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Is the cultural life dead or alive?

August 25,2014 13:37

The theme of “Aravot” online on the air is discussed between artist Mariam Mughdusyan and writer Husik Ara

Aram Abrahamyan – There is such an extreme viewpoint that the cultural life is dead, no cultural issues are discussed on the agenda, if something is discussed, then whether the soap operas are good or bad. Is there such a thing?

Mariam Mughdusyan – Maybe there is such an opinion, but I strongly believe that the situation here has gone to extreme, because as long as there are people who write in and believe in their cause and instil love and dedication in it, I think it makes no sense to say that the cultural life is dead. The ways, etc. of introducing culture is quite another matter, here, an impression can be created that allegedly the life is dead.

A.A. – If you instill a great love and dedication in your studio, but the creation so remains in the studio, doesn’t it mean that the creation is dead?

M.M. – Of course, there is a problem of introducing the art. Unfortunately, it remains on the artist. But now, the ways, etc. of introducing are so many that the artist should choose himself. In fact, I think it does not require being in the galleries and organizing exhibitions. There are different ways, including the internet, you know, you can draw a picture, and then make it public, and it may give a chance. There was a case with me, and I had received an invitation to attend a European program after publicizing my works in the social network.

A.A. – You also, moreover, can write on the internet, and post on the Facebook, but does it give anything to the cultural life?

Husik Ara – We cannot be limited to it, neither before, nor now. No matter the technologies develop, unfortunately, there is an opinion that the cultural life is dead. In the Soviet Union, the creator was considered an idol, pedestals were built for them. It was a mistake to make an idol of the writer, an artist, or a composer. Later, we fell off to another extreme. For 20-25 years, we are trying somehow to cast a slur upon the creator and the intellectual. Now, it has turned into an anti-hero, which is also wrong, it is not right, no nation should treat like this, especially our nation, as we consider ourselves to be a nation of “mind”. Intellectuals are a kind of pushed to the back plan. There are sycophant intellectuals and normal intellectuals. But now, there are more opposition intellectuals speaking out their word than it was in the Soviet Union.

A.A. – In contrast to the pessimistic estimates, I must say that during the symphony concerts and opera performances, the hall is full, even during many theatrical performances.

M. M. – I think, certainly, it is good for presenting the high culture and the art, people are able to come, see, and listen. But, I would also make the opposite observation. For example, during the exhibition, we basically see that the vast majority are the artists familiar to us, the same people, our friends. On the first day, when an exhibition is launched, there is a stream of people, the other days the exhibition is mainly dead.

A.A. – Do the creative unions contribute to organizing cultural life?

H.A. – These structures are called leftovers of the Soviet Union. But, let me illustrate an example. During the Soviet Union, there was a youth section, and then it disappeared. When Levon Ananyan was elected the Chairman of the Writers’ Union, it was restored, and I became the responsible person for the youth section. The book series of “Mutk” was founded, and the Union published the first books by probably more than 50 young writers free. Hence, the Union performs its functions.

The discussion in full

Prepared by ARAM ABRAHAMYAN

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“Face to Face” talk show series are released by the Open Society Foundations- Armenia. The views and analyzes found in this broadcast express the opinions of the participants, and are not approved by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, or its Board. This broadcast is made available thanks to comprehensive financial support by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, under the mass media support program, grant No 18624.

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