ARMENIA
Ara: On Armenian Language
Comments on variation in language from own/diaspora to that spoken in Armenia.
(Interviewed by Pete and Kersty, June 2024)
Belinda: Relationship with Turkey
Visited the Republic of Armenia but did not identify with it, whereas 10 years ago she went to southeast Turkey, and landscape, food etc. were quite reminiscent of Cyprus. Difficult conversations with some Turkish people in the United Kingdom. Wide knowledge about the genocide.
(Interviewed by Pete, November 2024)
Hovakim: Origin Story
Hovakim was born in an Armenian village near Etchmiadzin, Armenia, but he views where he is from as the place where his ancestors lived, including Musa Dagh, present-day Turkey, where his paternal grandparents were from. They emigrated to Armenia from Lebanon in 1947 as part of a repatriation program. Mother’s family also from Syria/Lebanon, originally from Cilicia, present-day Turkey. Only one grandmother born in Beirut, the others in Cilicia. His parents met and married in Armenia. Father born in Siberia because his own parents were sent there by Stalin to work. Mother’s side was very religious, affecting his becoming a member of the clergy.
(Interviewed by Arda and Nikolas, May 2024)
Justin: Improving the Diaspora
Justin judges that the diaspora could do a better job in protecting and promoting their motherland. The Armenian narrative is a little muddled in the mainstream and he calls on the diaspora to make it more coherent to bring more attention to the Armenian nation.
(Interviewed by Max and Melanie, June 2024)
Maria: British Society’s Lack of Awareness of Armenia
Maria mentions frustration that British society is not widely aware of Armenia and its history.
(Interviewed by Pete and Kersty, August 2024)
Maria: Colours from Home
Maria describes traditional Armenian colours, including the Ararat valley bug which produces culturally significant burgundy dye for traditional Armenian carpets (Ararat cochineal). Art as a connection to a sense of home.
(Interviewed by Pete and Kersty, August 2024)
Nouritza: Reaction to Armenia’s Independence
Reaction to the first Armenian ambassador in the United Kingdom was disbelief and excitement at the independence of Armenia (in 1991). Team effort at building the embassy from scratch, as a social club. Contrast with the current existential threat to the country.
(Interviewed by Sharo and Georgia, June 2024)
Nvard: Life Story
Description of childhood and education in Yerevan. Comments on collapse of Soviet Union, Armenia’s independence, first Nagorno-Karabagh war. Comments on Armenian identity and family history of displacement. Story about paternal grandparents, from Istanbul, their escape from the genocide, settlement in France, repatriation to Armenia in 1948. Remarks on paternal grandfather’s role as repatriation organiser. Comments on disappointment of repatriation experience, fear of deportation to Siberia during Soviet times, grandparents' perseverance in building new life in Armenia.
(Interviewed by Arda, February 2025)
Nvard: Soviet Armenia
Description of parents’ meeting at work in a lightbulb factory, mother was an engineer, father was a technician. Description of patriotic awakening in Armenia during Artsakh movement in 1988, learning patriotic songs for first time at school.
(Interviewed by Arda, February 2025)
Peter: Visiting Armenia
Invited to Armenia for a month by the British ambassador in Armenia at the time. Recalls being met in Armenia with a paradoxical feeling of belonging in a place you have never been. Physiognomic similarities and Armenian language created an emotional impact. Acknowledges the divide between him and the local Armenian people. Recognises the cultural differences among Armenians brought on by the diaspora which can be helped through meeting each other.
(Interviewed by Nikolaos, July 2024)
Richard: Trips to Armenia
Recounts his first trip to Armenia with his family in the summer of 1976, via Turkey’s open border with Soviet Russian Armenia, through Gyumri. Clash of cultures as American Armenians: clothes, food, language (Eastern Armenian). Mentions his fundraising for schools in border villages each year, encouraging them for a brighter future.
(Interviewed by Max and Melanie, June 2024)
Susan: What is Home?
Susan comments on where she feels most at home and why it is not Armenia.
(Interviewed by Elvira, October 2024)
Tania: Visiting Armenia
Story of Tania’s visit to Armenia thirty years ago with her sister; opinion on the changes to Armenia on a subsequent visit; opinion on her desire to contribute to Armenia; opinion on her children’s sense of connection to Armenia.
(Interviewed by Ben and Phoebe, October 2024)
Tatiana: Relationship Diaspora - Armenia
Mentions ancestors/relatives that lived in Armenia. Father’s side affected by genocide and displaced. Discusses her visits to Armenia and how it is changing. Mass inflow of different diaspora communities going to Armenia. Notes linguistic/cultural differences of being an Armenian in the West v. Post-Soviet Armenians, for instance, English/French as default language in the West v. Russian in Armenia. Mentions how interaction between Armenians has changed over time, along with various new inflows of cultures. Armenians worldwide mainly connected via shared history. More engagement now from diaspora with Armenia.
(Interviewed by Thomas, February 2025)
Victoria: Early Life Story
Recollections of life in Armenia prior to moving overseas: childhood and early adulthood in Armenia; move to United States of America for study; return to Yerevan in 2018; description of meeting her now husband Robert in 2019; his work with Halo Trust charity clearing landmines in Nagorno-Karabakh; their different attitudes towards the possibility of a coming war.
(Interviewed by Becca and Kit, August 2024)