Uncovering Roots

After a harrowing two years under Ottoman occupation, Aurora Mardiganian finally manages to escape to America. But her story doesn’t stop there… Aurora is suddenly thrown into Hollywood, where she becomes the lead actress of the film based on her own life. This episode was produced and sound designed by Maxim Saakyan. Editorial support from Al Shaibani and sound design support from George Patterson. Thank you to the Armenian Film Foundation for letting us use Aurora Mardiganian’s testimony. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, please leave us a review – it really helps. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @Uncovering.Roots and Twitter @UncoveringRoots

After Aurora Mardiganian fainted in 1920, she not only disappeared from public life, but the film disappeared and is now officially considered a lost film. It took 70 years to finally get some news, where an Argentinian-Armenian found something promising… In this episode, we also go into Aurora’s life after the film, and talk to people who knew her when she was in the latter stages of her life… We also speak to British MP Tim Laughton about the failure of the UK Government to recognise the Armenian Genocide. This episode was produced and sound designed by Maxim Saakyan. Editorial support from Al Shaibani. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, please leave us a review – it really helps. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @Uncovering.Roots and Twitter @UncoveringRoots

Uncovering Roots presents its first ever episode in this three-part mini series. Arshaluys Mardigian, also known as Aurora Mardiganian, was just 14 years old when she lost everything during the horrors of the Armenian Genocide. This episode follows her journey where she was kicked out of her home, and forced on a death march for hundreds of miles towards the Syrian desert. This episode was produced by Maxim Saakyan. Sound design by Olivia Melkonian. Narrated by Maxim Saakyan and Abi Zakarian. Thank you to the Armenian Film Foundation for letting us use Aurora Mardiganian’s testimony. Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, please leave us a review – it really helps. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @Uncovering.Roots and Twitter @UncoveringRoots

Welcome to Uncovering Roots! My name is Maxim Saakyan, and I’m really excited to kick off this storytelling journey with you. Uncovering Roots is a new storytelling podcast that aims to tell stories that are often overlooked. Our goal is to spotlight stories that need attention, with a primary focus on the South West Asia and North Africa region and indigenous people across the globe. There’s no limit to the topics we’ll cover. Whether it’s people, music, film or even flags. Watch out for our first three episode mini series which is set to come very soon (December!), where we follow the remarkable story of an Armenian genocide survivor. The podcast will then continue to uncover more stories later on in 2024, where we'll branch off to our first season. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @Uncovering.Roots and Twitter @UncoveringRoots