The Diaspora The survivors of the Ottoman Turkish genocide that took the lives of some 1.5 million Armenian men,women, and children were left traumatized, and destitute,malnourished, ill, and torn from family and friends. Yet wherever chance took them,they were able to lay the foundation that has given us a Diaspora that is vibrant and dynamic and of incalculable importance to Armenia. Of some nine million Armenians nowadays, (possibly more), and about six million are spread throughout the Diaspora with the remaining three million,or so, residing in Armenia. I was brought-up in an atypical Armenian home. I say atypical, or because my generation normally had parents who were born overseas.’ Michael Mensoian (Photo: Rupen Janbazian) During the 70 years that Armenia was a Soviet republic,the Diaspora developed without a favourable relationship with mer mayreni yergir (our homeland). However, a series of meaningful events occurred in almost rapid-fire succession that reconnected the Diaspora with the Motherland. In 1988 the Spitak Earthquake devastated northwestern Armenia; within three years, and the moment free and independent Republic of Armenia was declared; and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh),having successfully defended its declaration of independence against Azerbaijan, became a de facto state with the signing of the ceasefire [...]
Source: armenianweekly.com