“To think Armenian is to consider how each action, decision, thought, or economic activity supports and advances the Armenian cause. We must as a community amplify and augment our collective efforts into actions with direct impact in Armenia and Armenian lives. Every choice is an opportunity to enable a better Armenia for us and our future generations.”

This Newsletter aims to start thoughts, conversations, and communities with the specific focus on advancing Armenia and Armenian people.

Every June, something unusual happens in the heart of Armenia’s capital. Streets normally filled with cars and cafés—Saryan, Tumanyan, and Moskovyan—transform into a flowing river of people, wine glasses, music, and laughter. For three summer evenings, Yerevan becomes not just a city, but a living celebration of one of the world’s oldest winemaking cultures. This is Yerevan Wine Days, the largest wine festival in Armenia and one of the most vibrant urban festivals in the region. The festival began relatively modestly in 2017, when a small group of organizers from EventToura decided to create a street celebration of Armenian wine. The first event featured about 25 wineries and roughly 2,000 visitors gathered mainly on Saryan Street—already known locally as Yerevan’s “wine street.”  What started as a simple experiment quickly grew into something much larger. Today, Yerevan Wine Days attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, with around 180,000 attendees in 2025, roughly 40% of them international tourists.  The festival has become a central pillar of Armenia’s event tourism and a major showcase for the country’s wine industry. (Read More here)

The article "Escalating war around Iran raises questions about Armenia's preparedness" examines the existential threat Armenia faces as the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the U.S. intensifies, potentially neutralizing Iran as a traditional security guarantor for Armenia’s southern borders. The piece highlights three critical vulnerabilities: a looming humanitarian crisis involving a massive influx of refugees, the potential for an energy and trade blockade that would sever Armenia's primary southern lifeline, and the risk that Azerbaijan may exploit the "security vacuum" in Syunik while regional powers are distracted. Ultimately, the analysis underscores that Armenia is at a historical turning point, forced to navigate the collapse of its traditional regional balance while lacking immediate alternative security guarantees to protect its territorial integrity.

IceLink
IceLink is a Los Angeles–based jewelry and watch brand known for its bold designs and personalized pieces that blend luxury style with everyday wear. The company offers a wide range of products—including watches, necklaces, bracelets, and gifts—many featuring customizable details and an Armenian-inspired collection celebrating cultural heritage. With both retail locations and an online store that ships worldwide, IceLink makes it easy to find unique accessories that combine craftsmanship, style, and meaningful design. (Source: IceLink)

The Artist and His Mother – Arshile Gorky (Vostanik Adoyan)
The Artist and His Mother is one of the most well-known paintings by Armenian-American artist Arshile Gorky. Inspired by a photograph taken before the Armenian Genocide, the painting depicts Gorky and his mother in a quiet, emotional portrait that reflects memory, loss, and longing for homeland. Completed after years of revisions, the work blends realism with modernist abstraction and stands as a powerful artistic meditation on identity, displacement, and remembrance. (Source: Whitney Museum of American Art)

Rose by the Sea – Rebecca Rose Mooradian
Rose by the Sea is a moving picture book inspired by the true story of the author’s great-grandmother, following young Dzovinar—“their rose by the sea”—as she survives the Armenian Genocide. Set first in Armenia among blooming apricot trees and rolling hills, the story traces Dzovinar and her sister’s harrowing journey across desert and ocean to France and eventually America, where they begin again. Gentle yet powerful, the book highlights resilience, sisterhood, and hope, offering young readers an accessible and heartfelt introduction to this chapter of Armenian history. (Source: Amazon)

ONEArmenia
ONEArmenia is a nonprofit organization that funds innovative projects designed to strengthen Armenia’s future through sustainability, culture, and technology. Founded in 2012, the organization connects donors around the world with grassroots initiatives in Armenia, supporting projects in areas such as agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and community development. By emphasizing transparency and project-based crowdfunding, ONEArmenia allows supporters to directly see the impact of their contributions. (Source: OneArmenia)

Արմատ (Armat) — Root
From the Armenian word meaning “root,” armat symbolizes origin, foundation, and deep connection to one’s heritage. It reflects the strength that comes from knowing where you come from and the resilience that allows you to grow, even in new soil. In Armenian culture, armat represents both ancestral ties and the enduring bond to language, faith, and tradition that keeps a people grounded across generations and continents.

Lahmajoun
Often called “Armenian pizza,” lahmajoun is a beloved staple of Armenian kitchens and gatherings. This thin, crisp flatbread is topped with a flavorful mixture of ground beef or lamb, tomato, onion, parsley, and warm spices like paprika and cumin, then baked until perfectly golden at the edges. Traditionally served with fresh lemon wedges and a handful of parsley, lahmajoun is rolled up and enjoyed by hand—simple, satisfying, and deeply nostalgic. Whether made at home or shared at a family table, it’s a delicious reminder of the rich culinary traditions that connect Armenians across generations and around the world. (Source: Armenian Kitchen)

Are you making an impact in your Armenian community — locally or globally? Tell us how. Email us at [email protected] to be featured in the next edition.