The activity of the Armenian diaspora as a form of existence of the Armenian culture: an example of the Volga region communities
The relevance of this article is explained by the need for diaspora organizations to support their ethnic culture, since modern globalization trends can lead to the loss of the ethno-cultural uniqueness of representatives of certain diasporas living in the territories of countries with multi-ethnic communities. Diasporality is a characteristic feature of the existence of the Armenian ethnic group, which has developed throughout the history of the Armenians. This article examines the diasporal mechanisms of supporting the ethno-culture and ethnic identity of representatives of the Armenian communities, as well as analyzes the cultural activities of the Armenian Diaspora (using the example of the Armenian communities of the Volga region). Armenian communities in various countries, which are structural parts of the entire diaspora, carry out multi-vector activities, which include cultural, educational and religious aspects, as well as support for cultural ties with the Republic of Armenia. These aspects of community activities contribute to the preservation by Armenians of their language, ethno-cultural traditions, as well as ethnic identity. The role of these types of activities in carrying out work with young people is high, since young generations are carriers of Armenian ethnic culture, and their preservation of ethnic identity will create an opportunity for Armenian communities to preserve their identity through cultural transmission. The author of this article concludes that the Diaspora is a secondary area of Armenian ethnoculture and a kind of form of its existence, which is a network of communities united by common goals in educating their representatives, as well as in supporting cultural ties with the primary area. The Armenian Diaspora as a secondary cultural area is a system of support for the genesis of the culture of the Armenian ethnic group. The main issue that the author reveals is the peculiarities of the Armenian Diaspora as a complexly organized system, the structures of which support the preservation and development of the ethnoculture of the Armenian people (its diasporal part). For clarity, this issue is revealed in the analysis of the activities of the Armenian communities of the Volga region. The topic of this article is related to the author's dissertation research concerning the culture of the Armenians of the Volga region and the activities of the Volga Armenian communities. The author's participation in the cultural life of the Armenian community of the Saratov region «Krunk» has become a source of empirical experience for conducting research.