On my third day back home in Yerevan, Armenia, I experienced a magical journey that made me refill my longing for my cultural identity. For context, I have been studying in Malmö for the past three years. If you are not Armenian, you wouldn’t really notice that there isn’t an Armenian community in Malmö. Despite Malmö's reputation as a diverse and multicultural city, it's challenging for Armenians like me to find an environment where I can stay connected to my culture without constantly having to explain my background and where I can simply feel seen. This lack of connection had a profound impact on me, leading me to realize that, at least for the summer, I needed to return home to enjoy my identity without the need to defend it.
Mid-conversation at home my father told me about Hakawati NGO, his face filled with inspiration. "Hakawati?" I asked. He continued. "Hakawati" is an Arabic term that means storyteller. The word is derived from "haki," which means "to talk" or "to tell a story." Historically, a hakawati was a storyteller who would entertain audiences by recounting tales, often with a dramatic flair, in public spaces like coffeehouses or markets. These storytellers played a significant role in preserving and sharing cultural heritage, folklore, and history through their narratives. They also had the power to tell stories about issues mere civilians couldn’t always discuss.
As our discussion continued, he showed me how storytelling could help nations like ours heal generational traumas. This concept captivated me, and when he mentioned that they needed volunteers for the final event of their series of events launching in Yerevan, I immediately volunteered without hesitation. However, even this emotional conversation couldn’t prepare me for the “1001 Nights” experience.
On the day of the event, we arrived at the venue. Even though it was only partially prepared, the atmosphere was already warm, and I felt like I could breathe again. Alongside a team of volunteers as eager as I was, we contributed to creating an unforgettable experience.
As the night began, we welcomed guests with warm smiles and immersed them in cultural music—a blend of Persian, Arabic, and Armenian sounds—set against a backdrop of beautiful scenery and a mystical atmosphere.
As the guests mingled, enjoying drinks and settling in, the evening unfolded with a sense of anticipation. Raffi, my father and a board member of Hakawati set the scene, filling the atmosphere with an air of mystery. He invited interested guests to join on stage, lounging on large, beautifully patterned pillows, signaling that something extraordinary was about to unfold.
Sona Tatoyan, the founder of Hakawati, arrived on the stage. She captivated us with her storytelling—a deeply immersive experience titled Azad ("Free" in Armenian, Farsi, and Kurdish). It unfolded as a kaleidoscopic narrative, revealing layers of tales within tales. The story centered on Sona’s moving discovery of her great-great-grandfather’s shadow puppets in Aleppo during the Syrian war. A century after Abkar Knadjian preserved his family and art from the Armenian Genocide, Sona unearthed a trunk in her family’s attic, filled with his meticulously crafted puppets. This journey led Sona to a profound realization: the overarching narrative of 1001 Nights held a universal power for healing—a revelation that resonated deeply with all who were present. I found myself completely absorbed in the stories she told—captivated by her voice, the sound of ood in the background, the ambiance, and the presence of the guests.
Amidst the emotional whirlwind, I briefly stepped away to serve red wine to the guests—a crucial part of the storytelling ritual. As we poured Molana wine by WineWorks, Vahe Keushguerian, the founder, shared its unique story through an audio narrative. This exceptional wine blended winemaking traditions from Iran and Armenia, adding another layer of cultural richness to the evening.
The culinary journey continued with delights from Shaghig restaurant, where Shaghig Dervartanian herself shared stories of her ancestral olive trees as guests savored exquisite Syrian mezze. Each dish carried a narrative, adding to the tapestry of cultural exploration. The hummus, the kofte, the tabouleh, and the big plates full of fresh local fruits, were all too similar and comforting. It was all mesmerizing—an experience that felt like home, where everything fell into place effortlessly.
The evening continued to unfold as the guests transitioned into dancing, but it wasn’t just dancing to music—it was a transformative musical journey. The rhythms seemed to compel everyone to move, to release emotions through the power of their bodies. It was liberating, an expression of joy and cleansing merged into every movement.
At that moment, I realized that this event was about more than mere words and historical narratives. It was about stories taking on a multitude of forms—touching people’s senses, minds, tastes, ears, and bodies. It was the most beautiful representation of my upbringing I had ever witnessed.
What struck me most was how this celebration didn’t segregate Armenians, Iranians, Kurds, and Arabs. Instead, it celebrated where cultures intertwined despite traumatic histories. I saw my Armenian-Lebanese mother represented, my father who had journeyed from Jordan across the Middle East, and my grandparents who had lived in Syria, Palestine, Kuwait, Jordan, and Lebanon—each maintaining Armenian traditions while embracing the cultures around them.
Most profoundly, I felt seen in this diverse yet familiar environment—a mixture of identities that shaped my childhood. It was a powerful recognition of the untold cultures that had been fundamental to my upbringing, each unique yet interconnected in ways that defy easy categorization. It was an experience that resonated deeply—a testament to the beauty and resilience of cultural diversity.
Hours passed like minutes, wrapped in an atmosphere that transcended time. By the time darkness had settled outside, the music shifted, casting a serene aura over the gathering. It marked the beginning of the final stage of the experience. Guests submitted to the hypnotic allure of the music, allowing themselves to be guided into a meditative state.
Traditional and contemporary melodies blended effortlessly, creating a transformation of sound that filled the space. As the music intensified, bodily movements led us into a trance-like celebration. For forty-five minutes, we experienced a meditative journey guided by narrators, ood and duduk sounds, and the familiar scent of incense—resonant with Sundays when my mother cleansed our home. It was a deeply symbolic conclusion to the evening, twisting together memories and emotions into a tapestry that defied verbal description.
Hakawati NGO stands at the forefront of cultural revitalization and healing through the ancient art of storytelling. Founded on the tradition of the hakawati, or storyteller, the organization is dedicated to preserving cultural heritage, folklore, and history. By weaving narratives that transcend borders and generations, Hakawati NGO fosters healing and resilience within communities grappling with historical traumas. Through their events and initiatives, they create inclusive spaces where diverse cultures converge, promoting empathy, understanding, and a shared sense of humanity. Emphasizing storytelling's educational and transformative power, Hakawati NGO inspires individuals worldwide to embrace their cultural identities while bridging divides through the universal language of narrative. To follow more of their work check out their website hakawati.org.
Written & photos by Varanta Aharonian Niziblian.
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