On 11 June 2026, as part of the “Ancestral Journeys: Reflections on Land and Belonging” series held at the Anarad Hığutyun Building, photographer and archivist Gregory Jundanian shared his reflections on photography, identity, and belonging in his talk titled “From Whitinsville to Arapgir,” alongside his journey to his family’s ancestral homeland and the traces this journey left behind.

Working at the intersection of memory, identity, and a sense of place, Jundanian discussed how his artistic practice explores the relationship between personal and collective histories. During the talk, he reflected on his journey to Arapgir, the ancestral homeland of his family, describing it not only as an exploration of the past but also as the beginning of new connections with the present and with people he encountered along the way. Through the stories shared and relationships formed in Arapgir, he spoke about how this experience transformed his understanding of belonging and memory.

Jundanian also discussed the Armenians of Whitinsville archival project, of which he is one of the founders, focusing on efforts to preserve and pass on the memories of diaspora communities to future generations. He emphasized how family photographs, documents, handwritten texts, recipes, and personal stories can make a community’s past visible, and how these materials are not merely historical records but living narratives carrying a sense of identity, connection, and belonging.

We Welcome Your Stories

This conversation series is part of a broader dialogue about ancestral journeys and the profound connections between past and present. If you are an Armenian living abroad who has undertaken or is planning an ancestral journey, we would be honored to hear your reflections and experiences. Your stories of discovery, reunion, and belonging contribute to the collective memory that Hrant Dink spoke of - each narrative adding depth to our shared understanding of heritage and home.

We invite you to share your own journey with us. Please reach out through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to connect and explore how your story might enrich this ongoing conversation.