Youth
What it means to be Armenian
Being Armenian no longer simply means having an “IAN” or “YAN” at the end of your last name. Being Armenian no longer means being able to speak or read Armenian. Being Armenian no longer means sending your children to Armenian schools. Being Armenian no longer means joining Armenian organizations and singing patriotic songs. Being Armenian no longer means enjoying Armenia from afar. Being Armenian no longer means spending your summer as a tourist in Armenia.
Being Armenian has forever
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Agreed, “We are fortunate to have a free and independent Armenia today and must ensure it remains free and independent through hard work and “sacrifice.” By “sacrifice,” I mean attaining a purpose and living a fulfilling life—one full of endless gratitude and beauty.”
Armenians need to stop telling Armenians how to be Armenian.
Varak, your decision to move to Armenia, and your sincere and heartfelt sentiments about what it means to be an Armenian, is moving and praise-worthy. At this very critical time in Armenian history, when our fellow Armenians in Artsakh are facing the real possibility of annihilation by the Azerbaijan blockade, it is incumbent upon us all, no matter where in Armenia, or the diaspora we live, to make our voices heard; to inform the world about the grave injustice that is being perpetrated against the Armenians living in Artsakh.
The promise, ‘Never Again!’, which was made by Armenians following the Genocide of 1915, will be meaningless, if we Armenians do not take bold, decisive actions, now, to protect Artsakh. Our voice must be united, our message clear: Azerbaijan must end the blockade. Artsakh is, and will remain a free, independent, Armenian territory.
This is what it takes, this is what it means to be an Armenian today!