Draft:Hnarti

Hnarti
Hnarti Cultural Platform Logo
FoundersTamar and Lilit Megrian
EstablishedMay 2022
Location
Lebanon
Websitehnarti.org

Hnarti is a cultural platform centered on Western Armenian language and Armenian heritage. Its activities span both online and in-person initiatives, including community engagement, cultural events, translation projects, and digital media production focused on Western Armenian language preservation and revival.

Etymology

The name Hnarti is derived from the Armenian words: hin (հին).[1], meaning “ancient” and arti (արդի)[2], meaning “modern”. The name is also associated with the Armenian term hnar (Հնար)[3], which can refer to possibility, solution, creation, and intellect. The name Hnarti reflects the platform’s focus on connecting elements of Armenian heritage and history with contemporary cultural initiatives. The expressions Hnar eh (Հնար է՛, “It is possible”) and Hnareh (Հնարէ՛, “Innovate”), used by the platform, are derived from the same root.

Origins

Hnarti was founded in May 2022 by sisters Tamar and Lilit Megrian together with their cousins, Vana and Sevan Zeitounian.

The initiative emerged from an interest in increasing the use of Western Armenian and creating language-related resources. One of the platform's early projects involved the translation of “The New Oxford Picture Dictionary” from English to Western Armenian. In 2025, Josette Mansour and Serena Aoun joined Hnarti as collaborators.

Campaign

Poster for the "RECALL, RECONNECT, REVIVE" campaign

RECALL, RECONNECT, REVIVE

The “RECALL, RECONNECT, REVIVE” is a campaign launched by Hnarti on 24 April 2025 focusing on awareness surrounding the preservation and revitalization of the Western Armenian language. The campaign was first announced in April 2024 and was later referenced in media interviews and related coverage.

Western Armenian was classified by UNESCO as “definitely endangered” in the "Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger" in 2010.The campaign focuses on encouraging engagement with the Western Armenian language through public events, digital media content, and collaborations with institutions including Haigazian University, KOHAR Library, and Darperag21.

The campaign’s visual identity incorporates the image of a bridge with a missing section being restored, symbolizing efforts to reconnect speakers with the Western Armenian language.

Projects

Translation and Subtitling

Western Armenian Translation of the New Oxford Picture Dictionary

One of Hnarti’s early projects involved the translation of “The New Oxford Picture Dictionary” from English into Western Armenian. The illustrated dictionary presents vocabulary through topic-based scenes and visual storytelling. The project is currently in its testing phase.

Multilingual Subtitling of the Animated Film, Anahit

“Santiano” in Western Armenian, video thumbnail

Hnarti produced English, French, and Arabic subtitles for ''Anahit'', an Armenian animated film released by Robert Sahakyants Animation Studio in 2015.

Songs

For occasions, such as Christmas, Easter, and International Music Day, Hnarti has produced Western Armenian adaptations of songs accompanied by animated videos and subtitles.

Video and Animated Production

"National Handwriting Day" video thumbnail

National Handwriting Day

On the occasion of National Handwriting Day 2024, Hnarti released a video featuring archives and manuscripts specialist Tamar Snabian Sourdjian, daughter of writer and educator Boghos Snabian. The video addressed handwriting preservation, manuscript interpretation, and the importance of handwriting education.

Let’s Not Forget Who We Are

"Let's Not Forget Who We Are" video thumbnail

In May 2025, Hnarti released a short animated video centered on the preservation of Western Armenian. The production featured representations of twelve women from Armenian history and culture, including Mother Armenia, Aydzemnig, Alenush Derian, Maria Jacobsen, Shushanig Gurghinian, Srpouhi Dussap, Zabel Yesayan, Zabel Asadour (Sibil), Queen Mlke (Tamar), Silva Gaboudigian, Dadig, and the goddess Anahid.

Voice recordings for the project were contributed by collaborators and participants from different Armenian-speaking backgrounds. The production incorporated several Armenian linguistic varieties, including Eastern Armenian, Western Armenian, Iranian Armenian, Artsakh Armenian, and Classical Armenian (Krapar). The voice of Maria Jacobsen was recorded by her direct granddaughter, Mrs. Vartoug Mirakian Abrilian.

Prior to the release of the video, the platform published a series of posts presenting historical information about the figures featured in the production.

Hnaramids: Let’s Not Forget Who We Are

In 2025, Hnarti launched ''Hnaramids'', a documentary-style video series focusing on Armenian individuals associated with innovation, culture, and public life. The first episodes focused on members of the Lebanese Armenian community.

Badahapar

In 2026, Hnarti announced a short-form video series titled ''Badahapar'', filmed in Lebanon and featuring members of the Lebanese Armenian community participating in interview-based segments and language-related activities.

First Animated Short Film in Western Armenian

In 2026, Hnarti began development of an animated short film produced fully in Western Armenian, which marks the first animated production of its kind.

Events

Chronicles of Perseverance

"Chronicles of Perseverance" event poster

Between July and August 2023, Hnarti organized “Chronicles of Perseverance”, a seven-day screening event held at Haigazian University[4]. The program included screenings of films and documentaries related to Armenian history, identity, and culture[5].

Featured works included ''Western Armenia: Lost Motherland'' (2007), ''Urartu: The Forgotten Kingdom'' (2020), ''Memories of Marash: The Legacy of a Lost Armenian Community'' (2002), ''Anjar: Flowers, Goats and Heroes'' (2009), ''Songs of Solomon'' (2020), ''The Shadow of Ararat'' (2017), and ''The Lebanese Rocket Society'' (2012).

The Shadow of Ararat

In honor of the 109th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, Hnarti organized a rescreening of "The Shadow of Ararat" on April 27, 2024, in Bourj Hammoud[6]. During the opening speech, the pre-launch of the “RECALL, RECONNECT, REVIVE” campaign was announced to the audience. Hnarti made an appearance on the Lebanese TV channel Al Jadeed to announce the screening.

"Manoug Manougian: A Dream of Space Exploration" event poster

Manoug Manougian: A Dream of Space Exploration

On November 29, 2025, Hnarti, in collaboration with Haigazian University[7], organized a commemorative event titled “Manoug Manougian: A Dream of Space Exploration” at the university’s Matossian Gallery, honoring scientist Prof. Manoug Manougian, founder of the Haigazian College Rocket Society in the 1960s[8].

The program included the premiere of the first episode of the ''Hnaramids'' series, a recorded message from actress and activist Arsinée Khanjian, as well as from directors, Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, and a screening of the documentary “The Lebanese Rocket Society.” The evening also included the launch of a new book by one of Manougian’s students, Mr. Haroutioun Kurkdjian, titled "Armenian Specialists, Rockets and Space: The Haigazian Rockets (1961–1969)", followed by a screening of The Lebanese Rocket Society documentary. The event also included the presentation of the book ''Armenian Specialists, Rockets and Space: The Haigazian Rockets (1961–1969)'' by Haroutioun Kurkdjian[9].

Community

Paregentan, in Bourj Hammoud

Celebrating Traditional Holidays with the Community

Hnarti organizes yearly community activities related to Armenian traditional holidays in Bourj Hammoud, including Paregentan, Vartavar and Armenian Christmas.

Paregentan

In February 2024, Hnarti distributed 200 tahini breads, donated by Ichkhanian Bakery to shop owners in Bourj Hammoud, while wearing traditional Armenian clothing. In 2025, the initiative continued with the distribution of 200 Nazougs, associated with the holiday.

Vartavar, in Bourj Hammoud

Vartavar

In July 2024, the platform distributed 100 terracotta vases containing written messages to shop owners in Bourj Hammoud as part of Vartavar celebrations.

Christmas, in Bourj Hammoud

Christmas

On the occasion of Armenian Christmas Hnarti organized a “Secret Angel” gift exchange in January 2025, involving 40 artisans and shop owners in Bourj Hammoud.

Christmas Wishes from the Community

For Christmas 2025 and 2026, the platform released video compilations featuring holiday messages from members of the Armenian community, including artists, public figures, business owners, and residents of Bourj Hammoud.

References

  1. ^ "Հայոց լեզուի նոր բառարան, Գնէլ արքեպիսկոպոս Ճէրէճեան, Փարամազ Կ. Տօնիկեան եւ Արտաշէս Տէր Խաչատուրեան - հին". nayiri.com. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  2. ^ "Հայոց լեզուի նոր բառարան, Գնէլ արքեպիսկոպոս Ճէրէճեան, Փարամազ Կ. Տօնիկեան եւ Արտաշէս Տէր Խաչատուրեան - նոր". nayiri.com. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  3. ^ "Հայոց լեզուի նոր բառարան, Գնէլ արքեպիսկոպոս Ճէրէճեան, Փարամազ Կ. Տօնիկեան եւ Արտաշէս Տէր Խաչատուրեան - հնար". nayiri.com. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  4. ^ "Chronicles of Perseverance - A Seven-Day Public Screening Event". www.lebtivity.com. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  5. ^ "The "Chronicles of Perseverance" Screened at Haigazian University". Haigazian University. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  6. ^ "The Shadow of Ararat - Screening Event by Hnarti Cultural Platform". www.lebtivity.com. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  7. ^ "HNARTI and Haigazian University Host Commemorative Evening Honoring Pioneer Manoug Manougian". Haigazian University. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  8. ^ "Փրոֆ․ Մանուկ Մանուկեանի աւանդը. երազելը կարենալ է - Darperag21". darperag21.net. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
  9. ^ "Ամրագրելով Սփիւռքահայութեան Գիտական Ներուժը` «Հնարդի» Վերակենդանացո". Aztag Daily - Ազդակ Օրաթերթ (Armenian Daily Newspaper based in Lebanon). 2025-12-13. Retrieved 2026-03-28.

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