Unwritten Future: Friends and Performers of AI (Part 2) w/ Shake Major Tchilingirian, Vergine Gulbenkian, Theo Maarten van Lint and Vanessa Galbraith

In the second episode of Unwritten Future, trustee Arda Eghiayan speaks with Shake Major Tchilingirian (01:15), Vergine Gulbenkian (10:28) and Vanessa Galbraith (26:46) while Programme Manager Nik Matheou interviews former PHD Supervisor, AI Chair of Trustees and current Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian Studies in Oxford, Theo Maarten van Lint (17:32).

The guests in this episodes have been on the board of AI, volunteered at the earliest events, hosted workshops, participated in events and continue to be present members of our community. Arda and Nik discuss cross-continent coincidences, bringing one's grandmother to workshops, the opening of Tower Bridge to retrace the route of a medieval Armenian trading ship, and the lack of necessary dialogue between Armenian and Azeri communities for a more peaceful and hopeful future.

Inspired Past: Movers and Shakers of AI (Part 2) w/ Vazken Khatchig Hadjitavitian, Armenag and Hasmig Topalian, Razmik Panossian, Nouritza Matossian and Sara Calian.

Celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, we’re releasing an exclusive 6-part 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, Armenag and Hasmig Topalian, Dr. Razmik Panossian, Nouritza Matossian and Sara Calian. 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.

Unwritten Future: Friends and Performers of AI (Part 1) w/ Rebecca Jinks, Levon Chilingirian, Gigi Young and Laurence Djololian

Celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, we’re releasing an exclusive 6-part podcast series speaking with founders, friends, performers, language tutors and the staff of AI!

In the first episode of Unwritten Future, trustee Arda Eghiayan speaks with Chair of AI Dr. Rebecca Jinks (1:17), Levon Chilingirian (9:01), Gigi Young (18.02) and Laurence Djololian (24:32) who have been key figures throughout the years from attending events, volunteering, performing and working on our board and committee. We hear about their most memorable events, thoughts on AI’s progression and birthday messages.

Inspired Past: Movers and Shakers of AI (Part 1) w/ Hratch Tchilingirian, Pamela Young, Susan Pattie and Gagik Stepan-Sarkissian

Celebrating our 20th anniversary this year, we’re releasing an exclusive 6-part podcast series speaking with founders, friends, performers, language tutors and the staff of AI!

In the first episode of Inspired Past, trustee Arda Eghiayan speaks with Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, and Dr. Pamela Young, while staff members Olivia Melkonian and Dr. Nik Mattheou speak with Dr. Susan Pattie and Dr. Gagik Stepan-Sarkissian. Each member played a pivotal role in the establishment of the AI, as well as its creative sustainability to this day. We hear about the initial focus groups that often took place around kitchen tables, to the formation of language courses, the Armenian Diaspora Survey and the recent move to our new library and office space based in Farringdon, London.