Notes from the Armenian Language Blogosphere
Ninotsminda, Samtskhe Javakheti, Republic of Georgia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimeda 2002
By Nessuna
An anonymous local at ArmYouth Blog writes about “more than strange attitude” toward foreigners “aliens” in Armenia, who, according to the author, can be easily distinguished from the rest by their appearance.
You simply have to take a look at someone’s outer appearance. In which it is not necessary to think deeper: if your appearance is a little bit different from that of majority you are certainly not local. In order to look like a local you have to wear and act like the majority does. This is a reminder of North Korea or 1930-40’s Soviet scenes, where all people with almost strange faces, wear the same hats and jackets, just like our majority.
“Aliens” are surely treated differently. For one, it’s not unusual for them to be ripped off.
Even if you are local but have some uniqueness in your outer appearance, for sure you will be considered as an “alien”. And don’t be surprised that a bottle of beer will be more expensive for you. Well it is not difficult for a local to prove who s/he is, besides he will not make a tragedy on that. The problem is more difficult for an “alien” and especially for our kinsfolk “aliens”-Diaspora Armenians.
The reason for this is the general belief that “aliens” are rich and they can afford to spare more. The same reason is behind the stubborn persistence of street beggars to follow “aliens” sometimes all they way along Abovyan Street.
However, I believe there are positive sides of being considered a wealthy “alien”. Thus, from what I can judge, for most of the part “aliens” receive a better service in a restaurant or in a store. Moreover, they seldom, if ever, have problems with street cops or authorities. In other words, they are treated with utmost respect or simply put as citizens of a country that can and will protect their rights if needed.
For Diaspora Armenians the author coins another term “double alien”.
The latter ones [Diaspora Armenians], crashing the local reality, invent a new phenomenon - “double alien”.
Many of the Diasporan Armenians here in Armenia understand what is like to be a “double alien”. Within those countries where they come from (let it be even multicultural US), they are considered “aliens” because they try to keep their Armenian identity. They hope, though, that someday returning to Armenia they will not have to face this problem. Here it comes, the “double alienability”. It turns out that in Armenia such as in the countries where they come from, they are again “aliens”. In fact s/he turns out to be “alien” in both places. It is natural that our kinsfolk will try to choose the lesser of two evils and go back to where they come from and where at least they are “alien” and not that of “double alien”.
The author then goes on to suggest explanations for the attitudes of Armenians toward “double aliens.”
What is the reason of such attitude towards our kinsfolk “aliens”? Here are some expression-view points which are rooted stereotypes of Diasporan Armenians among majority locals: “they are spies”, “Armenians from Iran are Persians”, “they are vile”, “guys are “buts dzdzogh (pussy eaters)”, “girls are spoiled”. Such kind of expressions can be proper for any kind of person. To claim such things about a certain group of people is stupid or at least it makes an impression of intolerance. The fact that there is a growing stupidity in Armenia is obvious. An “elite” has emerged in Armenia (part of which for an unknown reason started to listen to jazz music), which consists of mostly stupid entrepreneurs and make viewpoints of certain things. Those viewpoints are as stupid as their hosts and very authentic for the rest of the not-so-elite stupid ones. In addition to all of this, one should add the ever strong and rooted communist mentality (all people should be alike) and the picture will be full.
…and to make an excellent point.
One thing is easy to understand (which I think does not acquire much mental ability), that Diaspora Armenians, like many of us living in Armenia, are simply Armenians, and Armenia is our equal native country.
Nowadays a kind of racism has emerged in Armenia, which is unknown for the rest of people living in the world. The point is that Armenians do not race a certain ethnic unity but themselves. In Armenia and Yerevan even, new different ethnic unities have started to form: in Armenia - e.g. Karabakhtsi (the most widespread ethnics), Kapantsi, Akhalqalaktsi and so on, in Yerevan – Kentrontsi, Bangladeshtci (not in reference to Bangladesh the country), Davtashentsi and so on.
The only thing that makes me happy about this all is that in near future Armenia, with its fame will one day overcome even the US as a “multicultural state”.
The full post in Armenian and English can be read here.
Ninotsminda, Samtskhe Javakheti, Republic of Georgia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimeda 2002
Over at Local Life in Armenia, Christina thinks about recent reports of an escalation in ethnic tensions between Georgians and Armenians in Samtskhe Javakheti (Javakhk). She asks “what can be done to prevent the danger” and “how can one be an active citizen?”
I have never been one, except once when in the beginning of Karabakh movement I asked the head of our school, who was also our history teacher. “Comrade Sarukhanyan, is it not a betrayal to the motherland, when Bolsheviks urge soldiers either to turn their weapons against their officers or leave the battleground?” The head of the school who was fond of me before that question, couldn’t tolerate it “Leave the classroom, girl.” It was back in 1990, but even today we have a lot to teach our children so that they not only ask “Who is Britney Spears husband?” but also “Why are we here?”
But my question today is what can be done to assist Javakhq Armenians. For how long can we do nothing? I never believed that the roles of different members and layers of society are limited to a specific function. All of us are a part of processes.
So what can I as an Armenian do to prevent the worst scenario in Javakhq?Please don’t tell me about endless debates and beautiful speeches. While being informed is of course important the question remains what to do after you have been informed. We have talked about cross-stones in Nakhichevan; we have sent some letters to different international organizations and foreign governments, but so what? There are no cross-stones anymore, right?
So what to do now? What is an Armenian to do?
Christina’s post in Armenian can be read here.
Russian Military Base, Akhalkalaki, Samtskhe Javakheti, Republic of Georgia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimeda 2002
Ninotsminda, Samtskhe Javakheti, Republic of Georgia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimeda 2002
Thanks for the roundup, Nessuna. Some interesting posts that I’d like to comment on. Firstly, I would agree that there is more benefit to being considered a foreigner in Armenia rather than a local. In fact, I say that whenever a local asks me if I’ve applied for citizenship. Because there is no notion of citizenship here, and the rights of citizens are trampled upon on an almost daily basis, I would much rather remain a resident on a British passport. To be honest, I’m perfectly happy with the 10 year residency passport I have.
On the otherhand, the notion of being Armenian is largely false. Or rather, it changes depending on the circumstances or situation. For example, despite being half-English and a British citizen, I am considered to be “Armenian” when most locals meet me. However, get into a disagreement with a local or object to something such as a neighbor stealing your electricity as happened to me on two occasions, and you’re quickly reclassified as a “foreigner.” Actually, I’d just prefer to be considered a “person” which leads me on to the next point.
Although Armenia is a largely mono-ethnic country, this fixation on “Menk Hye Enk” means that national minorities are overlooked and not considered to have a legal right to living and being part of the country. Instead, there needs to be the concept of citizenship, in my opinion, although I know many Armenians will disagree. However, this notion of citizenship and having your rights and identity protected by the law and constitution leads us nicely into the issue of Samtskhe Javakheti.
Unfortunately, there are nationalist forces in Russia, Georgia and Armenia that are trying to exploit the socio-economic situation in Javakheti for their own narrow political purposes. Nationalist forces here would like to see it turn into another Karabakh despite the fact that as one person comments on Christina’s post it would be suicide for Armenia. Likely in the event of an armed struggle in Javakheti, Armenians would lose Karabakh because it is unable to secure borders with what would be three hostile states.
In my opinion, the issue of Samtskhe Javakheti has been hijacked by nationalist forces that rely on such issues for their support base in Armenia. They even try to exploit the issue of the Genocide by saying that Georgia is interested in expelling ethnic Armenians by bringing in Meskhetian Turks whereas in fact, this is being demanded by the Council of Europe as part of Georgia’s obligations. Some even argue that the Georgians have delayed their return because of the problems it might bring.
Anyway, the long and the short of it is that Javakheti is not part of some historical Armenian homeland although I have heard some nationalists mistakingly say that it is. However, there is no doubt that the rights of every Georgian citizen should be equal, but it should also mean that Georgian citizens of ethnic Armenian descent should learn the Georgian language if they want to be involved in the Georgian state structures while also having their minority language rights protected.
That’s how I see what’s happening in Georgia and I consider this obsession with ethnicity rather than citizenship as being the root cause. Throw in Russian meddling and nationalists in both Armenia and Georgia and you have a situation that can only do damage to Armenia. Approximately 90 percent of trade goes through Georgia, and if something bad were to happen, Armenia would only have Iran as its link to the outside world. Suicide.
What can be done? Well, not stoking up a minority of ethnic Armenians in Javakheti who want this absurd idea of “unification” with Armenia. Instead I’m glad to see that the Armenian Government is working with Saakashvili to try to defuse tensions. At the same time, I’m glad to see that the Georgians are using much of their MCA funding to repair infrastructure in Javakheti. They need to tread carefully though on the issue of language and education, though, but unless Georgia becomes a federation of cantons, I don’t see why Armenians should object to learning the official language of Georgia — just as Azeris in Georgia should as well.
Of course, more autonomy for Javakheti and allowing the use of Armenian as a second official language in the province is an option, but as long as nationalists don’t use it to demand separation from Georgia. The main issue however is socio-economic and not political. Therefore, that’s where the solution lies. Anyway, here are some useful links to more information on the situation in Samtskhe Javakheti.
By the way, I remember someone writing recently that when dozens of Armenians get attacked or killed in Russia by nationalists, nobody says a word and certainly doesn’t attack Russia or Putin. When a drunken fight happens in Georgia and an Armenian gets killed, nationalists start calling for war.
It’s a good point and sums up what exactly is behind all of this. Sorry to say, but talk such as the following disapoints me and illustrates why Armenia might well suffer in the long run unless it shakes off what some Georgians call a “Serbian mentality.”
Incidently, they also think the Azeris have the same mentality as well.
Thankfully, though, there are some moderate Armenian voices in Javakheti.
I am especially glad to see that the Armenian and Georgian governments are working together to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.
Comment by Onnik — March 26, 2006 @ 5:45 pm