As the grandson of Nishan Paparian of Kharpert, who stepped onto Ellis Island a century ago carrying the unfinished business of survival, I have watched with growing concern the recent exchange in Armenia’s National Assembly. Civil Contract lawmaker Arman Yeghoyan’s remarks questioning whether a stronger diaspora strengthens Armenia, along with his challenge to the legitimacy of long-serving diaspora advocates, deepen a rift that serves no one except those who prefer a divided Armenian nation.
This debate is not abstract for my family. Three of my nephews were born in Pasadena and repatriated to Armenia as youngsters. Two later married in Yerevan and are raising their children there. My first-born son spent years working at the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies and owned a home in Yerevan. My father-in-law, born in Aleppo, Syria, served as a soldier in the Free French Army during World War II. He fought in the campaigns of North Africa and Sicily and took part in the liberation of Paris from Nazi occupation. He is buried in Armenia, and at his memorial service the French ambassador to Armenia sent a large floral wreath. These are living proof that the bond between diaspora and homeland is personal, enduring, and freely chosen — not something that can be managed or diminished by decree.
Already a subscriber?Log in here
This story is FREE for you...
Create a free account to access this and four more articles, and get more sent to you with our e-newsletter.By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
As a grandson of survivors of the Genocide from Kharpert and Ordu I applaud Mr. Paparian’s comments. Only through challenge and understanding differing points of view do we get stronger. Having visited Armenia twice I admire the strength of our brothers and sisters to persevere under difficult conditions. Even when speaking in my limited Western Armenian dialect the welcome hospitality and warmth of the people made me feel at ‘home’. We, the people who live in our ancestral homeland and the diaspora, are on the same team and need to stay united as a family.
Armenians need to work and think about a contemporary concept for nation-building for Armenians, not just state-building. That ideology or concept may be a way of uniting all Armenians, in Armenia and the diaspora.