ABSTRACT. Children’s experiences of war and forced relocation are often under- represented in research on forced migration and displacement. This study investigates the symbolic representations, emotional expressions and reflections of children affected by war, using an arts-based methodological approach. The workshops engaged children aged 13–14 who had been forcibly relocated to a region of Armenia from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), or who had otherwise experienced the effects of wars. Through their artworks, the children conveyed a strong emotional and cultural connection to their Indigenous homeland of Armenia and Artsakh, often expressed through national symbols such as flags, the Tatik-Papik monument, pomegranates and other elements of tangible heritage. Notably, traditional themes such as family and school were not as frequent in children’s artworks. This suggests a possible focus on collective identity and belonging. The children’s artworks also reveal contradictions between loss and hope. This reflects the complex emotional terrain they navigate after the military attacks and displacement. This study underscores the value of arts-based methodologies for exploring the complex and often under-acknowledged experiences of children living through the aftermath of wars and military aggression.

Keywords: arts-based methods; assemblage; children; forced displacement; Artsakh; Nagorno-Karabakh

How to cite: Tumanyan, M., & Hiitola, J. (2025). ‘I want my home’: Symbols and emotions in the art of war-affected children in Armenia. Knowledge Cultures, 13(2), 157–182. https://doi.org/10.22381/kc13220258

Received April 9, 2025 • Received in revised form June 25, 2025
Accepted August 1, 2025 • Available September 1, 2025