By Nanor Froundjian
The Armenian diaspora in Montreal is building momentum as they find new ways to foster a sense of community and create links between generations.
The current fragile climate in Armenia has given heightened urgency to become involved in community programs. That’s according to organizations like the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Young Professionals Montreal (YP MTL) and the Canadian Armenian Alumni Association (CAAA).
“The Artsakh War showed us how important it is for us to be all united as Armenians, regardless of our ideologies, and just to work together for the betterment of our Armenian land,” said CAAA board member and co-founder Veken Baboyan. “It made me feel like we need to be united at all times, not only at certain times.”
Over the past two years, the activities put together by both organizations grew by leaps and bounds, all thanks to efforts focused on increasing visibility and reach by having a full calendar of diversified events.
Though CAAA was only founded three years ago as a regrouping of student associations across Montreal universities in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they quickly garnered interest and attracted crowds in large numbers.
“After graduation, some of us who were part of those associations felt the need for similar experience or connections outside the university, but even having a broader impact on the community,” said Baboyan.
At the heart of their mission, CAAA emphasizes the premise of creating a space for the diaspora to move beyond divisive ideologies that may have fragmented the community in the past, by welcoming everyone regardless of any social or political affiliations.
He noticed how this inclusive approach has increased participation in events over time. The annual Christmas Gala was proof of that, with 150 people in attendance at its last rendition. “I’m now more excited and anticipating this annual ritual,” added Baboyan.
It’s an approach that has resonated with participants as well.
“The youth is deconstructing this mentality; we’re accepting the fact that we’re all Armenian,” said Annie Kazandjian, a diasporan Armenian from Montreal who has attended Armenian events and activities across the city.
Kazandjian stressed the importance of joining forces as one in order to grow stronger and move forward as a nation.
Aside from interest from attendees, Baboyan said the organization also found support from Armenian centres in Montreal, both with funding and with assistance to host events.
He underlined the value of cross-promotion and collaboration among different organizations, churches, community centres, and associations as a way to build momentum in Montreal’s Armenian diaspora, and especially to revitalize the younger generation’s interest in community-led initiatives.
AGBU Young Professionals (YP) Montreal president Nayiri Jiji said that expanding the scope of events to include initiatives supporting Armenian youth in the academic sphere, through scholarships for instance, is a way for the organization to further their involvement and impact.
“We worked a lot to have more programs that call on all Armenian youth to come and get together during our events,” said Jiji.
YP’s roots date back to 1995, with the founding of its first group in Los Angeles. Since then, the network has grown to spread across continents, with groups established in Spain, France, Hungary, Ireland, Australia, Jordan, and in the United States, to name a few, with the ultimate goal of strengthening ties among young Armenian diaspora worldwide, all while contributing to fundraisers and relief efforts, cultural events, and activism initiatives for Armenia and its diaspora.
In 2021, YP MTL – along with other YP groups – contributed to AGBU YP Cares to provide humanitarian relief for families in Artsakh. Through this global effort, YP Cares raised $80,000, which went towards purchasing heaters, warm clothing and blankets ahead of the harsh winter.
Aside from financial contributions, YP MTL takes on an activistic role to raise awareness about ongoing injustices. One such initiative was a protest they held in front of the Canadian Prime Minister’s office in Ottawa to call for the release of Armenian prisoners of war currently held in Azerbaijan.
CAAA’s contributions also extend to philanthropic initiatives. They’ve held fundraisers for Armenian humanitarian causes, namely raising funds for the displaced families of Artsakh through a wine tasting event in 2023.
Earlier that year, they also raised money to support Armenian missions working on the ground following the earthquake in Syria.
CAAA and YP MTL are part of a larger movement dedicated to the betterment of Montreal’s Armenian community alongside other youth-focused organizations like the Armenian Youth Foundation, the Armenian Medical Association of Quebec, the Bolsahay Youth Society of Montreal, and the Youth of Sourp Kevork.
“It’s very rich, actually, those events, and we try to support them as much as we can,” said Baboyan. “Being part of the community is an important thing.”
Both CAAA and YP MTL host events and activities year-round to raise funds for different causes. The events include outdoor ventures, paint and sip evenings, game nights, karaoke, cocktail soirées, themed parties, and dance classes.
“I could see that I wasn’t the only one feeling these things. What I felt was felt among other Armenians who grew up, like me, among non-Armenians,” said Kazandjian of the unwavering sense of belonging to Armenian culture and heritage she noticed in those she met.
Canada is host to about 90,000 Armenians according to federal statistics, with Greater Montreal being among the metropolitan areas with the largest community with more than 25,000 diasporans.
Bringing together different generations in these circles can serve as a way to build professional ties as well, Baboyan said.
Depending on the events, these ties can go far beyond Montreal. For the first time ever, the annual AGBU FOCUS slated for July 16-20, will be held in Yerevan, something Jiji believes will increase opportunities for collaboration among Armenian youth.
“They bring us more ideas, more guidelines on how to continue working together [globally], or in our own cities. The FOCUS event is something amazing to bring more experience to the youth,” she said.
Whether for professional goals, social enrichment or supporting Armenians worldwide, formal and informal events alike foster a sense of belonging the diaspora often yearns for.
“For so many years, we fought to stay Armenian and it’s still an ongoing issue, it’s not even only about the past,” said Kazandjian, referring to the continuing threat weighing on the nation and adding that the diasporan community has a duty to preserve the Armenian legacy abroad.
“If we don’t, who will?”
