Armenians in the Diaspora
“We are few but we are called Armenians”
This beautiful quote begins one of the most famous poems in Armenian Literature - Paruyr Sevag could not have said it more accurately. It was a beautiful Los Angeles evening on the 8th of November 2009 - one which will be in my memory for a long time to come.
A few days earlier, my deacon brother (sargavak yeghpayr) had offered me tickets to see a dance group that was to perform at Glendale High School’s Auditorium. They were visiting from Boston, MA. As I contemplated whether or not I should accept the invitation and attend the concert, I remembered the many great Armenians which I met in Boston a few years back. I had the honor and pleasure to perform with the Erevan Choral Society, conducted by Very Reverend Father Oshagan Minassian of blessed memory. And I remembered what an amazing time I had and all the great people I had met. Thinking about all of this, I accepted the tickets and invited my grandmother, mother and girlfriend to attend with me.
The Sayat Nova Dance Company, under the artistic direction of Mr. Apo Ashjian, was scheduled to perform at the Glendale High School Auditorium at 5:00 PM. After a traditional Armenian time delay, the concert began. And what a magnificent and impressive concert it was. I was so glad that I had accepted the tickets because I would have missed out on a true Armenian cultural treasure. (Not to mention that this contemplation of mine began during the concert)
“We are few, truly, but we are Armenians
And by being few we do not succumb”
This statement by Paruyr Sevag could not have been any truer on November 8th. To see an entire generation of Armenians in the Diaspora preserving and promoting our traditional cultural dances put a huge smile on my face and filled my eyes with tears of joy. My heart was full of emotion as I watched the dancers come out in traditional costumes, dancing their hearts away with the passion and fervor of true...