An exhibition about the Armenian Communities Department
A unique event in a unique setting

An exhibition dedicated to the activities and history of the Armenian Communities Department was inaugurated in June 2024 on the walls of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s cafeteria in Lisbon.
The Department is one of the several grantmaking units of the Foundation. It was set up in 1956 and is perceived to be at the heart of the Foundation. It is the only Department that focuses its grantmaking on the Armenian world, given that the Founder, Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, was Armenian, and throughout his life supported Armenian philanthropic endeavors.
In its 68 years of existence and throughout decades of impactful activity, this was the first time that the work of the Armenian Communities Department was presented to the Foundation’s hundreds of colleagues through visual content in the form of a temporary exhibition.
Each wall of the grand Cafeteria, serving several hundred people a day, depicts one priority area of the Department: the scholarship programme, Western Armenian language, cultural creativity, and our activities in Armenia. A historic overview of the Department’s work and accomplishments is also part of the exhibition, highlighting important initiatives and major projects. One of the striking walls is dedicated to our Founder, his origins, and his philanthropic work throughout his life. The exhibition also presents our work in times of crises and demonstrates the necessity of adapting to the needs of diasporan communities and Armenia in challenging times; the Armenian Department has always sent humanitarian aid to the Armenian world when needed.







For half a year, Portuguese and international colleagues read about our work and are introduced to the Armenian context through this exciting exhibit. The walls brought the Armenian story into the Foundation in an immediate and relatable manner, sharing stories of resilience, hope, solidarity, and impact.
This is the first exhibition of its kind. Inspired by it, and on a rotational basis, other units and departments within the Foundation will organize their own exhibitions. It makes perfect sense that this tradition was initiated by the Armenian Communities Department and it was the first to be featured, emphasising the Armenian story at the heart of the Foundation.