Armenian Women Artists
Armenian Women Artists (AWA) is an educational and historically oriented Instagram page that aims to bring awareness and recognition to Armenian women artists, both in Armenia and the diaspora. I created the account in 2018, prompted by an academic interest of mine in Armenian art history and a personal desire to learn more about the artistic and social contributions of Armenian women.
Formally trained as an archivist and researcher, I am both personally and professionally dedicated to the preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage, and Instagram has served as an appropriate platform to present these often-underrepresented figures from our collective history. What began as a modest attempt to brush up on my own lack of knowledge and awareness of Armenian women artists has transformed into a shared space for recollection, remembrance and a sense of belonging where others can connect with mutual narratives.
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Wow! I went to Elbis kindergarten in Tehran in 1964-65 and remember her playing the accordion vividly. I wonder what will happen to the kindergarten (and the accordion) as the number of Armenians in Iran is dwindling. One small note. On the blackboard the date says 1961 – and that’s a very young Dikin Elbis in the photo circa 1961 – but the caption on the photo says 1967.
Thank you, Yervand, for your kind note. I wonder if you’re also familiar with Bersabeh Hovsepian? She was another Iranian-Armenian educator, humanitarian and founder of Iran’s first daycare centre and kindergarten. Thank you, also for noting the typo, that was my mistake!
Great initiative. Wonderful to keep the memory of these women alive.
Looking forward to the day that all Iranian and Armenians (We are one nation after all) can go back happily and freely to our Fatherland, Stay united, as we were and prosper together.
I’m immensely grateful to Cassandra Tavukciyan for this article.
It has brought to light a subject hidden in the dark… a subject Armenian history has neglected.
It is not only men that make history.
Such a good article, thank you!
Few people know this, but accordion is an Armenian patent. By Cyrill Demian in Vienna in the early 19th century. Demian was a Transilvanian Armenian.
Great article!
Dear Cassandra, it was so interesting to read your notes about Armenian women artists, both in Armenia and the diaspora.
It’s a huge area to be explored and I hope you will continue your work.
As a specialist of Armenian art, I was surprised to read about some Armenian women artists who were unknown for me till now and I discovered them with help of you. So thank you for your efforts!
Thank you, Levon. I appreciate your support! I look forward to continuing this work.
splendid article & on going project : thank you
ruth keshishian cyprus