THE CARAVAN FROM YEREVAN
9 September 2005
Khaleej Times Online
By SHALAKA PARADKAR
[...]
In the UAE, the Armenian diaspora is a few thousand strong. Much of community life revolves around the church, Al Yarmook, built eight years ago in Sharjah. Curious to know more about this remarkable community and its flavoured cuisine, I met Liza Saghtejian. A 33-year old schoolteacher, church volunteer and mother of one, Liza is fiercely proud of her Armenian heritage even though home is Aleppo in Syria where she was born and Sharjah where she has lived for the past eight years.
[...]
Settling down for our chat over coffee and baklava, she says, “If I were to describe my people in brief, I’d say they are hardworking, creative, inventive and resilient. Despite all the emigrations, we thrived and have been well-liked in the countries of our residence. I am proud to be Armenian.”
[...]
Armenians are staunch Christians who fast during the 40 days of Lent when delicious vegetarian versions of dolma, or stuffed vegetables, and ghapama, or pumpkin stew, are eaten. Dolma is made by stuffing grape leaves, cabbage leaves.
[...]
Liza also shows us her collection of pomegranate curios, yes, you read that right. Of all the fruits available in luscious plenty, the pomegranate (noor) holds a special place in Armenian culture.
“The noor is symbolic of the cycle of life and renewal, each one of its translucent red seeds is a metaphor for a day in your life and one fruit is believed to contain 365. If you eat a seed a day, it brings you good luck!” Pomegranates are a recurrent motif in Armenian art and craft; they appear on incense burners, cruet sets, souvenir plates and various touristy tchotchkes.
Why pomegranates? Possibly because they are coloured red which is also an auspicious hue for Armenians, it is one of three colours on the national flag and represents all the blood that has been shed over centuries (the other two being blue and orange, for Armenia’s land and skies).
[...]
{Recipes of DOLMA, KUFTA, MAAMOUL or EASTER COOKIES}
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.
Khaleej Times Online
By SHALAKA PARADKAR
[...]
In the UAE, the Armenian diaspora is a few thousand strong. Much of community life revolves around the church, Al Yarmook, built eight years ago in Sharjah. Curious to know more about this remarkable community and its flavoured cuisine, I met Liza Saghtejian. A 33-year old schoolteacher, church volunteer and mother of one, Liza is fiercely proud of her Armenian heritage even though home is Aleppo in Syria where she was born and Sharjah where she has lived for the past eight years.
[...]
Settling down for our chat over coffee and baklava, she says, “If I were to describe my people in brief, I’d say they are hardworking, creative, inventive and resilient. Despite all the emigrations, we thrived and have been well-liked in the countries of our residence. I am proud to be Armenian.”
[...]
Armenians are staunch Christians who fast during the 40 days of Lent when delicious vegetarian versions of dolma, or stuffed vegetables, and ghapama, or pumpkin stew, are eaten. Dolma is made by stuffing grape leaves, cabbage leaves.
[...]
Liza also shows us her collection of pomegranate curios, yes, you read that right. Of all the fruits available in luscious plenty, the pomegranate (noor) holds a special place in Armenian culture.
“The noor is symbolic of the cycle of life and renewal, each one of its translucent red seeds is a metaphor for a day in your life and one fruit is believed to contain 365. If you eat a seed a day, it brings you good luck!” Pomegranates are a recurrent motif in Armenian art and craft; they appear on incense burners, cruet sets, souvenir plates and various touristy tchotchkes.
Why pomegranates? Possibly because they are coloured red which is also an auspicious hue for Armenians, it is one of three colours on the national flag and represents all the blood that has been shed over centuries (the other two being blue and orange, for Armenia’s land and skies).
[...]
{Recipes of DOLMA, KUFTA, MAAMOUL or EASTER COOKIES}
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...]. The bold emphasis is mine.
posted by Vahe Balabanian at 5:53 AM
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