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Razmik Panossian: Roots of Classical Diaspora lie in Western Armenia
Razmik Panossian
Interviews | January 27, 2015 09:39
exclusive
On the threshold of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, Mediamax starts
a series of interviews with the intellectuals of Armenia and the
Diaspora. It will be an attempt to collect opinions as to whether the
Armenian Genocide Centennial will serve a certain "New Beginning" for
Armenians or not.
Our today's interlocutor is Head of the Armenian Communities
Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Razmik Panossian.
Razmik Panossian is a Canadian-Armenian who holds a Ph.D. from the
London School of Economics and Political Science. He is the author of
"The Armenians: From Kings and Priests to Merchants and Commissars"
book published by the Columbia University Press in 2006.
Upon the initiative of the Armenian Communities Department of the
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, several dozens of Armenian
intellectuals from around the world came together in Lisbon in October
2014, to discuss what awaits Armenians in 2115.
- What will happen on April 25? Can it stand for a "New Beginning"
through which Armenia and the Diaspora will attempt to cast a new
glance at their future?
- April 25 will be both a continuation and a new beginning.
By continuation I mean Genocide Centennial will leave us with the same
questions and challenges. On the other hand, it will be quite
different: "what now?" - if asked this question, neither Armenia, nor
the Diaspora will today be able to give a precise answer to it.
The symbolic significance of April 25 is to think of 2115.
Indeed, there will be various approaches and opinions. I believe the
leadership and people should jointly discuss the next step. Where
should we head to as a state and as people? Obviously, various
Armenian and Diaspora structures and parties will have varying
opinions but at least the main issues that have long been on-wait for
a solution should be agreed on. It will be so much the better if it is
possible to find basic points for a consensus. The answers might
differ but we should at least try to agree on the issues our nation is
concerned about.
- But no intellectual debates are carried on over these issues in
either Armenia, or Diaspora. Everybody seems to focus on short-term
issues and there is no discussion over the vision for the future.
-I don't think it right to seek a single and common vision. We might
have several visions - we are versatile people. But we should really
be able to look into the future and think about it. It's what our
initiative craves for - to assist in creating those visions.
Apparently, we will be hearing about the Armenian Genocide time and
again in coming three months. But we should think of where we will
head to afterwards. Some of the Diaspora organizations are committed
to finding choices. I hope the Armenian government also works on it
and is discussing projects to this end.
- Do you find it possible to set up a non-official platform for
regular debates between Armenia and the Diaspora?
- I think Diaspora organizations should engage in this process in a
decentralized way and present their vision for 20-30 years. After
that, a debate should carry on. But those should not be just formal
talks - they should be concise and substantial.
- The Armenian Genocide is said to be one of the elements uniting the
"traditional" or "classical" Diaspora and its significance is believed
to dwindle after the Centennial.
- The Armenian Genocide is the pivotal reality of Classical Diaspora's
identity but it is not represented as merely a historic reality but
also in the context of Turkey's denial of the Genocide. Denial also
plays a huge role in the mobilization and unification of the Armenian
Diaspora.
Will this loosen in the course of years? There does exist such a risk
when the link with Genocide survivors or their memories is cut off in
the kin. My generation was the last to hear about the genocide from
their grandfathers or grandmothers. The next generation lacks the
direct link. For them, Genocide appears as a concept, which does not
relate to a particular person.
- Wasn't independent Armenia to become a uniting force for the new
generations of the Diaspora?
- It might be one of the vision constituents but not the sole one for
the Diaspora.
To the Classical Diaspora, the lost lands and ancestral villages and
cities "incarnate" their motherland.
As an independent state, Armenia plays a significant role in the
formation of identity but we should not forget that the cultural roots
of the Classical Diaspora - its language and mode of life - lie in the
Western Armenia.
The Armenian national identity has always been Eastern and Western.
Indeed, Armenia's role as a cultural and national center cannot be
undermined but the Diaspora's identity and the idea of being Diaspora
Armenians - generations succeeding Western Armenians - is equally
important.
How the connection to historical lands will move on in coming decades
also represents interest. We should see whether Turkey will become a
democratic state within the next 20 years or not. If it does become a
democratic state and Armenian has its role in it, the Armenian culture
might reinstate its place in Istanbul or historic Armenia.
I believe this consolidation should have its pivotal and main place in
the vision for future.
- Will your initiative oriented toward the 2115 be ongoing, and what
outcome do you expect to receive? Do you plan to devise a certain
document on the results of Lisbon discussions?
- I hope the report will be ready by late January, and we will start
distributing it.
We have two programs for 2015 and 2016 - one is related to IT and
Armenian culture. We have good IT specialists but we are not able to
juxtapose IT and culture and bring them side by side. For instance,
the number of Armenian, especially Western Armenian e-books and
network resources is very sparse.
Lisbon meeting participants
The second program refers to reconstruction of education sector in
Diaspora schools. We have placed the emphasis on the enhancement and
progress of the Western Armenian.
- Why does Armenia not appear implicitly attractive for the Diaspora?
Where does the main issue lie? Is it the internal situation,
monopolies or absence of independent judiciary? Or, are there any
issues in the Diaspora which impede the strengthening of ties with
Armenia?
- Apparently, there is some distrust. However, there is a graver
issue. Soviet and post-Soviet Armenia was attempting to control the
Diaspora - I have touched upon it in my studies.
The Diaspora is often viewed as the continuation of Armenia that
should be controlled or ruled. This circumstance has fomented an
uprising in the Diaspora.
The other important point is that our national identity has always had
two most important centers strongly dependent on Eastern Armenian and
Western Armenian and thus, on two cultural spheres and viewpoints. The
first center was Tiflis, which also involved Saint Petersburg and
Moscow. After the establishment of the USSR, Yerevan came to be that
center. The second center was Polis incorporating European and Western
quality. Our present-day identity was formed within these two centers.
The Genocide almost completely razed the center. But it does not mean
we should have only one center. It is highly important to realize
this. Both should be kept, shielded, strengthened and developed. Both
should carry on a dialog without obliging one another. As soon as the
Western no longer exists, we will then know that the genocide has
served its purpose.
The future should not be based on statements claiming Yerevan is our
only center and neither on those stating Yerevan and Armenia do not
matter for us.
Armenia is the motherland and it does matter, but the Diaspora is the
post-genocide reality. We have a challenge and it is to maintain that
equilibrium, and to do our best to find a right way between those two.
Ara Tadevosyan talked to Razmik Panossian
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/12977#sthash.eUaGpuXs.dpuf
Razmik Panossian
Interviews | January 27, 2015 09:39
exclusive
On the threshold of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, Mediamax starts
a series of interviews with the intellectuals of Armenia and the
Diaspora. It will be an attempt to collect opinions as to whether the
Armenian Genocide Centennial will serve a certain "New Beginning" for
Armenians or not.
Our today's interlocutor is Head of the Armenian Communities
Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Razmik Panossian.
Razmik Panossian is a Canadian-Armenian who holds a Ph.D. from the
London School of Economics and Political Science. He is the author of
"The Armenians: From Kings and Priests to Merchants and Commissars"
book published by the Columbia University Press in 2006.
Upon the initiative of the Armenian Communities Department of the
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, several dozens of Armenian
intellectuals from around the world came together in Lisbon in October
2014, to discuss what awaits Armenians in 2115.
- What will happen on April 25? Can it stand for a "New Beginning"
through which Armenia and the Diaspora will attempt to cast a new
glance at their future?
- April 25 will be both a continuation and a new beginning.
By continuation I mean Genocide Centennial will leave us with the same
questions and challenges. On the other hand, it will be quite
different: "what now?" - if asked this question, neither Armenia, nor
the Diaspora will today be able to give a precise answer to it.
The symbolic significance of April 25 is to think of 2115.
Indeed, there will be various approaches and opinions. I believe the
leadership and people should jointly discuss the next step. Where
should we head to as a state and as people? Obviously, various
Armenian and Diaspora structures and parties will have varying
opinions but at least the main issues that have long been on-wait for
a solution should be agreed on. It will be so much the better if it is
possible to find basic points for a consensus. The answers might
differ but we should at least try to agree on the issues our nation is
concerned about.
- But no intellectual debates are carried on over these issues in
either Armenia, or Diaspora. Everybody seems to focus on short-term
issues and there is no discussion over the vision for the future.
-I don't think it right to seek a single and common vision. We might
have several visions - we are versatile people. But we should really
be able to look into the future and think about it. It's what our
initiative craves for - to assist in creating those visions.
Apparently, we will be hearing about the Armenian Genocide time and
again in coming three months. But we should think of where we will
head to afterwards. Some of the Diaspora organizations are committed
to finding choices. I hope the Armenian government also works on it
and is discussing projects to this end.
- Do you find it possible to set up a non-official platform for
regular debates between Armenia and the Diaspora?
- I think Diaspora organizations should engage in this process in a
decentralized way and present their vision for 20-30 years. After
that, a debate should carry on. But those should not be just formal
talks - they should be concise and substantial.
- The Armenian Genocide is said to be one of the elements uniting the
"traditional" or "classical" Diaspora and its significance is believed
to dwindle after the Centennial.
- The Armenian Genocide is the pivotal reality of Classical Diaspora's
identity but it is not represented as merely a historic reality but
also in the context of Turkey's denial of the Genocide. Denial also
plays a huge role in the mobilization and unification of the Armenian
Diaspora.
Will this loosen in the course of years? There does exist such a risk
when the link with Genocide survivors or their memories is cut off in
the kin. My generation was the last to hear about the genocide from
their grandfathers or grandmothers. The next generation lacks the
direct link. For them, Genocide appears as a concept, which does not
relate to a particular person.
- Wasn't independent Armenia to become a uniting force for the new
generations of the Diaspora?
- It might be one of the vision constituents but not the sole one for
the Diaspora.
To the Classical Diaspora, the lost lands and ancestral villages and
cities "incarnate" their motherland.
As an independent state, Armenia plays a significant role in the
formation of identity but we should not forget that the cultural roots
of the Classical Diaspora - its language and mode of life - lie in the
Western Armenia.
The Armenian national identity has always been Eastern and Western.
Indeed, Armenia's role as a cultural and national center cannot be
undermined but the Diaspora's identity and the idea of being Diaspora
Armenians - generations succeeding Western Armenians - is equally
important.
How the connection to historical lands will move on in coming decades
also represents interest. We should see whether Turkey will become a
democratic state within the next 20 years or not. If it does become a
democratic state and Armenian has its role in it, the Armenian culture
might reinstate its place in Istanbul or historic Armenia.
I believe this consolidation should have its pivotal and main place in
the vision for future.
- Will your initiative oriented toward the 2115 be ongoing, and what
outcome do you expect to receive? Do you plan to devise a certain
document on the results of Lisbon discussions?
- I hope the report will be ready by late January, and we will start
distributing it.
We have two programs for 2015 and 2016 - one is related to IT and
Armenian culture. We have good IT specialists but we are not able to
juxtapose IT and culture and bring them side by side. For instance,
the number of Armenian, especially Western Armenian e-books and
network resources is very sparse.
Lisbon meeting participants
The second program refers to reconstruction of education sector in
Diaspora schools. We have placed the emphasis on the enhancement and
progress of the Western Armenian.
- Why does Armenia not appear implicitly attractive for the Diaspora?
Where does the main issue lie? Is it the internal situation,
monopolies or absence of independent judiciary? Or, are there any
issues in the Diaspora which impede the strengthening of ties with
Armenia?
- Apparently, there is some distrust. However, there is a graver
issue. Soviet and post-Soviet Armenia was attempting to control the
Diaspora - I have touched upon it in my studies.
The Diaspora is often viewed as the continuation of Armenia that
should be controlled or ruled. This circumstance has fomented an
uprising in the Diaspora.
The other important point is that our national identity has always had
two most important centers strongly dependent on Eastern Armenian and
Western Armenian and thus, on two cultural spheres and viewpoints. The
first center was Tiflis, which also involved Saint Petersburg and
Moscow. After the establishment of the USSR, Yerevan came to be that
center. The second center was Polis incorporating European and Western
quality. Our present-day identity was formed within these two centers.
The Genocide almost completely razed the center. But it does not mean
we should have only one center. It is highly important to realize
this. Both should be kept, shielded, strengthened and developed. Both
should carry on a dialog without obliging one another. As soon as the
Western no longer exists, we will then know that the genocide has
served its purpose.
The future should not be based on statements claiming Yerevan is our
only center and neither on those stating Yerevan and Armenia do not
matter for us.
Armenia is the motherland and it does matter, but the Diaspora is the
post-genocide reality. We have a challenge and it is to maintain that
equilibrium, and to do our best to find a right way between those two.
Ara Tadevosyan talked to Razmik Panossian
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/12977#sthash.eUaGpuXs.dpuf