Siranoosh: An Armenian Journey
Armenian Institute
Online Screening of a documentary by Paul Rigg
It all began with a dusty reel in the attic. In late 2023, Paul Rigg stepped into the attic of his family home in Reigate, Surrey, and stumbled upon an old 8mm cine film. What he discovered was a forgotten treasure: footage of his parents’ 1956 wedding in Rangoon, Burma. That moment sparked a remarkable journey—one of research, rediscovery, and filmmaking—to honour and preserve his mother’s extraordinary life.
This October, join the Armenian Institute on YouTube for an opportunity to view Siranoosh: An Armenian Journey, Paul Rigg’s new film chronicling his mother’s epic life story.
Born into a family with a story of migration from Persia to Burma, Siranoosh “Carmen” lived through the chaos of the Japanese invasion in 1942, sought refuge in India, and spent her childhood in a Rangoon palace. Later, she built a new life in England—raising a family and, in the 1970s, emerging as a dedicated activist at Chiswick Women’s Aid, the world’s first shelter for women fleeing domestic violence. Set against a century of global upheaval, Siranoosh: An Armenian Journey is a tribute to resilience, migration, and the quiet power of those who bridge worlds.
To watch the film, register for free by pressing the button below, to get the private YouTube code. Available for a limited time only, from 1-31 October 2025.
This screening is part of Heritage of Displacement: Oral Histories from the UK Armenian Communities (2023–2026), funded by a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, thanks to National Lottery players.
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