Kaitzak had the pleasure of presenting its message and objectives directly to the Melbourne Armenian community on Sunday, February 9, 2025. With the generous support of AGBU Melbourne, the day was a splendid success, featuring great Armenian food, amazing community businesses, and a general atmosphere of togetherness.
Some of the amazing stalls included Three Foxes Distillery, Scores Bees, and Narin Jewellery, as well as our friends and colleagues in AGBU Young Professionals Melbourne.
Kaitzak’s founders used the occasion to engage directly with the local community, asking what they believe makes for a healthy Diaspora community – see some of the community’s answers here. All the responses were generally aligned with three key themes:
While it’s not rocket science to understand the values needed for community growth—since the word “community” already implies many of these values (i.e., a group of people coming together due to a shared set of characteristics or values)—it serves as a helpful reminder of the fundamental principles we must all uphold to move toward a positive future.
“This means that the community is public and therefore belongs to everyone at the same time.”
1. An active willingness to engage with the community and contribute time, regardless of personal differences
What does it really mean to have a ‘willingness to engage with the community’? At its most basic level, it means taking time away from other things (e.g., friends, family, hobbies, or sleep) and dedicating those hours to community activities, like the Hye Market. By definition, a community is a group united by shared interests and values. This means that the community is public and belongs to everyone at the same time. How one engages with the community is just as important. Taking the view that you are part of a larger whole—that the community belongs to you, but also to everyone else—marks an important step. Decisions to get involved should revolve around the common good, as in, “What’s good for everyone is good for me too.”
The opposing view holds that one has no responsibility toward the group, that opting out is a choice, or, worst of all, that the community belongs solely to you and should be used to advance your personal interests. This approach, the “What’s good for me is bad for everyone else” mindset, undermines the community.
2. Upholding the importance of passing on and preserving cultural knowledge, namely language
Previously, Kaitzak has published about the incredible benefits of cultural connection. This remains a crucial topic, particularly as the world becomes more globalized. The first step is bringing children into their cultural heritage—into the broader community of being Armenian. The key element here, in a Diaspora community, is language. But why is language so important?
Language is the essential connection between the nodes of the Diaspora, along with other aspects of Armenian culture and traditions. It is the fundamental mode of interaction, and the stronger it is, the better and more productive our connections will be. Language is like a superpower—it grants those who speak and understand it access to a global network of Armenians.
Some would argue there is also a moral imperative to preserve culture, and I agree. However, this motivation may not be enough for everyone, and it often falls to a few individuals to carry this responsibility.
“While I need to look out for myself, by being part of a healthy community, I also gain access to the advent of collective problem-solving, which makes me stronger through solidarity.”
3. Ensuring an approach of unity and togetherness
This point ties back to the first two. Unity means understanding that we are all in this community together. While I must look out for myself, being part of a healthy community provides me with access to the advent of collective problem-solving, making me much stronger through solidarity. This too is a superpower—being part of a community with this mindset enables greater growth and positive outcomes.
Connection to culture naturally creates the sense of similarity between individuals and the feeling of being part of something larger than oneself. To maximize this superpower, we should aim to connect on the highest levels that unite us all: being human. Historically, this has been challenging due to the lack of world peace, so let’s aim for something more manageable: being Diasporans—Armenians—and adopting an “Armenian First” mindset.
All in all, it was a great day for the community, and we look forward to participating in the next one.
