Kaitzak is excited to announce Story Loom, a new podcast created and hosted by co-founder Mariam Vahradyan and produced by André Vartan-Boghossian. The podcast explores how creatives and entrepreneurs are revitalizing ancient cultural traditions—and how these art forms foster resilience and flourishing.
In Episode 1, founder of The Rug Code, Kyle Khandikian, unpacks the symbolism that traditional Armenian carpets carry. From adorning homes to carrying deep meaning, rugs have a 4000-year-old history in the Armenian culture. In this episode, we explore the production cycle behind making a carpet, the hidden symbols embedded in them, and how Kyle is revitalizing the endangered art form.
Kyle is a Salvadoran Armenian American writer and digital storyteller based in Yerevan. Originally from Los Angeles, Kyle has over 8 years of storytelling and project management experience that has resulted in over $8 million raised for socio-economic development projects in Armenia during his tenure at ONEArmenia, where he currently serves as chief storyteller. Kyle also served as a Birthright Armenia volunteer. In 2024, Kyle launched The Rug Code, an online shop for rugs handmade in Armenia’s villages. The mission of The Rug Code is to deliver high-quality rugs from Armenia to shoppers around the world, sharing where they come from, what they’re made of, who makes them, and their codes, or what their ornaments represent, all in a transparent way, creating real economic benefits for rural weavers in the process. Kyle studied Communication Studies and Asian Humanities at UCLA and is a proud alumnus of Ferrahian High School in Los Angeles.
Learn More About The Rug Code and browse their collection on therugcode.com.
