This is the English translation of a Turkish language article that was originally published by AVİM on 13 Marc 2025.

The Armenian Heritage Night that is organized every year by the LA Kings, a sports club in the US, was held on 22 February this year. It is of course normal for sports clubs to organize various events. However, the unusual situation that occurred during this year's event is quite noteworthy.

It was revealed that the scarves offered for sale at this’s years Armenian Heritage Night were produced in Türkiye. This revelation triggered reactions from various groups, especially from the guests. These reactions were so severe that the organizers of the event made an official statement that the cost of the scarves would be refunded. In the statement, the organizers apologized for the negligence that could have a negative impact on the fans, and also explained that relevant purchases were made from a certain list of manufacturers and that the necessary inspection had not been carried out.[1]

The reason why the LA Kings organize this event every year is undoubtedly tied to the influence of the Armenian diaspora in Los Angeles, which actively pursues an anti-Turkish policy. The ongoing normalization process between Türkiye and Armenia is a well-known process. Success in this process would lead to the opening of the Türkiye-Armenia border and the sides being able to make bilateral commercial agreements. In this context, it is possible and desirable for the commercial goods of the two countries to be made available in each other’s markets. As such, the fact that the scarves sold at the event were returned simply because they were produced in Türkiye can be seen as a reflection of how the Diaspora views the normalization process. Such events are organized not only to provide financial support to sports clubs, but also for positive purposes such as cultural cooperation and solidarity. Unfortunately, what happened at this’s years Armenian Heritage Night was the opposite of this, and political motives superseded the usual motives for holding such events.

Another striking aspect of this’s years Armenian Heritage Night was the language used by the press organs that published the news about the event. This situation presented an opportunity for media organs, especially the American and Greek press, which follow a similar political line with the Armenian diaspora. While reporting the situation, they did not hesitate to mention the 1915 Armenian Relocation and Resettlement and to reiterate their accusatory and unfounded claims on this issue.[2] When the situation is evaluated in the context of the normalization process, the press organs once again aimed to damage bilateral relations, but neither Türkiye nor Armenia even considered this issue worthy enough to make any explanation. However, the situation shows that, unlike Yerevan, the Diaspora definitively views the normalization process in a negative light and acts against the interests of Armenia and the South Caucasus region. The Diaspora therefore continues to form an obstacle to ensuring stability, trust, and prosperity in the region.

In conclusion, Türkiye is able to maintain its commercial relations with the West without any obstacles, but given the importance of trade routes today, Armenia is in need of normalization with Türkiye, which is its only connection with the West. Undoubtedly, the Armenian diaspora's attitude is in conflict with Armenia's interests. The “scarf crisis” at this year’s Armenian Heritage Night has once again demonstrated that the importance of Türkiye's sensible approach to the normalization process that aims to ensure prosperity and stability in the South Caucasus region, which is in stark contrast to the Diaspora's conduct that disregards Armenia's interests