On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Khachig Tololyan

Hratsin V. Vardanyan
Ph.D. in History

Summary

Keywords – Khachig Tololyan, “Diaspora. Journal of Transnational Studies”, diaspora studies, identity, Armenian diaspora.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Khachig Tololyan, the article discusses his role in establishing diaspora studies as a new discipline. In this sense, he has a great role as a scholar and as the founder and editor of the “Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies”. Founded in 1991, the journal is the main platform where interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary diaspora studies began to be formed.

The article provides a brief overview Kh․ Tololyan’s biography as a scholar and his comments on diasporic issues, including the concept of diaspora and its key features.

Notably, according to Tololyan, the key feature of a typical diaspora is the high level of mobilization in the social, cultural, and political spheres. In this context, the role of the dedicated and active elite is particularly significant.

Other prominent scholars in this field had a high regard for Tololyan’s contribution to diaspora studies. In particular, G. Sheffer notes ‘Of great importance in furthering the development of this academic field has been Professor Khachig Tololyan’s initiative and unwavering dedication to publishing the field’s journal, Diaspora’. R. Cohen writes ‘Khachig Tololyan remains the supreme interpreter of diasporic phenomena and the most diligent of journal editors. Many scholars have benefited from his lengthy and learned comments’.