As part of our Diaspora Forum series, the Armenian Institute hosted a lively panel discussion on June 17, led by Tatiana Der Avedissian. The panel included 4 young people with diverse backgrounds: Vahe Asatryan, studying in the UK, born in the Czech Republic to parents from Armenia, Anoushka Berberian, born in Britain of Cypriot and Lebanese Armenian heritage, Hovsep Markarian, born in Syria now living in Armenia with university degrees in the UK, and Noemi Stepan-Sarkissian, born in Britain to Armenian-Iranian parents. The four were questioned about their thoughts on how it feels to be Armenian in the contemporary world, what is important to them, what troubles them, how they picture the terms “diaspora” and “home” and how important these concepts are.
Given their varied heritage and personalities, there was considerable agreement between the speakers as they pointed to traditional markers of "Armenian-ness" such as food, language and the church but also felt their generation is more inclusive of people who are neither religious nor Armenian speakers. They intended to continue visiting Armenia and were excited to be in a country where Armenian was spoken all around them. Most would not live there permanently, as they felt they could engage with the country and the people in other ways.
