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: 10.25136/2409-8744.2018.3.26168

Abstract: This article examines the preservation mechanisms of multiple monuments of the Great Patriotic War in post-Soviet Armenia and the processes of reconsideration of their symbolic meaning for the commemorative practices of recent years. Shortly after the acquisition of sovereignty, Armenia has begun the process of reconsideration of the Soviet crucial events, which led to the fight against the Soviet monuments. Monuments of the Great Patriotic War are the only ones out of the Soviet monuments in Armenia that continue to be interpreted in the previous context. However, multiple monuments of the Great Patriotic War not only have lost their former role in the symbolic landscape of post-Soviet Armenia, but also completely neglected. Throughout the post-Soviet years, multiple monuments to the victims of Nagorno-Karabakh War and Spitak earthquake were erected on the territories of the monuments of Great Patriotic War, forming the pantheons. Based on examination of the monuments erected during the Soviet period dedicated to the victims and heroes of Patriotic War, its is underlined that these monuments and their territories were transformed not only on the physical, but also the symbolic level. Using the methods of observation and interview, the author clarifies the specificity of perception of the aforementioned symbols by the residents of post-Soviet Armenia in celebration of the Victory Day. Over twenty years, May 9 alongside the Victory Day celebrates the Liberation of Shushi and Day of Establishment of the Defense Army; thus, the reminiscence of the Great Patriotic War has gained the national content and lost its former dominant symbolic meaning in public memory. On the other hand, due to the emergence of new pantheons, have activated the subjects of commemorative practices of the recent years.

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.