Azad Archives was born in 2021 out of that very question. For us, a “free” archive is accessible by design and grounded in inclusivity. Historical records and mass media concerning Armenia often contain significant historical and cultural gaps. Rather than simply filling these voids, we are developing a new archival model that challenges the colonial and exclusionary logic inherent in Western archival practices. Because archives shape our understanding of history, preserving our own voices is an act of resistance. Azad Archives is a collective dedicated to challenging dominant political narratives of both the past and the present. This is a living archive and the building of a community, which we strongly believe is a vital step toward creating lasting change.

Azad Archives envisions itself as a part of daily resistance, both large and small.

Resistance has no borders, and we echo these sentiments of inclusion while welcoming the broader SWANA community to participate in our archive.