Erich Feigl

• Name — Erich Feigl • Birthplace — Vienna, Austria • Born — 24 September 1931 • Occupation — Film producer and author

Erich Feigl was born in Vienna, Austria. He began writing while still a student, but soon switched over to documentary film-making, continuing his career at Austrian State Television (ORF). He toured the Middle and Near East and Western Asia extensively and produced many documentaries about these places and their cultures and religions ("Journey to the Early Christian World", "Men and Myths"). He worked with the Dalai Lama on various projects ("Bardo", "Rebirth"). Feigl became interested in Turkic cultures and history, especially ("Kanuni Sultan"). After the wave of assassinations against Turkish diplomats in Europe and USA in 70s and 80s, carried out by Armenian nationalist groups (List of Turkish diplomats assassinated by Armenian militant organisations), in 1984 he began writing about the Armenian genocide and challenged the commonly accepted views, and he subsequently also focused his attention on Kurdish issues and the PKK guerrilla organization, which resulted in his book published under the title Die Kurden in 1995. He was one of the first authors and commentators to investigate this topic in a contemporary context. He also wrote about the history of the Habsburgs ("Kaiser Karl", "Kaiserin Zita"). Intellectuals Feigl was a long-time monarchist activist, and in 2006 was awarded honorary membership of the Black-Yellow Alliance, which favors the return of the House of Habsburg to power. Described by Der Spiegel as a "fervent admirer" of Empress Zita, he was part of the monarchist committee which organized her funeral in 1989. Feigl received the Medal for the Progress of the Republic of Azerbaijan and was an honorary board member of the Congress of European Azeris. Feigl had died of kidney failure after being hospitalised for a stomach hemorrhage. He was cremated at Feuerhalle Simmering, with his ashes being buried on February 5 at Simmering Cemetery in Vienna.

In 1986 Feigl became well known after the publication of his book A Myth of Terror: Armenian Extremism: Its Causes and Its Historical Context. In the book's introduction, Feigl writes he had written it as a response to the murder of close friend and Turkish labour attaché, Erdoğan Özen, by the members of the Armenian Revolutionary Army. Initially published in German, an English version was later produced. Complimentary copies of the book were distributed by Turkish organisations to US governmental officials, university libraries and individuals. A short time before he died he finished his last book, called Armenian Mythomania. Dagmar Lorenz, in a book review of author Edgar Hilsenrath for the Simon Wiesenthal Center Annual, notes Feigl as a supporter of "Turkish cryptofascist anti-Armenian propaganda" and condemns A Myth of Terror as a "revisionist publication" that "abounds with misleading details". Feigl's work was also criticized by Klas-Göran Karlsson for misinterpretations.

Erich Feigl is recorded as having received Decoration of Merit in Gold of the State of Vienna, Berufstitel Professor and Taraggi Medal. Recognition and collections. Feigl received Decoration of Merit in Gold of the State of Vienna, Berufstitel Professor and Taraggi Medal.