DOI: 10.25136/2409-8744.2020.6.34379

Abstract: The object of this research is the problems of preservation of ethnic identity of the Belarusian diaspora in Armenia during Soviet and post-Soviet period. Interethnic families comprise the current Belarusian community in Armenia. These scattered ethnic groups are the soft target for assimilation processes in the predominantly conservative and monoethnic regions of Armenia. The article presents a brief overview on the history of Belarusian diaspora of Yerevan and Belarusian ethnic groups in the Armenian regions since its formation until the present. Certain backbone characteristics of the concept of diaspora are described. The novelty consists in the division of Belarusian diaspora of Armenia into Belarusian diaspora of Yerevan and ethnic groups of the regions of the Republic of Armenia. A comparative analysis of these fundamentally different communities allowed better understanding the problems that threaten the existence of Belarusian diaspora in Armenia. Analysis is conducted on the basic factors of ethnic identity of the Belarusian diaspora in Armenia. The article reviews the factors that contribute to assimilation and ethnic transformation of Belarusian ethnic groups of the Republic of Armenia and the diaspora of Yerevan. In Yerevan, Belarusian ethnic identifiers are being replaced by the Russians, while in rural areas of Armenia even Russian indicators are being dislodged by the local ethnic components, which can result in fatal assimilation.

DOI: 10.7256/2454-0625.2018.5.26254

Abstract: In this article Atanesian analyzes the origin of Christian symbols in urban monuments of post-Soviet Armenia and process of understanding their symbolic meaning in terms of national features. After the break up of the USSR, Armenian Apostolic Church became part of the social life of Armenia again and decided to reinforce their symbolic presence in urban territories of post-Soviet Armenia. After declaration of Armenian independence and cancellation of the Soviet censorship in urban landscapes churches were built and khachkars were created. Numerous monuments depicting crosses erected by city authorities, benefactors and Armenian community over the last 20 years reinforce the role of Christian symbolics in the social life of post-Soviet Armenia. Based on the analysis of urban monuments erected in the post-Soviet period and depicting religious symbolics, the author states that Christian themes flourished in the monument building policy of the last years. By using the methods of observation and interview, the author specifies particular features of perceiving these symbols by citizens of post-Soviet Armenia. Over the last 15 years a lot of monuments for state and political activists accompanied by Christian symbols were erected in Armenia's central squares. Appearance of Christian symbols in the public space of post-Soviet Armenia was viewed by the author of the article as an attempt to oficially propagandize the importance of faith and Armenian Apostolic Church for further development of the country. 

DOI: 10.7256/2310-8673.2018.3.26375

Abstract: This article examines the mechanism of erection of the new city monuments in post-Soviet Armenia, as well as the reconsideration processes of their aesthetic significance in transformation of the urban symbolic landscapes. The residents of Armenia continue to welcome the erection of new monuments, thus the city authorities actively install the new statues across the country, approving all propositions of benefactors to rearrange the symbolic space of post-Soviet Armenia. Having examines the monuments erecter by benefactors in the cities of post-Soviet Armenia, it is stated that over the recent years the memorial landscape was transformed on both, physical and symbolic levels. Using the methods of observation and interview, the author clarifies the specificity of perception of the new monuments by the creative community and residents of the Armenian cities. The appearance of new monuments erected at the discretion of benefactors and entrepreneurs started to draw criticism of the experts and public that compare these statues with the tombstones. The residents of post-Soviet Armenia fear that in terms of continuing such practice, the cities will be filled with low-quality statues and tombstones, this blaming the city authorities that remain to approve all propositions on erection of monuments across the country.