In the heart of my American home lies a vibrant rug, woven with the rich hues of Armenian heritage. This rug’s journey to America unfolds parallel to my family’s journey, with both beginning in the colorful Armenian capital of Yerevan. Through the Iron Curtain between the United States and the USSR, promises of American opportunity and success had been rapidly leaking into Soviet Armenia. In 1990, my father immigrated to Los Angeles in search of freedoms that the corrupt Soviet Union did not offer.  By the early 2000s, my parents rented an apartment in Los Angeles, and this was the first of several residences in which our rug would be situated as the highlight of our home. Art and creativity are deeply rooted subjects in Armenian culture, and the most widespread example of this is the art of handmade rugs. It’s common to find vivid and beautiful rugs hanging from the walls of Armenian houses, both as decoration and a means to insulate the house through cold winters. Ever since it was brought to my parents’ first apartment, it has since cemented its place as an integral part of my family. Currently, this rug is the centerpiece of our living room. Rugs are an essential part of Armenian culture, nearly all Armenian immigrants I know in the United States also decorate their homes with them, partly as a vibrant decoration, and partly as a reminder of our colorful heritage. Although my family arrived in America in search of a different life, we did not forget to bring the colors of Armenia with us to maintain the unwavering connection with our roots.  

– Narek Tonoyan

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant