Zaven Kouyoumdjian facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Zaven Kouyoumdjian

Born	Zaven Kouyoumdjian (1970-05-15) 15 May 1970 (age 55) Beirut, Lebanon
Education	Armenian Evangelical College
Alma mater	Notre Dame University, Lebanese American University
Occupation	Television presenter, Writer, Journalist
Years active	1992–present
Spouse(s)	Laury Haytayan
Children	2
Parent(s)	Ardashes Kouyoumdjian and Souad Kaadi
Career
Show	Sire Wkamalit, Count To Ten, 100/100 The Full Grade, Bounjourein.
Station(s)	AlJadeed, Future Television (1999-2019), Télé Liban (1992-1999)
Previous show(s)	Bala Toul Sire, Aal Akid, Ana Ala'an, Siré Wenfatahit, "5/7", Lebanon Townhall, Nafas Jdeed, Shu Awlak.

Zaven Kouyoumdjian (Armenian: Զաւէն Գույումճեան; Arabic: زافين قيومجيان) is a famous Lebanese TV host, producer, and journalist. He has both Armenian and Arab family roots. Known as "Zaven," he is seen as a pioneer for social talk shows on Arab Television. Zaven also researches media and has written six books, including a popular one called Lebanon Shot Twice.

Currently, Zaven hosts Sire Wkamalit on AlJadeed. This show started in January 2025 and focuses on serious journalism in Lebanese social talk shows, avoiding sensational topics. At the same time, Zaven hosts and produces the morning show Bonjouren on Sawt Kel Lebnan Radio. He also leads two podcasts: Count to Ten with GIZ and 100/100 The Full Grade with LAU, celebrating the university's 100th anniversary.

Before these, Zaven hosted Sho Awlak from 2022 to 2024. This debate show brought together major TV channels to focus on journalism that helps the public.

Zaven is married to Laury Haytayan. They have two sons, born in 2003 and 2007.

Early Life and School
Education
Zaven's TV Career
Awards and Honors
- Key Awards and Recognition
- Other Honors and Rankings
See also

Early Life and School

Zaven was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on May 15, 1970. His parents are Ardashes Kouyoumdjian and Souad Kaadi. He went to the AGBU's Demerjian School and the Armenian Evangelical College in Beirut for his early education.

Education

Zaven has a master's degree in Communication Arts from Notre Dame University (NDU) in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon. This field is about advertising and media. He earned his bachelor's degree in Communication Arts from the Lebanese American University in Beirut.

Zaven's TV Career

Mr. Zaven Kouyoumdjian during one of his episodes at the Future Television studios

Zaven started his TV career in 1992 at Télé Liban. He worked as a news reporter and late-night news anchor. Soon, he became a well-known face for news on the channel. In 1994, he became the news reporter for the Presidential Palace in Baabda.

Starting "5/7"

In 1995, Zaven began his first weekly talk show called "5/7". His investigative journalism quickly made him famous in Lebanon. The show became very popular by looking into important and sometimes difficult issues. "5/7" was Télé Liban's longest-running talk show in the 1990s. One episode in 1996 even had the highest ratings for a talk show.

During the 1996 conflict in South Lebanon, Zaven became even more well-known. He showed shocking images from the events in Qana and Mansouri villages, bringing them to global attention. In 1999, his show "5/7" was stopped from airing on Télé Liban due to political reasons. Zaven shaved his head to show his protest.

Moving to Future Television

Seven months later, Zaven joined Future Television, a channel owned by former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. He started a new show called Siré Wenfatahit. This show quickly became the most-watched talk show in the Middle East.

In 2004, Zaven did something groundbreaking. He convinced four people living with HIV to appear on his show. This was the first time HIV-positive individuals appeared on an Arab channel without hiding their faces. Also in 2004, he published his first book, Lebanon Shot Twice. He also started the first Arab TV book club, inspired by Oprah Winfrey.

Zaven often used his show to discuss important social and political issues. In 2005, Newsweek magazine named him one of the 43 most influential people in the Middle East.

New Shows and Projects

In 2006, Zaven launched a new series called Ana Ala'an (meaning "Me Now"). This series allowed young people in the Arab world to share their thoughts and feelings on TV using their own cameras. This was one of the first times that emerging online media and the power of youth were recognized on TV. Zaven ended his 13-year-long show Sire Wenfatahit on July 15, 2012.

In August 2012, Zaven started his show AalAkid on Future TV. This show helped solve social problems through media and was praised for its new style. In 2012, Zaven also released his second book, Witness on Society, with Dr. Dolly Habbal.

In October 2014, Zaven launched Bala Toul Sire on Future Television. This live weekly show covered different topics about life, society, and current events. In September 2019, Future TV stopped its productions due to financial problems, and Zaven's show ended. The last episode was on August 9, 2019.

After the 2020 Beirut explosion in 2020, Zaven hosted the morning show for Sawt Kl Lebnan Radio. This show continued to share the concerns of its listeners during Lebanon's economic and political challenges.

In 2021, Zaven hosted Nafas Jdeed (New Spirit), an online political talk show. It gave young political activists a platform to share their ideas. In November 2021, Zaven joined The Munathara Initiative to host the Lebanese version of Townhall. This debate show aimed to encourage good public discussions in the Arabic-speaking region.

In 2022, Zaven hosted Assaha (The Square), an online political show. In 2023, he hosted Sho Awlak (What's Your Say), a weekly debate show that gave a voice to young people. In the same year, Zaven launched the 3ed Lal 3ashra (Count To Ten) show on his YouTube Channel.

In 2024, Zaven hosted the GEN Z talk show on Halalondon satellite channel and the 100/100 The Final Grade podcast for LAU's centennial. In January 2025, Zaven returned to mainstream TV with Sire Wkamalit on AlJadeed TV, a weekly social talk show inspired by his famous Sire Wenfatahit.

Awards and Honors

Zaven Kouyoumdjian is one of the most celebrated TV personalities in the Arab World. He has received many awards for his work in media.

Key Awards and Recognition

1996: Received an Honorary Shield from the Lebanese Press Syndicate for his live coverage of the events during the 1996 shelling of Qana.
1997: Won second prize from the Commission on Sustainable Development (part of the United Nations) for promoting social issues on his show '5/7'. He also received the Honorary Key of the city from the municipality of Bourj Hammoud.
2002: Won the Arab Media prize in London for promoting dialogue on social issues in the Middle East. He also won "Best Social Talk Show" at the annual Media Festival held by the Lebanese University. He won this award again in 2006.
2008: Won the "Student Choice Award" for best social talk show from the Lebanese American University.
2010: Received "Best Social Talk Show" at the third annual Arab Youth Media Forum in Amman, Jordan.
2011: Received the "Outstanding Life Achievement Award" at the Pan Arab Web Awards for 'ZavenOnline.com's' ten-year anniversary.
2012: Honored by the Lebanese State Alumni Community (LSAC) for promoting freedom of speech, democracy, and human rights through his shows.
2013: Won "Best Official Website of a Television Show" for 'ZavenOnline.com' at the Lebanon Web Competition. He also won the Golden Shield award from the Arab Social Responsibility Organization in Dubai, and again in 2014.
2015: Honored with the prestigious Murex d'Or award for Best Media Personality. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Arab Federation for Youth and Environment. He was granted the AlHaitham Award for Arab distinction.
2016: Honored by the Lebanese Franchise Association for his book Lebanon Shot Twice. The book was recognized for helping Lebanese society deal with the civil war and for shaping the country's collective memory.

Other Honors and Rankings

Ranked third in the Top 5 list of Lebanon's best talk show hosts in a 2000 survey.
Named by Newsweek as one of the 43 most influential figures in the Arab World in 2005.
Honored by the municipality of Ghazir town in Keserwan District for his achievements.
Ranked among the Top 5 list of the Emirati "Zahret El Khalij" magazine's best Arab talk show hosts in 2009 and 2010.
Was part of the jury for the 11th Annual National Speech Competition in Lebanon.
Ranked number three on the 30 Most Influential People on Twitter in Lebanon list in 2012.
Named Best Media Personality on Social Media at the Social Responsibility Awards – Beirut 2013.