The Armenian Fellowships Program of H. Hovnanian Family Foundation

In a sunlit dojo nestled in the Armenian village of Garni, 17-year-old Milena Arakelyan practices her grapples with unwavering focus. Her dream is bold—to step onto the international stage and represent Armenia in Sambo, a martial art requiring precision, speed, and strength. For many in her position, this dream might have remained just that—a dream. But in October 2024, it became a reality. With the support of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation’s Armenian Fellowships program, Milena traveled to Cyprus. She brought home a bronze medal from the World Cadet, Youth, and Junior Sambo Championships. “This grant helped me develop my skills, increase my confidence in sports, and push my career and goals several steps forward,” the talented teenager explained.

In 2024 alone, the Foundation earmarked $200,000 for Fellowship grants, demonstrating its commitment to fostering Armenian excellence. “As a new initiative, the Armenian Fellowships program is just beginning to uncover the incredible potential of our community. Our goal is to build on this foundation, expanding the program to support even more Armenians as they strive for excellence on the world stage,” the Foundation notes.

Milena’s journey is just one of the many stories that illustrate the power of the Armenian Fellowships program. Designed to support Armenians actively participating in international events, the program covers various expenses, including travel, accommodation, and attendance fees. For Milena, the Fellowship was a ticket to compete against the world’s best and shine.

A Global Stage for Armenian Excellence

The Armenian Fellowships program was established with a dual mission: to amplify Armenian voices and talents globally while providing Armenians around the world with opportunities to display their skills and achievements on prestigious international platforms. By offering comprehensive support, it allows Armenians of all ages and from all corners of the world, regardless of where they live, to participate in competitions, festivals, exhibitions, and academic conferences worldwide.

Since the program’s inception in 2023, we have funded more than 150 fellowships, each one a testament to the breadth of Armenian talent.

Take, for example, the inspiring work of two repatriates, filmmaker Zara Jian and producer Ani Vorskanyan. Their documentary, I Will Revenge This World with Love’ S. Paradjanov, captivated audiences at the 81st Venice Film Festival, where it was featured in the prestigious Venice Classics section. The film pays tribute to Sergei Parajanov, the legendary Armenian filmmaker whose creative resilience in the face of adversity continues to inspire.

In their documentary, Jian, Vorskanyan, and the rest of their team draw parallels between [Sergei] Parajanov’s struggles under Soviet oppression and the challenges faced by artists in today’s turbulent world. “We reminded the world once again not only of Parajanov but also of our region and [Armenian] culture,” Jian said.

The Fellowship grant not only enabled their participation in Venice but also highlighted Armenia’s cultural contributions on an international platform. “Many who watched the film had never seen Parajanov’s work before, nor were they aware of issues related to Armenia. We believe this will inspire them to pay closer attention to Armenians and Armenia, as the film left a significant impact. That makes it all worth it,”  Jian explained.

Elevating Armenians’ Voice

In the hallowed halls of Cambridge University, Dr. Arnold Vardanyan, a lecturer at Yerevan State University’s Faculty of Law, stood before an audience of global legal scholars to deliver a presentation of profound significance. His paper, titled The Aftermath of Over 30 Years of Armed Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh: Navigating the Obstacles Towards Peaceful and Sustainable Solutions in the South Caucasus, delved into the forced displacement of over 120,000 ethnic Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in September 2023, an event widely recognized as ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Selected from among 230 global submissions, Dr. Vardanyan’s presentation at the 13th Annual Conference of the Cambridge International Law Journal on The Intersection of Peace and Sustainability in International Law chronicled the historical and legal complexities of the conflict and addressed the pressing challenges of achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus. His report shed light on the aftermath of decades of conflict, the failures of international mediation, and the unresolved human rights violations that continue to hinder reconciliation. “The conference offered a rare opportunity to raise international awareness about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and related human rights violations. Unfortunately, the international community often lacks accurate information due to misleading statements from Azerbaijani authorities. High-level conferences like this one are vital platforms for amplifying our nation’s voice,” Dr. Vardanyan says.

While his exceptional research and academic credentials secured his spot at the conference, the Armenian Fellowships program ensured that logistical and financial obstacles didn’t hinder his participation. The Fellowship allowed him to bring Artsakh’s critical story to one of the world’s most respected academic platforms. “After my presentation, several participants shared that, while they had heard of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, they were unaware of the realities on the ground until attending my session,” he explains.

A Call to Action

The Armenian Fellowships program is an open invitation to Armenians worldwide to dream bigger and aim higher. Whether you’re an artist preparing for an international exhibition, an academic with groundbreaking research, or an athlete training for the global stage, the program provides the resources to make those aspirations a reality.

For Milena, Zara, Ani, Arnold, and countless others, the Fellowships program has been a stepping stone to new heights. Their stories are a powerful reminder of what Armenians can achieve when given the opportunity to excel.

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