Welcome to Great Britain

22/07/2007 Babken TUNYAN

“This is no country to live in; if there is a way, we will live somewhere else.” These are words that can be frequently heard in Armenia from Armenian citizens disappointed in the capriciousness, illegalities, unemployment, or the devaluation of the dollar. Some citizens find the way – they go to Russia. The more successful citizens go to the U.S. or European countries, and I have no doubt that many of the Armenians living abroad regret spending that much effort, time, and money to have that most desired visa in their passports.

During the first days it becomes clear for our compatriots that the conditions awaiting them in the distant, heavenly land are not that heavenly, and there are many reasons for that. The people leaving for permanent residence are mainly middle-aged people, for whom it is much harder to adapt to the foreign country. Many don’t even know the language. They don’t know about the morals, customs and laws of the country. They have come to work, but don’t have the right to work, etc. In other words, they realize that it is not “Rio de Janeiro”. However, as Armenians say, it’s one thing to sit on the donkey, but getting off it…Well, they are not going to come back now, are they?

In this sense, things are a little harder for Armenians leaving for Great Britain. First of all, it is rather difficult to get a visa to enter this country. Besides that, the English differ in their lifestyle and customs from even the rest of the European countries. What can the Armenian, who has spent most of his life in Soviet Armenia, do in Great Britain? The embassy won’t help him with anything. The most they can do is advise him to apply to the local Armenian organizations. There are not many Armenians there, about 10-12,000. However, there are many Armenian organizations. But it would be wrong to say that the members of those organizations worry day and night about the problems facing the immigrant Armenians. They are mainly involved in more “global” issues. In any case, there is one organization that is involved with the issues concerning immigrant Armenians, and it is called just that – Armenian Center for Consulting and Advice, or simply “ArmCon”.

The organization was founded in 1987 and is rather young. Director of “ArmCon”, Misak Ohanyan, mentioned in an interview with “168 Hours” that in 1987 the staff consisted of only four people. The main goal of the organization is to provide free consulting to Armenian immigrants in Great Britain.

“A large part of the Armenians who come here have always had problems with settling down, registering as citizens, and obtaining their rights. They have always felt the need for consultation. Many don’t know English, don’t know how to register to see the doctor, and don’t know about their rights. They have always stayed away from the locals. That is strange to me, because unlike the Armenians, others like the Indians and Iranians have always started to adapt to the local life sooner, have gotten involved with government and the public, and have been able to get many more rights as ethnic minorities,” says Ohanyan.

The consulting group has managed to start other programs throughout the course of the years, for example, a kindergarten and a club for elders where food is served to the needy. They also have a microbus which brings those people to the club two times a week. “ArmCon” also has a library. Ohanyan says that they are concerned with day-to-day issues.

“For example, people receive letters from the government that they can’t read and we translate for them…Besides all of that, we organize different events – for example, a New Years’ party where people are able to communicate with each other. We also have summer programs for children.”
During its first years of activity, the center for consulting operated the kindergarten and library in different locations. In 1993, the current building was purchased, and it was officially opened in 1994 by the wife of Levon Ter-Petrosyan.

Ohanyan says that their programs are free of charge and open to all Armenians, as well as those who have no connection with Armenians. Obviously, it was interesting how this organization is funded.

“We have nearly 300 members who pay membership fees, but Armenians have a small amount of investments in the organization’s budget, that is, 5-10%. The rest is from city hall or English benevolent unions. We send applications and present our plans. For example, one of our current issues is to collect 25,000 pounds (50,000 dollars) so that we can buy a new microbus, because the current bus is very old,” says Mr. Ohanyan.

The rich Armenians living in England, according to Ohanyan, are part of other organizations, political parties, and benevolent unions, and help these organizations.

“As our main service is aimed more at the needy, the rich don’t help us…They like large dance parties…There was a time when they helped us with 500 or 1000 pounds, but for purposes of comparison I must say that our annual budget is at the least 100,000.” Ohanyan says that there was a time when they were getting support from the London branch of the Armenian General Benevolent Union when purchasing the building. But they don’t help them now.

It is hard to say whether this is self-consoling or not, but he assures that he has moved by the following philosophy since the first days of the organization – “It is preferable to collect money from foreigners and use it for Armenians.” Even if Armenians are helping Armenians, why should the English help? In response to that, Mr. Ohanyan said:

“They are not helping the Armenians as Armenians, rather they are helping an ethnic minority, just like they are helping other ethnic minorities. We are competing with other ethnic minorities and receiving money not because we are Armenians, rather because they are giving money to others as well.” With that said, the “ArmCon” director mentions that the situation has changed over the past couple of years, and getting support is becoming harder. What’s more, whereas before they used to give money for ethnic minorities to preserve their culture and language, now they are doing the opposite – they demand to organize English courses for immigrants so that the latter can quickly adapt to the country.

Perhaps this is natural. The state is helping the immigrants, otherwise they may become criminals if they become needy. So, the state is helping itself. To blame and then ask why the money is not given for us to open Armenian schools would be insolent. Instead, self-criticism is sometimes more useful. I don’t mean to say that Armenians don’t provide financial aid to Armenians. That is why it is hard to blame anyone, because each person has his problems. But there are things that have nothing to do with money.

There are few Armenians in Great Britain, but there is no unity. There are some Armenian organizations, and it seems as though each one of them has its “contingent”. Each organization is forced to participate in the events organized by the other, or doesn’t participate at all. Perhaps the only exception is April 24.

Ohanyan assures that they try to stay outside of narrow, organizational interests and work with everyone.
“I used to see discrimination, for example, if you are not a Dashnak, then you are not Armenian, or the Lebanese Armenian would not treat the Cypriotic Armenian fairly. I don’t always consider those divisions correct.” Ohanyan considers that the illness of the Armenian-Diaspora that is harmful.

“It is especially the case in London, where there are 10-12,000 Armenians. You can’t always divide those people in groups; 200 people live separately, another 200 live separately, the rest are alone, one is Protestant, another is Catholic, someone is Dashnak, the other is Hnchak, one is Cypriotic Armenian, the other is Lebanese Armenian…You can go crazy,” says Mr. Ohanyan, adding that there is no cooperation between Armenian organizations, no unity. He says that they have proposed to all of the organizations to use the “ArmCon” territory for free two times a year for meetings, donations and other events. Many have not even responded.

By the way, during my visit the members of the organization were actively discussing a topic to organize a party out of town in September. They say that that is a chance to gather the local Armenians and give them the chance to communicate with each other. Ohanyan considers this as experimental, because it is the first time a couple of organizations decided together to organize an event.

“Five organizations will participate. If it turns out to be successful, this may continue in the future…Our doors are open, we have applied to all, but some say that they are busy, they have their own plans, or want to organize something like that by themselves.”

Well, there you have it. Everyone wants to organize his own party. Perhaps there is nothing left to say. I will only mention that by hearing all of this, I thought that this is exactly the situation that the opposition is in when choosing one candidate. Oh, and I did feel pity – why couldn’t Aghvan Hovsepyan be here to organize a unity circle dance in London? It would be so nice…