This spring marks the visit of the German delegation to Armenia, led by Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier. As part of the broader official program, a panel discussion on the state of culture and civil society in Armenia was held at the Goethe-Institut in Yerevan. The event featured participation from cultural and education experts such as Prof. Katrin Böhning-Gaese, Prof. Eva-Maria Auch, and Prof. Gesche Joost, the President of the Goethe-Institut. The panel brought together key voices from Armenia’s cultural and civil society spheres. Among the contributors was Tigran Amiryan from the Cultural and Social Narratives Laboratory, who emphasized the importance of dialogue in today’s fractured geopolitical climate and reflected on CSN Lab’s long-standing commitment to fostering cultural cooperation and dialogue across borders.
For years, CSN Lab has led projects that map and bridge the gaps in cultural dialogue between Armenia and its neighbors. In a region where political tensions often overshadow cultural connection, the lack of dialogue has remained a pressing concern. CSN Lab has sought to fill this void by facilitating artistic collaboration and dialogue programs, not only in the South Caucasus but also through cross-regional initiatives with Eastern European and Central Asian countries. Furthermore, CSN Lab strives to strengthen the cultural dialogue between Armenia and the EU, focusing on enhancing mutual understanding and cultural exchange, bringing Armenia and the EU closer together.
Reflecting on CSN Lab’s programs dedicated to strengthening cultural dialogue within and outside of Armenia, Tigran Amiryan also highlighted how CSN Lab’s work consciously steps outside traditional academic and institutional frameworks to explore narratives that are often overlooked. A central mission of the Laboratory is to decentralize and diversify memory studies. The organization combines interdisciplinary approaches, incorporating gender studies, environmental studies, urban studies, and migration studies to create a more nuanced understanding of memory.
In the coming months, CSN Lab’s experience as a CSO and a cultural and research organization will be presented in Germany within the framework of various events and projects. Our collaboration with the Goethe-Institut is also continuing, and CSN Lab is determined to develop and expand our long-lasting partnership further in the near future.
Photos by Ed Tadevossian
