Some objects hold far more than their beauty. A carpet can carry the memory of a home, the work of hands long remembered, and the story of a family passed from one generation to the next.
These connections gave special meaning to Hanganak NGO’s recent excursion to the Megerian Carpet Factory and Museum in Yerevan. Our beneficiaries, elders forcibly displaced from Artsakh, joined the visit generously hosted by the museum administration.
Surrounded by intricately woven carpets, traditional looms, and colourful yarns, we listened as our guide shared the history of the museum and the Megerian family. The presentation left a deep impression on our beneficiaries and Hanganak staff alike, bringing us closer to the lives and traditions behind the exhibits.
The Megerian family established its business in New York in 1917, beginning with the repair and trade of antique rugs. Through generations, its work grew into a commitment to preserving and continuing Armenian carpet weaving. Today, the centre in Yerevan brings together a working factory and a museum, where historic carpets stand alongside the living craft that created them.
The museum’s collection includes also carpets from Western Armenia and Artsakh. Among its most moving stories is that of a carpet preserved through the Armenian Genocide: a mother divided it into two pieces and gave one to each of her daughters, hoping the pieces would help them find one another if they were separated. In this story, a familiar household object became a means of holding on to family and the hope of reunion.
For a group whose own lives have been marked by forced displacement, such histories deserve particular tenderness. Our elders know what it means to leave a home behind – to be separated from places and belongings that held a lifetime of ordinary, irreplaceable moments. The carpets from Artsakh gave the visit a close connection to their homeland, recognizing its place within the Armenian cultural heritage preserved here.
“Seeing the carpets from Artsakh means a great deal to me. They connect us to our homeland and to a part of our lives that we continue to carry with us. Thank you for making this visit possible,” said Tikin Arega.
No museum visit can ease all the pain of displacement. Yet there is comfort in knowing that the art and traditions of one’s homeland are cared for, their origins remembered, and their stories shared. These carpets preserve traces of the people who made and lived with them. Our elders, too, carry knowledge, memories, and traditions that deserve to be heard and passed on.
“The story of the mother and her two daughters touched me deeply. It made me think about how precious the things connecting us to our families can be. I am grateful to our guide for sharing these stories with such care,” mentioned Tikin Aida.
At Hanganak, we seek to make room for these connections alongside the practical care we provide. Spending time together, discovering something beautiful, and having space for remembrance are meaningful parts of supporting our elders. This excursion offered a shared experience of learning and companionship, with time to appreciate the skill and dedication that keep Armenian carpet weaving alive.
“Thank you to Hanganak for bringing us together and to the museum for welcoming us so warmly. It was good to share this day and feel that our history is remembered and valued,” said Tikin Karina.
On behalf of Hanganak NGO and our beneficiaries, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the administration of the Megerian Carpet Factory and Museum for providing this visit. We thank our guide and all the staff for their hospitality and for sharing the history of the collection so thoughtfully. By opening your doors to our elders, you offered a meaningful opportunity to encounter the heritage of their homeland, spend time together, and feel welcomed and cared for.
