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Independence only guarantee of Armenia's progress - opinions
12:21 * 21.09.14
A referendum on independence took place in Armenia on September 21,
1991, with 94.39% of voters supporting Armenia's independence.
On September 23, Armenia's Supreme Council declared the country's independence.
Tert.am interviewed musician Vahan Artsruni, Art Director of the
Puppet Theater Ruben Babayan and Art Director of the Karin folk dance
and group Gagik Ginosyan about independent Armenia's failures and
achievements.
"Each reasonable person must realize that independence is the basis
for our existence and the only guarantee of our progress," Mr Artsruni
told Tert.am.
"Ideals remain, but the reality seems to reject the ideals because
life is getting more and more difficult," he said. This ideal has to
do with Armenia's incumbent authorities and political situation.
Different people show different attitudes to independence. Without
ignoring existing problems, Mr Artsruni considers independence the
highest value for himself.
"I am surrounded by people who are bearers of independence values,
they shed their blood for this value and even in the Soviet era they
suffered for this value. But if you turn your eyes toward the trader,
newly rich, you can see an entirely different picture.
They have no idea of the significance of independence nor do they
realize the cost of independence because their only priority is
money," he said.
Artistic Director of the Puppet Theater Ruben Babayan believes that
independence would be much more valuable now if it had been a
centuries-old dream.
"They are just beautiful words. Regrettably, it had not been a
centuries-old dream. Very few people dreamt of independence and were
ready to sacrifice their life for it. I think the reason is that we
have not for the past years come to realize the essence of
independence - what it brings and what responsibility it imposes on
you. Independence has remained a mere declarative thing.
But life is impossible to stop, and a new generation has been born in
this independent country. This generation may have a better
subconscious perception than our generation. So I place my hopes on
the young generation," Mr Babayan said.
"After all, independence and freedom should be granted to a person
that would be able to be master of it. I think the concept of
independence is something that can never be seized from you. I think
this is an important part of each person's approach, and each person
has his or her share of responsibility."
Art Director of the Karin dance group, Gagik Ginosyan said that the
major failure is a national ideology.
"We need a national basis for any process. Economic progress must be
based on national thinking. Even technical and scientific development
must facilitate national development," he said.
According to Mr Ginosyan, civil education is a serious failure in Armenia.
"Everything must serve one aim, namely, educating an Armenian citizen
rather than a citizen of Armenia."
The economic situation is one more reason for the lack of proper
assessments of independence and for emigration.
Among the achievements is the Armenian army. On the other hand, he
sees failures in terms of national ideology.
"If our national ideology proves fully-fledged, we will be more
efficient and reliable," Mr Ginosyan said.
His wish is that no Armenian should think that the Republic of Armenia
is already Armenia.
"Armenia is much larger than that with its present-day boundaries.
Armenia is what is inside our hearts, and I am sure that one day we
will have independence, free and unified Armenia. And Western Armenian
will belong to us, and we will celebrate Day of Unified Armenia."
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/09/21/independence-Armenia/
From: A. Papazian
12:21 * 21.09.14
A referendum on independence took place in Armenia on September 21,
1991, with 94.39% of voters supporting Armenia's independence.
On September 23, Armenia's Supreme Council declared the country's independence.
Tert.am interviewed musician Vahan Artsruni, Art Director of the
Puppet Theater Ruben Babayan and Art Director of the Karin folk dance
and group Gagik Ginosyan about independent Armenia's failures and
achievements.
"Each reasonable person must realize that independence is the basis
for our existence and the only guarantee of our progress," Mr Artsruni
told Tert.am.
"Ideals remain, but the reality seems to reject the ideals because
life is getting more and more difficult," he said. This ideal has to
do with Armenia's incumbent authorities and political situation.
Different people show different attitudes to independence. Without
ignoring existing problems, Mr Artsruni considers independence the
highest value for himself.
"I am surrounded by people who are bearers of independence values,
they shed their blood for this value and even in the Soviet era they
suffered for this value. But if you turn your eyes toward the trader,
newly rich, you can see an entirely different picture.
They have no idea of the significance of independence nor do they
realize the cost of independence because their only priority is
money," he said.
Artistic Director of the Puppet Theater Ruben Babayan believes that
independence would be much more valuable now if it had been a
centuries-old dream.
"They are just beautiful words. Regrettably, it had not been a
centuries-old dream. Very few people dreamt of independence and were
ready to sacrifice their life for it. I think the reason is that we
have not for the past years come to realize the essence of
independence - what it brings and what responsibility it imposes on
you. Independence has remained a mere declarative thing.
But life is impossible to stop, and a new generation has been born in
this independent country. This generation may have a better
subconscious perception than our generation. So I place my hopes on
the young generation," Mr Babayan said.
"After all, independence and freedom should be granted to a person
that would be able to be master of it. I think the concept of
independence is something that can never be seized from you. I think
this is an important part of each person's approach, and each person
has his or her share of responsibility."
Art Director of the Karin dance group, Gagik Ginosyan said that the
major failure is a national ideology.
"We need a national basis for any process. Economic progress must be
based on national thinking. Even technical and scientific development
must facilitate national development," he said.
According to Mr Ginosyan, civil education is a serious failure in Armenia.
"Everything must serve one aim, namely, educating an Armenian citizen
rather than a citizen of Armenia."
The economic situation is one more reason for the lack of proper
assessments of independence and for emigration.
Among the achievements is the Armenian army. On the other hand, he
sees failures in terms of national ideology.
"If our national ideology proves fully-fledged, we will be more
efficient and reliable," Mr Ginosyan said.
His wish is that no Armenian should think that the Republic of Armenia
is already Armenia.
"Armenia is much larger than that with its present-day boundaries.
Armenia is what is inside our hearts, and I am sure that one day we
will have independence, free and unified Armenia. And Western Armenian
will belong to us, and we will celebrate Day of Unified Armenia."
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2014/09/21/independence-Armenia/
From: A. Papazian