I apologise first of all if this post comes out of the blue. It is just a reflection on a chat I was having with someone about identity and the importance “being Armenian” plays, or shouldn’t play, in ones life.

“may I gain the serenity to accept the things u cant change, change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference”

Some may argue that the fundemental “glue” in holding together dispersed Armenian communities around the world is the notion of pain, the feeling that we all suffered, our ancestors suffered, and this is what keeps us together. The old tattered song books, parents forcing you to Armenian school, telling you it’s “good for you”, and the feeling of nostalgia that is constantly brought forward into our minds by all these factors.

I was wondering, after a friend considered I “lose the chip on my shoulder” with regard to the Genocide, as part of my identity. On careful consideration, it seems quite a lot of this energy towards loving a homeland may well be lost. The old English quote above mentions accepting things you can’t change, and knowing whether to move on.

What if we did move on?

Our parents, as a generation, are still raw from the wounds of the genocide. We are still angry, I still feel a pain. Will my children feel this pain? Will they keep it in their minds in 30 years time? It is quite a remarkable thought to consider that a future generation of Armenians may not consider the Genocide an issue, or that when asked where they are from they may well reply “American..” or “English”. This is acceptable, as it does happen, when you live in a country, its culture will dominate, and form a part of you. I do , however, worry that if we don’t figure out another common cause to keep Armenians together, then in 50 years time, there may well be no one to post on this website.

Please share your thoughts

A good day for Armenian football. The national team today beat Poland in the Euro 2008 qualifier match, making them now 3rd from bottom (Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan follow respectively). The win was surprising due to Poland’s strong side, currently first in the group.

The stadium was pretty much full, and I really do think this makes a huge difference to the morale of the players. Ian Porterfield, the Armenian national coach , kept stressing the importance of supporters to the performance of players, something I have never really heard before in Armenia. I remember numerous international matches with a half empty stadium, it seems this may be changing.

I think a win like this may well prompt a lot of young people to get into the habit of supporting our national team and following them to their matches. I hope this will happen, and that we can expect a further bout of good results.

Interestingly, Armenia and Azerbaijan’s match is due to take place soon. So far the final location hasn’t been confirmed, but it is not expected matches will take place in Yerevan or Baku due to safety concerned, despite both sides stating they would host the event.