Inspired Past: Movers and Shakers of AI (Part 1)
Celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, we’re releasing an exclusive podcast series speaking with founders, friends, performers, language tutors and the staff of AI! In the first episode of Inspired Past, trustee Arda Eghiayan speaks with Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian (1:15), and Dr. Pamela Young (36:50), while staff members Olivia Melkonian and Dr. Nik Mattheou speak with Dr. Susan Pattie (12:50) and Dr. Gagik Stepan-Sarkissian (25:51). Each member played a pivotal role in the establishment of the AI, as well as its creative sustainability to this day. We hear about the initial focus groups that often took place around kitchen tables, to the formation of language courses, the Armenian Diaspora Survey and the recent move to our new library and office space based in Farringdon, London. The Armenian Institute is a London based charity dedicated to making Armenian culture and history a lived experience through innovative programmes, educational resources, workshops, lectures, exhibits and performances. This year we present Zanazan: an umbrella title covering our upcoming media output, from online and print publications to podcast series. Zanazan Sounds is a project that aims to explore shared histories, learn about contemporary Armenian worlds and create new ones. Zanazan (meaning “variety” in Armenian) is also the title of our latest online publication where photo essays, articles and poetry from around the world can be found. To get involved with AI you can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you’d like to reach out, or to discuss anything you’ve heard in this series, feel free to email us anytime at [email protected]