Survive, Remember, Thrive: Armenian Traditions in Western New York

Summary: 

"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.

Fieldnotes: 

This short-film was filmed and edited by the Buffalo Documentary Project in 2020 & 2021. The Buffalo Documentary Project (BDP) was launched by filmmaker Mani Mehrvarz in the summer of 2016, with a goal of highlighting untold community stories in the city of Buffalo and Western New York: creating documentary films about the communities, art, and culture of our local region. The Buffalo Documentary Project's focus on oral history elevates awareness of stories and experiences not captured in written books or official records: using the power of film to share unheard narratives of life in Buffalo and Western New York.

Learn more about the Buffalo Documentary Project and their work at: https://buffalodocumentaryproject.com/

For more information about the documentary video series "Survive, Remember, Thrive: Armenian Traditions in Western New York", click here: https://castellaniartmuseum.org/folk-arts/armenian-traditions-in-western-new-york/

Survive, Remember, Thrive: Armenian Traditions in Western New York is made possible through the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, NYSCA Living Traditions, and Niagara University.

Location: 
Niagara Falls, NY