PRESS RELEASE
Birthright Armenia
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
September 24, 2008
Phone: 610-642-6633
[email protected]
Young French-Armenians Connect with Their Homeland Through Birthright
Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia – In 2008, Birthright Armenia welcomed more French-Armenian
participants than any other year. Six dedicated individuals – Antoine Asik
(Villeneuve-Tolosane), Jerome Lafazan (Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis), Maria
Balian and Vera Guerguerian (Paris), and Vivien and Florie Darakdjian
(Clamart) – volunteered this summer with various organizations in Armenia.
Though there is a natural tendency in any diasporan community for the gap
between Homeland and Diaspora to widen over the generations, these six,
along with dozens of other Birthright Armenia volunteers from around the
world, prove that in fact, this can easily be bridged.
With over 500,000 Armenians living in France, the country is home to one of
the largest Armenian Diasporas in the world and one of the oldest in Europe
as a result of the direct aftermath of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Despite
the separation caused by decades and distance, there is a growing movement
among second and third generation French-Armenian youth to come to Armenia,
experience the Homeland and participate in its development. What’s more, the
means to do so are becoming increasingly accessible, and thanks to
Birthright Armenia sponsorship, more and more tenable and affordable.
Jerome Lafazan served in the northern city of Gyumri, working for several
organizations including the Rural Development Program and Nor Serount NGO.
Jerome’s reason for volunteering in Armenia is one that seems to reverberate
through many Birthright Armenia participants. He simply states, "There isn’t
a more beautiful place on earth than the land you come from."
The positive outlook shared by Birthright Armenia’s dynamic group of
participants from France affirms the spirit of volunteerism that is growing
among young French-Armenians and their eagerness to form a bond with their
homeland through this type of immersion experience.
For Maria Balian, who volunteered through the Armenian Volunteer Corps
(AVC), the benefits of her experience in Armenia far exceeded her
expectations. Not only does she feel a closer bond with her homeland, but
she has also formed lifelong connections with Diaspora youth from around the
world. "Armenia gave me a lot," says Maria, reflecting on her experience
after returning to Paris, "I understood for the first time what it means to
‘belong to a country’. Emotionally, it was very strong, very moving. Also, I
met many people from around the world and made friendships that will last a
lifetime."
Florie Darakdjian, an AVC volunteer and second generation French Armenian,
also finds one of the many advantages of volunteering in Armenia to be the
connections she made with other volunteers. "Working for two months in
Armenia has turned out to be a unique opportunity, a lesson in
resourcefulness and a mind-opening experience," she says. "Through my work
with the children at a social center in Gyumri, I was able to meet people of
different profiles, fellow volunteers, and local Armenians." What pushed
Florie to volunteer in Armenia was her desire to discover the life of this
country. "Being Armenian has always been an important part of my
personality," she says, "One that I’m very proud of. But except for a short
visit as a tourist in 2004, my knowledge of Armenia way very limited. In
addition to my desire to get to know my homeland, I hoped to participate, in
one way or another, in its day-to-day life." And through her volunteer
placement, Florie has found the direct participation she sought. For the
past month, she has been working at Kasa Swiss Foundation in Gyumri.
"Getting to know the children at the center was the most intense
experience," she says, "Despite the language barrier, communication was
possible, and almost natural."
In addition to strengthening ties between Diaspora Armenians and their
Homeland, the organization’s international profile is forming strong and
long-lasting bonds between the youth of Diaspora communities from around the
world. The friendships formed today will lead to a stronger, more united
Armenian Diaspora. With a solid international network of up-and-coming
leaders who feel a direct connection to their homeland and to each other,
the prospect of creating a brighter future for Armenia has just become that
much more within reach.
Birthright Armenia’s mission is to strengthen ties between the homeland and
diasporan youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia’s
daily life and to contribute to Armenia’s development through work, study
and volunteer experiences, while developing a renewed sense of Armenian
identity. For more information, or to make an online donation, please visit
our web site at