In times of unimaginable crisis, Nairy Shahinian, like many of us, turns to music. In her words, “personally, music has been a daily companion throughout my life, with some of my earliest memories of music going as far back as my childhood. I have been especially mesmerised by music’s magical ability to heal the deepest […]

04 January 2024 | Azad Archives

After nine months of an illegal and deadly blockade, Azerbaijan launched major attacks against Artsakh, bombing civilian targets and forcing residents to flee their homes. The Artsakh government and army have been disbanded, the entire territory surrendered, thousands are dead or missing, and the rest are trying to flee, not knowing if they will make […]

28 September 2023 | Azad Archives

Azad Archives, an Armenian alternative platform, is thrilled to announce the launch of an online Armenian film series, Azad Films: 100 Years of Armenian Cinema. Curated by our board member, filmmaker and writer Tatevik Ayvazyan, the series aims to showcase the rich tapestry of Armenian cinema. The online Armenian film series will provide a unique […]

19 July 2023 | Azad Archives

A post-Soviet factory building in the middle of nowhere. Mind-altering music. Unexpected conversations. In vibrant, immersive prose, Levon Shant Ekmekjian describes his initiation into the Armenian underground music scene.

16 July 2022 | Azad Archives

borders are 1. invisible margins 2. like a necklace with a clasp too tight 3. traffic lights pulsating the color of blood 4. ruled the cause of death 5. quicksand that eat the enemy whole 6. uncertain who the enemy is 7. hours of absence turned years of absence turned decades of 8. absence 9. […]

05 October 2021 | Azad Archives

by Maryam Dilakian Mama, can you please tell meSome stories about Armenia?My daughter asksNo doubt perplexedAs alwaysBy all she knows of JamaicaHaving traveled to the islandThriceSwum in her watersClimbed her hillsHeard her songsHer father’s tongueTasted the goat and mangoFish and hard doughOxtail and sugar caneSince birth(Albeit on the island of Manhattan)And how little she still […]

02 September 2021 | Azad Archives

The relationship between Armenian parents and their LGBTQ+ children often ends with a strained relationship or complete loss of family.  Armenian parents and families fear what they don’t know, or what the community deems “unnatural.” Instead, they’d rather hide the truth from themselves and friends by denying the “queer” part of their child.  I gather […]

30 July 2021 | Azad Archives

By: Alexandria Kazandjian To openly say I am a queer Armenian is a privilege I never thought I would have. I have gone from feeling outcast from my community for not speaking Armenian to coming out directly to the Armenian community as a nonbinary lesbian. Understanding identity, whether it be related to ethnicity, gender, or […]

07 July 2021 | Azad Archives