Armenia – Landscapes of Memories

Through art and culture, Danish Cultural Institute works to convey complex stories and strengthen connections across borders and lived experiences. One example of this was the exhibition “Armenia – Landscapes of Memories”, presented at the 2024 People’s Meeting (Folkemødet) under the auspices of the New Democracy Fund. The project was part of our work with democracy and cultural heritage in collaboration with partners in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood.

The exhibition was created by photographer Martin Thaulow in cooperation with the Armenian organisation Cultural & Social Narratives Lab (CSN Lab), offering a nuanced insight into contemporary and historical Armenia.

Through portraits and personal testimonies from Armenians across the country, the exhibition illustrated how cultural traditions, geopolitical dynamics, war, and social change have shaped modern Armenia. Literature professor Tigran Amiryan contributed an essay that placed Armenia’s collective memory in perspective – from the 1988 earthquake and the dissolution of the Soviet Union to the Karabakh conflict and the 2018 Velvet Revolution. The exhibition was well received and demonstrated the power of art to foster reflection, dialogue, and understanding in the encounter with both past and present.

Partners:

Good People and Cultural & Social Narratives Lab (CSN Lab)

Header photo: Martin Thaulow