Armenians Beyond Diaspora: Making Lebanon Their Own

In the face of the Genocide, Armenians around the world established dynamic socio-political, cultural, ideological, and ecclesiastical centers, with Beirut being a notable example. This book explores the post-Genocide Armenian history in Beirut, focusing on the political-cultural impact of the 1946 repatriation initiative, the Catholicos election, and the Lebanese elections and mini-civil war. It demonstrates that Armenians have a history of power, renewal, and presence rather than one of loss and absence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This book delves into the remarkable story of Armenians worldwide, particularly in the face of the devastating Genocide during World War I. Despite the absence of an independent nation-state following the war, Armenians managed to establish vibrant socio-political, cultural, ideological, and ecclesiastical centers across the globe. The focus of this book is on one such center, Beirut, during the postcolonial era of the 1940s and 1950s. Author Tsolin Nalbandian explores the intricate discursive re-positioning of Armenians within the newly independent Lebanese nation-state. He examines the political-cultural impact of the 1946 repatriation initiative to Soviet Armenia, which had far-reaching consequences in both Lebanon and Syria. Additionally, he delves into the election of Catholicos in 1956, which was a significant event in the Armenian Christian community. Furthermore, Nalbandian analyzes the Lebanese elections of 1957 and the subsequent mini-civil war of 1958, which played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the region. What emerges from this comprehensive analysis is a post-Genocide Armenian history characterized by predominantly power, renewal, and presence rather than one of loss and absence. The book sheds light on the resilience and determination of the Armenian community in rebuilding their lives and establishing a strong presence in various parts of the world. It provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of identity, politics, and religion that shaped the history of Armenians during this challenging period. Overall, "Armenians in Beirut: Power, Renewal, and Presence after the Genocide" is a groundbreaking work that contributes significantly to our understanding of the Armenian diaspora and its remarkable achievements in the face of adversity.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474458573