Armenian or Albanian — what’s the difference?

It has been almost 42 years since I moved to the United States Of America from the Middle East. And during this time, I had the pleasure of meeting many others who, like me, had traveled all across the globe to finally end up in the land of opportunities, a beautiful country which we all call it home. I have met new comers from Greece, Hungary, Poland, Israel, Latin America and the Far East. But for some strange reason, I had to wait until my wife and I moved to Lakeville to meet an Albanian. And that took place in so-called, amusing circumstances.

After all these years having lived in this country, it is not unusual for me to hear at the grocery store, in the workplace or at a social gathering when in the middle of a conversation someone will approach me and say, “Hey, you have an accent. Where are you from and I wonder what your background is?” To which, I answer by saying that I am an Armenian and I was born in Beirut, Lebanon. But after moving to Lakeville for the first time I heard people responding to my being Armenian with, “ Oh, of course, we know lots of Armenians who live in this area. Like, the pizza delivery guy is Armenian, the people who own and run the restaurant are Armenians and the real estate guy who found my sister a beautiful house is an Armenian”.

And this is when I become a little amazed and puzzled at the way Armenians who as a  small group of people suddenly are so popular and well known by the local town folks. Of course, this acknowledgment provides me with a sense of pride. But as soon as I became friendly with the pizza delivery guy and the real estate person, which I should admit, they were both very gentle, kind and lovely people, I realized that they are actually, not Armenians, but they are indeed, Albanians. And this is when I realized that for a casual American person it is not easy to distinguish that subtle difference of the sound and the way the names of totally different ethnic groups are spelled and pronounced. After all, just listen to the words, Armenians. Albanians. And yes, they do pretty much sound the same.

Except, when we go deeper in identifying the geography, history and the culture of these groups they each have their distinct and authentic ethnic background and identity. Albanians in the recent centuries have accepted Islam as the faith of the majority of their population, while Armenians have been known as the first Christian nation. But they have both through centuries been the victims of foreign powers who have tried to colonize, plunder and steal from them their freedom. But amazingly  both nations have courageously and fearlessly fought back to preserve their national identity.

And as Armenians and Albanians have immigrated to the United States of America, they have been industrious, creative and successful in their businesses while constantly trying to preserve their own unique ethnic identities and family values. And yes, in this respect, there isn’t much difference between an Armenian and an Albanian and it is perfectly fine when people don’t even know the differences between these two ethnic groups.

After all and after all these years whether we are Armenians or Albanians, we have been blessed by all that this country has offered like a security and safety and endless opportunities to create and maintain our ethnic identity and  heritage. And whether we are Armenians or Albanians our main gratitude is towards the country we are all citizens and although we happen to belong to different faiths our prayers are unified when we say:

God Bless America!

 

Varoujan Froundjian is a digital artist and writer. He can be reached at: varlink3050@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Meet the Candidates: Salisbury

Get to know your candidates ahead of the 2025 municipal election. In Salisbury, Curtis Rand (D) is running unopposed for his 11th term as first selectman. There are three candidates for selectman. Below, each candidate offered information about themselves and their goals for the town.


Keep ReadingShow less
Fire claims old factory in Torrington
Stephanie Januszewski

Crews battled raging flames in the early hours of Sunday, Sept. 28, when an abandoned factory on High Street in Torrington caught fire. At 1 a.m. ladder trucks were deployed around the brick building to contain the fire, an effort which persisted well into daybreak. By 8 a.m., crews had still not entered the building due to unsafe conditions. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was unknown. Multiple departments responded from as far as Plainville and residents reported the smell of smoke from miles away. High Street remained closed on Monday with rubble in the road. The building once housed the Hendey Machine Company, which was among the largest employers in Torrington prior to the firm’s closure in the 1950s.

Horses heal: Time Out Foundation partners with Healing Hoofbeats in Lakeville

Corinne Kalser, MD, left, talks about the benefits of animals as therapy partners, as Renee Bouffard, LCSW, of Healing Hoofbeats of CT, on right, watches Harry Potter, a young horse at Time Out.In the background, Finnegan, lead horse at Time Out comes to see what’s going on.

L. Tomaino
“Horses and other livestock maintain their wild instincts. They sense what we are feeling and that makes them amazing therapy partners.”
— Renee Bouffard, LCSW

In 2008, Time Out Foundation became an official rescue and therapeutic riding facility, fulfilling a lifelong dream of founder, Corinne Kalser, M.D.With her husband, David McArthur, LCSW, and the rest of their staff, they offer a haven for children and adults through gentle, relaxed therapies centered around animals — rescued horses, dogs, cats, and goats — on their 35-acre farm in Lakeville.

To ensure the foundation continues, Kalser is partnering with Healing Hoofbeats of CT, an organization with a similar philosophy of care.

Keep ReadingShow less
A peaceful end at East Mountain House

The living room is light, airy, and quiet, with works from local artists on the walls...and no television.

Patrick L. Sullivan

Craig Davis and Keavy Bedell have opened East Mountain House in Lakeville. It is an end-of-life facility — a home, really — that can accomodate up to two guests at a time. The first guest arrived in mid-September.

The house, at 14 Bostwick St., is the one Davis shared with his wife Sandy Dennis, who died in 2020. Davis said her spirit lives on in the house itself and in the approach taken for the guests.

Keep ReadingShow less