THE PUBLIC MOODS ABROAD ARE NOT ALWAYS FAVORABLE FOR US
Ruzan Ishkhanian
Thursday, 24 November 2011 05:56
And maintenance of the national identity becomes more and more
difficult in the Armenian communities
Professor of the Pyatigorsk Linguistic University, candidate
of historical sciences, native of Artsakh Victor Hakobian, who
participated in the recent symposium taken place at Mesrop Mashtots
University, introduced his observations on some issues. First, he
emphasized the significance of holding similar symposiums in Artsakh,
in this context evaluating positively the noted University’s steps
on establishing foreign relations and consolidating the cooperation
between scientists. “Surely, the works should be continued and
besides Armenian scientists, foreign ones should be also involved
in the university’s programs”, emphasized the professor. The
scientific researches and the discussions over them shouldn’t be
an end in themselves; they should have specific goals. Unlike our
Azeri neighbors, who are much more nimble in spreading their lie and
falsification, our scientists can’t properly introduce the truth to
the international community. The Azerbaijanis publish numerous and
different anti-Armenian books and send them to all scientists. And
we publish as much as it is needed for the domestic audience, or
the works’ foreign propaganda direction is dropped from the focus of
attention. Meanwhile, according to V. Hakobian, it is necessary to
deluge with books the libraries of foreign states, and first of all
Russia. Our interlocutor believes that though authorities are guided
by the world policy interests, the existing public moods in their
states are taken into account, and they are not always favorable for
us. There is much to do in this direction. Speaking of the maintenance
of national identity in the Diaspora, V. Hakobian noted that it should
worry All Armenians. There are some factors promoting the national
identity maintenance, and among them are national place-names. But,
this isn’t the most important. First of all, the existence of a
corresponding level of national-cultural autonomy in communities is
needed. “There is a similar law in Russia, but some people regret that
this law appeared once, because the attitude towards the issue has
currently changed”, he emphasized, adding, “Today’s goal is formation
of a multi-ethnic Russian nation, and searching is taking place around
this idea”. Comparing the latter with national-cultural autonomy,
many authors estimate this as a step back.
Meanwhile, our national interest requires consolidation of this
autonomy, in which the Armenian Church plays a great role. In order
that the church can fully realize its mission, it should base on
the support of the people with national thinking – leaders. In
communities, such people should deal with educational, cultural,
national, and spiritual issues. According to our interlocutor, the
current situation in Armenian communities is not quite favorable.
Surely, it isn’t so everywhere. Community leaders are often appointed
entrepreneurs who don’t often understand the issues of the national
identity maintenance; they are rather interested in entrepreneurship
and business. But fortunately, the leader of the Pyatigorsk community,
according to V. Hakobian, is a man of national thinking and he does
much for keeping the national spirit awakened. And the most praising
is that he tries to involve as much youth in the community events
as possible.
According to Mr. Hakobian, the most important factor of maintaining
the national self-consciousness is the Armenian schools, which face
numerous unresolved issues. They in the center make good speeches
on the necessity of supporting the Diaspora schools and creating
corresponding conditions for the development of the language; however,
the current condition of schools is poor. And the local initiatives
or the activity of Sunday schools cannot be considered the issue’s
solution. “What is a Sunday school for a child?” asks Mr. Hakobian
and answers the question himself, “At his major school, the child
is impatiently awaiting for the end of the 45-minute lesson, and
suddenly he is required to attend another school on Sundays. To make
the lessons interesting there, the teachers should have a God-given
talent. But similar teachers are few.
As of the domestic community events, worrying is the fact that even
if the community leaders master the Armenian language, they don’t
absolutely speak it. At all the conferences and cultural events, the
country’s state language is used. In this circumstance, the community’s
future seems to be pessimistic. “But, there is a light beam – the
existence of two Armenian states, consolidation of the relations
between them, involvement of the Diaspora in the development of both
states not surely in humanitarian assistance, but via investments in
the economy, which will fully change the situation. If an Armenian
makes investments in the homeland, he will be interested in his
connection with it and his control over the amounts’ purposeful
use. And his national self-consciousness will automatically revive”,
said Mr. Hakobian. According to our interlocutor, the most possible
relations with the homeland are economic. It can be promoted by both
Armenian states’ achievements, which, in their turn, will prolong
the Armenian communities’ existence. However, the professor imagines
the nation’s future as follows – all Armenians should return to
the homeland.