"I love Armenia and its culture, and no negativity will change that": a Nigerian girl in an Armenian taraz
12:19 22 March, 2025I open the photo - and it is immediately clear: there will be a storm. In them - a girl in a traditional Armenian taraz. Slender figure, proud posture, delicate face, warm look. She does not pose - she lives in the frame, breathes it. I looked through the photo twice before I noticed that the girl is not Armenian by blood.
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Her name is Ololade. She is from Nigeria. And for five years now she has been living in Armenia. The Armenian name that she wears with warmth is Siranush. In honor of this date, the fifth "birth" in a new country, she decided to have a photo shoot in taraz - as a sign of gratitude and admiration for our culture.
"Wearing an Armenian taraz for this shoot was not just about fashion. It felt like I was stepping into the past, into history, woven into culture, resilience, and grace. Every detail, craftsmanship, and symbolism of this costume made me feel connected to something timeless. I also learned that dresses are different in each region, which is incredibly interesting,” Ololade shared with me.
The photo shoot was truly amazing. Each frame was a careful touch to the culture that she embraced wholeheartedly.
“Even despite the hateful and racist comments that appeared after the publication, I will not let them affect me. I love Armenia and its culture, and no negativity will change that. I will happily wear the taraz again because I truly believe in the importance of celebrating and admiring the beauty of this country.”
Ololade says she wants to show Armenia in a new light — in Instagram series that she is preparing. Sharing its cuisine, music, culture. And even though she wasn't born here, her admiration is genuine, her love is pure.
"Living in Armenia for five years has been a journey of discovery. What I love most is the soul of the country and the warmth of its people. I've met so many kind, sensitive, bright Armenians. Deep-rooted traditions, heart-stopping landscapes - all of this is like living poetry."
I read this - and felt proud. But as soon as I opened the comments section, this feeling quickly turned to bitterness and shame.
"Our misfortune is not that there are Turks..."
"Come to your senses! The Armenian gene is in danger!"
" Our nation’s disappearance—go ahead, celebrate."
This is not just toxicity. This is outright ugliness, covered up by pseudo-patriotism. The people whose hands write these comments shout from every corner about saving the nation, about the genetic threat, about "purity". But in fact, it is their narrow-mindedness and xenophobia that are the main threat to Armenian identity. Because an identity that cannot be confident in itself without fear of the "other" is not a force, but a fragile phantom.
Yes, there were others - bright, warm, fair voices. People who supported Ololade. Who wrote "bravo", "gorgeous", "welcome", "you are beautiful". And it is thanks to them, despite the gloom in the comments, this story is still about love.
But you know, it is hard to remain silent. Because in each of these "Armenian gene in danger" you can hear not concern, but banal, philistine anger.
A sad, weary anger —sitting sweatpants in front of a screen, eating sunflower seeds, searching for an enemy just to feel a moment of power. It does not matter that in front of you is a beautiful, friendly girl who sincerely loves your culture. What matters most is—she’s ‘not one of us.’ The skin color is wrong. The roots are wrong.
And now the choir of "ethnic experts" begins, without a single musician in them. Only false notes - paranoia, complexes and painfully limited thinking.
"Our misfortune is not that there are Turks..."
But it seems to me that "our" misfortune is still that half of the nation is foaming at the mouth ready to fight against someone else's happiness, but is not able to improve its own?
"The Armenian gene is in danger!"
Which one, excuse me? The one that distinguishes kindness, hospitality, wisdom and self-esteem? Because in each of these "Armenian gene in danger" you can hear not concern, but plain , ordinary anger.
"The disappearance of a nation..."
Really? From a smile in a taraz, from a girl admiring Armenian culture? Or is it because their own children are leaving and don't want to return to a country where instead of hospitality they are met with toxic paranoia?
The funniest thing - or scariest - is that these people sincerely consider themselves defenders. "Saviors." Guardians of something great. But something great doesn't need such protection. It speaks through the music of Komitas, through the pattern of embroidery, through the smell of lavash and through the smile of that very Ololade.
And those who rummage through the comments, looking for someone to humiliate, someone to accuse of "damaging the nation" - have not been defending Armenia for a long time. They are defending their darkness. Their ignorance, disguised as patriotism.
Do you know what really threatens the Armenian gene pool? Not girls in taraz. But callousness, bitterness, narrow-mindedness and pride in one's ignorance. Ololade - Siranush - this photo shoot doesn’t just suit her. It suits her face, her spirit and her heart.
And if someone is scared by the fact that different skin shines in Taraz, perhaps it is not about Taraz, but about you. Because Armenia is a home. And if you do not know how to receive guests, then you are not the host. You are just temporarily in the hallway.
Liana Aghajanyan