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ANI AMIRKHANIAN
The Arpa International Film Festival will be arriving in Los Angeles this week. For those who are unfamiliar with this event, Arpa Film Festival is intended to promote cultural understanding and global empathy by presenting a dynamic compilation of international films that explore the issues of diaspora, exile and multiculturalism.
This film festival, in addition, provides filmmakers the opportunity to share their understanding of the social and political climate of the world through their artistic vision.
It is fortunate that the community, with residents from near and far, have the chance to celebrate art, culture and social consciousness.
Among the diverse entries is a 90-minute documentary called "Armenians of Lebanon." The title is misleading, because the documentary not only discusses the history of the diasporan Armenians of Lebanon, it also expands to include the diasporans of other countries in Western Asia, including Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Iran and even Armenia.
This documentary is a comprehensive history lesson with black and white footage of the Armenian Genocide. It is narrated in Arabic, some Armenian and French with English subtitles.
The various interviews conducted by the filmmakers indicate clearly that Armenians throughout Western Asia are attempting to understand their identity. It's as though many are conflicted when it comes to identifying with their Armenian heritage and the cultures they have assimilated into as diasporans.
After watching this documentary, I pondered: How does one define themselves as Armenian? What makes someone an Armenian? What does it mean to be Armenian?
Is it the language one speaks? Do people identify themselves as Armenians because of the stories they were told about their Armenian ancestors? Is one considered an Armenian if they socialize with what is known as the Armenian culture or integrate themselves into the community?
There are many more questions that can be asked when it comes to finding one's cultural identity.
The documentary attempts to explore the identity of the Armenians. During interviews, Armenians in Syria, for example are asked what they know about their Armenian heritage.
One Syrian-Armenian woman, who speaks Arabic and no Armenian, holds in her hand a picture of her grandmother who died during the genocide. The woman, who is also dressed in traditional Syrian garb, says she knows her grandmother's name and where she lived before she was killed.
Her husband also reveals his Armenian heritage by telling the history of his ancestors. When asked what their names are they respond with both their Armenian and Arabic surnames.
The subjects of the documentary are a small minority who identify themselves both with the Arab and Armenian cultures, although their traditions, customs and habits reflect more the Arabic culture and way of life.
So can people call themselves Armenian even if the only indication of an Armenian identity is a picture of a relative?
Another issue is that of language. The people who were interviewed spoke no Armenian dialect.
Does lacking the language skills make people less inclined to identify with a culture?
For diaspora Armenians, cultural identity is not clearly defined. Culture according on the documentary, is learned and established through socialization and really defined by historical events, facts and social conditions.
Is there more to calling oneself an Armenian than just through history or learned characteristics, behaviors or traditions? Does Armenian society dictate and define Armenian cultural identity?
I was left to wonder.
* ANI AMIRKHANIAN is a news assistant. She may be reached at (818) 637-3230 or by e-mail at ani.amirkhanianlatimes.com.
The Arpa International Film Festival will be arriving in Los Angeles this week. For those who are unfamiliar with this event, Arpa Film Festival is intended to promote cultural understanding and global empathy by presenting a dynamic compilation of international films that explore the issues of diaspora, exile and multiculturalism.
This film festival, in addition, provides filmmakers the opportunity to share their understanding of the social and political climate of the world through their artistic vision.
It is fortunate that the community, with residents from near and far, have the chance to celebrate art, culture and social consciousness.
Among the diverse entries is a 90-minute documentary called "Armenians of Lebanon." The title is misleading, because the documentary not only discusses the history of the diasporan Armenians of Lebanon, it also expands to include the diasporans of other countries in Western Asia, including Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Iran and even Armenia.
This documentary is a comprehensive history lesson with black and white footage of the Armenian Genocide. It is narrated in Arabic, some Armenian and French with English subtitles.
The various interviews conducted by the filmmakers indicate clearly that Armenians throughout Western Asia are attempting to understand their identity. It's as though many are conflicted when it comes to identifying with their Armenian heritage and the cultures they have assimilated into as diasporans.
After watching this documentary, I pondered: How does one define themselves as Armenian? What makes someone an Armenian? What does it mean to be Armenian?
Is it the language one speaks? Do people identify themselves as Armenians because of the stories they were told about their Armenian ancestors? Is one considered an Armenian if they socialize with what is known as the Armenian culture or integrate themselves into the community?
There are many more questions that can be asked when it comes to finding one's cultural identity.
The documentary attempts to explore the identity of the Armenians. During interviews, Armenians in Syria, for example are asked what they know about their Armenian heritage.
One Syrian-Armenian woman, who speaks Arabic and no Armenian, holds in her hand a picture of her grandmother who died during the genocide. The woman, who is also dressed in traditional Syrian garb, says she knows her grandmother's name and where she lived before she was killed.
Her husband also reveals his Armenian heritage by telling the history of his ancestors. When asked what their names are they respond with both their Armenian and Arabic surnames.
The subjects of the documentary are a small minority who identify themselves both with the Arab and Armenian cultures, although their traditions, customs and habits reflect more the Arabic culture and way of life.
So can people call themselves Armenian even if the only indication of an Armenian identity is a picture of a relative?
Another issue is that of language. The people who were interviewed spoke no Armenian dialect.
Does lacking the language skills make people less inclined to identify with a culture?
For diaspora Armenians, cultural identity is not clearly defined. Culture according on the documentary, is learned and established through socialization and really defined by historical events, facts and social conditions.
Is there more to calling oneself an Armenian than just through history or learned characteristics, behaviors or traditions? Does Armenian society dictate and define Armenian cultural identity?
I was left to wonder.
* ANI AMIRKHANIAN is a news assistant. She may be reached at (818) 637-3230 or by e-mail at ani.amirkhanianlatimes.com.
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