YEREVAN, Armenia — The Oral History Matters initiative at the American University of Armenia (AUA), in collaboration with AUA’s AGBU Papazian Library, hosted two insightful lectures by Dr. Boris Adjemian, director of the AGBU Nubar Library in Paris. Held at the Akian Art Gallery on October 29 and 31, the lectures brought to light lesser-known narratives about the Armenian diaspora and their intersections with history, literature, and identity.
Dr. Adjemian shared his extensive research through two distinct yet interconnected talks: “The Brass Band of the King: Armenians in Ethiopia” and “Writer and Witness: Aram Andonian and Early Narratives on the Armenian Genocide.”
The first lecture explored the extraordinary journey of forty Armenian orphans invited to Ethiopia in 1924 by Crown Prince Ras Täfäri. These orphans formed the royal brass band, with their Armenian conductor who later composed Ethiopia’s first official anthem. Dr. Adjemian examined how these stateless and uprooted Armenians integrated into Ethiopian society during the colonial era while maintaining their unique identity. He highlighted the role of Armenians in shaping Ethiopia’s nation-state during the colonial era, navigating spaces between being “Ethiopian” and “foreign.” Drawing on his book’s research, Dr. Adjemian emphasized the nuances of Armenian immigrants’ lives in Ethiopia, showcasing their discreet loyalty to royalty and their resilience in the face of assigned identities.
Dr. Adjemian’s work demonstrates how oral history can take the lead, guiding researchers to step back, listen closely, and let the voices of narrators shape the journey. He brings the Armenian community in Ethiopia to the forefront and his book tells us their stories. As Dr. Adjemian eloquently noted in the preface of his book, “to gain a hearing for anecdotes and hearsay that constitute its charm yet do not ordinarily have the good fortune to find a place in the history books.”
At the end of the talk, the audience gained a deeper understanding of how collective memory shapes diaspora communities.
The second lecture delved into the literary and historical contributions of Aram Andonian, a journalist and genocide survivor. While Andonian’s documentary work is well-recognized in genocide historiography, Dr. Adjemian shed light on his literary endeavors, particularly his 1919 collection of short stories, Ayn sev oreroun… (In Those Dark Days…). The talk explored the divide between literature and history, questioning how literary texts can inform historical narratives of genocide. Through a comparative reading of Andonian’s writings, Dr. Adjemian demonstrated the critical role of testimony in understanding the complexities of historical events. His analysis provided fresh perspectives on how literary narratives intersect with, and enrich, the historiography of genocide.
Reflecting on the success and impact of the events, director of the AGBU Papazian Library, Laurie Alvandian, shared: “From the library perspective, it is very exciting to host Dr. Adjemian, and to tap into the knowledge and experience of other Armenian libraries around the world. The work of preserving memory is not an easy one, particularly in the throwaway culture that we find ourselves living in, but the Nubar Library is well versed in what it means to collect, preserve, and make accessible. As an academic library, we have a responsibility to acknowledge the role that oral history materials have in preserving memory, and all the ways in which they strengthen research and collections. These materials are academic, valuable, and they do have a place in higher education and beyond.”
Oral History Matters is a collaborative research hub and an umbrella initiative established by a core team of AUA alumni and faculty to give more visibility to qualitative research frameworks in general and life history research in particular. It seeks to dismantle dominant research practices by bringing oral history to the forefront and challenging conventional narratives.
To stay updated about all upcoming events, follow @oralhistorymatters on Instagram. All In(Sight) House Talks can also be viewed on YouTube, @oralhistorymatters.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
