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Learn from Mary Movesian about the different types of needlework arts she learned growing up in Armenia: from lace-making and embroidery to crochet and knitting.

Traditions: 

Material Culture

Learn from Ophelia and her granddaughter Gayane about Ophelia’s life as a seamstress, memories of Gayane growing up at Alteration Station, working together with her daughter (Mary Movesian), and the meaningfulness of creating Armenian traditional dance dresses for Gayane.

Traditions: 

Material Culture

Learn about the role of rice pilaf in Armenian households and community events, and cooking together at St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church's kitchen, from Rachele Aversa and Sonya Gregian, two longtime members of the Armenian community in Niagara Falls.

Traditions: 

Verbal Arts

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Foodways

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"Survive, Remember, Thrive: Armenian Traditions in Western New York" is a documentary video series produced by the Folk Arts Program at the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University that celebrates local expressions of Armenian culture and heritage through a short film and shortform videos. In the series' lead short film, "Survive, Remember, Thrive", learn about the history of the Armenian community in Niagara Falls through the lived experiences of Ani Avdoian, Dawn Sakalian, and Kathy Peller: how their families were affected by the Armenian Genocide, their families' resettlement in Niagara Falls, and the types of traditions they maintain and pass on within their family and throughout the local community.

Traditions: 

Verbal Arts

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Foodways

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Learn about the meanings and memories of making Armenian paklava from Laurice Ghougasian, who learned to make paklava from her mother through a recipe passed down by her grandmother, which she then veganized.

Traditions: 

Foodways

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Learn about choreg (an Armenian sweet bread often eaten for Easter), the unique taste and aroma of mahlab (mahleb), and the importance of maintaining Armenian traditions for future generations from Lisa Ohanessian Mies & Lori Ohanessian Hurtgam, who learned to make choereg from their grandmother Barbara Aloian.

Traditions: 

Foodways

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Hear about the Mooradian Rug Company from Tony Mooradian Jr., Mike Petrosian, and Tom Mooradian. Founded in 1948, the Mooradian Rug Company is one of the longest continuing Armenian family-owned businesses in Western New York.

Traditions: 

Occupation

Learn about the history of the Armenian community in Niagara Falls, through the memories and lived experiences of Robert “Butch” Kazeangin Jr. Butch Kazeangin is a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, member of the local Armenian Community, and board member of numerous local organizations.

Traditions: 

Verbal Arts

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Foodways

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Devesh Chandra plays and discusses traditional Indian music. 

Community: 
New York Folklore
Traditions: 

Music

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This video contains excerpts of workshops given during a two weekend series of performing arts of India, as represented in the Westchester Indian community

Community: 
Arts Westchester
Traditions: 

Dance

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Nariman Asanov performs the Crimean Tatar melody "Balaklava” with accompaniment by Patrick Farrell on accordion and Lenur Mamutov on percussion at the Ukrainian Museum in Manhattan, May 10, 2017.

Traditions: 

Music

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The song, Chedoe, performed by Salieu Suso, is like poetry and story that is created by the Jali but it is informed by the community. As a djeli or griot, I am equal part oral historian, poet, storyteller, and musician.  My art is found in the music, the story being told, the syncopation between voice, and Kora, and the ability to keep the audience engaged and participate.

Traditions: 

Ritual

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Music

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