How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

[yerazhishda]

I was inspired to ask this question based on a recent thread:

As most of us are diasporan Armenians, many of us have come across dormant Armenians - ignorant of the Armenian language, culture, religion, politics, etc. My question is: how do we "convert" these Armenians - or at the very least implant the seed of Armenian self-realization - within them?

It is self-evident that the more Armenians we have interested in their own culture, the more likely they are to marry Armenian, repatriate, learn the culture and language, and help or donate to Armenian causes. If we are truly Armenian, shouldn't one of our goals be to recruit dormant Armenians? Or does the Armenian spirit have to awaken from within, with there being nothing that we can do to help them? I would truly appreciate your insights.

[Mos]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

The American and Western spell is too strong. "Dormant" armenians will stay dormant 95% of the time. It is the main premise of those cultures.

I think best way to wake those dormants up is to ship them to Armenia for few months. They will only then open their eyes. just Shoving pictures of Ararat in their face won't help.

I'm in Yerevan for a good portion of the year every year and I see frequently Americans of Armenian descent roaming around. However, many of them speak English with each other and still wear the stupid American basketball clothes which hang down to the floor and their crazy hair (it annoys hell out of me).

[ashot24]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

I believe the Armenian spirit has to awaken from the inside of the person, it has to be something we're all are proud of and love, love enough to make us want to learn the language and the culture, learn our history and our legacy, repatriate, etc.. And that grows from the inside, you have to plant, take care of, and then see bloom the spirit of loving Armenia and the beautiful piece of heaven we have, but you also have to know the reality of what is to live in Armenia and what it implies socially, culturally and economically. Because if not we have the cases of diasporan Armenians who have gone to Armenia planning to settle, and some months later they go back because they understood that being Armenia is much harder than what they had in mind.

In the end we can't 'convert' them or 'force' them to learn the language, or love their culture, or love Armenia...you know? It's something every Armenian must grow inside of his/her heart, if they don't give a damn then nothing will make them change their mind.

[jgk3]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

Help the newbie Armenian find something you think they'll love about their culture. Could be cuisine, could be stories of General Antranik, or our music... Show them where to get some exp and level up. As ashot said, we can't force them to convert, love and speak like us, it has to be their own journey. But we can always encourage them along the way.

[londontsi]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

Help the newbie Armenian find something you think they'll love about their culture. Could be cuisine, could be stories of General Antranik, or our music... Show them where to get some exp and level up. But we can always encourage them along the way.

Fair points.

As ashot said, we can't force them to convert, love and speak like us, it has to be their own journey..

I am afraid I tend to think they can an be forced to convert.
Unfortunately this is being done through the exposure of foreign cultures who convert our youngsters.

What is sad is that one the biggest culprit is the Armenian media.

Armenian TV broadcasts are now widely available through satellite and the internet.

Unfortunately vast majority of the time they propagate either foreign films or music despite the fact that these are available through the local outlets.

You also get many of our artist who through their (in most cases ) amateurish impersonations of other cultures poison our youngsters into thinking that there is something superior in those cultures.

If our media was more professional and with a defined mission the (Armenian ) general public both at home and the Diaspora would be better served.

[KarotheGreat]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

Fair points.



I am afraid I tend to think they can an be forced to convert.
Unfortunately this is being done through the exposure of foreign cultures who convert our youngsters.

What is sad is that one the biggest culprit is the Armenian media.

Armenian TV broadcasts are now widely available through satellite and the internet.

Unfortunately vast majority of the time they propagate either foreign films or music despite the fact that these are available through the local outlets.

You also get many of our artist who through their (in most cases ) amateurish impersonations of other cultures poison our youngsters into thinking that there is something superior in those cultures.

If our media was more professional and with a defined mission the (Armenian ) general public both at home and the Diaspora would be better served.

Where have you heard foreign music on an Armenian channel? The only music I hear every day is from Armenian artists. Most of the shows are Armenian, there are a couple of serialner that are foreign(south american) but that's garbage and almost no one watches that.

You know what I want that they would make a show or two like mi vaxecir. That was a great show, we need more if that.

[Siggie]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

Great thread Yeraz!

I think this forum is helpful, but if someone is here they already have some spark of interest. However, the forum can help cultivate that.
For me, it was encouraging to see others who are educated about everything Armenian and so passionate about it. Even if you want to educate yourself and brush up on your language skills (or even start from scratch) it can seem like a very daunting task, but finding like-minded people who make themselves available as a source of knowledge and encouragement is very important.

[Haykakan]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

I think the answer to this threads question is acceptance. We need to be more accepting of differences among us and not predjudice twords these people. I think the way Kim Kardashian is treated in some of the threads here is a good example of how we lose many of these people who had a interest in their roots but were turned off by the reactions from the "real armenians". Many more people are lost in this manner then in any other so if you really want to help people of armenian decent get in touch with their roots you need to accept them as your fellow armenian and treat them in a manner which will make them want to learn more about our culture and their backgrownd not run away in disgust. We armenians are forced to live in many different places and it is perfectly natural that we have many differences. The biggest thing to keep in mind is if you met a fellow armenian, how would you like to be treated by him/her?

[londontsi]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

Where have you heard foreign music on an Armenian channel? The only music I hear every day is from Armenian artists. Most of the shows are Armenian, there are a couple of serialner that are foreign(south american) but that's garbage and almost no one watches that.

You know what I want that they would make a show or two like mi vaxecir. That was a great show, we need more if that.

Only yesterday on the main Armenian channel ( from Armenia) was Persian songs. I would say 50-60% of films are foreign (English or Russian some dubbed). Adverts are both Armenian as well as Russian.

Same can be said for Shant as well as Yerkir Media ( on the Internet).

[KanadaHye]

Re: How to "convert" dormant Armenians to the Hye Tad?

I think the answer to this threads question is acceptance. We need to be more accepting of differences among us and not predjudice twords these people. I think the way Kim Kardashian is treated in some of the threads here is a good example of how we lose many of these people who had a interest in their roots but were turned off by the reactions from the "real armenians". Many more people are lost in this manner then in any other so if you really want to help people of armenian decent get in touch with their roots you need to accept them as your fellow armenian and treat them in a manner which will make them want to learn more about our culture and their backgrownd not run away in disgust. We armenians are forced to live in many different places and it is perfectly natural that we have many differences. The biggest thing to keep in mind is if you met a fellow armenian, how would you like to be treated by him/her?

Kardashian is to Armenia as Madonna is to Italy. And I don't think that's what what Yeraz was referring to when he said "dormant" My biggest pet peeve is when society refers to celebrities as people. They aren't regular people, they get paid by Hryas to be irregular so that the sheep can bow to the stars.

If anyone finds interest in their roots, I think that's a great thing. Like it has been mentioned in this thread, it has to come from within.