Will there be repatriation, who will return to Armenia? Sociological research that turned into a book (video)

Repatriation or Ethnic Return?

Repatriation is very accepted in the Armenian context, but it does not reflect what we want. The term repatriation does not often reflect what we mean. And when we put a term that doesn't correspond to the essence, we seem to close the problem artificially. When we say repatriation, we don't understand how multi-layered the fatherland is, how much Armenia is the motherland or, for Diaspora Armenians, is the homeland. To understand the problem, we must first name it correctly and then propose solutions accordingly. We need to study deeply to understand what will contribute to repatriation, whether it is feasible or not, and what should be done.

Does anybody come from LA?

Who will return to Armenia? Of course, it is difficult not to give a complex answer to a simple question, it is difficult to take a group and say that they are more inclined to come to Armenia. But the ties of those who left Armenia with Armenia are more real. You will also see in the book that those who left Armenia are the group of possible repatriates. They have friends, apartments and ties that are stronger than in the case of the classic diaspora. Those who left Armenia have closer ties with Armenia. We have also singled out the young generation, who come to Armenia for six months, for example, with various programs. For example, one young man said it was a good opportunity for him to understand what Armenia is besides the picture of Ararat. In many cases, it is also an opportunity to return to Armenia after a short term, thanks to marriage and finding a job.

Will there be repatriation or not?

In the book, we say that the large-scale repatriation of the 1940s created a stereotype, which is talked about on various political platforms. However, our research has shown that mass repatriation is not possible. It is possible in two cases. If the situation in RA is very good, or in the country where they live, it is very bad. But it is not a sufficient condition. The case of Syrian Armenians has shown that Armenia can become a transit country. The emphasis should be on more voluntary returns, on smaller groups, more targeted and more segmented.

The Armenians of LA

The community of Los Angeles, let's say the Armenians, are rather different. They are very self-sufficient, there are many Armenians, and as a result they do not face the problems that, for example, Armenians in the Netherlands face. There is preservation of identity and connection with Armenians. Many people have relatives there. You can find Armenian products in ordinary stores. To sum up, it is easy to forget whether you are in Armenia or Los Angeles. While we didn't directly address this aspect in the book, we did explore both repelling and attracting factors. Our approach to repatriation wasn't centered on emotional or ethnic considerations; rather, we examined it through the lens of migration. We did highlight the challenges associated with contemplating repatriation.