The "School of Complex Past" is an annual alternative education program initiated by CSN Lab with an aim to foster critical thinking and public discourse around complexities of the past and contemporary challenges through a combination of dialogue programs, discussions, lectures and various other formats. Addressing the current situation of forced-displacements and the intensified migration flows resulting from conflicts and political turmoils, this year’s program's central theme will focus on migration.
The decision to focus the school on these issues was due to the various migration flows in Armenia and the region. Following the Second Karabakh War in 2020, and the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh in 2023 over 120,000 people were forcibly displaced and sought refuge in Armenia. The Russian war against Ukraine brought another significant wave of migration to the South Caucasus, namely Armenia. Considering these ongoing migration flows and their shaping of public and cultural issues, the School aimed to explore migration and the effects of it on different aspects of life, by integrating diverse methodologies and disciplines.
Within the framework of the “School of Complex Past: Migration,” a group emerged that included not only experts and leading researchers but also an inclusive and diverse group of participants. During the 3-day intensive program, the school brought together cultural practitioners, artists, activists, and researchers to actively engage in the school program as well as share their own experiences and knowledge.
With the inclusion of the interdisciplinary scholars and mentor teams – the lectures, cultural dialogues, memory tours, and open mic discussions provided participants with an opportunity to critically reflect on the multilayered political, social, and cultural implications of migration.
Dialogue on Migration
The 2024 edition of the School of Complex Past began with lectures specially designed by the experts, reflecting on the different perspectives and thematic directions of the school.
The themes of individual and collective memory, politics of memory were the central topic of cultural anthropologist Lusine Kharatyan’s lecture, who through a unique approach engaged the participants in mapping out the region’s migration patterns and the interconnected memories of it. Through the language of literature, literary critic Siranush Dvoyan's lecture provided insights into displacement, its traumatic memory, and its documentation in Diasporan Armenian literature, particularly in the works of Zareh Vorpuni. In the context of forced migration, architect-theorist Misak Khostikyan addressed the transformations of environments, the physical and semiotic migration of architectural monuments, as well as the architecture and urban spaces shaped and sculpted by migration. Other members of the expert team also delivered engaging lectures, covering topics such as migration and memory, experiences of multiple displacements, methodologies for studying migration, the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage in the context of forced displacement, and more.
The discussions with the lecturers were filled with the participants’ personal narratives, who were sharing their experiences of forced-displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as migration stories from Lebanon, Syria, Russian, Germany, and England.
Women experiences and narratives
In the context of forced displacement, which is often the result of military conflicts and wars, the voices of women are often less heard. In these crisis situations, women are more vulnerable to trafficking and violence, and have fewer opportunities to present their perspectives and experiences. To foster public discourse on these issues, the 2024 School included a FEM program, which reflected on women's experiences in migration. Within the framework of the FEM program of the School of Complex Past, a workshop on “Visual and Storytelling Narratives of Refugee Women” was held to introduce participants to the methods and tools for documenting personal narratives.
Ecomigration
In public discourse, forced migration is often seen as a result of wars and conflicts, with migration due to environmental issues frequently overlooked. However, this critical issue becomes even more pressing due to climate change and its consequences. To address the key issues of eco-migration, a lecture was held on the topic, along with the presentation of the book “Kechut: Memory Under the Water”. The book explores the nature transformation programs in Soviet Armenia, particularly the forced displacement of the Kechut community caused by the construction of the Kechut Reservoir, the problematic resettlement, and its consequences. This interdisciplinary research critically examines and questions the Soviet discourse surrounding the environment, the forced displacements as a result, the destruction of architectural and urban heritage, and the crises of memory and identity.
From Sebastia to Sebastia
The continuous impact of migration waves on the urban landscape further emphasizes the interconnectedness of migration and memory studies. To gain a deeper understanding of this effect, CSN Lab, in collaboration with BANALIK: Armenian Critical Memory Studies Initiative, organized a memory tour as part of the School of Complex Past. The memory tour "From Sebastia to Sebastia," based on a myriad of oral history collections, provided an opportunity for participants to explore the Soviet and post-Soviet typography of the Malatia-Sebastia district. Allowing to discover the stories of Armenian Genocide survivors, focusing on their experiences of relocation and the landscape of ever-changing memories in the context of migration.
At the end of the tour, BANALIK shared printed maps from the (From Sebastia to Sebastia) project with participants, which would serve as a foundation for continuous studies and discoveries of the Malatia-Sebastia district.
Open Mic
A key part of School were the discussions with an open mic format, which encouraged the participants to have a dialogue and share their personal narratives within an open and safe environment. The participants reflected and analyzed their experiences, fostering a meaningful discussion, especially around the topics of traumatic life experiences, promoting mutual understanding and compassion.
Through cultural dialogue discussions, workshops, and lectures, the School of Complex Past: 2024 became an active educational platform for all its participants, giving everyone the opportunity to be heard. As always, the school maintains its commitment to inclusivity, creating a safe environment that encourages having open dialogue and exchange of knowledge.
The “School of Complex Past” 2024 was realized with the support of The Danish Cultural Institute (DCI) in the framework of (New Democracy Fund (NDF) project) and the Women’s Fund Armenia (WFA).
