Inspired Past: Movers and Shakers of AI (Part 2)

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 Part 2 of Inspired Past, trustee Arda Eghiayan speaks with Dr. Vazken Khatchig Hadjitavitian (1:16), Armenag and Hasmig Topalian (9:42), Dr. Razmik Panossian (21:55), Nouritza Matossian (30:17) and Sara Calian (37:27).  Since its founding in 2001, AI has blossomed with the support of its community from early volunteers to co-founders. In this episode, we hear stories of the earliest events and problem solving in blackouts to the realities of rejecting house guests before our initial library books had a proper home. 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]