[FAR Press Release]: FAR helps young Diaspora Armenians to discover their own Armenia in a very unique way.

For those in the Diaspora, living in multiple cultures is something many Armenian-Americans know well. Despite growing up in America, they have a strong awareness of and attachment to their Armenian roots – even if those roots have crossed through other nations and cultures before reaching the United States.

For many Armenian-Americans, stepping foot in Armenia is a way to step beyond these childhood images. It provides a chance to learn who they are, as Armenians. Over 14 years, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) has provided this opportunity to dozens of young Armenian-Americans through the Young Professionals Trip.

To read the full release, please click here.

Happy American-Armenians arrive in Goris

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

[Daniele: YPT 2009 Alumni]: Listening to Armenia

Introduction by Daniele Sourian Sahr

With grace and professionalism, several students at the FAR-sponsored Azad Shishian Octet Music School gave an afternoon recital welcoming the FAR Young Professionals Trip to Gyumri. Being one of the seven young professionals myself, I felt honored that teachers and students alike shared their talents and time with us. As I watched each performer come on stage, my eyes feasted upon a myriad of instruments, both classical (violins, pianos, and flutes, for example) and those traditional to Armenian heritage, like the duduk and kanoon. As I listened to each young musician, the sweet voices of the singers and the nimble fingers of the violinists kept me enraptured and eager to hear more.

I, too, play the violin and couldn’t help feeling that we share inherent musical experiences, despite the geographical distance separating us. Like them, I am classically trained and play the greats of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven.  But it was doubly exciting that we all had learned important Armenian works, songs of Gomidas, and could pick up an instrument and express the sounds of our common culture.

With my return to the US, I kept thinking about my happy experience with the Gyumri musicians. As music has always been an unfaltering part of my life and being Armenian a natural given, I discovered that I’d like to know more of this richness alive in our culture—through folk music, classical music, pop music, and the ways in which it brings us together. Whether you are a musician or just enjoy listening, I hope my coming excerpts on music will bring you new thoughts on Armenian music and the ways in which we might listen to it and fill our lives with it.

Flute player demonstrates her talent during an unforgivable concert

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

[YPT Trip] : Another Successful FAR YP Tour

FAR’s YP Trip to Armenia is designed to give young American-Armenians a chance to visit their ethnic roots, while meeting other young people from across the country and learning about FAR’s work in Armenia. During this year’s 10 day trip, the group visited the northern and southern regions of Armenia, and even met Vehapar, then Catholicos of All Armenians.

The trip takes place thanks to FAR Programs Director Arto Vorperian, who coordinated this year’s 14th annual YP trip to Armenia. Following each YP tour, most participants have a better understanding of their national identity, and become closer to their country and churches. To these visitors, Armenia is transformed from a city seen on a map into a vibrant locale. Over the years, FAR’s YP trip has provided 250 young people with the opportunity to visit Armenia, to strengthening their national consciousness and to warmly embrace their homeland.

The Young Professionals in Sevan

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

[Celine's Dispatches: FAR's Intern in Armenia] : Last Days in Yerevan

Our last two days in Yerevan reminded everyone that nearly two weeks have passed since we first landed in Motherland. This sudden return to reality left everyone nostalgic, remembering the highlights of our trip during our last dinner together.  Our free time in Yerevan enabled us to explore the city from Vernissage (an open air market where you can literally find anything you need) to the cafes at the Opera.

We also had the chance to meet Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan, the newly established Minister of Diaspora. Everyone was a little bit nervous, but we soon realized that Mrs. Hakobyan was very friendly and we had nothing to fear. After a presentation by the Ministry of Diaspora, we were able to ask our questions.

Now, sadly, the 14th annual YP Trip has come to an end. I invite everyone to join next year’s trip, because you cannot understand the feelings it leaves you with until you experience it for yourself.

- Celine

Rafi, Kaloust – our tour guide- and Daniele acting goofy for our last dinner together

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

[Celine's Dispatches: FAR's Intern in Armenia] : From Yerevan to the doors of Orient

Last Thursday, as I was sitting in Yerevan, everything around me started shaking. It took me a few seconds to realize that I was experiencing the second earthquake of my life. The epicenter was near Garni and according to seismologists, the magnitude of the quake reached 3.6. Needless to say, this light quake reminded everyone of the past.  Within seconds, cell phone networks were saturated by numerous Armenians calling to check on their peers in different regions of the country.

On Friday, the Young Professionals jammed their suitcases into the van and headed to southern Armenia.  On our way down, we stopped in the Khor Virap monastery, where we had a  wonderful view of Ararat. The two highlights of this excursion were visiting Tatev and reaching the Iranian border.Coming back from Tatev was an adventure: our van was on winding roads under pouring rain.  Several members of the group started to feel increasing motion sickness. Or was it because of the delicious hommade apricot vodka we drank during dinner?

As we traveled further south, we could feel that we had reached the Orient. The landscape started to change, looking more like a rock desert. The border and a flag reminded us that Iran was just few hundred yards away.

Unleashing a dove towards Ararat at Khor Virap

Credit : Kaloust Hovsepyan

[Celine's Dispatches: FAR's Intern in Armenia] : Back to City Life

After spending a few days in northern Armenia, the Young Professionals have now returned to Yerevan. Our group is not known for being on time. However, this morning everyone was standing in front of the hotel at 9:00AM. The reason? We were going to meet His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catolicos of all Armenians, in Echmiadzin.

Amy and I do not speak Armenian, and yet we were taught the sentence we had to use to address the Catolicos upon meeting him. We intensely rehearsed, hoping there would be no faux-pas. When our group entered the room, we felt very relieved, as we realized that His Holiness Karekin II felt comfortable around young people, and preferred not to use the protocol.

On our way back to Yerevan, we stopped by the memorial for those who had fought in the Karabagh war. For the first time, my friend Ara saw his cousin’s grave. His cousin had last been seen sixteen years earlier upon his departure for Armenia. A veteran led us through the cemetery. I could not understand what he was saying, since he spoke in Armenian. As a consequence, I decided to look him straight in the eyes and get the feeling of what he was trying to communicate through his look. This was a powerful experience. I did not need to understand his words to understand his emotions. Just by looking at one another, we knew we were talking – just in a different way.

- Celine

Ara at his cousin’s gravesite

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

[Celine's Dispatches: FAR's Intern in Armenia] : Northern Armenia, The Weight of Past

Gyumri was our first stop on the Young Professionals tour of Northern Armenia.  Each of us had images from the earthquake in our minds, but sadly no one expected to see a city still so devastated twenty years later.

The charms Gyumri, the second biggest city of Armenia, are today buried under the remnants of the Soviet Union and a layer of rumble that still remains after the earthquake.  Visiting FAR’s GTech, Soup Kitchen and Music School projects gave us a unique opportunity to gain insight into the hardships of life in Gyumri, and the work that FAR is doing to improve peoples’ lives in the city.

Next, we moved on to see Alaverdi, and the monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. Looking at the souvenirs around the Sanahin monastery, I had the opportunity to converse with a local woman selling socks. Next thing I knew, I was drinking coffee and having lavash in her front yard!
Our last stop was in Lake Sevan. Lost in a no man’s land, we enjoyed the serenity and wonderful landscapes. Lake Sevan was the perfect place for the group to chat and form some stronger bonds.

Prayer time at Haghpat

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

[Celine, FAR's Intern in Armenia] : First Glimpse of Yerevan

I was three and a half years old when the earthquake ravaged the north-west part of Armenia.  Because of my young age,  I couldn’t apprehend the notion of time.  One day, feeling very self-confident , I walked up to my grandpa and told him, ”Now I understand why you are here. Your parents fled from the earthquake!”

Today, while leaving a flower on the genocide memorial, I envisioned the shy smile that my grandpa had on his face and clearly remembered his answer, “No that’s not it,” he said.

Visiting the Genocide Memorial was a very emotional moment for all of the Young Professionals in the group, especially for one of the women who had grown up with her great-grandmother telling genocide stories, unleashing her ghosts from the past.

We’ve spent the rest of the day in Yerevan visiting FAR’s Children Center, Cascade and Matenadaran (Manuscript Museum).

- Celine

Amy, one of the Young Professionals, at the Genocide Memorial

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

[Celine, FAR's Intern in Armenia] : First Day, First Impressions

I never thought of myself as an Armenian until I visited Armenia for the first time last year.  In fact, I didn’t know much about Armenian culture, despite the fact that I was raised in an Armenian district in Marseilles, France.

This year, walking out of the Zvarnots airport brought a big smile to my face: I felt like I was back home.
Before beginning my internship for FAR in the Yerevan office, I will have the opportunity to take part in FAR’s Young Professionals Trip.  Traveling with six other diasporans, I have visited today FAR’s office, Garni and Geghard.

I have to admit that I do not speak Armenian.  However, this didn’t prevent me from engaging conversation with local Armenians who are so warm and welcoming.  Language barriers will not prevent them from speaking to you !

For the first time, I was told that I looked Armenian. To be more accurate, I may not look Armenian but I was told that my eyes do.  I have the feeling that I have just begun to discover the myriad of facets that build my Armenian identity ….

To be continued …

Temple in Garni

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

[YPT] : Getting Ready to Fly to Armenia

Thursday April 23rd was a special evening for alumni and friends of FAR’s Young Professionals (YP) Trip to Armenia.  Approximately 50 people gathered at the Zohrab Center in NYC for a reception and presentation on this year’s trip, which will take place from June 9 – June 23, 2009. The YP trip is a great opportunity for Diaspora Armenians to reconnect to their cultural roots.  Over the course of two weeks, participants will visit historic sites (Holy Etchmiadzin and Noravank monastery to name a few) as well as meet with national leaders.

Signing up

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

Notable quotes from the event:
Executive Director Garnik Nanagoulian gave a brief description of FAR and the programs it supports, and provided some color with respect to the trip.  “This trip is not to show you the best of Armenia or only what we want you to see. We each have our own Armenia. This is an eye-opening trip that lets you discover or rediscover Armenia,” said Nanagoulian.

Natalie Gabrellian, a trip alumnus, shared some of her awe-inspiring photos which provided great entertainment.  “It was truly hard to say goodbye to good food, good fun and good friends,” said Gabriellian concluding her presentation.

Natalie Gabrellian

Credit : Celine Kaladjian

Rafi Hovsepian, a YP trip alumnus from 2001, commented on the countryside of Armenia.  “They have a traditional Armenian warmness, kindness and hospitality,” said Hovsepian. “When we visited the villages in the countryside, people did not see us as tourists, but Armenians from other parts of the world who came to visit Armenia because we did not forget about them.”

Rafi Hovsepian

Credit : Celine Kaladjian