IMAGINING ARMENIA
by Joanne Laycock

Transitions on Line
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Oct 30 2008
Czech Republic

Imagining Armenia: Orientalism, ambiguity and intervention, 1879-1925
examines how Armenia and Armenians were portrayed in Britain at a
decisive moment in modern history, when diplomats, scholars and
humanitarians (here termed Armenophiles) engaged with the past,
present and future of Armenia.

Joanne Laycock draws on social and cultural theory in order to examine
the relationship between representations of Armenia and the political
and humanitarian responses to atrocity, genocide and the refugee
crisis. This book illustrates how British observers represented the
‘in-between’ position of Armenians and considers the early development
of atrocity narratives which related acts of violence and oppression by
the Ottomans. It goes on to examine responses to the massacres of the
Armenians during the First World War, showing how established images
of Armenians were transformed in the wake of this crisis. Laycock
then turns to the post-war period when attempts were made to define
and establish an independent Armenian nation state in the midst of
international efforts to provide for the relief and resettlement of
Armenian refugees. The book ends with the long-term implications
that British and international ‘abandonment’ of the Armenians had
for their subsequent place in public memory.

price: $74.95 purchase this book

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress