Voices of Preservation: Exploring the Role of the Armenian Identity in the Diaspora
As an Armenian-Angeleno and a member of many Armenian organizations, my Armenian culture has been an integral part of my daily life. My experiences alone do not sum up the entirety of the Armenian experience, and to capture the essence of Armenian experiences and viewpoints in Los Angeles, I decided to interview Armenian who are a part of this growing community. This interview process was extremely personal to me, not only because I was learning more about the culture I feel so connected to but also because I am close to all the participants. I not only learned about others perspectives on cultural preservation but learned more about the personal experiences of my friends, cousins, and former teachers. I now feel that I have a stronger bond to each and everyone one of them, and connect with them on a deeper level.
Through the process of interviews, this exploration of personal narratives across different age groups and life stages, from high school students to post-graduates, delves into the ways the Armenian community in Los Angeles engages with and preserves its unique cultural identity. The questions I asked the interviewees pertained to their Armenian-American experiences highlighting themes of language, education, marriage, involvement, intergenerational preservation, and transmission of culture. Through their narratives I sought to understand how they navigate the interplay of tradition and modernity and understand the ways Armenian culture is being embraced, adapted, and transmitted in today’s world. These stories highlight the challenges, triumphs, and evolving strategies of how Armenians preserve their cultural identity in the diaspora.
When approaching these interviews I thought about whose Armenian experiences I would most want to explore. I thought about adults and professors, but I found that to best compliment my own perspectives and experiences, it would be best to interview people of the younger generation. I set on interviewing six people. Sophia and Arin are both 10th grade students at Armenian schools in Los Angeles. I felt that it was important to get the perspective of current high school students. While they are only five years younger than me, their viewpoints can be so different from my own. I also set to interview Jackalyn and Lily who are both college students. Finally I set to interview two postgraduate students, Nairi and Ani. While I expected that many of their responses would be similar, it was interesting to see how the way they explain certain ideas can vary.
Through this interview process, many conclusions were made. Some of the interviewees’ narratives connected with my own personal experiences and ideas on preservation, while others’ responses were surprising as they expressed something different.
What I learned:
Each participant sheds light on the significance of language in shaping Armenian identity. Sophia’s commitment to preserving Western Armenian underscores the dedication Armenians have in keeping the language alive. Others elaborated on the language’s ability to bridge generations, ensuring a transmission of stories and historical narratives. Personally, the mere sound of Armenian being spoken evokes a deep sense of belonging in me, highlighting the role language plays in our relationships with our culture. Beyond communication, language connects us with our sense of identity and serves as a functional tool, emphasizing its consistent integration into our daily lives. These different narratives show just how important language is to different aspects of the Armenian identity.
In the diaspora, tangible means of cultural preservation provides a connection to one’s roots. To both Arin and Lily, dance stands out as a significant medium of cultural expression, allowing them to remain close to their culture even while living in the diaspora. To them it is a testament to their Armenian heritage. Tangible means of preservation also goes beyond dance. Other interviewees such as Sophia and Nairi express how their families celebrate Armenian traditions and holidays within their home. Others mention how they attend Armenian cultural events in the greater Los Angeles area. These show the ways Armenians are finding tangible ways to stay connected to their culture.
To me, one of the most important aspects of being Armenian is the connection to family. The sense of kinship, the unspoken bonds, and the shared legacies are at the core of Armenian culture. These interviewees only highlight this further as the participants’ narratives are intertwined with familial references. Jackalyn’s mention of her grandfather’s insistence on communicating solely in Armenian and Arin’s pride in being a fourth-generation dance teacher are only a few examples that underscore the generational transference of cultural values. These stories are not just retelling of what happened but show how families are at the core of cultural immersion and continuity.
Though their experiences and perspectives varied, the significance of attending an Armenian school emerged as a shared sentiment among the interviewees. Each narrative offers perspective into how Armenian education shapes their identity. The significance of Armenian schools in shaping the diasporic experience is immense. Sophia’s narrative echoed what many feel — an initial reluctance that becomes gratitude. Schools aren’t just educational institutions; they are spaces where the Armenian spirit is developed daily. Ani places emphasis on always “engaging in being Armenian.” This illustrates what other interviewees also mentioned. From Nairi’s foundational experiences to Lily, Jackalyn, and Ani’s transformative journeys, it’s evident that such schooling leaves an imprint on the lives of many Armenians. It shapes decisions, from college choices to career paths, and reinforces the importance of cultural identity. I was not surprised that the interviewees’ responses were all similar to each other and to my own. While we all may have attended different Armenian schools during different years, the mission of these Armenian schools remain very similar. These interviews showed just how powerful the impact of Armenian school is and how beneficial to persevering culture at the individual and communal level it can be.
Perhaps the most intimate aspect of this exploration is the perspective on marriage. This was a question I enjoyed asking as it provided the most varied responses as well as reflected the interviewees beliefs in preserving Armenian heritage. It was interesting to see how the high school and college students placed emphasis on different reasoning for marrying an Armenian than the post-graduates. The younger generations may see it as a means of preservation and continuing the “Armenian gene.” Whereas the post-graduates are more concerned with compatibility and filling in the cultural gaps. Together these narratives provide a wide variety of perspectives of marriage, each navigating the crossroads of personal choice and cultural duty. These responses were one of the most interesting to me as they showed just how important the interview process was. While we all might have grown up similarly, the choices we make and the beliefs we have can all vary and change over time. Just interviewing high school students or college students was not enough to get the full picture. It was through interviewing three different age groups did I see a difference in how marriage is perceived by younger Armenians.
Many of the narratives captured a fascinating evolution: from the emphasis on survival in past generations to the practice engagement of the younger ones. Jackalyn’s contrast between her grandfather’s traditionalism and her personal activism showcases the ways the younger generation integrates their culture into modern times. Today’s youth are action-oriented, using social media to vocalize and present their identity to Armenians and non-Armenians alike. Arin even expresses how she uses dance as a means of spreading awareness of her culture. She shares a story in which an older non-Armenian woman commended her for her beautiful Armenian dance. The narratives offered by the interviewees provide insights into combining traditional values with modern platforms, suggesting a combination of the old and new for future cultural preservation.
The diverse narratives of the interviewees highlight the complex relationship Armenian-Americans in Los Angeles have with their cultural identity. Whether it’s Sophia’s deep-rooted commitment to linguistic preservation, Arin and Lily connection with culture through dance, Jackalyn’s emphasis on storytelling, Nairi’s belief in the role of language, or Ani’s transformative experiences at Armenian schools, each narrative is a testament to the connection and preservation present in Armenian diaspora. These narratives reflect both the challenges and triumphs of preserving culture. While methods and perspectives vary, from traditional dances to leveraging social media, a common theme emerges: a passionate commitment to ensuring the Armenian spirit thrives across generations. As cultural preservation techniques evolve to best fit modern times, it is evident that aspects of the Armenian culture such as its traditions, language, and stories, continues to remain as a result of the dedication by the Los Angeles Armenian community.
I was surprised by the depth and insight of the interviewees’ responses, especially those of the younger interviewees. Regardless of age or background, each person conveyed a sense of connection and commitment to their Armenian heritage. This just showed the ways in which Armenian culture is deeply interwoven in so many aspects of our lives. Each interviewee, in their own personal way, communicated not just an awareness, but an active engagement with their culture. Their responses highlighted that our Armenian culture shapes who we are, our values, perspectives, and connections to the world around us.
Through this interview experience, my appreciation for my culture and the Los Angeles community grew stronger. With each story I heard, I felt more and more proud to be Armenian. I was so impressed with the high schoolers and their in depth and mature responses. Even as teenagers, they feel so deeply connected to their heritage. For future projects, I hope to delve deeper into experiences of students attending Armenian schools and their exposure to Armenian traditions and ideas.
