Polish Armenians: Polyphonic identity and the ethnic continuum

This article explores the historical and contemporary identity of Polish Armenians, one of the oldest and most distinctive ethnic minorities in Poland. Tracing their presence from the 11th century through waves of migration, assimilation, and religious transformation, the authors present Polish Armenians as a community shaped by a dynamic interplay of cultural, religious, and geographical affiliations. The concept of “polyphonic identity” is used to describe the multiplicity of voices and perspectives that constitute Armenian identity in Poland—rooted in both Armenian heritage and Polish cultural context. Special attention is given to the role of Armenian Catholicism, the significance of collective memory, and the emergence of digital platforms as new spaces for identity performance and community-building. The authors argue that Polish Armenians exemplify an ethnic continuum where tradition, adaptation, and innovation coexist. Based on extensive field research and anthropological analysis, the study highlights how this group negotiates belonging and cultural expression across generational, regional, and digital boundaries.