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Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
Feb 27 2013
`The Tankian effect'
by Ara Tadevosyan, Director of Mediamax
It's already the second day that people speak about Serj Tankian more
than about Raffi Hovhannisyan. It's quite natural that if there were
no elections and if Raffi Hovhannisyan hadn't gained about 40% of
votes and hadn't claimed that he was the real winner, Serj Tankian
wouldn't send letters to the Armenian President.
I am quite sure that many of those who were inspired by Serj Tankian's
letters are not the fans of System of a Down, and some have heard of
him for the first time. What's the `secret' then? How does it happen
that almost all TVs have read out excerpts from Serj Tankian's first
critical letter?
I think the secret of the `Tankian effect' is that he said things we
all think about but don't speak out due to various reasons. When
saying `we' I mean all those people who have numerous complaints but
stay out of the active political and civil struggle.
We stay out because we are afraid. We stay out because we are busy. We
stay out because we live in a small country where almost everybody
knows everyone. We stay out because each of us has reached some
success in his work and, realizing that we can't reach big changes we
stay aside and try to succeed each in our own field.
If we talk about journalists (I don't mean the openly oppositional
media outlets) let's be honest with ourselves and admit that we can
criticize everyone. However, we will think dozens of times before
criticizing the Armenian President. This is what attracts people most
of all in Serj Tankian's letters: there appeared a person who openly
says to the Armenian President: `Let me note you didn't clearly answer
my questions'. Have you ever heard anyone saying something like this
to the Armenian President? The thing is not about how fundamental Serj
Tankian's words are. The thing is that he allows himself asking such
questions. He is doing what we often want but don't do.
Of course, in conditions of the Armenian political environment, the
style of Serj Tankian's letters may seem impolite, but it is quite
acceptable for the Western culture, and we have to bear it in mind. I
believe Serj Tankian didn't mean to insult the President.
I think after these letters Serj Tankian should at least apply for
Armenian citizenship, otherwise all his urges and advice will
depreciate. It's clear that Tankian won't quit music and won't engage
in an active political activity in Armenia, but to be able to talk
about our problems now he must have our passport. It will be really
honest.
http://www.mediamax.am/en/column/12394/
Feb 27 2013
`The Tankian effect'
by Ara Tadevosyan, Director of Mediamax
It's already the second day that people speak about Serj Tankian more
than about Raffi Hovhannisyan. It's quite natural that if there were
no elections and if Raffi Hovhannisyan hadn't gained about 40% of
votes and hadn't claimed that he was the real winner, Serj Tankian
wouldn't send letters to the Armenian President.
I am quite sure that many of those who were inspired by Serj Tankian's
letters are not the fans of System of a Down, and some have heard of
him for the first time. What's the `secret' then? How does it happen
that almost all TVs have read out excerpts from Serj Tankian's first
critical letter?
I think the secret of the `Tankian effect' is that he said things we
all think about but don't speak out due to various reasons. When
saying `we' I mean all those people who have numerous complaints but
stay out of the active political and civil struggle.
We stay out because we are afraid. We stay out because we are busy. We
stay out because we live in a small country where almost everybody
knows everyone. We stay out because each of us has reached some
success in his work and, realizing that we can't reach big changes we
stay aside and try to succeed each in our own field.
If we talk about journalists (I don't mean the openly oppositional
media outlets) let's be honest with ourselves and admit that we can
criticize everyone. However, we will think dozens of times before
criticizing the Armenian President. This is what attracts people most
of all in Serj Tankian's letters: there appeared a person who openly
says to the Armenian President: `Let me note you didn't clearly answer
my questions'. Have you ever heard anyone saying something like this
to the Armenian President? The thing is not about how fundamental Serj
Tankian's words are. The thing is that he allows himself asking such
questions. He is doing what we often want but don't do.
Of course, in conditions of the Armenian political environment, the
style of Serj Tankian's letters may seem impolite, but it is quite
acceptable for the Western culture, and we have to bear it in mind. I
believe Serj Tankian didn't mean to insult the President.
I think after these letters Serj Tankian should at least apply for
Armenian citizenship, otherwise all his urges and advice will
depreciate. It's clear that Tankian won't quit music and won't engage
in an active political activity in Armenia, but to be able to talk
about our problems now he must have our passport. It will be really
honest.
http://www.mediamax.am/en/column/12394/