heard her mother’s terrifying stories about her deportation from Amasia, Turkey, during the Armenian Genocide. Separated from her family at age 15, her mother, Ester, lived through traumatic events, but eventually escaped to America. The Knock at the Door explores this journey through darkness, as well as mother-daughter relationships, and presents an intimate view of family life and the inspiration Ahnert took from her mother.

Ahnert has an MFA from Goucher College, a BA from Goddard College, and is a graduate of the Barnes Foundation. She has produced television documentaries, lectured as a docent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and taught art appreciation through the “Art Goes to School” program in elementary schools. She holds a 100-ton master captain’s license and is an avid hunter and fisherwoman. She has received numerous humanitarian awards, including the “Ellis Island Medal of Honor,” and in 2010 established the Margaret Ajemian Ahnert scholarship program, which supports female journalists in Armenia.

The Knock at the Door has been translated into 10 different languages, has gone through 6 printings, and was named “Best Historical Memoir of 2008” at the New York Book Festival.

The event begins at 7 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Refreshments will follow the program. For more information, e-mail info@almainc.org or call 617-926-2562 ext. 4. The Armenian Library and Museum of America is located at 65 Main St. in Watertown.  Parking is available in the municipal lot behind ALMA.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

1 Comment

  1. Margaret needs to be applauded not only for her book but for her courage to describe the captivating story of her mother’s epic adventure to non-Armenians audiences all over the world.

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