Day: December 12, 2023

The Armenian Diaspora and Stateless Power Collective Identity in the Transnational 20th Century

Edited by Talar Chahinian, Sossie Kasbarian and Tsolin Nalbantian

Published 2023

LONDON/NEW YORK—I. B.Tauris, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing, has announced the publication of an edited volume by Talar Chahinian, Sossie Kasbarian and Tsolin Nalbantian titled The Armenian Diaspora and Stateless Power Collective Identity in the Transnational 20th Century. The book is part of the series Armenians in the Modern and Early Modern World edited by Bedross Der Matossian. The book is dedicated to Khachig Tölölyan, the founder of Armenian Diaspora Studies.

From genocide, forced displacement and emigration, to the gradual establishment of sedentary and rooted global communities, how has the Armenian Diaspora formed and maintained a sense of collective identity? Building on discussions of Tölölyan’s work and its impact on various conceptualizations of the Armenian Diaspora, in all its heterogeneity, this volume brings together historians, cultural theorists, literary critics, sociologists, political scientists and anthropologists to explore how Armenian Diaspora elites and their institutions emerged in the post-genocide period and used ‘stateless power’ to practice forms of social discipline on collective identity and of belonging and loyalty among Armenians. Focusing on cultural, religious, political and literary production, as well as community groups and leaders in such far-flung cities of the Armenian Diaspora as Amsterdam, Addis Ababa, Aleppo, Beirut, Detroit, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Los Angeles and Paris, this collection offers original insight and novel perspectives on the history and experience of the Armenian Diaspora through the long 20th century, from the role of the fin-de-siècle émigré Armenian press to the experience of Syrian-Armenian refugees in the 21st century. More broadly, this book shows how diasporic history and transnational practice can help re-conceptualize and illuminate non-state forms of power and governmentality, that a diaspora’s statelessness can not only be evidence of its power, but that it can also act as an alternative and complement to the nation-state.

The volume is divided into three sections, each featuring a set of chapters that engage with one of Khachig Tölölyan’s key theoretical contributions to Diaspora Studies.

The first section “The Logic of the Sedentary”: Complicating Notions of Home and Homelands includes chapters by Boris Adjemian, “In Search of the Sedentary: Rethinking Homelands in the Armenian Diaspora”; Gegham Mughnetsyan, “Armenian Displaced Persons: From Displacement to a Diaspora Community”; and Nare Galstyan, “Diaspora-Homeland elations Re-examined: The case of Syrian Armenian in the Netherlands.”

The second section “Diasporic Social Formation”: Leadership Elites, Institutions, and Transnational Governmentality includes chapters by Hasmik Khalapyan, “Forging Diasporic Identity in the Fin de Siècle Armenian Periodical Press in Europe”; Vahe Sahakyan, “Transnational Politics and Governmental Strategies in the Formative Years of the Post-Genocide Armenian Diaspora (1920s-1930s)”; Lilit Keshishyan, “Defiant Adherence: Cultural Critiques in Late Twentieth Century Armenian Diaspora Literature”; and  Christopher Sheklian, “The Liturgical Subject of the Armenian Apostolic Church: Recent Waves of Migration.”

The third section “The Social Text of Diaspora”: Diasporic Becoming and Legibility in Diaspora’s Semantic Domain includes articles by Sylvia Alajaji, “Sounding Armenian: The Contours of the Diasporic Musical Imaginary”;  Karen Jallatyan “Toward the Diaspora: The Performative Powers of Vahé Oshagan’s Poetry”; Talin Suciyan, “The Armenians in Turkey: From Autochthonous People to Diaspora”; and Hrag Papazian, “Are Istanbul Armenians Diasporic? Unpacking the Famous Debate.”

The Afterword to the book is written by Khachig Tölölyan and the Epilogue by Sebouh Aslanian.

Click to view slideshow.

Chahinian, Kasbarian and Nalbantian commented on the book saying: “This project was developed in a protracted period of multiple crises. Working together, as editors, was a source of support not just to bring this volume to fruition, but also one of comfort, refuge and solidarity throughout our daily experiences and struggles across three countries and time zones. Our gratitude goes to all the authors in this collection for their intellectual camaraderie and especially to Khachig Tölölyan, whose body of work, mentorship, intellectual generosity and vision has inspired and guided this collection and the intellectual paths of its editors and contributors. We dedicate this book to him and to his future students.”

Bedross Der Matossian (University of Nebraska, Lincoln), the editor of the series highlighted the importance of the volume saying: “This is the most important edited volume on the Armenian Diaspora published in the last decade. By bringing together a new generation of scholars from different disciplines, Chahinian, Kasbarian and Nalbantian have raised the bar of the discourse on Diaspora Studies that goes beyond simple representations of the different Armenian communities to a sophisticated interdisciplinary analysis of diaspora(s) in the local, regional and global contexts.”

Talar Chahinian lectures in the program for Armenian Studies at UCI, where she is also visiting faculty in the Department of Comparative Literature. She is the author of Stateless: The Politics of the Armenian Language in Exile (Syracuse University Press, 2023) and co-edits Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies.

Sossie Kasbarian is Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Stirling. She is co-editor of Diasporas of the Modern Middle East – Contextualising Community (Edinburgh University Press, 2015) and co-editor of Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies.

Tsolin Nalbantian is Associate Professor of Modern Middle East History at Leiden University. She is the author of Armenians Beyond Diaspora: Making Lebanon Their Own (2020) and co-editor of Practicing Sectarianism: Archival and Ethnographic Interventions on Lebanon (2022).

Copies of The Armenian Diaspora and Stateless Power Collective Identity in the Transnational 20th Century, are available for purchase from the Bloomsbury Press website. Use code: GLR AQ7 to receive a 35-percent discount.

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TORONTO—December 9 marked the 75th anniversary of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. For the past 75 years, these United Nations principles have provided the international community with a set of standards and legal mechanisms designed to protect the rights and dignity of individuals, and to condemn, punish and prevent acts of genocidal violence against groups of people based on their nationality, ethnicity, race and/or religion. 

Tragically, this year has been marked by great atrocity, pain and suffering worldwide. We have witnessed the continuation of the war in Ukraine, the blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh, the escalation of conflict in Darfur and Myanmar, and the renewal of extreme violence between Israelis and Palestinians, just to name a few. The standards of the Human Rights Declaration and the Genocide Convention are being directly challenged. Much of this is due to the lack of accountability and the failure of the international community to effectively condemn, prevent and intervene in such crimes.

Dr. Henry Theriault, co-editor of the Zoryan Institute’s academic journal, Genocide Studies International, states: 

“This year we have seen a further acceleration of mass violence as more and more powerful leaders ignore basic human rights norms and law and some even mock it. While certain cases have received significant media and policy attention, these are just the tip of the iceberg. The dream of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and U.N. Genocide Convention has become a nightmare of rape, torture, killing and brutal expulsion…”

For the past 41 years, the Zoryan Institute has served as a global human rights leader. As we look forward and reflect on the meaning and impact of these events, it is clear that the importance of our work is more urgent and relevant than ever before. We believe that the Zoryan Institute functions both as a mirror and as a lamp in striving to educate audiences by making visible the traumatic realities of genocide and mass atrocity through scholarship and outreach that illuminate the path towards peace and justice. The Institute will continue to serve as a sought-after hub where scholars, international students, researchers and activists seek quality research, informed scholarship and academic programming to better understand and make sense of the atrocities happening around us as we work to build a more human, rights-respecting global order. 

In his statement, Dr. Theriault concludes by stating: 

“…There is no time to waste: every person committed to human rights and the survival of marginalized groups around the globe must join together to reverse this global trend and create a world in which people can live with dignity and security.  Zoryan’s public commitment is a model for what is needed.”

In light of events since October 7 and other atrocities of 2023 and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration and the Genocide Convention, the Zoryan Institute, its Board of Directors, the editors of its journals and its staff affirm their commitment to producing impactful research, publications and educational programing, such as the Institute’s peer-reviewed journal, Genocide Studies International, hosting the annual graduate-level Genocide and Human Rights University Program at the University of Toronto, co-sponsoring films based on its oral history archives and delivering its high school-level Promoting, Equity, Tolerance, Reconciliation and Awareness Through Genocide Education Program.

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NEW YORK—The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) reached a historic milestone on December 9, raising over $10 million during its 20th Annual Holiday Gala, “Two Decades of Unwavering Commitment.” All proceeds from the benefit will be invested in advancing COAF’s comprehensive initiatives in rural Armenia encompassing crucial education, healthcare, psychosocial support and economic development programs. Furthermore, funds will bolster COAF’s ongoing Project H.O.P.E. rapid response addressing the immediate and long-term needs of forcibly displaced families from Artsakh.

Guests at COAF’s 20th Annual Holiday Gala

The gala was co-hosted by Araksya Karapetyan of Good Day L.A. on FOX 11 Los Angeles, COAF Head of Development Haig Boyadjian and world-renowned auctioneer Gabriel Butu. The evening featured captivating musical performances by New York-based jazz singer Astghik Martirosyan, as well as musical talents from Armenia—10-year-old Menua Melik-Haykazyan on piano and 13-year-old Davit Babayan on violin. A distinguished lineup of celebrities made special appearances, including award-winning actress and longtime COAF ambassador Andrea Martin. Also in attendance were celebrated artists Michael Aram and Tigran Tsitoghdzyan.

This landmark event honored acclaimed actor Joe Manganiello with the prestigious Humanitarian Award for his support for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and for using his platform to share the story of his family’s history, roots and Armenian culture. Philanthropists and dedicated COAF supporters Tamar and John Akhoian of Los Angeles were recognized with the Save a Generation Award for their critical impact on advancing the organization’s work in rural communities.

Major gala sponsors and donors include the Youredjian Family Charitable Foundation, COAF Founder and Chairman Garo Armen, the Afeyan Family Foundation, JHM Charitable Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Zarougian and Judith Saryan, the Ajemian Foundation, as well as several anonymous donors.

COAF’s 20th Annual Holiday Gala raised over $10 million

Over the last two decades, COAF has achieved incredible progress by prioritizing initiatives that promote economic and social stability, provide educational opportunities and facilitate resources for career and economic advancement in overlooked rural regions. Touching the lives of over 100,000 people across 82 communities in Armenia and Artsakh, COAF’s success proves that building a stronger nation, starting with its villages, is not only an achievable goal but also well within reach. 

The significance of the organization’s 20th anniversary gala goes beyond celebrating these impactful contributions to village communities; it signifies a continued commitment to the holistic development of Armenia’s rural families and children as well as a historic opportunity to unlock the potential for a better future.

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Six new short films by Armenian filmmakers from around the world were showcased during the  AGBU Arts “Armenians in Film” series at Lincoln Center in New York City in November. One of the featured films was The Mud by Armenian award-winning director and scriptwriter Vahan Grigoryan. The screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring the filmmakers, moderated by Theodore Bogosian, an award-winning filmmaker and TV producer. The filmmakers discussed their films, the inception of their ideas and the creative bonds AGBU has made through this event.

AGBU Arts “Armenians in Film” series

“The Mud is my debut film, and it is a great honor and responsibility for me to have it featured during the New York and London screenings of ‘Armenians in Film.’ I express my gratitude to AGBU Arts for this invaluable opportunity. Presenting Armenian culture to New York’s demanding audience through a short film and receiving such positive and emotional feedback fills me, as a creator, with pride and motivates me to continue creating. I also want to emphasize the crucial role of the National Cinema Center of Armenia, which supported me in bringing my idea to life and producing the film. And this journey wouldn’t have achieved such success without the invaluable contributions of my team, especially Director of Photography Suren Tadevosyan and Art Director Tigran Arakelyan,” emphasized Grigoryan.

The Mud is a dramedy taking place in a village setting. The story revolves around the main character’s wife, who, after returning home to discover her husband’s muddy footprints on the floor and white goose feathers inside, believes that an angel has entered their house. The narrative takes its development and has an unexpected ending.

As Grigoryan says, at first glance, the film appears to present an Armenian rural story, but similar cases can be found anywhere in the world, whether in a village or a city. “Such comedies happen everywhere; it’s a story related to humankind, which became even more evident to me when I saw the reaction of the New York audience to this very Armenian atmospheric movie. The audience reacted emotionally, particularly to the key episodes,” Grigoryan said. “The main idea revolves around how a person behaves when caught in a continuous trap of coincidences. They try to provide explanations in various situations, but with each explanation, another coincidence comes up.” 

“I believe that over its eight years of activity, ‘Armenians in Film’ has successfully identified and encouraged new talents. We present this series of screenings in different countries in cooperation with prestigious cultural institutions. Armenian films are screened at distinguished venues, including Film at Lincoln Center, attended not only by Armenians but also by an international audience,” said Hayk Arsenyan, director of the AGBU Performing Arts Department. “This initiative aims to introduce the global audience to our film art, culture, mentality, history and create new opportunities for cooperation. The films we screen are diverse in genres—from animated films to documentaries, science fiction—and in terms of geography and experience, from beginners to professionals.” 

Vahan Grigoryan, director and scriptwriter of The Mud

Referring to the screened films, Bogosian shared his impressions։ “I’ve seen numerous films worldwide, particularly those by young and diverse filmmakers. I find that the technical quality and imagination of these content creators, spanning various genres and locations, are on a high level. Looking ahead, thanks to international streaming services and the internet, I anticipate an increase in Armenian producers in the future of filmmaking. In this context the role of AGBU is evident. Lastly, my generation of filmmakers is fortunate to have received support from the community. When I was in California, I got an AGBU scholarship, a crucial support that played a huge role in pursuing my way to become a filmmaker. This direct connection has not only shaped my personal journey but has also allowed me to connect with the next generation of filmmakers.” 

Тhe other five films screened were Sunset by Kristine Khanamiryan, Dehatsi – I was Another Place by Tatiana Boudakian, Crossing the Blue by Victoria Aleksanyan, The Road, a dreamlike jazz piece on isolation and connection by Charlotte Montgomery featuring the Zela Margossian Quintet, and Stones by Arman Ayvazyan.

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NPR News: 12-12-2023 4PM EST

‘Amerikatsi’: Armenia’s Oscar Submission Screened to Jam-Packed Theater at USC – Asbarez.com  Asbarez Armenian News

Armenia elected to Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict – Public Radio of …  Public Radio of Armenia