Armenia beckons this summer and beyond

Published: Saturday June 09, 2007

In the early days of Armenia's independence, Armenian-American individuals and organizations asked themselves what would happen to their Armenianness and their community life now that there was an Armenian state again.

Recalling that they traced their roots to Western Armenia, some Armenian-Americans played down the significance of the Eastern-Armenian republic to their identity. Others took the position that what goes on in distant Armenia is not really their concern. They, among others, worried that the needs of Armenia would drain Armenian-American communities of resources they needed to invest in the communities' own preservation and development.

Of course, the overwhelming sentiment was one of joy, celebration, and hope. Here was a long-held dream coming true. Here was a promise of living in freedom - and not only in Armenia, but also throughout the Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc. Here was a promise that Armenia could now choose its own path in the world.

Alongside the joy and the hope was the knowledge that the path ahead would be full of difficult challenges and obstacles. It was, and continues to be.

But Armenians have persevered and have overcome some of the most difficult challenges. Armenians defeated Azerbaijan, which sought to crush Artsakh; Armenians overcame the energy crisis; and Armenia went from economic devastation to years of double-digit economic growth.

Of course, important challenges remain: creating economic opportunities for a greater proportion of the population, especially in strategically important area; developing greater respect for the rule of law - in elections, in governance, in the economic sphere; and maintaining security in a difficult environment, to name some.

And what has become of our Armenianness and our community life?

For one thing, the composition of the Armenian-American community has changed: Armenians from Armenia form a large part of the community now. In significant part, the new diasporans are well-educated polyglots - including scholars, artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs - with a strong sense of Armenian identity and a lively connection with Armenia. They have given an enormous boost to Armenian artistic and cultural life in America.

But it is not only recent immigrants. Armenian-Americans whose families have been in the United States for generations, or have immigrated from places other than Armenia have been inspired by their pride in Armenia to become more active in their communities.

Beyond community life, Armenian-Americans with no prior connection to the Republic of Armenia or Artsakh have developed a dynamic relationship with Armenia. Indeed, some Armenian-Americans have moved there. Others have bought property and spend part of the year there. Others have invested in businesses there, in some cases serving as models of law-abiding good corporate citizenship. Yet others share regularly of their expertise, traveling back and forth.

A significant segment of the Armenian-American population continues to donate to charities that support Armenia in dozens of ways - building schools where they're needed, planting trees, educating young people, providing health care, and more.

Armenian-Americans are also active in promoting a strong U.S.-Armenia relationship through political advocacy and lobbying organizations.

Armenia, in turn, has reached out to Armenian-Americans. The Special Residency Status, which allows people of Armenian ancestry to visit without a visa, to work without a special work permit, and to own land has helped make Armenian-Americans feel at home in Armenia.

A wide variety of programs in Armenia attracts people of varied interests. There's the Golden Apricot Film Festival in July, for example, which is a perfect opportunity for film-lovers to visit Armenia, and while they're at it, to munch on the most delicious fruit they've ever tasted - in its natural habitat. The Pan-Armenian Games brings athletes and their families. Conferences on various subjects, including the Second International Medical Congress of Armenia later this month, are another important attraction.

In addition to these occasions - there are many others, and besides, who needs a special occasion to visit Armenia? - there is a growing infrastructure to receive visitors. You arrive by airplane in an ultramodern air terminal that has become a model of comfort, service, and efficiency - in other words, nothing like its former self. Accommodations in the capital and beyond are comfortable and cater to every budget. Language is no problem, as English-speakers abound and signage is in English as well as Armenian. The free tourist information center in the center of the capital is staffed with helpful, knowledgeable people who go out of their way to be helpful.

Internet, telephone, cell phone, and PDA connectivity are so advanced that you need not worry about being cut off from relatives or your business. And you can stay abreast of world news in real time: Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, CNN broadcasts on antenna TV and in English.

And people have responded. The Republics of Armenia Nagorno-Karabakh together received 381,000 visitors last year - up 20 percent from 318,000 last year and up 450 percent from 84,500 in 2000.

The distance from the United States to Armenia is not that great. Sometimes the mist of outdated information, poor information, past misunderstandings, and language barriers makes the distance seem greater. Your newspaper can help bridge the gap.

But there is no substitute for experiencing today's Armenia yourself. See you there!