In 1974, three revolutionary elements came together in Beirut: a city at the centre of political and cultural change, a filmmaker who challenged ideas of queerness and power, and a cultural space called Dar el Fan. By 1975, all three were gone.

This episode of Uncovering Roots follows not just a moment in history, but a personal search for meaning. For Filmmaker Raed Rafei, uncovering Pasolini’s visit to Beirut became a way to explore memory, loss, and the traces of a city that no longer exists. Through letters, archives, and conversations, the episode pieces together a story that links the past to questions we’re still asking today, about queerness, solidarity, and what it means to remember.

This episode was produced by Maxim Saakyan. Sound design by Maxim Saakyan. Voice over by Antonio Sangirardi, Bashar Atiyat, Sarah Sarofim and Zeina Dowidar.

This topic was inspired by Raed Rafei's e-flux article.

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, please leave us a review – it really helps.

If you have a story you'd like to tell, or for us to investigate, DM us on Instagram or email [email protected]!

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @Uncovering.Roots and Twitter @UncoveringRoots

Uncovering Roots returns with the first episode of its new season, beginning in Aleppo, at the doors of one of the most iconic hotels in the Middle East.

The Baron Hotel once hosted kings, spies, archaeologists, and refugees. It was a grand hotel at the crossroads of empire, war, and survival. In this episode, we trace the layered history of the Baron through the voice of Mary Momdjian, whose family built and ran the hotel for generations.

From stories of Armenian refugees during the genocide to cocktails with Agatha Christie, the Baron’s past is woven into the fabric of Syria’s modern history. Today, it stands abandoned. A fragile, fading symbol of memory and loss.

This episode was co-produced by Maxim Saakyan and Zila Demirjian. Sound design by Maxim Saakyan. 

Thank you to the Armenian Film Foundation for letting us use Koko Mazloumian's  testimony. 

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, please leave us a review – it really helps.

If you have a story you'd like to tell, or for us to investigate, DM us on Instagram or email [email protected]!

Make sure to follow us on Instagram @Uncovering.Roots and Twitter @UncoveringRoots

Happy New Year from Uncovering Roots! 

We’re so excited to share that our first full season is launching soon. It’s been a bit of a journey getting here, and we truly appreciate your patience. This season, we’ll dive into more incredible stories from the SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) region—stories we can’t wait to explore with you. 

Thanks for all the sort, and we promise it’ll be worth the wait.

Music by: Olivia Melkonian

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

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

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