It’s been some time since I’ve found the motivation to compose an essay for my website. My blog predominantly revolves around arts and culture, usually maintaining an optimistic tone. Nonetheless, over the past few months, it has been challenging to engage in any creative narratives, given the distressing experiences endured by my fellow Armenians in Artsakh.
As I’ve mentioned previously, the atrocities endured by the Armenian people have a profound impact on our arts and culture. Each genocide we face exacts a toll on our cultural identity. This has sadly become a repetitive scenario for the Armenian people.
This is a photo of a small statue in my house. The sculpture, completed in 1967 by Sargis Baghdasaryan, is widely regarded as a symbol of the Armenian heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh, and even Armenian identity as a whole. The monument is made from volcanic tuff and depicts an old man and woman hewn from rock, representing the mountain people of Karabakh.
I, being of Armenian descent, hold my culture and Armenian identity very close to my heart. Armenians in Artsakh have been under constant threat for years, with the situation worsening progressively over the past few years. In the past year, the Azerbaijani Turks imposed a blockade, attempting to starve the Armenians in this ancient land that has been our home for centuries. In recent months, the situation deteriorated to the point where Armenians of Artsakh were forcibly displaced from their ancestral lands, compelled to flee the country due to Azerbaijani aggression. It appears that we lost the war, with Armenians uprooted from their homes and the risk of losing centuries-old churches and monuments, which are now at high risk of destruction or conversion. The loss of life on a massive scale, coupled with the surge of refugees overflowing into Armenia, has prompted a dire need for humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, clothing, and more.
It’s nearly impossible for any of us to fathom the experience of being forcibly evicted from our homes, having to start anew, leaving behind everything, and scrambling to protect our families. I, like most diaspora Armenians, can’t begin to comprehend this, but we’re deeply saddened and doing our utmost to aid these refugees who are enduring what amounts to ethnic cleansing.
This sadness is accompanied by frustration and anger, stemming from the utter lack of support or attention the Armenian people have received from the United States and other countries. A blind eye seems to have been turned as hundreds of thousands of Armenians face a modern-day genocide. While the world mourns the atrocities in Ukraine, Israel, and Palestine, it feels as though no one is willing to extend that same level of concern and empathy to our people. Political leaders ranging from local to national have (mostly) ignored our pleas for help and mainstream media spends no time covering the atrocities. Armenians are simply unimportant to these people.
Recently, I shared on social media a graphic I found online that, in my view, accurately encapsulated the feelings of myself and my fellow Armenians. The reactions I received were a mix of surprise, frustration, and even a touch of inspiration. Some of my non-Armenian friends were candid about their genuine lack of awareness regarding the issues our people are facing. I contemplated how I felt about these comments. Was it their fault? How could they not know? These questions weighed on me. However, the answers, upon reflection, were quite straightforward. How could they know when mainstream media selectively decides what news should command our attention? Is it their fault when the government largely ignores our plight? Our frustration grows because it appears that we, as diaspora Armenians, have not done enough to raise our presence in the global arena. This has been a long-standing challenge for our people, but it is more critical than ever for our voices to be heard. I worry about the possibility of a nation losing its homeland, as we witnessed Armenians being displaced from Artsakh. What is to prevent Turkey from continuing its elimination campaign? After all, they are experts in the art of Genocide.
As Armenians, we all must play our part and contribute what we can to prevent such catastrophes, and also to educate the world about our identity, culture, and centuries-old history, so that we may preserve it for generations to come. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard of friends who have journeyed to Armenia to support refugee organizations, raising funds for aid. I applauded these efforts. However, more needs to be undertaken, and we must all consider what we can do, even if it seems modest.
One of the simpler tasks we can engage in that has massive
Impact is raising awareness. I learned this from my father, who dedicated several years of his later life to assisting Armenians in Artsakh. He succeeded in generating awareness within the Armenian community to provide a better life for the people in Artsakh. While such efforts persist, we are missing opportunities to draw attention to our cause. We seldom make headlines, as I mentioned earlier, but a blog like this one, while perhaps not of great weight in the news, contributes in its own way. Today, I’m writing this piece to further this purpose.
I’ve also taken the opportunity to write a letter to our school district in the hopes of gaining their attention. They recently sent out a thoughtfully composed letter to all parents, acknowledging the impact of significant global events. While not explicitly stated, it appeared that the district was addressing the distressing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I recognize that these are deeply troubling events that our nation should acknowledge, support, and provide guidance on, especially for the sake of our children. However, I found myself questioning where the school district was just a short while ago when the Armenian community, particularly those in Artsakh, faced similar tragic circumstances. To the districts credit, they promptly followed up with a thoughtful note and The need for additional dialogue on Armenian issues.
Does this solve our problems? No, of course not, but it does in a small way help bring awareness. Something we should all do in our own unique ways.
As a musician, I always seize the chance to perform Armenian music and engage with the audience, aiming to educate them. While I may not be an expert, I can share the story of my people, our challenges, and our remarkable history. Frequently, after these performances, several individuals approach me, expressing their newfound knowledge about Armenians and their intention to conduct further research to stay informed. This is undoubtedly the most fulfilling compliment I could receive as well as feeling a sense of some accomplishment in educating someone new about the history of the Armenians.
In these challenging times, it is crucial for us as Armenians to come together and take action. We must not only preserve our culture and history but also raise awareness about the atrocities our people face. It is disheartening to witness the lack of support and attention from the international community, but we cannot let that deter us. We must continue to share our stories, perform our music, and educate others about our struggles and triumphs. Each small effort contributes to a larger movement, and together, we can make a difference. Let us stand united, determined to prevent further catastrophes and ensure that our voices are heard.
June is Immigrant Heritage Month, and this year, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on what that means—not just for me as an Armenian-American, but for the entire creative community here in Michigan.
HYE Times 