Community Service through Armenian Graphic Narratives: Preserving Cultural Identity and Collective Memory

Abstract

This study examines Armenian graphic narratives as resources for community service, cultural education, and collective memory. It focuses on diaspora publications, genocide-related visual representations, and later forms of Armenian visual communication. Using historical, visual narrative, and semiotic analysis, the study explores how graphic materials communicate displacement, identity, remembrance, and cultural continuity across communities and generations. The analysis indicates that visual narratives have functions related to connecting dispersed communities, preserving shared cultural symbols, communicating historical experiences, and supporting intergenerational learning. These functions provide a basis for community-service activities involving cultural literacy, historical awareness, archival engagement, and educational outreach. The study positions Armenian graphic narratives not only as artistic materials but also as community-oriented resources for preserving cultural identity, strengthening collective memory, and supporting sustainable cultural education.