Press Release
Armenian Students Association
October 2, 2004
Contact: Armenian Students’ Association
E-mail: [email protected]
History, Memory and the End of Soviet Rule in Armenia
A lecture by
Dr. Robert Owen Krikorian
Historical memory played an important role in undermining Soviet rule in
Armenia. During the final years of the Soviet Union, history was a tool for
mobilizing the resources of the Armenian nation in its struggle against
Soviet central authorities as well as Azerbaijan. A major shift in thinking
occurred in February 1988, when Armenians in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait
were subjected to a pogrom. This event shattered the tacit social contract
between the Soviet state and the Armenian people, whereby loyalty was
exchanged for the physical inviolability of the Armenian nation. Based on
fieldwork in Soviet Armenia from 1988 to 1991, as well as subsequent
archival research, Dr. Krikorian’s study demonstrates how the deconstruction
of Soviet history in Armenia contributed to the delegitimization and
ultimate overthrow of Soviet rule.
On Tuesday, October 12th, 2004, The Armenian Students’ Association is proud
to present Dr. R. Krikorian of George Washington University to discuss the
role of history and Soviet rule in Armenia. Join the ASA in welcoming Dr.
Krikorian at the Grolier Club, 47 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022 at
7:30 P.M. Admission to this event is FREE for all. The lecture will be
followed by a wine and cheese reception.
Robert Owen Krikorian earned a Ph.D. in History and Eurasian Studies at
Harvard University, where he was an associate of the Davis Center for
Russian and Eurasian Studies. He has worked with a wide range of
organizations, including Medecins sans Frontieres and USAID’s Office of
Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID-OFDA), and continues to serve as an
Armenian-language interpreter for the State Department’s Office of Language
Services. In addition to his training in history, Dr. Krikorian has an MA in
political science from George Washington University and is currently a
Professorial Lecturer at GWU’s Elliott School of International Affairs,
where he teaches courses on the modern history and politics of Transcaucasia
and Eurasia.
Dr. Krikorian is widely published on the modern history and politics of
Eurasia including the co-authored book, Armenia: At the Crossroads
(Routledge, 1999). His articles and reviews have appeared in journals such
as the International Journal of Middle East Studies, the Middle East Studies
Association Bulletin, the Center for Iranian Research and Analysis Bulletin,
Analysis of Current Events, the Annual of the Society for the Study of
Caucasia, and the Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies.
The ASA is a nationwide membership organization that promotes Armenian
culture and education by providing Armenian communities with social,
academic, and educational events. All funds raised by the regional branches
contribute to the ASA’s invaluable scholarship fund for Armenian students
studying in the United States. Donations are welcome and appreciated.
To learn more about ASA activities please visit us at