Culture constitutes an essential resource for the development of a language and a people. Culture, as well as heritage, are vehicles for identities and values, and should be used to build stronger and wider frameworks promoting long-term, people-centred and climate-resilient development paradigms.

As a medium for expression, communication and reflection, culture plays a crucial role in provoking thought and inspiring action, thus shaping and renewing itself constantly. It highlights truths, inspires resilience, builds new narratives, challenges norms and sparks social change. Cultural and artistic practices have helped address issues such as inequality, corruption and discrimination, and have acted as catalysts for change. As a powerful medium for raising awareness, it is imperative to use culture and the arts to trigger engagement with local and global issues in the Armenian language for the benefit of the Armenian people.

The driving forces behind positive social change are ideas and actions with real-world implications. Culture accelerates resilience and rootedness, enabling participation and community empowerment; through արդ եւս|in view, the Armenian Communities Department is creating the conditions wherein it will be possible to achieve this in the Armenian world and in the Armenian language.

This year, the արդ եւս|in view Western Armenian culture grant programme will aspire to enhance the immense potential that culture has to influence, challenge and transform society, at the same time bringing renewal to the language through which it is transmitted and to itself. The Western Armenian language will be used to create culture that is a driver for sustainable progress, a source of meaning and vitality, a wellspring of creativity and a resource to address challenges. The aim is to have a vibrant Armenian language and culture, and stronger communities around the world with stronger institutions and individuals.

To learn more about the արդ եւս|in view Western Armenian culture grant, read the call for applications.

Image © Silvina Der Meguerditchian