Armenian Diaspora Project
American Photographer Scout Tufankjian, of Armenian descent, has spent the last six years documenting the Armenian diaspora which she sees as strong and vibrant despite the 100-year-old tragedy of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.
The genocide displaced nearly three-fifths of the Armenian population. April 24, 2015 marks 100 years since the killing of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman government between 1915 and 1923.
Tufankjian’s images of the diaspora became a book, “There Is Only the Earth: Images from the Armenian Diaspora Project,” which will be available Tuesday, April 28.
Photo: São Paulo, Brazil. A young girl dressed in a veil turns back before receiving communion at Catedral Apostólica Armênia São Jorge.
Russia
Moscow: A couple walks hand-in-hand happily through a metro station after a dinner party with friends. They got engaged a few weeks later.
Like many of Armenian descent, Tufankjian seeks an acknowledgement that what happened 100 years ago was a genocide, but she doesn't want her cultural heritage defined by that tragedy. She sees her book as being about a people who have survived, with over eight million living in over 85 countries around the world.
France
Paris: A mother and daughter prepare the traditional dolma (stuffed grape leaves) for a family wedding.
Family Photographs
Tufankjian's grandmother is at the center of this collage of family photographs. To the right, her father Allan smiles in his bathing suit back at the camera.
France
Alfortville: A deacon with incense circumvents the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Paul and St. Peter.
Turkey
Diyarbakir: Birds fly above over an Armenian cemetery.
USA
New York: The men of the Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association march proudly through city streets for the LGBT Pride Parade.
Lebanon
Anjar: Both young and old dance at the Mus aler Folk Evening at the Sarkis Zeitlian Center.
Syria
Damascus: Men watch the 2010 World Cup final at a social club.
Syria
Damascus: An older woman stands in solemn prayer at the Surp Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church.
Lebanon
Anjar, Lebanon: A young boy stares up at the dancers encircling him at a traditional Lebanese henna wedding party.
Russia
Moscow: A young woman awaits her guests at an Armenian Student Association party at Moscow State University.
USA
Hollywood: Young men hang out in a Little Armenia parking lot.
Republic of Armenia
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia: Dancers celebrate First Republic Day in Freedom Square.
Russia
Moscow: A boxer is in training with a former Russian champion at The Union of Russian Armenians Sporting Club.
USA
Hollywood: The Armenian and American flags signify a mixed heritage in a Little Armenia parking lot.
France
Paris: A young girl elegantly rushes down to her Armenian school graduation ceremony at Culturel Alex Manoogian de l’UGAB.
Syria
Kessab, Syria: Two sisters share a laugh while making coffee in their kitchen in Lower Baghjaghaz.
Armenia
Karabakh, Armenia. A young girl gazes outside her classroom window in Karabakh. She lives on the border with Iran in a tiny town of 800 Armenians, most of who moved there after the 1992 Karabakh war.
Turkey
Istanbul: Taken during Tufankjian's trip to Istanbul to mark the 100th year since the start of the Armenian genocide, a young Armenian-American woman sits in Istanbul’s Holy Trinity Armenian Church, April 23, 2015.
Turkey
Istanbul: A young girl smiles as she greets the Patriarchal Vicar of Constantinople Archbishop Aram Atesyan during a luncheon for diasporic Armenians, April 23, 2015.
Turkey
Istanbul: An Armenian family lights candles in prayer and reflection at Istanbul’s Holy Trinity Armenian Church, April 23, 2015.
Turkey
Istanbul: Photographer Scout Tufankjian participates in a traditional prayer ceremony at Istanbul's Holy Trinity Armenian Church, April 23, 2015.