Shalaxo

Though for Food

            Armenian Cuisine is not like every other type of food.  It's origin came from Azerbaijan's cuisine.  Centuries ago, Armenian's plagiarized the cuisine of the Azerbaijan's.  Their food isn't original but it has been stolen from somewhere else.  Not only the food, but Armenians have managed to take most of their cultural traditions from the Azerbaijanis.

            The main issue of this article is about the Armenian cuisine and how it has been plagiarized from Azerbaijanis.  It contradicts to the topic of the Armenian Culture blog.  The blog discusses what type of food is eaten by the majority of the Armenians and what makes it so special.         

            The author of this article sounds like he doesn't know what he is talking about.  What if the Azerbaijanis stole the cuisines from the Armenians?  What's so special about Middle Eastern cuisine is that it is a lot more different than other types of food.  Although all Middle Eastern food is alike, Armenian food does have a uniqueness.

 

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66412

Chuck Hagel Has an Armenian Problem

            Hagel was a senator from Nebraska who criticizes the recognition of the Armenian genocide.  He says that what happened in the year 1915 should just be left alone.  Only historians should be the one to decide what happened and why.  People need to move forward and there should be peace between Armenian and Turkey.  Armenian-American leaders saw these comments as insensitive. The Armenian National Committee of America believes that this is an opportunity to whitewash the genocide. 

            Knowing that the Armenian genocide is a big part of the Armenian culture, people should understand that many traditions were changed due to it.  The music Armenians listened to or the way they spoke was changed in order to escape the killings of the Turkish people.  This issue shapes up the main topic of this blog and how it came to be.

            If a senator of a state doesn't decide to recognize the Armenian genocide, then how are any Americans supposed to recognize it.  The American people look up to their leaders and Hagel is doing a bad job at setting a good example.

 

http://freebeacon.com/chuck-hagel-has-an-armenian-problem/

Armenian Music is Terrible

            Someone wants to know if Armenian music and Jewish musical are similar and the answer he gets isn’t what he expected.  Almost all Eastern music sucks because it is repetitive and crappy.  It is also atonal and confused in rhythm.

            The guy's answer discusses only one aspect of the Armenian culture.  My topic is similar to this remark because they both discuss Armenian Music.  Although they are discussed from two different point of views they both talk about the uniqueness of the music.  He talks about how he doesn't like Eastern music (including Armenian music) and how its different from other types of music.  On the other hand, the blog talks about what makes Armenian music so great and how it's different from other cultural music. 

            This man obviously is just stating his opinion but he is being very rude about it.  He sounds ignorant and biased.  He could have said the exact same thing by using different wording.

 

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Armenian_music_similar_to_Jewish_music

Poll

Belaj Banquet Hall

Shabash

Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day: Confronting Denialism

          Though there were survivors of the Armenian Genocide, they kept quiet for many generations.  These survivors were adopted by Muslim families and adopted different identities in order to escape from the killings of the Ottoman Empire.  Professor Ayse Altinay's book called Les Petits-Enfants, discusses the story of these survivors and their second and third generations. 

            Every year on April 24, Armenians gather around to commemorate the death of 1.5 Armenians.  Although most of the international community has accepted this massacre as a genocide, the Turkish government denies this historical crime till this day.  Turkey's denial can be explained as a link between nationalism or militarism.  Turkish activists, intellectuals, and historians contribute to the framing of the Armenian genocide that is publically discussed.  There have been many Turkish scholars who openly speak about the Armenian Genocide and how the denial of the genocide is something that can't be tolerated.   Some of these scholars have been victims to death threats.  Journalists who also openly discuss the Armenian Genocide are punished as well.  30 of the writer are in prison in Turkey and 70 of them are on trial.  So on the day of remembrance, not only should people commemorate but confront denialism.

Response:  The article basically discuses how Armenians, along with other people, commemorate and Recognize the Armenian Genocide every year in April 24.  He also talks about how the Turkish government continues to deny this tragic event.  I may somewhat disagree with his opinion on why he believes that the Turkish government has denied this historical event.  The author is upset by this denial and he wants to fight for it.  What caught my attention was that someone who is not Armenian is willing to fight to get recognition for the Armenian people.  To prove his point, the author uses examples of Turkish people who have risked their lives in order to recognize the Armenian Genocide. 

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mikaela-luttrellrowland/armenian-genocide-commemoration-day_b_1447786.html

Music and Dance

            Armenian's priceless music comes from a long history that makes it so sacred and unique.  Most of the Armenian composers have been inspired by religious and national songs.  One of those famous composers is Komitas.  His style of music changed after his experiences with the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

            Although there were many singers who passed down their songs to many generations, what interested the Armenians the most was Operas.  The beginning of Armenian Operas of the 19th century brought a new phase to the Armenian music.

            The traditional Armenian folk songs are still alive in Armenia today.  The music has allowed the Armenian people to communicate in another language through the emotions they include within their music.  A famous artist by the name of Djivan Gasparyan, who is known as one of the best duduk players, has influenced people worldwide with the unique sound of the duduk.  He has been able to collaborate with international musicians, which has allowed him to spread the excitement of Armenian music.

            Traditional Armenian music can still be heard today in restaurants or any Armenian celebration.  It is also always present in festivals that take place in Armenia.  Many Armenian singers and musicians represent the development of contemporary Armenian music in the Republic.

            For the Armenian people, the music isn't only composed to be heard, but to be able to enjoy while connecting to it.  One way Armenians are able to connect to the music is through dance.   Armenian dance mostly represents the roots of the Armenian culture when it is accompanied by traditional or contemporary Armenian music.  The gracefulness and rhythm of Armenian choreography, sets it apart from other forms of dance.  With its extraordinary texture, Armenian dance ensembles have been able to win awards and competitions throughout the entire world.

 

http://www.ardani.net/armenia/armenia-culture.php

Hypothesis

Picking my topic was a very easy process.  All I had to do was think about a topic I was well informed on and how I could use my knowledge to inform others.  My culture is what interests me the most and it would give me joy to discover more about its roots.  As I research to find more information on the Armenian culture, not only do I inform others, but I am able to learn more myself.  Picking my subtopics was the most exciting part.  I chose to blog about my three favorite things about my culture: music, food, and traditions.  These three aspects of the Armenian culture contribute to the way Armenians celebrate certain holidays or events.   

Best Armenian Wedding

This video has captured a traditional Armenian wedding.  Throughout the five minutes, the video shows all the important aspects of the wedding.  For example, the guy has his suit jacket being twisted around his head before he wears it, and the girl dances out of her room to meet her guest after she finishes getting dressed.   Both the bride and the groom have a small celebration in their home before the groom comes to pick up the bride.  The groom and his side of the family go to the bride's house before the ceremony in order to take the large gift baskets filled with chocolates and alcoholic beverages.  Both of the families dance together at the bride's house and there are men playing instruments.  For the ceremony,  the bride and groom have the wedding in a church and instead of exchanging vows, they exchange rings and both kiss a cross. As for the reception,  after all the guests are seated, the newlywed couple dance their way in and share their first dance together as a married couple.   The night continues with all the guests joining the couple on the dance floor.  Towards the end of the wedding, the groomsmen carry the bride and groom so that they may dance together in the air.  Just as the bride tosses the bouquet, the groom tosses the bride's garter.  It has always been a tradition to have a huge cake at the Armenian weddings, just like it is shown in the video. 

Armenian Traditions

            Armenians have always succeeded in saving their true culture in which they observe during joyful celebrations and in grief.  They have kept their religion, food , music, and national-old traditions deep in their hearts.  Even today, Armenians have kept certain traditions alive within their lives, such as marriage stability, hospitality, strong relationships with relatives, and honoring of elders. 

            Armenian celebrations is where most of the traditions are expressed.  For Armenians, one of the biggest holidays/events are weddings.  The wedding must have many guests who will witness the couple's promises to each other.  There is also a "God family" present who are the closest couple to the couple getting married.  The bride receives many gifts from the guests, such as money, jewelry, and household items.  Usually the reception of the wedding is a very large celebration.  Someone who is close family to the married couple usually comes to throw money on the couple as they dance.  From the start of the reception to the end, the guests continuously dance and eat.  There is over 30 types of dishes served, starting from appetizers to shish kabob, to fruits and desserts.

            Armenians have a big in honoring the dead when it comes to funerals.  There are many ceremonies arranged for the someone's death.  The ceremonies are usually on the day of the death, the day of the funeral day, the next day. on the seventh day, on the 40th day, and the anniversary of death.  All of the friends and relatives of the individual who passed away, gather around and have a meal together to remember their beloved friend.  The meal together is also a way of celebrating the life of the one who passed away.  The food is always the same for birthdays, funeral, and weddings.  The close friends and relatives also give some money to the dead individual's immediate family.

            Although the Armenian culture consists of different celebrations for different events, the traditions don't seem to change.  The food, rituals, and music is always the same for joyful events.  Although Armenians don't dance during funerals, they eat the same food as they would for a good celebration.  Armenians always remember to respect and honor the ones who are being recognized for the reason of the celebration.

             

 

http://www.advantour.com/armenia/traditions.htm