SYDNEY & AUCKLAND: The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), in collaboration with the Armenian National Committee of New Zealand (ANC-NZ), will be hosting a virtual launch for last year’s Ben Bagdikian Media Award honouree, James Robins’ new book, “When We Dead Awaken: Australia, New Zealand, and the Armenian Genocide”.

Robins, a resident of both Great Britain and New Zealand, is award-winning journalist and historian, who rose to prominence when he produced and hosted "The Great Crime" – a podcast about the Armenian Genocide, also covering the genocides suffered by the Assyrians and Greeks of 1915.

The Virtual Book Launch of “When We Dead Awaken: Australia, New Zealand, and the Armenian Genocide” will be streamed live on Thursday 11th March, 8:00pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time - AEDT) on the Facebook pages of the Armenian National Committee of Australia and the Armenian National Committee of New Zealand.

The novel draws a bridge between two landmark events that share a common history – the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli and the Armenian Genocide, and explores the accounts of Australian and New Zealander prisoners of war who risked their lives to defend refugees while witnessing such atrocities.

This in-depth exploration of the tragic Armenian story during the dying days of the Ottoman Empire, and the participation of Australia and New Zealand in the post-war relief movement are vital records of history that Robins has documented to bring to light the longstanding relationship between Armenians and these nations.

“Mr. Robins is one of the most talented narrators of Armenian history and has had a monumental impact in finding and tracking the history that connects the stories between Armenians, Australians and New Zealanders alike, always presenting that in an engaging and digestible form for the world to learn,” said ANC-AU Executive Administrator Sarine Soghomonian, who will co-host the virtual event along with ANC-NZ Chair, Hoory Yeldizian.

Yeldizian said: “Mr. James’ commitment to researching and reporting Armenian history is an invaluable service to preserving the stories of the Armenian people and educating the world on how the greatest unpunished crime occurred.”

“He has dedicated his research to ensuring that the Armenian Genocide is relevant to Australia and New Zealand, and in turn making the recognition of 1915 even more essential to the memories of ANZAC heroes who sacrificed their lives to help Armenians,” Yeldizian added.

Tune in to Facebook at 8:00pm (AEDT) on Thursday 8th March to hear James Robins discuss stories that mould the collective and common consciousness of Armenians, Australians and New Zealanders.