Medsmama

Medsmama (Armenian meaning Grandmother) centred around Arusiak Chakmakjian’s nee Torosian’s relationship with her grandaughter Ani. Their shared heritage and life in diaspora. Born 1896 in Adana Turkey, she escaped the events of 1915/16 to settle in Jerusalem and lived through additional conflicts in Cyprus and Beirut before coming to Britain in 1976. She died in London 1988. A rich tapestry of lives lived and lost, culture revisited and redefined. 2 years in the making it is a cross media collaboration with video and text, touring the UK in 2002.

Medsmama was performed as a trio. With additional performances on video from an ensemble of young dancers and a traditional Armenian soloist artist.

“I am the family face, flesh perishes, I live on” Thomas Hardy

“Deeply compelling….haunting….a show almost as full as Torosian’s life” The Scotsman

With thanks to our funders the Scottish Arts Council, Aberdeen City Council, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Duthie Ward Solicitors, the Saint Sarkis Trust, Kincardine and Deeside Arts Forum, the Lisa Ullman Travelling Scholarship Fund, North East Arts Board the support of the Lemon Tree and City Moves. To Levon Chillingarian OBE, Hasmik Harutunyan, Andranik Michaelian, The Armenian Institute Washington, Astrid Aghajanian, Arman Keshishian, Shakeh Avenessian, Susan Pattie of the Armenian Cultural Institute and family in Yerevan Armenia along with Medsmama’s children.