sudanahye

What happens when you swap tabletop exercises to preserving at risk cultural heritage? That’s been my journey this year so keep reading to find out. After years as a crisis manager, I unexpectedly found myself becoming a historian. In the first half of 2025, the Sudanese-Armenian Heritage Project has taken me across continents — from London → Cairo → Amsterdam → Durham → Yerevan. Along the way, we: 📖 Explored archives in Durham, London & Cairo 🖼️ Digitised hundreds of family photos forgotten to time 🔊 Gathered hours of oral histories from community members Events for me shifted from: ⚠️ Simulations & tabletop exercises to 🖼️photo curation 🧑💻 Trainings & workshops to 🎓 history lectures 🤝 Professional networking to 🗣️ engaging with community elders All of this came together in our first-ever events in Amsterdam & London this August - the first events solely dedicated to the Sudanese-Armenian community. The turnout was huge and incredibly diverse in age, background, and community. What began as an exhibition became something special, something that held deep meaning for attendees. And what about for me, what did I learn? An unexpected link between crisis management & history - emotional intelligence. Just as in crisis response, only through the lens of emotion could I understand the people I work with and the importance of the work I do. Through this lens I understood what the project truly means to so many: 💠 For Sudanese-Armenians: the way that looking back on a past now lost to the destructive forces of war truly touches the heart 💠 For Sudanese audiences: a moment of nostalgia to reflect on a more harmonious past and imagine a better future as the crisis continues in Sudan 💠 For diaspora communities: a mirror of our own search for belonging and identity The journey continues and now in the archives & libraries of Armenia. If you’re in Yerevan and fancy a ☕, drop me a message! 🙏 Thanks to all who have supported on the way. It takes a (village ❌) community. The success of the project thus far is only possible because it is a project not of an individual but of our community. Fueled by the generous contributions of Sudanese-Armenians, who have grouped together despite many hurdles to propel us forward in our mission to create a legacy. 🔗 Read more here about the event here and see the rest of the research thus far at our website: https://lnkd.in/ejkyaUDH