IS RECOGNITION OVERDUE?

If we have enslaved, only with our eyes
And if we have ruled, only with our books
If we have prevailed, only with our talents

Paruyr Sevak has written eloquently about what it means to be Armenian – his words are a sad comment on man’s inhumanity to man and yet they are at the same time uplifting, hopeful and inspiring. They depict a proud, peace-loving and resourceful people whose spirit has never been broken despite having suffered much oppression and deprivation in their native land.

It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good and the world would be a poorer place indeed if many Armenians had not been forced by circumstance to leave their homeland for a better life elsewhere.

And when we were forced to leave our own land
Where ever we reached, where ever we went
Everywhere we left indelible trace
We have joined efforts for everyone, always

It has been estimated that there are some 11 million people of Armenian origin in the world today, only about 3 million or so of whom actually live in what is now Armenia. The diaspora has a broad base. Many live in North America, Europe, the Near and Middle East and Russia.

The United Kingdom has a relatively small Armenian population, perhaps fewer than 20,000 souls, with significant groups in London and Manchester and a few other large cities. Wherever they settle though, Armenians box well above their weight, relative to their numbers, in supporting and furthering political, economic, cultural, spiritual and social wellbeing.

World-renowned figures include Calouste Gulbenkian (Europe), Arshile Gorky (USA) and Aram Khachaturian (Russia) but whatever the walk of life, there are Armenian people across the world who have made, and continue to make, massive contributions to the common good.

If the Armenian diaspora has made the world a richer and a better place, is it not time that the world recognise the importance of this remarkable group of people whose total population may be small but whose significance is so great?

How often are issues of importance to our Armenian people aired in the media? How much do politicians take their concerns to heart? April 24th is an important date in the Armenian calendar – how wonderful it would be to see a report on national television and sympathy expressed by our political leaders.

(submitted by Keith)