We’re all Armenians:
With or without an “ian” or “yan” at the end of our names.
Folks with two Armenian parents, or one, or who are 1/4, 1/8, a 1/16, 1/32, or (like the late Princess Diana) 1/64 Armenian.
Kids who’ve been adopted into Armenian families, or husbands and wives who’ve married into our community.
Those in Armenia and from around our global diaspora.
First or fifth (or 15th) generation immigrants.
Armenian speakers or not.
Left, right, or center. Of all types, tastes, and varieties.
Those who serve and sacrifice, and those yet to fully find their place.
Of all faiths, or no faith. Christian (like so many of us) or Muslim (like our Hamshen brothers and sisters).
Part Kurdish, part Assyrian, part anything and everything: You’re 100 percent of every part of your heritage, including 100 percent Armenian!
Armenians by birth, by choice, by citizenship, by spirit, by partnership…or by accident.
We’re all Armenians.
We each—for reasons as myriad and sometimes as mysterious as the stars—bring something unique to the Armenian equation.
And so, it’s with arms open to the world and all its wonder and diversity, that we cherish our special place among the family of nations and treasure our ever-evolving contribution to the rich tapestry of human civilization.
We’re Armenians, and we stand together, as proud sons and daughters of our ancient tribe, in believing in and building a bright and brilliant future for ourselves and all of humanity.
Aram Hamparian is the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Aram Hamparian
Latest posts by Aram Hamparian (see all)
- Armenian Americans: A Key Vote in 2024 Battleground States - October 5, 2023
- Hamparian: President Biden is on the wrong side of Artsakh - September 19, 2023
- It’s not too late for Joe Biden to stop Azerbaijan’s genocide against Artsakh - July 27, 2023
Aram, I am an Azeri, and as such I consider your organization ANCA as an enemy of my country, since you do everything you can to harm our interests. But … judging this piece on its face value, objectively, as a piece of rhetoric and speech, this was a top notch writing, worthy of presidential speech-writers. It is not good to have enemies like you. In another life, if you had not been “called upon by a higher calling to serve the Armenian lobbying causes,” I imagine you would have loved to be a writer.
Kerim,
It is up to you whether you want to have an enemy like Aram or not. Instead of thinking of him as an enemy, you can consider him as a bright individual who is serving his nation.
Believe it or not, despite the war that we fought 18 years ago and constant war threats from Baku , I have much warmer feelings towards your country/nation than Turkey.
Turkey has a central role in nurturing and fostering Azerbaijan’s aggressive foreign policy towards Armenia.
Thank You Aram for your eloquent essay.
Thank you, Aram. This was an ’embracing’ statement and one that should be stated over and over again. I have ‘odar’ friends, not married into the community, who are on the ANCA mailing list and who donate to the cause when they can. They believe in the Armenian cause and are equally disgusted by the Turkish and Azeri propaganda machine that is fueled by the American tax-payers. They write to their senators and congressmen to demand justice. When it comes to justice for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and Hrant Dink, all decent people are Armenians!
Thank you Aram. As always, you have made profound statements.
Kerim,
Armenians do not hate anyone and we do not want to harm anyone. If you remember the pogroms of Sumgait, it was a premeditated action by Azeri. But Armenians have the right to defend themselves. If you read the history objectively, you realize that we have always been friendly country, but brave. We have given so much to the Azeri and Turkish culture; in response we got torture and massacres. It was about time to defend our land for our survival. Armenians do not have natural resources like Azeri. All we have is the willingness to survive against all odds. If you check your DNA, you may find out that your lineage, like most Turks, goes to those Armenian women who were abducted by Turkbaijani invaders.
Your post: re DNA of most Turks gives us all much to ponder. Here we are, Turkish, Armenian, and others, all know that Turks have 90% Armenian genes. So what conclusions can can we draw? That we are one people divided by religion and language. It was easier for Armenians to hate the Turks when he was perceived as a Mongolian invader. But now that the Turk is an acculturated Armenian, he is us. Most likely a relative. To the Turk, the Armenian represented a threat to their position in Anatolia. That once the Armenian would gain the upper hand, that he would anihilate the Turk. But now? As communication barriers came down, the mighty Soviet empire collapsed. As the information technology reaches every household in Turkey, other barriers will fall too.
Very well written and much needed. I hope this message reaches all Armenians and that we may embrace it in its entirety, and that we move forward together as the brothers and sisters we are.
Mr. Hamparian:
Congratulations. I would like to add: It’s about time!
Mr. Hamparian,
I commend you for your all embracing comments. As ancient people who have over come 700 yrs of oppression which culminated into the Genocides 1896 – 1923 and the removed of most of our people from their ancestoral homeland, we should all (and you have defined all so beautifully) unite and work for the justice that all Armenians and especially our martyrs so rightfully deserve.
I will share your comments on my facebook page.
With its value and importance, I place this piece of work next to Saroyan’s famous words about us-Armenians.
Thank you Aram, God bless you and may you have a long-long healthy life to stand next to your Armenian brothers and sisters. I am so much happy and so much proud to be Armenian and I am so much happy to know there are so many talented, gifted, precious Armenians all over the world.
Bravo Aram!
A clear and concise manifesto for all of us to read every time we meet any Armenian from a part of the world different than ours. ARPI is absolutely right, this piece is as profound as the famous tome by Saroyan and should be prominently displayed in every Armenian venue. This is the kind of message that both of our Vehapars should direct to be read in all of our churches once each year!
Extremely thougtful and inspiring. It touches the heart and stimulates the mind.
Hope that Armenians all over the world, in the Diaspora and in the Homeland, have the opportunity and access to this article for the good of our common cause.
Aram, may the wind be always on your back so that you continue the formidable work you do at the ANCA.
Vart Adjemian
Mr. Aram Hamparian,
It is very sensitive and crucial question, and most of armenians would fail on this question. Is there any studies done that your opinion can be based on?, because
it is full of contradictions(So, Erdoghan and many other anti-Armenians who are considering Armenians as an enemy can be considered as an Armenian, because they have Armenian part ?), it is so self-destructive and no word about Armenian state,while Garegin Nzhdeh, who physically saved vital part of Armenian land, have said: “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!”
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.
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.
Karen!!!
And then Arsahg (only a few days ago) wrote ¨Gaytzag you write very long posts¨.
Yes, Aram,
Like Arpi above remarked your Saroyanesque ¨¨We are all armenians¨ he wrote in TIME a short article and at end added….¨¨after all, we are All Armenians¨.
Aram! above all I commend your and your pals good efforts!!!
Keep it up and forge ahead,for our CAUSE DOES NOT KNOW RETREAT!!
rgds,
Guytzag Palandjian
I guess that makes the future King of England…1/128:) Great article, Aram…!!!
Peter Musurlian
Words of wisdom that are so refreshing. For too long we have searched, and sought out that which divides us as Armenians: Ramagavar, or Dashnag, Congregationalist, Catholic or Gregorian.? We are ALL Armenian and need to recognize the enemy is not each other but the Turks and Azeris who would prefer we not unite or exist. It is the wise leadership of the likes of Aram Hamparian who we need more of. Bravo, Aram. I wish I could reach out and hug and congratulate you right now. Abrees. Yes, even the Hamshems I am now convinced should be considered as “Hyes.” Those out there of partial Armenian heritage who have been made to feel inferior to those of full Armenian blood can take heart in Aram’s brave and enlightened statement. “We are all Armenian.”
I always thought we ‘Armenians’ are single ethnic society!
Being an Armenian is never a choice, chance or accident!!!
Daer Aram, you have put in to words what we all have been feeling, this proclamation cannot be said often enough. I also think that those who sincerely empathize with our plight should also be included in your list as they, and we know ” injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere ” .Thank you.
Amen to that!!! Abris Aram !!!! . Also as” Armenians” , we need to find out as to, what makes an Armenian ?
To stand for everything is to stand for nothing. To be everything is to be nothing.
I’m sorry to say, but to me purity is important. there’s nothing like 100%. You can call me or name me what ever you want, but I’ll still stick to my believes.
I agree with JP. No matter how eloquently you put it, a 100% Armenian is more special than one who is 1/2, 1/4, and then it becomes useless to even mention it. In addition, sorry to burst everyone’s bubble, but an Armenian who marries an Armenian is also more special than one who does not. Armenians after the genocide had an excuse. Armenians today, especially with the open information age, don’t. You may also call me any ridiculous western term you like, but the future of the Armenian culture are those who stay pure, not mixed. And please spare me the exceptions.
JP and Kevork, your narrow and judgmental views are disappointing and potentially damaging. I believe that Aram’s point is that a person’s Armenianism transcends the qualities we may observe on the surface, such as knowledge of our language or purity of lineage. I agree with Ari (see below) in that there are “half” or “quarter” Armenians, or even non-Armenians who have married into our culture, who contribute far more to our nation than so many of the so-called “pure Armenians.”
One of my great-grandparents was Arab, which makes me only 87.5% Armenian, possibly even less if I was to go back a few generations. Still, modesty aside, as a colleague of Aram (whom I consider a spiritual brother), I believe that I contribute as much, if not more, to our nation as the vast majority of the 100 percenters who, sadly, have given very little of themselves towards the collective interest of our nation.
So would you really dismiss me or others like me as being lesser Armenians?
In light of the majority of views expressed here, it is encouraging to see that most of OUR people (because I AM one of us no matter what you may believe) are more accepting than you appear to be. I sincerely hope that you’ll reconsider your views because we have much to gain and nothing to lose by widening our umbrella and welcoming all who would identify themselves as being a member of our tribe.
Kevork, I strongly disagree. My 100% mother married an odahr. This odahr named his children Nairi Shushan, Stepan Krikor and Tovmas Sheram. All 3 of us baptized in the Armenian Church. This odahr marched every April 24 and gave lectures on the Genocide. This odahr started an Armenian school in NJ then a college accredited Armenian school in NYC (Siamanto Acadrmy). I, 50%, was raised Armenian (ACYOA, etc) married an Italian in an Armenian ceremony, named my 2 children Hagop and Ani, baptized them Armenian and those 25% kids can speak and write in Armenian. Furthermore, we come from the Caucus region, as do Persians, Greeks, etc. So, what really is 100% ?
Sorry Aram,
But I have to agree with Kevork.in our family one nephew married a non ar,menian Euro gal .She is relectuant to submit to a bit of Armenity…refuses to learn or utter even a word in Armenian.Luckilhy my sis takes the granddaughter to AGBU sunday school there and tries to bring back some armenian to the table ,shall we say…
You see we have TO START THE FOLLOWING ASAP:(AM TO WRITE IN ARMENIAN MY NEW ESSAY ARTICLE WHATEVER, ENTITLED AS :-
:Ա- Հայրենադարձութիւն……Բ-…….Հայահավաք. Գ- Հողահավաք
In that order.Each will take us a few long yrs no doubt.But time to initiate!!!!
for which Your esteemed org. is not -by itself alone-vcapable of brining it about.
We need what I advocate./ ATTRRACT ALL PROFESSIONAL COLEAGUES INTO THEIR ORG. 5 ON THE SCENE*WE NEED 10 MORE THEN eLECTION TO A cENTRAL bODY OF EA pROVINCIAL TOWN W/3 PERSON DELEAGES ELECTED FOR THEIR mERITS THEN ON TO cENTRAL COUNCIL OF EA COMMUNITY COUNTRY .fRPOM OURR TRADITIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES 3 PERSON REP.S AND ONE EA FROM OUR sPIRITUAL LEADERSHIPS.tHUS FORMING REAL CENTRAL COUNCIL.
Main task is to come up to establish A NATIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST FUND…..I have said that so many times…anybody listening..
rgds to those who understand that we need both COUNT8HUMAN RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC P O W E R
Yes we are all armenians, even some would roll over in their graves if they only knew they were Armenians.
PS: You “the alien” accept the fact that you’re Armenian too,before it is too late, and you will surely find peace
i adore armenians because they are stubborn people otherwise they could not survive for more than 5000 years also they are kind and humane.
Dear Mr. Hamparian, I read your article. I congratulate you it is very touching I also read all other comments I am 78 years old born in allexandretta, Turkey use to be (Cilicia) I never knew my birthplace many relatives ask me to go and visit ,but I always refuse. the reason is that I do not thrust them as long as they are not ready to accept the Genocide. In conclusion my personal opinion is that every armenian has duty to support our Armenia and Artsakh helping in anyway speaking to none Armenian friends and let them know what happened in the past to our nation and relatives and entire Armenian people, while all other Nations were watching . therefore the only thing we have to do, is to have a very strong and organised Army to deffend with the help of all Armenians around the World. I only believe in power.
It is one thing to agree or disagree with one’s opinion, it is sad to see how limited our understanding is when it comes to the current reality we find ourselves in.
What exactly is the point of challenging Aram here? What possible benefit is there to ridicule his position and call his work forgery?
I am %100 Armenian but I think making that a subject for discussion is embarrassing. Nobody has the right to pass judgment on someone else’s decisions regarding their personal life when it comes to marriage or else.
We also see how special those “pure” Armenians really are. It was all over the Turkish media couple months ago, when an Armenian lady from Armenia moved to Trabzon, converted to Islam and married a Turkish person. It surely was a nice recipe for the Turkish PR campaign indeed. There are numerous cases like this. In reality, it is yesterday’s ardent communists who become racists and pretend Christians and churchgoers today. It is the mentality of people with absolute lack of dignity and integrity, who would not even shy away from cheating and robbing the patriarchate.
Armenia is an ideal. Being Armenian is NOT a racial phenomenon but a spiritual one. I prefer a ¼ Armenian any time of the day who has conscience and contributes to our cause, than a “pure” Armenian whose life revolves around badmouthing others while driving a Mercedes and living in a 500$ apartment. We should not get confused and think that there is an independent Armenia, because what we call Armenia today does not support, represent or even resemble what our Hairenik is. What guarantees our future and ensures our continuity is to work to get what belongs to us and repatriate.
Dear Aram,
Very well done. In many of our gatherings many non-Armenian speaking Armenians are put down without looking at the root cause or logic behind speaking a language other than Armenian. Even our leaders, religious or otherwise have done so. I applaud for your caurage for speaking out and reaching to those Armenians that wish to speak the language of their motherland but each one for their own reason cannot.
I wish you and your family a Happy New Year and continued success in your outreach to those who are not “100%” Armenian.
Please correct the word courage which has been miss-spelled “.
What It Means ‘To-Be’ Armenian?
What ‘It Means’ to be Armenian?
It means,
We are ancient Race
Our God is crowned on Ararat.
We are honest Race
We work Very Hard
To invent, create and serve heartily
Our earthy mankind.
We have high dignity
We never ask what we lost in this life
In spite we lost our Motherland
Our historic Highland and
Can’t return back
As . . . We hate wars and can’t kill and confiscate
We use our pen instead and never had swords . . .
We are Artful Race
We build endless Belfries
To ring the bells and
Sing Gomidasian Hymns
To reach to our hidden God!
Thee who shall care for us,
To give us our rights.
We carve Khachkars to
Decorate our tombs
Before and after we sigh!
And wait for savages
To arrive with their hate-filled axes
And crush every art
With their evil hands!
(C) Sylva Portoian
March 7, 2014
I met recently a very nice Arab lady…We became friendly…Being a physician, and I gave many health advice for her and for her mother …Later on she knew I am Armenian, She told me that her mother is Azeri Turkish …And her mother has more Armenian friends than Azeri …Her daughter told told her, why you have so many Armenian friends? …Her Azeri mother replied,
“They are not our enemies, they never harmed us, they are honest people …
We harmed them, we are the bad… why should I hate them.”
Firstly this is beautifully written and I commend the sentiment, however factually speaking we are humans first, everything else is coincidental. The sooner we realise this the sooner we have a realistic chance of peace on earth. Also an Armenian again factually speaking is a person who lives in and has citizenship of the sovereign state of Armenia. A person with Armenian heritage who is not a citizen of Armenia is not Armenian. While I understand the desire to retain the Armenian language and culture we should all be prepared to evolve, the earth is 4.5 billion years old and on that sort of time scale you have to ask the question whether preserving antiquated practices, religions or languages means anything at all. It is remote but in 1.5 billion years time the sun will be too hot for life to exist on earth. If we are still going about in the same way declaring irrationally that we are this that or the other human life will cease to exist at all because we won’t have pooled our resources in the necessary manner to save us from this cosmic doom. For my part reading some of the comments left here and from my experience generally humanity won’t last long enough to find out. As long as we allow the barriers of language, religion and culture to propogate fear, mistrust and enmity we will be slaves those who seek to use divide and conquer for their own gain.
I was and still writing in papers or social media, that, those who are more than six millions and descendants of forcibly islamized Armenians in Turkey, and still living on their land from Sasun to Mush, to Van, to Erzrum, Kharpert, Dersim or Hamshen, they are our brother and sisters , we can not judge them because today they are Muslims, it was not their choice or their grandparents choice.