By Maria Esteves – March 23, 2014
World-renowned musical artist and humanist ENRICO MACIAS received the ASF Pomegranate Award for Lifetime Achievement during the 17th New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival 2014 (NYSJFF 2014) Opening Night Gala held at the Center for Jewish History, New York, Thursday, March 13, 7:45 PM. Presented by the American Sephardi Federation (ASF) in association with Yeshiva University Museum (YUM), the annual Pomegranate Award acknowledge achievements in the history, tradition and culture of Sephardic Jews through film. The Opening Night Premiere documentary film ENRICO MACIAS: A Life in Song, directed by Antoine Casubolo Ferro preceded Enrico Macias extraordinary live performance. NYSJFF 2014 Opening Night Gala Reception preceded the ceremony and a post screening reception concluded the gala event. Consulate General of France, Morocco and Spain in New York were in attendance, as well as filmmakers, dignitaries, industry professionals, festival patrons and celebrity guests.
Born in Constantine, Algeria of Jewish descent, Enrico Macias (Gaston Ghrenassia) singer, songwriter and guitarist of traditional Arab-Andalucian music fled to France with his family in the 1960s and became an award-winning international recording artist. In 1981, UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim awarded Macias with the title Singer of Peace. In 1985, French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius awarded Macias with the Légion d'honneur. In 1997, UN General Secretary Kofi Annan nominated Macias with the title Ambassador at Large for Peace and Protection of Children. Macias recorded songs and albums included “Oranges Amères”, “L'enfant de l'amour”, “Je n'ai pas vu mes enfants grandir”, “Vivas les Bleus”, “Zingarella”, “Melisa”, “Deux ailes et trois plumes”, “Générosité” and “Enrico”.