Armenia not planning to seek NATO membership, willing to continue cooperation – Armenian Foreign Ministry

Interfax
Sept 4 2023

YEREVAN. Sept 4 (Interfax) – Nobody in NATO has called on Armenia to join the alliance, while Yerevan stands ready to continue cooperation with the organization, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan said.

"As for the partnership between Armenia and NATO, it has been implemented for quite a few years. We cooperate with NATO in various formats and are willing to continue this process," Kostanyan told journalists on Monday.

Earlier, Gunther Fehlinger, chair of the European Committee for NATO Enlargement called on Armenia to join the alliance. "I call Armenia to join NATO, [Armenian Prime Minister] Nikol Pashinyan. Protect Armenia, President of the United States," Fehlinger wrote on his social media account.

Commenting on this, Kostanyan said that Fehlinger is "not a NATO representative." "He is just the leader of a non-governmental organization whose name contains the word NATO," he said.

https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/94231/

EU strongly believes the Lachin corridor must be unblocked – Michel

 16:37, 1 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS. The EU strongly believes the Lachin corridor must be unblocked, the spokesperson of Charles Michel, President of the European Council, said in a statement on September 1.

The current humanitarian situation on the ground is deteriorating rapidly and it is imperative to take steps to address the needs of the local population, Michel’s spokesperson Ecaterina Casinge said in the statement.

Below is the full statement.

“President Michel has continued to be intensely engaged in advancing the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process. His efforts over the past weeks, supported by Toivo Klaar, EUSR for the South Caucasus, have focused as a priority on addressing the humanitarian situation of Karabakh Armenians.

EUSR Klaar and President Michel’s team have been in frequent contact with Baku, Yerevan and representatives of Karabakh Armenians to work out a solution for unblocking access.

The current humanitarian situation on the ground is deteriorating rapidly; it is imperative to take steps to address the needs of the local population.

European Council President Charles Michel has proposed a step-by-step approach which would reflect a sequencing in the full-fledged operation of the Lachin corridor and the opening of the Ağdam route.

Sequencing of these steps and the type of cargo that would be delivered by each of these roads, as well as attendant procedures, have been the core of the recent discussions.

The EU strongly believes the Lachin corridor must be unblocked, in line with past agreements and the ICJ Order, and notes that the use of the Ağdam road to provide supplies can also be part of a concrete and sustainable solution to the provision of urgent and daily basic needs. Discussions on these elements had started following the last meeting of the leaders in Brussels on 15 July 2023.

The EU side has also stressed the need for Baku to provide clarity to Karabakh Armenians in terms of procedures for their movements through Lachin corridor to and from Armenia.

In parallel, exchanges have also focused on restoring electricity and gas supplies to Karabakh Armenians as soon as possible.

Beyond the immediate situation, the EU side has stressed the need to address legacies of the conflict to facilitate a long-term sustainable resolution.

Dialogue between Baku and representatives of Armenians living in the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast will be essential in this regard. The rights and security of Karabakh Armenians must be guaranteed and discussions on specific modalities should start as soon as possible.

The dialogue between Baku and the Karabakh Armenians needs to strengthen confidence and trust. To this end the EU has provided various suggestions for international support to this process, as well as for engagement on the ground to underpin the implementation of agreements reached.

All the above efforts have only one goal: ensure irreversible normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan for the benefit of all populations on the ground. It is now time for courageous compromise solutions, also in light of today's escalation.

The EU has been engaged with other international actors in these efforts, through regular personal contacts and exchanges of views on how best address the current unsustainable situation.”

AW: ANC of Rhode Island meets with Congressman Seth Magaziner regarding the crisis in Artsakh

ANC-RI members met with Congressman Seth Magaziner to discuss the crisis in Artsakh. Pictured from l. to r.: ANC-RI chair Steve Elmasian, Steve Mesrobian, Congressman Magaziner, Ani Haroian, Berge Zobian and Harout Tashian

WARWICK, R.I.—Six members of the Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) met with U.S. Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-RI-2) in his Warwick office on the morning of August 24.

The freshman representative is a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and has proven during his short term in office to be a strong ally and friend to his Armenian constituents in Rhode Island.

ANC-RI chair Steve Elmasian began the meeting by thanking Rep. Magaziner for his readiness to meet and discuss the worsening crisis in Artsakh.

ANC-RI member Steve Mesrobian thanked Rep. Magaziner for being a co-sponsor on all three current ANCA-backed House resolutions:

  • H.Res.108 – Condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and ongoing human rights violations.
  • H.Res.320 – Recognizing the Republic of Artsakh’s independence and condemning Azerbaijan’s continued aggression against Armenia and Artsakh.
  • H.R.2803 – Providing funding for Armenian Genocide education. 

Mesrobian reviewed the rapidly deteriorating situation in Artsakh with the congressman and his district director, Christa Thompson, and asked for the congressman’s help to reach out to both U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID chair Samantha Power to fast track emergency humanitarian aid to the besieged Armenian population of Artsakh.

Rep. Magaziner was very aware of the situation and eager to help, repeatedly asking what more he can do to help the citizens of Artsakh.

Congressman Magaziner agreed to speak to the chairs of the Armenian Caucus to request a letter to Blinken and Power as well as to ask the House of Representative leadership for an update on the three open ANCA-backed resolutions.

The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) has worked tirelessly for decades advocating for all issues of concern to Armenians in Rhode Island, the United States, Armenia and Artsakh. The ANC-RI is responsible for the Armenian flag flying at the RI State House and at every city and town in the state on April 24 each year. Additionally, the ANC-RI holds flag raising ceremonies annually in North Providence and Cranston, where local Armenian residents are honored. The ANC-RI also worked with the RI House of Representatives to be the first government body in the world to officially recognize Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).


Armenpress: Azerbaijani military again targets Armenian outposts with cross-border gunfire

 09:38,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani military has once again targeted Armenian border outposts in the Gegharkunik Province, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said Wednesday.

“On August 23, between 01:05 a.m. and 02:00 a.m., Azerbaijani armed forces units fired from fire arms towards the Armenian combat outposts nearby Verin Shorzha,” the Ministry of Defense of Armenia said in a statement.

Armenia and Azerbaijan clash over plight of 120,000 people in Nagorno-Karabakh facing food crisis

Associated Press
Aug 17 2023


UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council Wednesday over the plight of the 120,000 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh region that Armenia says are blockaded by Azerbaijan and facing a humanitarian crisis.

Armenia asked for the meeting saying Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting mainly Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia since July 15, had left its people with dwindling food, medicine and electricity.

Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan, but the region and substantial territory around it came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces who were backed by the Armenian military in separatist fighting that ended in 1994. Azerbaijan regained control of the surrounding territory in a six-week war with Armenia in 2020, and the Russian-brokered armistice left the Lachin Corridor as Nagorno-Karabakh’s only connection to Armenia.

At the council meeting, many countries urged Azerbaijan to immediately reopen the road, pointing to orders from the International Court of Justice, the U.N.’s highest tribunal, and all 15 nations urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a diplomatic solution to their nearly 30-year conflict.

The Security Council did not issue any statement but U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who chaired the meeting, told the Associated Press afterward that “there were strong statements in the council from everyone that the Lachin Corridor needed to be reopened.” That was “the main accomplishment,” she said.

U.N. humanitarian coordinator Edem Wasornu told the council the International Committee of the Red Cross, the only international humanitarian body with access to the area, reported on July 25 that it had been unable to transport food through the Lachin Corridor since June 14 and medicine since July 7.

Wasornu said international humanitarian law requires all parties to facilitate rapid delivery of aid to all people in need, and “it is therefore critical that the ICRC’s delivery of humanitarian relief be allowed to resume through any available routes.”

Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told the council that as a result of the blockade, there is no economic activity in Nagorno-Karabakh, thousands of people are unemployed, stores are empty and women, children and the elderly stand in long lines to be able to buy bread, fruit and vegetables. In addition, he said, Azerbaijan has disrupted the supply of electricity through the only high voltage line between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh since Jan. 9.

Mirzoyan quoted a report from Luis Moreno Ocampo, the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, saying “there is a reasonable basis to believe that a genocide is being committed” as a result of the blockade.

“Starvation is the invisible genocide weapon,” he said, warning that “without immediate dramatic change this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks.”

Mirzoyan said preventing such a catastrophe is a duty of the Security Council, which is charged with ensuring international peace and security. “I do believe that this distinguished body, despite geopolitical differences, has capacity to act as genocide prevention body, and not as genocide commemoration when it might be too late,” he said.

Azerbaijan’s U.N. Ambassador Yashar Aliyev responded by “categorically rejecting all the unfounded and groundless allegations on (a) blockade or humanitarian crisis propagated by Armenia against my country.”

He accused Armenia of engaging in a “provocative and irresponsible political campaign” to undermine Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which includes Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan installed a border checkpoint on the road to safeguard its sovereignty and security and prevent Armenia from using the route “for illegal military and other activities” including rotating its 10,000 military personnel “illegally stationed” in Azerbaijani territory, and transferring weapons and munitions as well as unlawfully extracted natural resources.

He called the genocide allegations false, saying prominent British human rights lawyer, Rodney Dixon, in a preliminary report said there is no foundation for Ocampo’s claim, citing Azerbaijan’s offer to supply good via the town of Aghdam.

Aliyev also held up what he said were photos from social media of people in Nagorno-Karabakh celebrating weddings and birthdays, saying they refute allegations about starvation and a humanitarian crisis.

Aliyev and Mirzoyan blamed each other for so-far failed diplomatic efforts.

The European Union’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Silvio Gonzato, told the council “humanitarian access must not be politicized by any actors,” and the Lachin Corridor must be reopened immediately.

“Azerbaijani authorities bear the responsibility to guarantee safety and freedom of movement along the Lachin Corridor, and to ensure the crisis does not escalate further,” he said.

Life-long educator Houry Boyamian to be honored at ANCA Eastern Region Gala

BOSTON, Mass.—Houry Boyamian, longtime former principal of St. Stephen’s Elementary School in Watertown, Massachusetts, will be honored with the ANCA Eastern Region’s inaugural Excellence in Education Award at the ANCA Eastern Region Endowment Fund’s 17th Annual Gala, to be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge. Boyamian will be joined by other award recipients, including Dr. Michael Rubin, who will receive the inaugural Advocacy Award, and other deserving activists and leaders who will receive the ANCA Eastern Region Vahan Cardashian Awards and Freedom Awards.

Boyamian, who has a French baccalaureate in literature and philosophy from the College Protestant Francais, also holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from St. Joseph University and a master’s in education from the University of Massachusetts. She is also a graduate of Nishan Palandjian Djemaran and is fluent in Armenian, English, French and Arabic. 

During her 35-year tenure as the founding principal of St. Stephen’s Elementary School, she launched various initiatives to properly modernize and equip the school with state-of-the-art technology. She fundraised for several expansion projects for the school, including the construction of a preschool building in 1998, a new kindergarten building in 2012, a teacher retention program in 2018, and a new student financial aid program in 2019. Boyamian also introduced new extracurricular activities for students, including chess, art, science, music, robotics and sports, along with a STEM initiative launched in 2011. Under her tutelage, St. Stephen’s became the first Armenian-American day school in New England to be accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in 2003.

As a descendant of an Armenian Genocide survivor, Boyamian has volunteered her time in various development workshops for genocide education, presenting her family history to teach about the Genocide. She also commissioned an English translation of her father Karnig Panian’s memoir of childhood and orphanhood, titled Goodbye, Antoura, published by the Stanford University Press on April 24, 2015. The book has been translated into French, Turkish and Russian and is widely studied by both professors and students in U.S. universities, offering an emotional and lesser-known part of the Armenian Genocide to the world.

“Witnessing the positive changes that the school has undergone throughout the years is largely due to Principal Boyamian’s efforts. Her work speaks for itself as we witness the success of the school, now entering its 39th year with more than 190 students. Her dedication to education and culture also extends beyond the walls of St. Stephen’s, as she is also a champion for Armenian Genocide education,” said Tsoler Avedissian, 17th annual gala committee member and former student of Boyamian.

For Boyamian, her biggest sense of achievement and fulfillment arises from her students – many graduates are active in the New England community in various capacities, serving several Armenian organizations, and have gone on to attend top colleges and universities, becoming successful leaders in their respective fields. 

In recognition of her achievements, Boyamian has received the Mesrob Mashdots medal from the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in 2005 and the Queen Zabel medal from the Armenian Prelacy in New York City, as well as a proclamation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2008. In 2018, she also received a certificate of honor from the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia.

“This recognition is a testament to her unwavering dedication, visionary leadership and profound impact on shaping the lives of countless Armenian students, including mine. Her commitment to fostering a nurturing and enriching learning environment has left an indelible mark on all of us who had the privilege of being under her guidance. This award not only acknowledges her exceptional contributions but also serves as an inspiration to us all, reaffirming the lasting influence of her legacy in the realm of education in the greater Boston Armenian community,” concluded Avedissian. 

Tickets for the gala, which include a cocktail reception, silent auction and seated dinner can be purchased at www.givergy.us/ancaer. For more information about this year’s gala, visit our website or contact [email protected].

The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region is part of the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots organization, the ANCA. Working in coordination with the ANCA in Washington, DC, and a network of chapters and supporters throughout the Eastern United States, the ANCA-ER actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


The Power of One Dram directed to COAF in July, SOS Children’s Villages Foundation named August beneficiary

 18:02,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. Idram and IDBank summed up the results of the next program of The Power of One Dram initiative. The companies report that 3.480.466 AMD was donated to the Children of Armenia Charitable Foundation for payments made through their platforms during July.

The companies also announced the name of next month's beneficiary. During August, 1 AMD will be transferred to SOS Children's Villages Armenian charitable foundation for each client's payment through the Idram&IDBank application, IDBanking.am platform and Idram.am website.

The SOS Children's Villages Foundation is a child-oriented organization whose mission is to help children in difficult life situations. The Foundation operates in two areas: alternative care services, as well as family strengthening services for families with minor children in a difficult social situation. The programs implemented by the Foundation are aimed at improving the child protection system in the Republic of Armenia, ensuring the right of the child to live in a family.

Spartak Sargsyan, National Director of SOS Children's Villages Armenian Charitable Foundation, notes that their cooperation with Idram and IDBank is extremely important for the foundation's mission. “Together we support children, youth and their families who are in a difficult life situation, contributing to the development of communities,” says Spartak Sargsyan.

According to Tatevik Vardevanyan, Head of Communications unit at IDBank, companies appreciate the support to the charitable foundation, as it is one of the key areas of corporate social responsibility.

You can also become a goodwill ambassador by simply making all your payments through Idram&IDBank app, IDBanking.am and Idram.am website without spending any extra AMD.

After all, it all starts with one dram …

COMPANIES ARE CONTROLLED BY THE CBA



Belarus, Armenia discuss cooperation in sport, tourism

Belarus – Aug 8 2023

MINSK, 8 August (BelTA) – The Belarusian Sport and Tourism Ministry played host to a meeting between Belarusian Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk and Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Karen Giloyan, BelTA learned from the press service of the ministry.

The parties discussed cooperation and exchange of experience in the development of the sport and tourism industries between the two states, and also organization of joint sport events and development of common tourist routes.

Karen Giloyan also praised a high-level organization of the 2nd CIS Games in Belarus.

https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-armenia-discuss-cooperation-in-sport-tourism-160849-2023/

Disney’s Decision to Cancel Ataturk Series Leaves Turks Angry

Aug 3 2023
Hamdi Firat Buyuk
Sarajevo
BIRN

August 3, 202313:16

Disney’s decision to axe a series on Turkey’s founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk from its Disney+ streaming service after a campaign by Armenian diaspora groups in the US has been described as ‘shameful’ by Ankara.

Omer Celik, a spokesperson for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP said on Wednesday that the Walt Disney Co’s axing of a series about former Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk from its Disney+ streaming service was “shameful”.

Celik alleged that the company caved in to “the Armenian lobby” in the US.

The Armenian National Committee of America had called for the cancellation of the series, describing Ataturk as a “dictator and genocide killer” and arguing that he should not get the “Disney treatment”.

The Turkish opposition shared the fury of the government.

“We see the Disney administrators’ decision is a hate crime against our founding father and great leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. We condemn the decision,” said Faik Oztrak, spokesperson for Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party.

The Walt Disney Company confirmed that it cancelled the series for Disney+ streaming but said it will be broadcast in Turkey.

“As a result of the changes made in our content strategy, a special TV version of ‘Ataturk’ will be broadcasted on our FOX channel [in Turkey]; two films will be in the movie theatres [in Turkey] and then on FOX TV screens,” Cenk Soner, the director for Turkey of the Walt Disney Company said on Wednesday.

The series was originally intended to be a six-part period drama be aired on the Disney+ platform for a global audience.

Ebubekir Sahin, head of the Turkish state agency that monitors and sanctions radio and television broadcasts, announced on Wednesday that an investigation has been launched into Disney+.

The Union of Armenian Foundations in Turkey urged the Armenian diaspora to be more reatrained.

“We call on Armenian institutions and organisations in the USA and international media organisations to support the normalisation process between Turkey and Armenia and to act more responsibly,” Bedros Sirinoglu, president of the Union of Armenian Foundations in Turkey, said in a statement.

The modern Turkish republic founded by Ataturk after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire is to celebrate its first 100th anniversary in 2023 and the Disney+ had designed the series to coincide with the centennial.

Armenian diaspora groups describe killings and deportations of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire during World War I as a genocide. They claimed the series would glorify Ataturk as an Ottoman army officer.

Turkey strongly rejects the genocide allegation.

https://balkaninsight.com/2023/08/03/disneys-decision-to-cancel-ataturk-series-leaves-turks-angry/

AW: The Making of…Marash League Baseball

Author’s Note: This article would not have been possible without the support of my wife Sanan. Her vision provided direction for the piece, and I am grateful for her guidance.

The idea came to me one night when I was headed eastbound on the Queensborough Bridge. In an act of true coincidence, Nas came on my playlist as I passed over Queensborough. “Represent, represent…” he recited. I remember thinking, “Represent? Armenia? New York?” In the 20 minutes it took me to get to Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School and drive past our tri-color flag, the idea had already grown roots and was starting to blossom. I immediately called my wife, Sanan, to explain the vision and how Armenian-made baseball hats would be a great way for our diaspora to represent its hyphenated identities. 

As a diasporan-born Armenian, I find it critical to stay true to my heritage by preserving her art and history while finding respectful ways of collaborating with my American culture. In a world that is ever evolving, we as diasporans need to evolve with it without losing our ancestral values. As such, most of my artwork tends to highlight the pop-culture from both identities that helped shape me. The same goes for the “Marash League Baseball” hats that have been the ultimate collaboration and bridge between my Armenian and American cultures.

Before I explain the production process of these hats after my epiphanic ride through Queens, I should start with where my interest in Marash needlework stemmed from. Neither my mother nor father are from the Western Armenian city of Marash, and so my knowledge of the traditional artwork doesn’t come from home. Like most of us, I’ve seen this style of embroidery when visiting the homes of elder family friends who had either pillows or tablecloths laced with such intricate designs. I can say, with humility and ignorance, that in my younger years I associated such things with the older generation—irrelevant to my make-up. It’s safe to say I was wrong. 

It really wasn’t until I met my wife, Sanan, that I started to build an appreciation for the art of Marash needlework. On one of our earlier dates in New York City, she brought a rather vintage black clutch with her that was laced with gold yarns in beautiful patterns. That night she told me that the clutch belonged to her grandmother Aghavni Snabian from Beirut, Lebanon, and the intricate stitching found throughout the velvet façades of the clutch were indeed the traditional needlework of Marash. I was moved by her knowledge and appreciation of this nostalgic artwork, something I had never paid too much attention to. 

The author and his wife Sanan showcasing the New York City and San Francisco “Marash League Baseball” hats

I noticed that at any outing and event we attended where Sanan proudly held her vintage clutch, fellow admirers of the art would approach and ask in amazement whether it was indeed the work of Marash needlework. It dawned on me that Sanan’s meaningfully curated style of complementing ancestral tradition with modern fashion was the inspiration I needed in order to keep this Armenian artwork alive. But how?

Four years ago, my family and I started a private label manufacturing company called Lorens NYC, where we focus on producing quality and luxury apparel in Armenia. As a family, we have been in the garment industry for over six generations, except now we were focusing our attention away from the usual production sources of the world to solely manufacturing in Armenia. Currently, we are in various stages of sampling, manufacturing and shipping luxury apparel for brands such as Mackage, Khaite, Alexander Wang, KITH and Derek Lam. Aside from producing for such posh and luxe labels, we also represent several factories in Armenia that manufacture quality tee shirts, socks and hats. With that said, I knew that manufacturing the hats in Armenia was doable, but identifying a source to add the traditional needlework to the hats was going to be the real challenge. 

One day while scrolling through Instagram, I came across a story posted by my friend Patil Toutounjian, travel vlogger and founder of Tatik Streetwear. She was promoting her friend’s business, Arika Armenian Embroidery, which showcased several styles of traditional Armenian embroidery, all sewn onto objects such as wallets, Christmas ornaments, bags and much more. Nothing like your traditional pillowcase and tablecloth, this was a new take on the old tradition, something that I related to and needed to pursue. After speaking with Patil about this idea, she happily introduced me to Ayda Santourian Degirmenjian, founder and expert embroiderer of traditional Armenian needlework. 

In speaking with Ayda, I came to learn that although she was from Aleppo, Syria and had moved to Armenia in 2012, her ancestral roots were in fact from Marash, Western Armenia. Ever since she was 10 years old, she had carefully watched her grandmother as she created beautifully intricate designs on pillows and other such items throughout the home. Arika is her grandmother’s name, and it only made sense to use as the company name when she founded it in 2012. Aside from the traditional style of Marash, Ayda is also able to embroider the traditional styles of Svaz, Van, Ainteb and Urfa. She is currently studying the traditional works of Cilicia as well as of Artsakh. She currently employs nine other embroiderers who bring their shared experiences and knowledge of these ancient needlework traditions. 

Aram Spendjian with Ayda Santourian Degirmenjian, owner of Arika Armenian Embroidery

In a world that is ever evolving, we as diasporans need to evolve with it without losing our ancestral values. As such, most of my artwork tends to highlight the pop-culture from both identities that helped shape me. The same goes for the “Marash League Baseball” hats that have been the ultimate collaboration and bridge between my Armenian and American cultures.

Together we worked for several months to develop the city logos to fit in the mold of the traditional patterns of Marash needlework. Through drawing then hand sewing each of the logos, we were ready to move on to adding them to the hats. As mentioned above, I worked with a factory in Armenia to produce each of the hats in a variety of colors specific to the diasporan cities I wanted to represent: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles. From there, we moved the hats to the Arika Armenian Embroidery store located on the 4th floor of the Tashir Trade Center in Yerevan. 

Each “Marash League Baseball” hat was handmade by craftswomen relying on centuries-old traditions. The hats were made lovingly with the nuances and feelings of each seamstress. True to my vision and desire, the production process employed more than 15 people in Armenia, from the hat manufacturer to the traditional embroiderers. 

How does one keep Armenian culture alive while living as a diasporan? This is the age-old question that many of us either ask ourselves or are asked. In a world that is constantly evolving, we as Armenian must evolve with it while holding true to our culture, customs and traditions. With the “Marash League Baseball” hats, I think we can do just that, by stepping up to the plate and representing not just where we live, but where we as Armenians come from.

Aram Spendjian is president of Lorens NYC, a manufacturing agency and trading office, focused on bringing luxury garment brands’ production to Armenia. The intent is to make Armenia a known destination for high-quality garment production, thus spurring economic growth. He is also an artist and graphic designer whose work revolves around the blending of both Armenian and non-Armenian cultures. His ability to apply his creativity to his vast connection of apparel factories in Armenia allows for the production of wearable artwork in the form of hats, t-shirts, bags and more. Aram works closely with his wife Sanan Panossian Spendjian, a first-generation American-Lebanese-Armenian, born and raised in the Bay Area.