Today.Az » Society » Most of Armenian students not prepared for independent life abroad: head of Poland-based House of Caucasus
13 October 2009 [17:31] - Today.Az
Day.Az interview with Hijran Aliyeva- Strauch, head of Azerbaijan Culture and Information Center and House of the Caucasus based Poland.
Day.Az: Tell us about those organizations that you are heading - Azerbaijani Cultural and Information Center, as well as the House of the Caucasus. When and with what aim they were established? .
Hijran Aliyeva- Strauch: Creation of the Azerbaijan Information Center
coincided with the Independence Day of Azerbaijan. On May 28, 2002, we
spent our holiday at Warsaw University in the presence of the foreign
audience. This event attracted attention of representatives of the
Azerbaijani intellectuals living in Warsaw. Since that time, our
meeting became frequent where we build our plans.
Q: How many Azerbaijanis live in Poland and what they are engaged in?
Are there any people who have reached certain heights in a given field
and widely recognized?
A: As far as I know, there are about 4,000 Azerbaijanis in Poland. Of
course, there are active people among them. For example, Karim Hajiyev
who is an architect and head of the Azerbaijani-Polish Cultural
Association in Gdansk. By the way, he managed to find in this city two
of our compatriots, who for years lived in Poland and taught in local
universities. It is worth remembering also Karim Mammadov (artist and
architect), Nabi Ibadov (teacher at Polytechnic Institute), Rovshan
Rzayev (head of the Azerbaijani Cultural Society "Azer-pol" and
businessman) and Elman Mustafazade.
But the most active are women. Thus, Lolita Kamrovska is a
professional translator, Shahla Kazimova teaches Azerbaijani language
at Warsaw University and Narmina Hebanovska works in one of the most
popular Polish organizations "Other Space", which specializes in the
Caucasus project.
Q: What can you say about the Armenian diaspora in Poland? How many
people it composes? Is it active including in promoting the so-called
"genocide" and the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh?
A: You know, the Azerbaijani students are very resilient. This is an
excellent quality, which brings long-awaited success. An Azerbaijani,
going abroad, even if not specifically, but roughly knows what he/she
wants. It is easy to help them. I a glad that compatriots have a fairly
progressive global thinking, which tunes them to humanistic values in
decision-making and search for alternative actions. They adapt quickly
to a foreign society, overcome stereotypes and are firm in their
target.
According to my observations, most of the Armenian students are not
prepared, even to an independent life abroad in everyday situations,
they always hope for an assitance and are the bearers of regional
thinking, which prevents integral process and development of their
creative imagination.
However, it should be stressed that the Armenian diaspora in Poland is
quite strong, thanks to the so-called "old guards" of Armenians who
were born and live here. They are presented in a fairly influential
social organizations. We can sadly assume that such people tell myths
to younger generation which leads to xenophobia of Armenian students.
/Day.Az/
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