ATN Awards Show

ATN Awards Show

Celebrating Afghan Music and Performance Worldwide Held For First Time in USA

Show Also Reunited Afghans Separated for Years by War

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3rd Annual Ariana Television Network Awards celebrating Afghan music and performance worldwide was held on Saturday, November 29, 2008 for the 1st time in the USA, bringing together nearly fifty Afghan artists from around the world, many of whom have been separated for years by war.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081202/NEM085 )

Nearly 500 patrons gathered under one roof in San Francisco to observe the show hosted by Ehsan and Fatema Bayat at LIVE! @ 888 Brannan (formerly The Gift Center Pavilion). Artists who traveled from other cities around the world to participate included Hangama, Waheed Soroor, Freshta Sama, Obaid Juenda, Asad Badie, Ustad Khyal, Ustad Mahwash, Ahmad Wali, Walid Soroor, Mria Ayar, Mariam Wafa, Ehsan Aman, Afsana and Naheed.

"This occasion is a wonderful way to celebrate Afghan music and performance and recognize exceptional talent. It's important to bring the Afghan community together and encourage artists to use their talents to draw attention to the work to be done to rebuild Afghanistan," said Ehsan Bayat Chairman of Ariana Television Network, Afghan Wireless Communication Company and the Bayat Foundation.

The 3rd Annual ATN Awards were presented to performers based on nominations and votes received from Afghans around the world. The winners in each category were:

Best New Female Artist: Seeta Qasemi;
Best New Artist Male: Valy;
Best Female Artist: Hangama;
Best Male Artist: Jawid Shariff;
Best Duet: Devyani Ali and Hafiz Ali;
Best Song: Qarsak;
Best New CD: Farhad Darya - Ha!!;
Best Video 2008: Kajak Abro

Additional Afghan musicians and performers recognized included Ustad Mahwash, Ustad Khyal, Vaheed Kaceemy, Qamur Gul, Ahmad Zahir and Ahmad Wali and others, many sang a favorite song.

Ariana's Vice President Fatema Bayat underscored the importance of ATN Awards by stating, "There was a true sense of unity among all the artists who participated to recognize the beauty and richness of the Afghan culture and performance as well as show support for those in need at home in Afghanistan."

To enable more artists to participate in the future, ATN Awards will be held in different cities throughout the world where a concentration of Afghan artists reside.

2008 ATN Awards Sponsors were Kabul Bank and Alokazay Tea (Platinum); SOSi (Bronze); and SiTARA Magazine (Print media partner).

Ariana Television Network was founded in 2005 by Chairman Ehsan Bayat and broadcasts a variety of programs worldwide from Kabul, Afghanistan. For more information about Ariana Television Network, please visit http://www.arianatelevision.com/. Please direct media inquiries to Rosalie J. Wyatt at 1-703-399-6929 (r.wyatt@tsiglobe.com).

Media Contact:
Rosalie J. Wyatt
1-703-399-6929
r.wyatt@tsiglobe.com
www.arianatelevision.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081202/NEM085
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN13
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Ariana Television Network

CONTACT: Rosalie J. Wyatt, +1-703-399-6929, r.wyatt@tsiglobe.com

Web site: http://www.arianatelevision.com/

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