First, a huge thank you to everyone who filled out our online questionnaire. We are touched by the many people who have been generous with their appreciation of our work. And we are equally grateful for the many thoughtful and helpful suggestions.
116 people filled in the survey with an almost equal distribution of time associated with AI though a slightly greater percentage were more recent visitors. Our respondents were mostly from across the UK but also around the world. Their heritage was truly diasporan with people’s families coming from across historic Armenia, the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh and the Middle East.
The “communal, neighbourly feel” of AI’s events was mentioned by many who were happy to have some company during the Covid lockdowns. Others added they are looking forward to sharing a drink together after an event (yes, we are too!). Positive comments were plentiful on the subject of forging community through the many activities while others remarked that the events themselves had grown more diverse and relevant. Many comments were similar to this respondent:
“The events are very contemporary and relevant, and I believe they reflect modern Armenian identity and they’re welcoming for non-Armenians.”
Question 5 asked people to tell us what keeps them coming or prevents them from attending events. We are aware that the proportion of people filling in a questionnaire online, as opposed to in person on paper, does lead to more answers from people comfortable with electronic communication but we received many said that Zoom and Youtube provide very well for their needs.
A small number said they do not like events online and are waiting for live events. For example, I am not very keen on Zoom events after a day looking at the screen for work.
Others replied that they rely on events online as they do not live near London, are unable to travel, or who just prefer the shorter amount of time involved.
Taking all views into account, we intend to provide blended events (online and physical) where possible as lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Among the 74 responses to Q. 9, many are reflected in this response:
“I like the variety you offer ... The events are very enriching and fill a gap that other Armenian organisations have not filled. It is quite heart-warming to get to know young artists, writers, activists and social and political thinkers. You have been able to combine Armenianness with an openness to the outside world. AI is where I feel comfortable and enthusiastic”
More specific comments mentioned enjoying the book club while some requested more events on architecture, cooking, photography, and the various cities and town of historic and contemporary Armenia, family events, dancing and food.
The library and our NLHF theme of Literary Heritage received much interest:
“Literary heritage is expansive and is done well through Book on Display and Book Club and Book launches - I’ve enjoyed all so far and really love the communal aspect of Book Club.”
Many people mentioned a wish to talk with our librarian about the collection and get advice. The importance of digitisation came up many times and indeed this is a project already underway (see link requesting donations) as our goal is to make the library available as widely as possible.
The building of a music section of the library was mentioned several times as was the request to have an oral history section created. Both these ideas have been discussed in the past and we are eager to do this (we already have experience of collecting oral histories) .
“Online access from home Modern authors (21st century) Digital copies of Armenian newspapers and magazines from around the world. Interviews with modern-time musicians, writers and actors. Interviews and recordings with grandparents and elderly people from various diasporas”
Suggestions for specific books, resources or subjects to be included in the library included a wide range on nearly all subjects possible. Requests included:
include reading a book and translating it together (“slowly”),
have easy-reading books for people to practice reading Armenian,
workshops about books
the availability of the librarian and a catalogue for finding books.
contemporary issues and authors.
An example of the diverse interests of our respondents is shown in this request from one person:
“Art history, Armenian capital cities, Republic of Armenia, its regions Soviet Armenia (diasporas relations, views, repatriation of the 1940s, emigration of the 1990s, presenting to the diaspora the genius of Soviet Armenia, such as Charents, Acharian, Paradjanov) Social history (e.g. women in Ottoman Western Armenia, childhood in current Armenia, slaves in Kingdoms) Armenia and Armenians in travelogues and memoirs, Other countries and cultures through travel accounts of Armenians, Diasporic institutions (e.g. Armenia language publishers in America, schools in Venice, etc.)”
Respondents’ broad range of interests are reflected throughout the questionnaire. Subjects people would like to see in future podcasts and issues of Zanazan were very closely distributed between 9 possible answers. News about the Diaspora, Armenia and Artsakh, articles about history, art, music, literature, life stories, food, all received very similar response levels.
We asked those who participate in our language classes what kept them coming – or how to improve and received high praise for the teachers.
“The quality and community aspect of the language courses keep me returning and always excited to participate. Its amazing that there are so many AI-run classes away teaching people all over the world 3 Armenian variants!”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed learning the basics of West Armenian with Sarin and feel like the lessons are helping me honor my roots.”
“The teacher (Gagik) and his materials are phenomenal.”
Many voiced appreciation of the zoom classes as it enables participation when time is short or distance long but some would like to have physical class space again. We also received suggestions about introducing new formats of language classes, which we are considering now with our language department.
How to improve? Q. 21 brought interesting perspectives. Again, we are grateful for the many complements but here will focus on the suggestions. Some thought that we need to publicise more, perhaps taking out ads in other Armenian organisations’ media as well as beyond Armenian circles in order to bring in non-Armenian audiences. A request repeated throughout the questionnaire was to address the need for a networking hub, especially for younger people, something which we plan to address as soon as we are able to begin meeting regularly in person.
“Enable more networking- whilst I feel very Armenian I’ve not been brought up in the community so whilst prior to Covid I tried to get involved it was difficult as I felt like I knew no one and the younger community can be cliquey. The ability to meet more young people (I’m 34 so not included in your young person block but I’m also not old either!) that I could interact about things that are important to me would be great”
“Revamp the website. Make an AI app”.
“Include Russian speaking Armenians Do more events for British to introduce the culture and not only ancient history and poetry, but also contemporary: business, innovation, science, medicine Do short clips and pics to drive people’s attention to your events, long descriptions don’t work”
At the risk of this blog being too long a description already, a few important topics remain. AI has always struggled to find the right events and opportunities for children and young people. This is partly down to the travelling distances within London and the busy schedules of students at any level. But we are receiving increasing requests to try again to provide for these age groups so included Questions 14 and 15, asking for suggestions. These included for children:
“Dance workshops/courses/performances, cookery, drama workshops, fairs and feasts connected with childrens authors birthdays, for example, or special anniversaries in our cultural calendar.”
“Family based events such as shows of some type”
chess tournaments, language classes, Armenian traditional games, learning poems and cooking.
For those over 18, networking and work-related mentorship were the most frequent requests, including opportunities to just meet:
“Being able to engage in shared traditional activities with neighbours, even if it’s just drinking tea together.”
“Identity and belonging: create a space of exchange between RA and diasporan Armenian to appreciate the differences as an enrichment and not a hinderance to an Armenian identity”
“Open mics are also great, perhaps one targeted at performers in this age group would help get them more engaged. Kooyrigs’ Yeraz EP features many young global Armenian artists that would definitely attract a younger crowd.”
Finally, how do we finance all of these wonderful ideas? The question asking for ideas for fundraising received serious attention and many ideas. Some we are already doing and need to publicise more: using Amazon Smile, Easyfundrasing and encouraging donations at the end of events. Should we be more vocal about this? One person told us to ask for money more often! Book sales were once a stable income and we hope this will return with the ability to sell books at physical events. A number of people suggested going back to charging for events which we will have to do when we are back in a physical space. Other ideas:
“Artistic practices that are developed over a few sessions rather than 1 workshop would also be interesting - music/singing lessons, digital skills, ongoing cooking class, writing workshops (poetry, academic, scripts). We could also ask our community and friends for donations of their work/time: eg art pieces, editing an article or CV, etc that we can well online.
“Maybe pitch it as an opportunity to sponsor a particular type of event (like your list above). I would be more likely to respond to something like that.”
When the lockdowns are really over, we look forward to hosting open days at the new office space near Farringdon and to being able to talk with many of you in person about these ideas. For now, thank you to all who participated. We will do our best to bring these ideas into practice.
By Susan Pattie