Exploring Armenian Culture in New Jersey
Must-See Places and Events to Experience Armenian Heritage and Legacy Across The State
Photo credits: Kegham Hovsepian
New Jersey, a small but densely populated state on the east coast of the United States, is home to over 15,000 Armenians. The formation of immigrant Armenian communities in New Jersey dates back to the late 19th century. Today, the Armenian community maintains their presence through churches, businesses, monuments, schools, and much more. However, Armenians of New Jersey are defined not by these physical institutions, but by their commitment to honoring their culture, language, and one another.
Whether you are a tourist or resident of New Jersey, you will not regret visiting the following Armenian sites. From art schools to food festivals, the Armenians of New Jersey have curated a place or event for anybody interested in connecting with the Armenian community.
Whether you are a tourist or resident of New Jersey, you will not regret visiting the following Armenian sites. From art schools to food festivals, the Armenians of New Jersey have curated a place or event for anybody interested in connecting with the Armenian community.
1
Cre8sart is an Armenian-owned art school with three locations across NJ: Glen Rock, Hoboken and Fort Lee. Artist Mher Khachatryan and marketing specialist Syuzanna Arutunyan founded the school in 2012. Mher is a professional artist based in NYC. Also known as ‘The Smoke Artist,’ Mher’s work focuses on themes of smoke, fire, life and death. Art students in Cre8sart School learn not only about technique, instruction, and theory, but they are also instructed on how to reach their own creative potential. In Syuzanna’s words, “There are many art schools where people can learn how to paint, but Cre8sArt School is a place where people learn by creating.” In their three New Jersey locations, Cre8sart School hosts project based classes, bring-your-own-bottle events, art camps, birthday parties, etc.
Click to find the locations in Fort Lee, Hoboken, Glen Rock
Click to find the locations in Fort Lee, Hoboken, Glen Rock
2
Silk Monument
Photo courtesy: Bryan Zanisnik
In the early 1900s, the booming silk industry of New Jersey attracted many migrants, including Armenians. The Armenian migration to the silk mills of New Jersey was initiated by a group of men who were silkworm growers from Dikranagerd. Armenian communities began to blossom in silk towns such as Paterson and Summit. Created by Bryan Zanisnik, the silk monument honors Syrian and Armenian silk weavers whose contributions to the silk mills are not widely known.
The monument, located in the Summit Village Green Park, contains columns of archival images displaying the ‘Neighborhood House’, a community center for migrants who worked in the silk mills, portraits of Syrian & Armenian weavers, their homes and families, and the mills they worked in.
Click to find the location
The monument, located in the Summit Village Green Park, contains columns of archival images displaying the ‘Neighborhood House’, a community center for migrants who worked in the silk mills, portraits of Syrian & Armenian weavers, their homes and families, and the mills they worked in.
Click to find the location
3
Hovnanian Armenian School, a multi-lingual private school for grades PreK-8, holds an 'A' rating from Niche Schools and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and NJAIS Gold Standard Accreditation.
Alongside their standard coursework, students are immersed into the Armenian language through Armenian grammar, writing, reading, and history classes. The school has a 6:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for a personalized learning environment for the students. Hovnanian Armenian School provides young Armenians in the diaspora the opportunity to maintain connections with their Armenian roots whilst setting them up for academic success.
Click to find the location
Alongside their standard coursework, students are immersed into the Armenian language through Armenian grammar, writing, reading, and history classes. The school has a 6:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for a personalized learning environment for the students. Hovnanian Armenian School provides young Armenians in the diaspora the opportunity to maintain connections with their Armenian roots whilst setting them up for academic success.
Click to find the location
4
Nayiri Dance Ensemble is a New Jersey based dance group with over 100 dancers from ages 3 to 30 that perform traditional Armenian dances. The group practices once a week beginning in September and performs several times a year. They have had the honor of sharing a stage with popular Armenian artists such as Nune Yesayan, Sirusho, Lilit Hovannisyan, Andre, and many others. The group is directed and instructed by Baron Barkev Sanossian at the St. Mathew’s Armenian Episcopal Church in Paramus, New Jersey.
Click to find the location
Click to find the location
5
The St. Leon Armenian Apostolic Church was established in Paterson in 1932, but has since relocated to Fair Lawn as of 1967. Every Sunday, morning service begins at 9:00 am, with divine liturgy shortly following at 10:00 am. St. Leon also organizes a Sunday School, Senior Social Club, Women’s Guild, Annual Food Festival, and many more events to develop the Armenian faith and community of New Jersey. The church posts a weekly bulletin publication that highlights the week’s scripture readings, upcoming events, and parish activities.
Click to find the location
Click to find the location
6
Krichian’s Grill and Bistro is a cherished family owned restaurant and catering service that serves Armenian and Middle Eastern food. Their menu lists anything from mouth-watering dolma and meat platters to flavorful baklava and Armenian Coffee, which you can enjoy right next to murals of Mt.Ararat and tapestries of the ‘aybuben’. A visit to Krichian’s is a must if you are in the Paterson area, where you will be greeted by the highest standard of Armenian hospitality, and leave with the aftertaste of the most delectable Armenian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Click to find the location
Click to find the location
7
Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial
Spread across New Jersey are numerous Armenian Genocide memorials and plaques honoring Armenian Genocide martyrs. Organized by the Mayor of Montvale and the Armenia National Commitee of New Jersey, an annual commemoration is held at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Montvale, NJ.
The commemoration is dedicated to honoring the lives of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. These plaques and monuments remind the people of New Jersey that the Armenian struggle is still alive, and that we must unite to commemorate and prevent the suffering of our people. Monuments and plaques are also maintained in the towns of Ridgefield, Hackensack, and Emerson.
The commemoration is dedicated to honoring the lives of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. These plaques and monuments remind the people of New Jersey that the Armenian struggle is still alive, and that we must unite to commemorate and prevent the suffering of our people. Monuments and plaques are also maintained in the towns of Ridgefield, Hackensack, and Emerson.
8
St. Mary Armenian Food Festival
Every September, the St. Mary Armenian Church of Livingston hosts their annual food festival. This highly anticipated event spans two days and features homemade Armenian and Mediterranean food such as eech, kebab, pilaf, dolma, lahmajun, and Armenian salads. Beyond the delicious Armenian food, St. Mary allows guests to enjoy live Armenian music, children’s rides, arts and crafts, Armenian vendors, raffles, and even occasionally a car show. As the end of summer approaches, make sure you keep up with the St. Mary Armenian Church to find out when the next food festival will be.
Click to find the location
Click to find the location
9
Photo source: Civilnet.am
Arshavir Shiragian is a beloved Armenian patriot and writer, honored by Armenians worldwide. Shiragian was part of Operation Nemesis, a program that was orchestrated to assassinate those most responsible for the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians. Arshavir successfully assassinated Said Halim Pasha, Vahe Ihsan, Cemal Azmi, and Behaeddin Shakir. Shortly after, Shiragian moved to New York City, where he was active in the New Jersey and New York Armenian communities. He died in Englewood, NJ in 1973. He now rests peacefully at the Hackensack Cemetery of New Jersey, where his legacy is honored by the inscription ‘Through Him Justice Was Served’.
Click to find the location
Click to find the location
10
Arshavir Shiragian’s Grave
The Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey is a long-standing radio program dedicated to serving the Armenian-American community in the state and beyond. The show has been on the air since 1946, making it one of the oldest Armenian radio programs in the United States. It was founded by Haigazoun H. Topalian, a prominent figure in the Armenian community, with the goal of preserving Armenian culture, language, and heritage among the diaspora.
Every week the Armenian radio of NJ brings Newsletter titled Armenian Interests, and broadcasts a 2 hour program every Sunday 2-4 pm on WSOU FM 89.5 from Seton Hall University.
Every week the Armenian radio of NJ brings Newsletter titled Armenian Interests, and broadcasts a 2 hour program every Sunday 2-4 pm on WSOU FM 89.5 from Seton Hall University.
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