Story Loom

Episode 4: Building a Literary Community

Literature has been at the heart of Armenian culture for centuries. Shahé Mankerian shares how his work as an educator, poet, and board member of the International Armenian Literary Alliance has contributed to building a community of writers around the world.

Episode 3: Cultivating Presence Through Embroidery

In this episode, embroiderer and founder of the Armenian Embroidery Instagram account Lizzy Vartanian discusses the quiet but powerful craft of embroidery. From helping people cultivate presence to expressing their love for others, embroidery has long been a valued and quiet craft in Armenian culture. In the episode, Lizzy explains the different types of embroidery, how the art form helps her slow down and the challenges of building her own business in a new country. Browse Lizzy's online courses and kits at armenianembroidery.com [armenianembroidery.com]

Episode 2: The Power of Storytelling

In this episode, we speak with Nyree Abrahamian: a writer, educator, and co-founder of the Tumanyan International Storytelling Festival and Country of Dust podcast. We explore the power of storytelling in Armenian cultural life, from folk tales and festivals to podcasting and personal histories. Nyree shares how stories help us make meaning, connect across generations, and navigate the complexities of identity, loss, and resilience.

Introducing 'Story Loom' by Kaitzak

Story Loom is a new podcast from Kaitzak hosted by co-founder Mariam Vahradyan [https://kaitzak.org/people/mariam/]. The podcast explores how creatives and entrepreneurs are revitalizing ancient cultural traditions—and how these art forms foster resilience and flourishing.

Episode 1: Bringing Back Traditional Armenian Rugs

Founder of The Rug Code, Kyle Khandikian, unpacks the symbolism that traditional Armenian carpets carry. From adorning homes to carrying deep meaning, rugs have a 4000-year-old history in the Armenian culture. In this episode, we explore the production cycle behind making a carpet, the hidden symbols embedded in them, and how Kyle is revitalizing the endangered art form. Read more about The Rug Code and browse their carpets at therugcode.com [therugcode.com].