Stepan Piligian

In roughly eight months, Armenia will hold its 2026 parliamentary election. The process of winning and allocating seats in the National Assembly can be complicated, but in the parliamentary system of governance, the party that wins the majority of seats will directly, or through an alliance with other parties, nominate the individual to serve as …

In my previous column, I focused on the expectations of the diaspora ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections in June 2026. There are two sides to the narrative. First, those of us in the diaspora should recognize the limits of our role compared to citizens of the Republic. Our mission should be to support Armenia’s interests …

This column has been devoted to encouraging honest and open dialogue on issues important to the Armenian diaspora. One byproduct of our post-genocide history is the communal behavioral generalizations we embrace. These stereotypes are not scientific; they come from our personal experiences. Our love of food, family gatherings and tribal nature are common examples. Some …

Life in the Western Armenian diaspora has become increasingly complex, which represents a significant challenge for our communities. In the first 40 years of the post-genocide diaspora in the United States, an argument could be made that our communities were reasonably homogenous. Granted, there was competitive pride over origins, but the vast majority of Armenians …

I often ask myself why Armenians, both in the homeland and the diaspora, remain so passive regarding the extraordinary struggle we are witnessing between the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the government of the Republic of Armenia. Media coverage can amplify — or muffle — the voice of the faithful, and while people freely …

Last week, this column focused on the divisive thinking that pervades our communal life. We can deny it because it is uncomfortable, but it has been a major factor throughout our long journey. When one considers our attraction to other Armenians in random encounters, it is ironic that we manage to generate so much negativity …

Most functioning societies are built like a pyramid. The vast majority of people reside at the base, and as you move upward, fewer individuals hold increasingly concentrated power. This is essentially true, regardless of the governing model. The fundamental difference between an autocratic system and a representative democracy is that, in the former, power is …

Music stirs incredible emotions in most of us. One of its universal joys is that it can be interpreted — and therefore made relevant — to countless people. It evokes heartfelt memories and sad moments along our personal journeys. In the 1970s, a dear friend of mine, Manoog Kaprielian, who passed away recently, created music …

Life in the American Armenian diaspora is built on, and dependent upon, the concept of community. Communities are often described as social units in which common interests, values and culture create a sense of belonging and cohesion. They can be geographic, such as the Armenian community in Fresno, Racine and Worcester. They also form communities …

Growing up in the American diaspora, there were countless “baby boomer” Armenians who longed for an independent Armenia. They grew up when the Armenian flag was not listed at the United Nations, and there were blank faces among their American friends when asked if they knew of Armenians. It was a dream from our grandparents, …