OUR NEW SPACE: SAFFRON HILL
The Armenian Institute moved a new home on Saffron Hill, EC1 in 2020! There we will bring our library out of storage and be able to host a range of activities that encourage everyone to explore the treasures we are so fortunate to have in our collection. The space enables us to host lectures, small exhibitions, musical evenings, book clubs, screenings and other events.
We are very grateful to the Tanielian family for making this space available to us and to the major donors who are enabling the move and equipping of the space. Our very warm thanks at this time of transition to the St Sarkis Church Trust for hosting AI over so many years, making it possible for us to grow into this next step. When we are set up, we will have a series of Open Houses to welcome everyone to the new space and celebrate this new beginning.
Artist’s impression of the interior of our new space (concept design and image by K Lankarani architecture + design). We are deeply grateful to Keyvan Lankarani for his technical and creative support for the refurbishment of the space.
Journey to Saffron Hill
Our treasurer Richard Anooshian’s story
It all began in 2007 with a discussion on the vision and future strategy of the Armenian Institute. As part of this brain-storming process, we agreed that new premises for the AI would be critical to new vision -- a place that would allow us to house an ever-growing library, host events, classes and workshops and enable us to broaden our activities in a professional atmosphere.
We sought guidance from members in the community who had followed AI's development over the years. We viewed a number of potential properties.
In the end, through the gracious generosity of the Tanielian family, we were offered a wonderful space on Saffron Hill. It offers everything that AI is looking for - a light and airy space which can accommodate future growth in a well-run building situated in one of the the most vibrant areas of London. We are also grateful to a group of major donors who facilitated the moving in and the initial 3 year settling in process.
Saffron Hill represents a new home and new beginnings for AI - one that we can all be very proud of.
Some facts and figures
5 minutes walk from Farringdon station
8000 books
1 piano
75” screen TV
Seating for 50 people
Space for researchers
Kitchenette
Fully accessible
Some History
Saffron Hill has been immortalised in literature thanks to Charles Dicken’s ‘‘Oliver Twist’’: this is where Fagin's den was based, and the Artful Dodger leads Oliver to. The street’s other famous literary connection is a mention in Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes story ‘‘The Adventure of 6 Napoleons’’.
The name ‘‘Saffron Hill’’ comes from the spice, derived from the flower of Crocus, grown there in Middle Ages on land owned by the Bishops of Ely.
See some images from Saffron Hill’s distant and recent past below:
