Who is an Armenian?

[crusader1492]

http://www.azg.am/?lang=EN&num=2007120106

Author: Armen Ayvasian, Phd.


AZG Armenian Daily #222, 01/12/2007
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National Interests
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ARMENIAN IDENTITY OR WHO IS AN ARMENIAN?
In the current most complex period of development of Armenia and the Armenians, the problem of the Armenian identity represents not only an academic interest but has a serious practical significance. A strong national identity is a strategic asset in the process of building and strengthening a nation-state, while the dilution of national identity by no means facilitates but, moreover, hinders the consolidation of the individual and society around national goals and objectives.
After all, who can be considered Armenian today? As sensitive as this question is, since it touches the feelings of millions of people (especially our compatriots abroad), answering it is imperative. For an adequate illustration of the topic let us first present the state of affairs which the Armenian nation finds itself in today.
There are some irrefutable realities which we must see and accept exactly as they stand, rather than turn a blind eye to them, as do a significant section of the Armenians, including its "elite".
Thus:
Fact 1: The Armenian ethnicity is under the threat of extinction on the territory of its own homeland – in the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk. This threat springs simultaneously from a number of interrelated sources:
a) the possibility of military aggression by Azerbaijan;
b) a critical demographic crisis (the exodus of over a million Armenian citizens and the ongoing emigration negatively impact the viability of all spheres of life in the country);
c) the stalling of Armenian nation/state building process as well as the solidification of its political institutions;
d) uncultivated state of Armenia’s National Security doctrine ("The Armenian National Security Strategy" adopted in February 2007 is a declarative document, which, according to official announcements, has been written with the "methodology" and "editorship" of Moscow, Washington and Brussels experts). Consequently, there is a conspicuous absence of a clear Foreign Policy Direction based on national interests.
e) Armenia’s heavy dependence on foreign powers;
f) social tension, including the class and regional aspects (inter alia, the artificially created but effectively maintained dangerous antagonism between "hayastantsi" and "gharabaghtsi", the total mistrust towards politicians and political institutions, the alienation of the people from the decision-making process);
g) the complete absence of any struggle against corruption which pervades all spheres of public life in the republic;
h) the lack of a consistent language policy in Armenia, resulting in a defenseless and vulnerable state of the Armenian language;
i) The Georgian state policy of forcing out Armenians from Javakhk using administrative, economic, cultural, religious, linguistic and demographic pressures, and now even through open show and use of force.Yet, the foremost threat is characterized by the highly probable Azerbaijani aggression, which is being methodically planned and scrupulously prepared, with Turkey’s direct and indirect participation. If it were to succeed ending in the occupation of Artsakh and the liberated territory around it, the disappearance of the Republic of Armenia from the world map would be inevitable because the next, if not simultaneous, attack will be directed against Syunik – the last dividing bastion between these two Turkic allies. The existence of Syunik, without the shielding "barrier" of Artsakh, would become untenable. The weak communication links with central regions of Armenia, the absence of any defensive depth putting all of Syunik within range of Azerbaijan’s modern artillery systems, as well as the psychological trauma from the fall of Artsakh would reduce the defensibility of this strategically vital region to nearly zero. The resulting encirclement of the remainder of Armenia in a Turkish-Azerbaijani ring, will transform it into a ghetto – a kind of Transcaucasian Swaziland. Subsequently, the obliteration of Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey, if not through military action, then through economic, political and psychological pressures, will simply be a matter of time. Thus being deprived of any prospects for sustainable development and losing its role as a potential safe haven for the millions of Armenians scattered throughout the world, the resulting geometrically progressed mass emigration would weaken Armenia to the degree of being divided by and absorbed into Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Although the Armenian nation succeeded in eliminating this very scenario in the 1990s, the Turco-Azeri alliance, far from forsaking it, will attempt to implement it if Armenians prove unable to mount an effective resistance.
Fact 2: Armenians can survive only if Armenia survives – as an Armenian state and the Armenian nation living within it.
Fact 3: Without Armenia, the Armenian Spyurk (Diaspora) cannot represent a nation, i.e., a viable entity ensuring national preservation and reproduction of Armenian race (let alone the preservation and development of the Armenian language and culture).
Fact 4: During the last decades the inevitable acculturation and assimilation processes in Spyurk have sharply accelerated to an unprecedented level. In particular, as a result of emigration, every year the ranks of the Armenian communities are thinning out in the Middle East, where until recently the percentage of mixed marriages were extremely low, and the Armenian schools and other community structures functioned effectively. In 20-30 years from now there will remain at best tiny islands of the once flourishing communities of Lebanon, Iran and Syria, similar to what has already happened to the Armenians of Iraq. As for the Armenians living in Russia and the developed West, they are subject to even faster acculturation and assimilation.
Fact 5: There is no Armenian culture without the Armenian language. Along with the statehood and the territory under its control, the language is the foundation and paramount means of preserving the Armenian ethnicity. The fact that many of our compatriots, especially in Spyurk, can feel and consider themselves Armenian without knowing the Armenian language, is possible only thanks to the people of Armenia who still speak, write and create in Armenian. Let us picture a hypothetical situation where Armenians in Armenia have forgotten their mother tongue and communicate with one another, are educated, write and create in a foreign language, no matter which – Russian, English or Chinese. This would signify nothing less than the end of the Armenian civilization, the end of the Armenian culture and the end of the Armenian ethnos!
Yet, today Armenia itself faces the full weight of the challenge of preserving and developing the Armenian language (i.e. culture). As was mentioned earlier, this is due to the decrease in the number of users of the Armenian language (including the potential users – children who received and receive non-Armenian education abroad) attributable to the emigration of our compatriots and the absence of appropriate protection of the Armenian language by the State. After 16 years of independence, it is high time that we duly acknowledge the fundamental role and place that language has in the life of a nation – something that the Armenian political elite and a significant portion of the intelligentsia fail to do. On the contrary, in the language policy, just like in certain other fundamental areas, attempts are still being made to regress the Armenian political thinking.

[crusader1492]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

Conclusions
Conclusion 1: The Armenian nation is in the active phase of the struggle for survival on a fraction of its own homeland, preserved at the cost of unimaginable sacrifices. In other words, the Armenian nation is a struggling organism whose main, vitally important function is the struggle for survival.
Conclusion 2: The frontlines of this struggle for survival stretch out not only along Armenia’s borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey, but evidently also throughout the country itself, embracing the spheres of demography, economy, social life, science and education. Emigration, regardless of its reasons, removes Armenians, partially or fully, from the central battlefield for survival, that is – Armenia. Repatriation, on the other hand, results in the replenishment of a vitally necessary reserve for the country.
Based on the above-mentioned strategic considerations I will attempt to answer the question: "who is an Armenian?" and in what way is s/he differentiated from an Armenian by birth.
One is an Armenian if s/he:
1) considers Armenia his/her only homeland within two dimensions of time and territory – in her historic and present boundaries;
2) has strong psychological attachments to his homeland – its territory, people, language and culture;
3) feels personal responsibility for Armenia’s fate and assumes political obligations towards it;
4) if living abroad, seriously contemplates avenues for his and his family’s repatriation;
5) either is or tries to become the bearer of the Armenian language and culture;
6) strives to maintain his offsprings Armenian, including by means of passing on to them the knowledge of the Armenian language and by bringing them into the realm of the national culture. Those of our compatriots who consider the country of their birth or citizenship and not Armenia as their homeland, who do not feel psychological attachments and political responsibility towards Armenia, who do not wish to think about living in the Homeland, who do not seek to be the bearers of the Armenian language, who consciously or unconsciously have reconciled with and are not concerned about the inevitable assimilation of their offsprings, can be considered Armenians by origin only, because, in reality, they are already either cosmopolitans or representatives of another nationality. Indeed, it does not matter at all if they shout from the rooftops that they are the most real and authentic Armenians (a genuine self-deception!). The fact is that these individuals, regardless of the reasons, are beyond the nation’s life-process and do not partake in its subsistence even at its most fateful moment.
It should also be emphasized that genetics are of a secondary importance in determining of an Armenian or any other national identity. The real identity of an individual is defined by his personal involvement in and contribution to the life processes of the relevant nation.
Thus, we should differentiate between an Armenian on the one hand, and a person of Armenian origin on the other. This does not mean at all that the former is good and the latter is bad. Simply, the latter no longer can or wants to sacrifice anything for the sake of Armenia and already has a fundamentally different national self-consciousness.
For Armenians by origin it would be useful perhaps to look at themselves honestly and without self-deception and hypocrisy: They have actually left the field of the nation’s life activities. Nevertheless, the road is still open for them both ways – total and irreversible assimilation or the return to national roots, the rediscovery of the Armenian language and culture and participation in the nation’s life. In this sense, a large segment of Spyurk are potential Armenians. Unfortunately, such alianated potential Armenians are not rare in Armenia itself, who are fully or partially cut off from the Armenian language, culture and politics and who fail to perceive the common threat of extinction facing all Armenians.
I would like to repeat what I have written about many times before. Preserving Armenianness abroad, "hayapahpanum", cannot be an end in/of itself. The true goal for the preservation of Diasporan Armenians is their reunion with their motherland under the auspieces of an independent state, as of now on the territory under the control of Armenian armed forces. Considering the preservation of Armenianness an end goal (as a considerable part of the Armenians abroad does) severely weakens the most important elements of the same "hayapahpanum."
The struggle for physical survival is unfortunately the core function of life of the Armenian nation. It is this very function that determines and necessitates the fundamental pillar of the Armenian identity – direct and personal engagement in this struggle for the realisation of the national objectives, which presently are:
- the preservation at all cost of that territory, essential for security, on which Armenia (RA and NKR together with the liberated territory around it) has existed for the whole period of its latest independence;
- the increasing of the number of the Armenian population in the Homeland;
- the preservation of the Armenians of Javakhk on their lands;
- the building of a nation-state based on the principles of rule of law, social justice, democracy and protection of national interests and values, including the development of the Armenian language and culture.There are tremendous practical, ideological and psychological obstacles and ossified stereotypes that must be overcome throughout this struggle. They emanate essentially from non-Armenian sources but are often coming in to the scene through those Armenian political structures which long ago or recently have fallen under the slavish dependence of foreign powers. The engagement in the struggle for the achievement of the above-mentioned objectives will underpin an Armenian’s ethnic resistibility with such a breath of emotions, feelings and knowledge that he/she will indeed have the drive and the need to acquire and become the bearer of the basic elements of the national self-consciousness – the language, culture, customs and traditions.
To sum up, we can conclude that as long as Armenia as a nation and state is drawn into a long-term struggle for survival against powers superior in terms of numbers, resources and territory (Turkey and Azerbaijan), the most natural and functionally strongest ethnically differentiating characteristic feature of an Armenian is the acknowledgment and assumption of personal responsibility – proportionate to his/her strengths and capabilities – for destiny of the homeland.
By Armen Ayvazian, Ph.D. in Political Science, Director of the "Ararat" Center for Strategic Research
P. S. At the end I invite you to read an English translation of an excerpt from a poem by Raphael Patkanyan entitled "The Armenian and Armenianness" written back in 1855, and a quote from Garegin Nzhdeh. Both are most relevant to this discourse.
Who is an Armenian? Is he the one who speaks in Armenian?
Or whose name ends with the suffix yan?
The one who always eats tolma, pilav for lunch
Or proudly always wears Armenian attire and hat?
Who is an Armenian, is he the one who attends an Armenian Church
And goes to confession at least four times a year?
That has never ignored the lent and also fasts during that
And when he yawns he crosses his open mouth?
No, my dear, nationhood is not an external act
Not even your Armenian birth will give you that right...
If you are an Armenian, you must respect the Armenians for sure,
Armenia for you must be the star of hope...
Love your nation not by words but as you love yourself,
For her sake if necessary, sacrifice all your self,
Don’t even save your life, give your blood to her
Not with the hope that your nation instatntly will appreciate you.
(Translated from Armenian by Hratch V. Vartanian, M.D.)
Later, in mid-20th century the same concept is highlighted by Garegin Nzhdeh: "Armenia! He who did not know how to die for you in your hour of need and who will not want to die for you tomorrow – is not your son, is not an Armenian!"
This coincidence could testify only to the following: the struggle for survival of the Armenian nation has now been going on for over one and a half century.Home | Rating

AZG Armenian Daily #222, 01/12/2007

[Armenian]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

One is an Armenian if s/he:

1) considers Armenia his/her only homeland within two dimensions of time and territory – in her historic and present boundaries;
2) has strong psychological attachments to his homeland – its territory, people, language and culture;
3) feels personal responsibility for Armenia’s fate and assumes political obligations towards it;
4) if living abroad, seriously contemplates avenues for his and his family’s repatriation;
5) either is or tries to become the bearer of the Armenian language and culture;
6) strives to maintain his offsprings Armenian, including by means of passing on to them the knowledge of the Armenian language and by bringing them into the realm of the national culture. Those of our compatriots who consider the country of their birth or citizenship and not Armenia as their homeland, who do not feel psychological attachments and political responsibility towards Armenia, who do not wish to think about living in the Homeland, who do not seek to be the bearers of the Armenian language, who consciously or unconsciously have reconciled with and are not concerned about the inevitable assimilation of their offsprings, can be considered Armenians by origin only, because, in reality, they are already either cosmopolitans or representatives of another nationality. Indeed, it does not matter at all if they shout from the rooftops that they are the most real and authentic Armenians (a genuine self-deception!). The fact is that these individuals, regardless of the reasons, are beyond the nation’s life-process and do not partake in its subsistence even at its most fateful moment.

I agree with Dr. Ayvazian, word-for-word. I hope now people can see why I keep saying there are only a handful of "Armenians" left on earth, and virtually none in the diaspora.

[crusader1492]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

I agree with Dr. Ayvazian, word-for-word. I hope now people can see why I keep saying there are only a handful of "Armenians" left on earth, and virtually none in the diaspora.

Hopefully, Siamanto will reads this and at least soften his/her stance on labeling Kim Kardashian as Hye.

[SaroukhSako]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

I agree with Dr. Ayvazian, word-for-word. I hope now people can see why I keep saying there are only a handful of "Armenians" left on earth, and virtually none in the diaspora.

VIRTUALLY NONE IN THE DIASPORA??

what do you mean by ur last sentence so that there will be no misunderstanding between us because i agree with what is said in the article and "TSOULVILE" of the armenians in diaspora is real and happening as we speak but i want to know what do you mean so that i explain you what are we armenians are felling or doing in the diaspora.....

[Armenian]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

VIRTUALLY NONE IN THE DIASPORA??

In other words, very-very little.

Now don't try to convince yourself otherwise. Once you sit yourself down and think hard and objectively about this topic, I am sure you will come to the same conclusions as I have.

Diasporan Armenians can be 'proud' Armenians, however, they do not exhibit classical 'nationalism/patriotism' in their relationship to their homeland. And please, let's not confuse 'party' pride (Dashnak/Hnchak/Ramkavar) with 'nationalistic' pride. What we essentially have in the global Armenian diaspora are Americans with Armenian identity, Russians with Armenian identity, Lebanese with Armenian identity, French with Armenian identity, Turks with Armenian identity, etc. Putting aside going to Armenian church service twice a year, participating in a genocide memorial or attending some Armenian dinner dance - how are the 'ethnic' Armenians living in foreign lands impacting the Armenian nation?

In my opinion, any Armenian that does not have a 'spiritual' and 'physical' connection to his/her homeland is absolutely worthless and useless to the Armenian nation. Thus, in final analysis, it's all about one's 'relationship' to the homeland.

The diaspora is an eventual graveyard for Armenians. Therefore, as long as the Armenian diaspora exists - it should be treated as a milking cow for the homeland.

what do you mean by ur last sentence so that there will be no misunderstanding between us because i agree with what is said in the article and "TSOULVILE" of the armenians in diaspora is real and happening as we speak but i want to know what do you mean so that i explain you what are we armenians are felling or doing in the diaspora.....

Based upon my personal experiences, the most healthy displays of classical nationalism/patriotism I have seen in my life have been amongst Armenians of our republic. However, due to various sociopolitical factors, even in the Armenian Republic the number of 'true' nationalists is relatively small. Nevertheless, it is there, it is growing, and it is whats keeping our republic safe and on a forward progression. Naturally, our national culture and our language today is flourishing within our homeland as well. Give it some peace and stability in a generation or two Armenians there will manage to turn that nation into the gem of the Caucasus. I have no doubt in their resilience and creativity. Nevertheless, our collective efforts in the diaspora must must have one goal in sight - the preservation of the Armenian Republic and its prosperity.

However, the Armenian diaspora, expect for a few areas of holdouts, is more-or-less on the verge of death. And the remaining holdouts - Los Angeles, Montreal, Beirut and Tehran, will eventually die as well. Also notice that the Armenian language in the diaspora is practically dead. A nation's health is measured by how well it keeps its national language abroad. Also notice that a great majority of the new born children in the diaspora are of mixed heritage. The diaspora's Armenian identity is more-or-less based on a sick/twisted obsession with the Armenian Genocide, especially in the West. As a result, instead of cultural/national pride - most diasporan Armenians in western nations display some sick form of pride for being victims... Sometimes it seems as if the only thing keeping the Armenian diaspora alive today is the unresolved Armenian Genocide... God forbid Turks every recognize the Genocide, you will have the entire Armenian diaspora of the western world disappearing off the face of the earth within a generation.

That is why I have always said Armenians should be made to pursue recognition of the Armenian Genocide without it actually happening. At least this way we'll be able to prolong the inevitable and hope that in the meanwhile something positive can be done for the Armenian Republic.

What's more, of the "proud" Armenian diasporans you know around you, how many of them have actually visited their homeland? Of those who have, how many return regularly to participate in nation building? How many of them look at the Armenian Republic as their true and only homeland? How many of them who have visited the Armenian homeland disregard the amazing developments occurring in the country (against all odds may I remind you) and merely choose to rant about prostitutes, corruption, dirty toilets, etc? How many Armenians do you know choose to vacation in places like Lebanon and Turkey instead of Armenia? How many Armenians do you know that regularly sing Lebanon's praise as they curse Hayastan? What percentage of those Armenians around you have had their children or grandchildren marry Armenians? How well do the Armenians around you speak the Armenian language? How many Armenians around you would be willing to physically and financially support a defensive war effort if the Armenian nation was threatened militarily? How many Armenians around you are actually thinking about repatriating to the homeland?

Do you now see the picture? The picture is quite sad. If you seriously and objectively think about this topic, you will clearly see what I am saying. Diasporan Armenians may be "proud" Armenians - but "nationalism" does not exist within diasporan circles. It's all about one's relationship to the homeland. If an Armenian does not have this relationship with his/her homeland then what good are they as Armenians? Having said that, I must note that the ARF has been the one of two diasporan institution in existence (the other being the extinct Hnchaks) that has produced some true nationalists.

Let's just face it and let's deal with it, no matter how much effort one puts in it - the diaspora is a dead end. If an Armenian chooses to live in the diaspora as a proud Armenian, that's fine and great. They should just realize, however, that what they are doing is no different than expressing a fashion statement, a life style choice if you will. Eventually their seed with disappear into the society in which then live. Therefore, in my opinion, most proud diasporan Armenians are superficial Armenians - good weather Armenians I call them. And when I refer to "diasporans" it also includes most Hayastantsis that currently live in the diaspora. However, at the very least, many of the Hayastantsis in question have a real connection to their homeland, unlike other Armenians.

This is a very difficult topic to discuss because it bring out emotions in people. Most react negatively to what I say, a clear indicator that I have stuck a raw nerve. But realize that I am not telling people to start packing and move to Armenia... That would be silly of me. All I am attempting to do is asking people to 'think' about this topic. As an Armenian, where are you headed? What is the end game? I also want people to start thinking hard about their 'connection' to the Armenian homeland.

I hope I was able to answer your question.

Just curious, why do you choose to adopt a Turkish/Arabic word like "Saroukh" in your user name? What's wrong with its Armenian equivalent "hrtir"?

[SaroukhSako]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

In other words, very-very little.

Now don't try to convince yourself otherwise. Once you sit yourself down and think hard and objectively about this topic, I am sure you will come to the same conclusions as I have.

Diasporan Armenians can be 'proud' Armenians, however, they do not exhibit classical 'nationalism/patriotism' in their relationship to their homeland. And please, let's not confuse 'party' pride (Dashnak/Hnchak/Ramkavar) with 'nationalistic' pride. What we essentially have in the global Armenian diaspora are Americans with Armenian identity, Russians with Armenian identity, Lebanese with Armenian identity, French with Armenian identity, Turks with Armenian identity, etc. Putting aside going to Armenian church service twice a year, participating in a genocide memorial or attending some Armenian dinner dance - how are the 'ethnic' Armenians living in foreign lands impacting the Armenian nation?

In my opinion, any Armenian that does not have a 'spiritual' and 'physical' connection to his/her homeland is absolutely worthless and useless to the Armenian nation. Thus, in final analysis, it's all about one's 'relationship' to the homeland.

The diaspora is an eventual graveyard for Armenians. Therefore, as long as the Armenian diaspora exists - it should be treated as a milking cow for the homeland.



Based upon my personal experiences, the most healthy displays of classical nationalism/patriotism I have seen in my life have been amongst Armenians of our republic. However, due to various sociopolitical factors, even in the Armenian Republic the number of 'true' nationalists is relatively small. Nevertheless, it is there, it is growing, and it is whats keeping our republic safe and on a forward progression. Naturally, our national culture and our language today is flourishing within our homeland as well. Give it some peace and stability in a generation or two Armenians there will manage to turn that nation into the gem of the Caucasus. I have no doubt in their resilience and creativity. Nevertheless, our collective efforts in the diaspora must must have one goal in sight - the preservation of the Armenian Republic and its prosperity.

However, the Armenian diaspora, expect for a few areas of holdouts, is more-or-less on the verge of death. And the remaining holdouts - Los Angeles, Montreal, Beirut and Tehran, will eventually die as well. Also notice that the Armenian language in the diaspora is practically dead. A nation's health is measured by how well it keeps its national language abroad. Also notice that a great majority of the new born children in the diaspora are of mixed heritage. The diaspora's Armenian identity is more-or-less based on a sick/twisted obsession with the Armenian Genocide, especially in the West. As a result, instead of cultural/national pride - most diasporan Armenians in western nations display some sick form of pride for being victims... Sometimes it seems as if the only thing keeping the Armenian diaspora alive today is the unresolved Armenian Genocide... God forbid Turks every recognize the Genocide, you will have the entire Armenian diaspora of the western world disappearing off the face of the earth within a generation.

That is why I have always said Armenians should be made to pursue recognition of the Armenian Genocide without it actually happening. At least this way we'll be able to prolong the inevitable and hope that in the meanwhile something positive can be done for the Armenian Republic.

What's more, of the "proud" Armenian diasporans you know around you, how many of them have actually visited their homeland? Of those who have, how many return regularly to participate in nation building? How many of them look at the Armenian Republic as their true and only homeland? How many of them who have visited the Armenian homeland disregard the amazing developments occurring in the country (against all odds may I remind you) and merely choose to rant about prostitutes, corruption, dirty toilets, etc? How many Armenians do you know choose to vacation in places like Lebanon and Turkey instead of Armenia? How many Armenians do you know that regularly sing Lebanon's praise as they curse Hayastan? What percentage of those Armenians around you have had their children or grandchildren marry Armenians? How well do the Armenians around you speak the Armenian language? How many Armenians around you would be willing to physically and financially support a defensive war effort if the Armenian nation was threatened militarily? How many Armenians around you are actually thinking about repatriating to the homeland?

Do you now see the picture? The picture is quite sad. If you seriously and objectively think about this topic, you will clearly see what I am saying. Diasporan Armenians may be "proud" Armenians - but "nationalism" does not exist within diasporan circles. It's all about one's relationship to the homeland. If an Armenian does not have this relationship with his/her homeland then what good are they as Armenians? Having said that, I must note that the ARF has been the one of two diasporan institution in existence (the other being the extinct Hnchaks) that has produced some true nationalists.

Let's just face it and let's deal with it, no matter how much effort one puts in it - the diaspora is a dead end. If an Armenian chooses to live in the diaspora as a proud Armenian, that's fine and great. They should just realize, however, that what they are doing is no different than expressing a fashion statement, a life style choice if you will. Eventually their seed with disappear into the society in which then live. Therefore, in my opinion, most proud diasporan Armenians are superficial Armenians - good weather Armenians I call them. And when I refer to "diasporans" it also includes most Hayastantsis that currently live in the diaspora. However, at the very least, many of the Hayastantsis in question have a real connection to their homeland, unlike other Armenians.

This is a very difficult topic to discuss because it bring out emotions in people. Most react negatively to what I say, a clear indicator that I have stuck a raw nerve. But realize that I am not telling people to start packing and move to Armenia... That would be silly of me. All I am attempting to do is asking people to 'think' about this topic. As an Armenian, where are you headed? What is the end game? I also want people to start thinking hard about their 'connection' to the Armenian homeland.

I hope I was able to answer your question.

Just curious, why do you choose to adopt a Turkish/Arabic word like "Saroukh" in your user name? What's wrong with its Armenian equivalent "hrtir"?

my NICKNAME is SAROUKHsako and saroukh is not the Turkish word I'm using is the Arabic, i am from Lebanon....and believe me i am an Armenian in every aspects of life. you cant and you don't have the right to question my nationalistic views and my attachment to the hayrenik after all i saw when i was 17 but i was raised as i was living there we in the diaspora remain and fight our way through every you can call interference to stay Armenians.....don't judge Armenian from the place they are born after all the turks are the reason i was born in Lebanon.......i am an Armenian and maybe even more than you maybe..........but bunch of papers do not prove that you are an Armenian more than me if you are born in Armenia then good for you but i was born else where and lived in Armenia also all my life believe me it was and is like that

[Armenian]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

my NICKNAME is SAROUKHsako and saroukh is not the Turkish word I'm using is the Arabic, i am from Lebanon....

The point is, its not Armenian. And Lebanon should not be considered your homeland, that is if you identify yourself as an Armenian nationalist.

and believe me i am an Armenian in every aspects of life. you cant and you don't have the right to question my nationalistic views and my attachment to the hayrenik after all i saw when i was 17 but i was raised as i was living there we in the diaspora remain and fight our way through every you can call interference to stay Armenians.....

Where did I question your nationalistic views? Where did I say you are not a good Armenian? I don't even know you. And regardless of how hard you fight the "interference to stay Armenians" in the diaspora your line will eventually assimilate. That's the reality we all face.

don't judge Armenian from the place they are born after all the turks are the reason i was born in Lebanon......

When did I judge Armenians based on where they were born? As long as someone is a good Armenian it does not matter to me where they were born.

i am an Armenian and maybe even more than you maybe..........

I would be happy if you were a better Armenian than me. Where did I say I'm a better Armenian than anyone here? I have pointed out bad and/or foolish Armenians here, but I have 'never' claimed to be an exemplary Armenian.

but bunch of papers do not prove that you are an Armenian more than me if you are born in Armenia then good for you but i was born else where and lived in Armenia also all my life believe me it was and is like that

I wasn't born in Armenia either. What papers are you talking about?

I think you are taking my comments too personally. My commentary was general in nature. If any of the criticisms I have does not apply to you then simply disregard them and see that in places like Lebanon and USA the Armenian diaspora is dying and their Armenian identity is superficial. Also realize that most Armenians who identify themselves as Armenians are proud Armenians, they are not nationalistic Armenians. So, do you or that don't you agree with the points I was making regarding one's relationship to their homeland and the eventual demise of the Armenian diaspora?

Again, this is not about you Sako, it's about the diaspora in general.

[freakyfreaky]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

Swiss Ambassador to Lebanon takes interest in the study of the different expressions of being Armenian - known as Armenography.

"On February 28, at the Art Lounge on the Corniche du Fleuve, there will be a presentation of Armenographie, by Stephen Kristensen and Anna Barseghian. Armenographie is the result of encounters in Armenia, Syria, Turkey and Lebanon. Each context bears witness to a different way of being Armenian, even of becoming Armenian. Armenographie bears witness to a precarity of existence, but also to a vibrancy of life, in Armenian communities in various parts of the diaspora."

http://www.mmorning.com/ArticleC.asp?Article=5553&CategoryID=3

C.V. of Anna Barseghian and Stefan Kristensen, the co-contributors to "Armenographie".

http://thessalonikibiennale.gr/pdf/BarseghianKristensen.pdf

[Armenian]

Re: Who is an Armenian?

I think this thread deserves a second look.

Regarding Armen Ayvazian: His work is crucially important for the Armenian state. For Armenian patriots, Armen Ayvazian's "Ararat Center For Strategic Research" is the ideal political think tank. It needs to be supported. In my opinion, any money spent/donated in the Armenian diaspora is money wasted. Many asswipes in our diaspora (dashnaks, Ramkavars, Amerikahais, Beirutahais, etc) gave Armen a lot of shit for his essay - "Who is an Armenian." He was personally upset by it, but he said he expected it.

We need to promote and encourage Armen Ayvazian. Don't waste money on church picnics or fund raisers for your local Armenian center - donate your money ($25, $50, $100 whatever you can afford) to the Ararat Center For Strategic Research. They have a branch in California that takes donations in the US. Sadly, their support base is very small, they desperately need money to expand their work. It also would not hurt to visit their website often and post words of encouragement.

Ararat Center For Strategic Research: http://www.ararat-center.org/index.php?p=6&l=eng