Raw & Unfiltered

Centuries of forced migration, conversion and marginalization have shaped the unique identity of Hamshen Armenians. Öndercan Muti explores their complex history and evolving identity and invites reflection on preservation, memory and belonging.

When Israeli and U.S. airstrikes hit Iran, Armenians in both Tehran and Yerevan were thrust into fear and uncertainty. Gibran Caroline Boyce follows one family’s experience, revealing how war reverberates across borders, communities and generations.

Drawing on voices from Armenia’s border communities, Gayane Ghazaryan explores how war and displacement shape young people’s sense of home, belonging, and identity, revealing emotional landscapes often overlooked in mainstream narratives of conflict and peace.

In Istanbul's Kurtuluş neighborhood, Meyhane-i Ara stands as perhaps the last Armenian tavern, where owner Ara Haceroğlu preserves centuries-old culinary traditions amid layers of nostalgia for multiple vanished Istanbuls—a living testament to the city's fading multicultural past.

More than a decade since its founding, the Women’s Support Center remains Armenia’s only organization operating full-time shelters for domestic violence survivors. Christina Markarian examines the movement’s evolution, persistent taboos, and the struggle to enforce protective laws.

Firdus is a neighborhood deeply shaped by the memories of women, and now, the women of the art community are writing a new chapter—one of resistance, creativity, and defiance against the destruction of their beloved neighborhood.

Armenia’s gender pay gap persists despite women’s educational achievements and growing workforce participation. Narrowing this gap requires legal reforms, supportive policies, and a cultural shift toward equity and inclusion. Jana Bohlmann explains.

Public transportation in Yerevan has become a focal point of public frustration and municipal reform efforts in recent years. But can the chaotic and uncomfortable daily commute truly be transformed? Hranoush Dermoyan explores the challenges and prospects.

Armenia is developing policies to inventory, preserve, restore and promote historical monuments, recognizing their economic and cultural value. While progress aligns with sustainable development goals, significant challenges in preservation and management persist.

Rafayel Israelyan, one of the most prolific architects of the Armenian world, left an enduring mark on Armenia’s architectural landscape with his visionary designs that included memorials, fountains, bridges, churches, government buildings, and more. Despite his remarkable contributions, his legacy is underappreciated.