Armenian Heritage Month: Insights by Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready
In this blog, Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley pens down the importance of Armenian Heritage Month. Armenia is one of the World’s most ancient and richest civilizations. Every year, Armenian Heritage Month is celebrated in May, with the aim of recognizing and celebrating their contributions.
According to Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready, the Armenian Heritage Month is a profound time to learn about the rich Armenian history and acknowledge the resilience of its people.
A Rich Tapestry of History
The Republic of Armenia is a present on the verge of Europe and Asia. The roots of this civilization can be traced back to at least 3000 years. This landlocked country was the first nation to adopt Christianity as the official state religion, back in 301 AD. Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley this was a defining moment in this country’s history – one that continues to shape its future.
Over the course of history, Armenians have faced a series of unfortunate tragedies. Perhaps the most gruesome was the Armenian genocide of 1915, which resulted in the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire.
Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley says that despite these displacements and conquests, Armenians are the epitome of resilience, with the way they have rebuilt their communities all over the world. They have remarkably preserved their language, culture and faith. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready believes that the Armenian Heritage Month is a tribute to this enduring and strong spirit.
Contributions to Arts, Science, and Society
Despite being a rather small country, the contributions of Armenians to society are significant. When it comes to arts, personalities like Aram Khachaturian, who is celebrated as one of the leading composers of the 20th century, and William Saroyan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, have successfully brought Armenian voices to the international audience.
Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley says that the craftsmanship of Armenia is also widely appreciated, notably in carpet weaving, stone carving and architecture. This is pretty evident from the design of monasteries like Tatev and Geghard.
In the field of science and technology, Armenians have significant contributions. According to Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready, they have made their mark in driving innovation, with Armenians leading as scientists in NASA and the entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. It should also be noted that the creator of ATM, Luther George Simjian, was also Armenian.
The Armenian Diaspora
Presently, the people of the landlocked country of West Asia have spread across the globe, with large communities living in the United States, Russia, Lebanon and France. Argentina also hosts a considerable Armenian diaspora. Despite being thousands of miles from their ancestral homeland, the Armenian communities have maintained their distinct identity, especially when it comes to religions (churches) and traditions (dance troupes) – something that must be appreciated, as per Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready.
Los Angeles has the largest Armenian population outside of Armenia, which leads to this city celebrating the Armenian Heritage Month with full enthusiasm. Parades, concerts, food festivals, along with educational events are the highlight of these celebrations.
Traditional Armenian dishes like Khorovats (grilled meats), Lavash (flatbread), Dolma (Stuffed grape leaves) and the famous Baklava are often prepared and savoured during this historic month. In Armenian culture, music and dance play a very important role – displaying vibrant displays of unity and joy.
Final Points
Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley believes this month not only gives Armenians a chance to showcase their rich culture, but also inspires people from the courage and resilience of Armenians, in the face of adversity.
Whether you are attending an Armenian festival, or just inspired by the culture, Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready believes the Armenian Heritage Month is a chance to honour the rich culture of Armenia.