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HRAYR BAZE "PEOPLE OF ARTSAKH HAVE BECOME REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA"
By Knar Babayan
Tuesday, 17 April 2012 14:54
Hrayr Baze Khacheryan, an Armenian photographer who lives in Canada,
first arrived in Karabakh in 1992. And since then he has visited
Artsakh on different programmes once a year. Recently during one
of his regular visits we held an interview with him on the changes
performed in Artsakh and on different issues.
- What changes have you observed during your annual visits to Artsakh
within these twenty years of Independence? How do you estimate the
development process from the past to the present state of Artsakh?
- I witnessed the whole process of improvements such as laying the
cracked roads with asphalt and the promotion of living conditions. I
feel life developing with positive steps towards future.
Unfortunately, today some part of Artsakh people are leaving abroad
in search of a job. Citizens of Artsakh become representatives of the
Armenian Diaspora and work to earn the living of their families. The
world advances towards globalization and many people leave their
countries because of the severe economic conditions. But it still is
not a reasonable cause for people to abandon their homes. The value of
"homeland" recedes into background. While living in a foreign country
they try to preserve the values of their native land. However, it is
impossible to get England, Russia or the USA to become Armenia.
One may continue eating his national dishes but in the course of
time the language changes and the further generation gradually gets
assimilated. Today Artsakh needs its people, especially the young and
advanced specialists, to stay and work for the sake of their welfare.
- What perspective do you predict in this sphere?
- I think it will be great for the young people of Artsakh to get
their higher education abroad but at least a few of them must return to
have their contribution in the promotion of Artsakh. Such cases have
already occurred, so the situation has been improving. The problem
is the slow rate of moving ahead, whereas a faster progress in the
situation could be possible. We have no time to waste.
- What importance do you attach to the assistance of the Diaspora to
Armenia and Karabakh?
- The financial support by the Diaspora is very important. On the
other hand the real wealth of our country is its intelligent and
talented young people who must certainly be involved in different
development programmes. Of course, we are not rich in oil like our
neighbor country but Artsakh can become a silicone valley, a medical
or an information technology centre. All of this can be implemented
both with the state assistance and on personal resources. There is
another important circumstance implying that no differentiation of
Armenians from the Diaspora, Armenia or from Artsakh should exist. We
are all representatives of the same nation and we must do our best
to ameliorate the situation in our country.
-And what contribution can the people of Artsakh have in the lives
of the Armenians of Diaspora?
- Artsakh people first of all can convey to the Armenians all over
the world their cultural values, introduce their traditions to them ,
show the nature and treat their national dishes. This will secure
the contact between Artsakh and Diaspora. And visitors to Artsakh
will see the routine of the local inhabitants, the way they live and
create for their homeland.
- What about your further plans on part of Artsakh?
It is two years I have conducted Master Classes for amateurs. On-line
classes follow the work with the group in person. The participants
upload their photos in Facebook, then we discuss them together,
I give them some advice and answer their questions. I am pleased
to convey my knowledge and experience to the younger generation,
as besides teaching them new techniques I keep "fresh" mind of a
teacher. While working we usually don't think and consequently our work
proceeds in an automatic mode. I cherish the idea of opening a school
of photography in Shoushi and gathering a group of participants. I
have already marked the place, but for its reconstruction and for
importing new equipment a great amount of money is necessary. Now
I cannot afford that , thus I will continue my private classes in
Artsakh and Armenia until I find the sum needed for the school.
By Knar Babayan
Tuesday, 17 April 2012 14:54
Hrayr Baze Khacheryan, an Armenian photographer who lives in Canada,
first arrived in Karabakh in 1992. And since then he has visited
Artsakh on different programmes once a year. Recently during one
of his regular visits we held an interview with him on the changes
performed in Artsakh and on different issues.
- What changes have you observed during your annual visits to Artsakh
within these twenty years of Independence? How do you estimate the
development process from the past to the present state of Artsakh?
- I witnessed the whole process of improvements such as laying the
cracked roads with asphalt and the promotion of living conditions. I
feel life developing with positive steps towards future.
Unfortunately, today some part of Artsakh people are leaving abroad
in search of a job. Citizens of Artsakh become representatives of the
Armenian Diaspora and work to earn the living of their families. The
world advances towards globalization and many people leave their
countries because of the severe economic conditions. But it still is
not a reasonable cause for people to abandon their homes. The value of
"homeland" recedes into background. While living in a foreign country
they try to preserve the values of their native land. However, it is
impossible to get England, Russia or the USA to become Armenia.
One may continue eating his national dishes but in the course of
time the language changes and the further generation gradually gets
assimilated. Today Artsakh needs its people, especially the young and
advanced specialists, to stay and work for the sake of their welfare.
- What perspective do you predict in this sphere?
- I think it will be great for the young people of Artsakh to get
their higher education abroad but at least a few of them must return to
have their contribution in the promotion of Artsakh. Such cases have
already occurred, so the situation has been improving. The problem
is the slow rate of moving ahead, whereas a faster progress in the
situation could be possible. We have no time to waste.
- What importance do you attach to the assistance of the Diaspora to
Armenia and Karabakh?
- The financial support by the Diaspora is very important. On the
other hand the real wealth of our country is its intelligent and
talented young people who must certainly be involved in different
development programmes. Of course, we are not rich in oil like our
neighbor country but Artsakh can become a silicone valley, a medical
or an information technology centre. All of this can be implemented
both with the state assistance and on personal resources. There is
another important circumstance implying that no differentiation of
Armenians from the Diaspora, Armenia or from Artsakh should exist. We
are all representatives of the same nation and we must do our best
to ameliorate the situation in our country.
-And what contribution can the people of Artsakh have in the lives
of the Armenians of Diaspora?
- Artsakh people first of all can convey to the Armenians all over
the world their cultural values, introduce their traditions to them ,
show the nature and treat their national dishes. This will secure
the contact between Artsakh and Diaspora. And visitors to Artsakh
will see the routine of the local inhabitants, the way they live and
create for their homeland.
- What about your further plans on part of Artsakh?
It is two years I have conducted Master Classes for amateurs. On-line
classes follow the work with the group in person. The participants
upload their photos in Facebook, then we discuss them together,
I give them some advice and answer their questions. I am pleased
to convey my knowledge and experience to the younger generation,
as besides teaching them new techniques I keep "fresh" mind of a
teacher. While working we usually don't think and consequently our work
proceeds in an automatic mode. I cherish the idea of opening a school
of photography in Shoushi and gathering a group of participants. I
have already marked the place, but for its reconstruction and for
importing new equipment a great amount of money is necessary. Now
I cannot afford that , thus I will continue my private classes in
Artsakh and Armenia until I find the sum needed for the school.