4th Annual Armenian Picnic…this Sunday!

Dare I say that ours is one of the most unique Maine events every summer? Right here in Searsport you’ll enjoy authentic Armenian & Middle Eastern food, kef music (the kind that makes you want to dance) and folk dancing lessons that encourage both the young and the old to hold hands and step to the rhythm of the oud.

Again this year, the funds raised during this entirely volunteer run picnic will benefit children who have fewer opportunities than we typically do…but let me back up.

This April, my father (Zaven Koltookian) and I had the pleasure and honor to travel to Berdavan Armenia and see their community pottery studio in action.  Getting to the village was already an accomplishment, this picturesque cluster of homes is situated in the Northeast Corner of Armenia, deep in a gorge and surrounded by snow covered mountains.  Our route was from Tbilisi Georgia and our Georgian driver made no secret of his disdain of Armenians (we learned through our travels that the animosity was seeded by the Russian occupation and held widely on both sides of the border).  He had spent 6 hours telling us all that was dark and bad about the world and Armenians in particular…and then we arrived in the center of the village after he stopped several times for directions.  

We parked in the square and immediately encountered Aram Zurabyan the village mayor.  Although we didn’t share a common language, he was expecting us, spoke Russian with our driver and led the way to the Community center. He graciously insisted that our reluctant driver join the mix.  There wasn’t a minute to gather our bearings before we were in the swirl of 15 young children making pottery cups and dishes with their beautiful program director Siranoush.  Program founder Mariam made the trip from Yerevan (a daunting 6 hour drive from the South) so that she could act as our translator; we were enchanted within minutes.  The children were completely engaged, sharing shy smiles with us and showing off their clay skills.  We learned that their program included an entrepreneurial component that allowed the children to travel out of the village to festivals and markets throughout the Tavush region and Yerevan.

The few precious hours we spent in Berdavan were life changing because the love was palpable.  Providing the funds for the pottery was important, indeed crucial, but what meant the most to everyone we talked with was the fact that we came in person and the human connection was paramount.  Our lives were changed but the frosting on the cake was how our Georgian driver’s opinion changed too.  As he drove us to our lodging, he couldn’t stop talking…but this time he was gushing about the beauty of the children, the bounty of food and drink on the reception table and the warmth of the community.  I wish that I could hear the stories he told when he got back to Tblisi and friends asked him about his trip with the Americans from Maine.

My Armenian grandparents fled to New Hampshire in the early 20th century to escape religious persecution, and I have happy childhood memories of the wonderful Summer Picnics organized by the new American-Armenian communities. Picnics were (and are) a way to celebrate Armenian culture, the outdoors, and to keep the ‘old’ customs and traditions alive. Four years ago we asked ourselves “Why not hold an Armenian picnic in Searsport?” Armenian culture is famous for its hospitality, wonderful food, unique music and folk dancing. It’s also a part of the Middle East that most people don’t know much about. Family and friends in Maine and beyond all pitch in with enthusiasm, and a new tradition of bringing the Middle East to Maine came into being.

We started the picnic to host a party…but we weren’t prepared for the impact our modest funding raising would have on children on the other side of the world. Providing the funds for the pottery was important, indeed crucial, but what meant the most to everyone we talked with was that there were people in Maine who believed in their future and were excited to help them.  Our continued conversations through social media have pushed our journey along even further.  As we endeavor to strengthen our partnership, we’ve collaborated with the Armenian Culture and History Association of Greater Maine and are looking to establish a connection between Maine Potters and Armenian Potters that will lead to a large scale pottery sale to fund an exchange program between potters who share the common language of clay.

A big shout out to our community that has already sponsored our efforts: Belfast Flying Shoes, Fogtown Brewery and Volunteers of the Penobscot Bay Stewards. If you’d like to buy food tickets or make a donation, just click here.