New Armenia, Old Armenia

[Falc]

I've seen some say "I've never been to Armenia," referring to that relatively small spot/country by the same name in the former USSR., up in a mountainous region east of our homelands. To me, that is not Armenia, nor will it ever be, any more than Lebanon is ours (though I appreciate that Lebanon and other countries were there for our family.) To me, that is a concession given to round up the immigrants, akin to creating Israel... without the benefits of a decent seaport, climate, etc.

How do the rest of you feel about this new "Armenia"? Do you feel any affinity or loyalty to it?

[1.5 million]

I understand how you feel - my family being from Sivas/Divrik area and then later Constantinople - and that the Armenian Highlands of Eastern Anatolia are our heart and soul - but the nation of Armenia that is in the Caucauses is also on land that is a vital part of our heritage - and more importantly - it is Armenia - the nation of Armenians and they are Armenians.

I see myself as an American with Armenian heritage (I am 1/2 Armenian and was not raised as an Armenian per se) so I cannot claim any loyalty to the nation of Armenia - only affinity with its people and great pride that they are there and that there is a nation of Armenia that survives and is on the current map. Likewise I am most proud and happy for the accomplishments, prosperity and happiness of all Armenians.

[Joseph]

I've seen some say "I've never been to Armenia," referring to that relatively small spot/country by the same name in the former USSR., up in a mountainous region east of our homelands. To me, that is not Armenia, nor will it ever be, any more than Lebanon is ours (though I appreciate that Lebanon and other countries were there for our family.) To me, that is a concession given to round up the immigrants, akin to creating Israel... without the benefits of a decent seaport, climate, etc.

How do the rest of you feel about this new "Armenia"? Do you feel any affinity or loyalty to it?

I agree somewhat. My roots are from Marash. Let's not forget that Echmiadzin is the center of our church and Artsakh is a vital region of Armenia.

[Falc]

Homelands

What brings this home to me is when I speak of Anatolian Shepherd dogs (and realize WE developed those dogs,) or meet with Europeans and others. Though they live here, they have a Homeland to return to, if this country becomes too much or they long for genetic roots.

I'm 1/2 myself, and raised about the same percentage. But my genes know when it's too #*&% cold out for them, or too wet, or too dry... and I find myself consistently drawn to places with a climate like... you guessed it. But I dare not even visit those lands. The prejudice would obviously be great, and my fury even more dangerous, if the subject were to come up. Though I'm probably amongst the best equipped to deal with Muslims, if these Turks (who are just barely Muslim anyway) were to start mouthing off or claiming our architecture as their own... I doubt I'd keep a civil tongue for long, and it would go downhill from there, so...

The Turks win... over and over again... with or without US resolutions to call it what it was.

It's one thing to show up in an area the size of the original Armenia, and quite another to burden that little spot with a spare person - especially one who probably can't even communicate with them.

I understand how you feel - my family being from Sivas/Divrik area and then later Constantinople - and that the Armenian Highlands of Eastern Anatolia are our heart and soul - but the nation of Armenia that is in the Caucauses is also on land that is a vital part of our heritage - and more importantly - it is Armenia - the nation of Armenians and they are Armenians.

I see myself as an American with Armenian heritage (I am 1/2 Armenian and was not raised as an Armenian per se) so I cannot claim any loyalty to the nation of Armenia - only affinity with its people and great pride that they are there and that there is a nation of Armenia that survives and is on the current map. Likewise I am most proud and happy for the accomplishments, prosperity and happiness of all Armenians.

[Steph]

I've seen some say "I've never been to Armenia," referring to that relatively small spot/country by the same name in the former USSR., up in a mountainous region east of our homelands. To me, that is not Armenia, nor will it ever be, any more than Lebanon is ours (though I appreciate that Lebanon and other countries were there for our family.) To me, that is a concession given to round up the immigrants, akin to creating Israel... without the benefits of a decent seaport, climate, etc.

How do the rest of you feel about this new "Armenia"? Do you feel any affinity or loyalty to it?

My wife, from Yerevan, compares it to perhaps, West Virginia being the only state left if the US had been invaded. Yerevantsi are really hillbillies with strange accents.

But remember, the Ararat plain formed part of ancient Armenia, Erebuni wasn't just built.