Information was spread in the Bulgarian mass media as if during the football match between Bulgaria and Armenia, the Bulgarian fans had chanted “gypsies” addressing our football players and our football federation had filed a complaint accusing Bulgarian fans of racism. No one in Armenia confirms that news, but if there was such chanting, it is surprising that there are people in the friendly nation who have such a wrong perception of our nation’s anthropological type and way of life. However, it is more important that international organizations, including FIFA, are too sensitive about this issue and actually often punish the countries, the fans of which behave as racists. For example, during Euro 2012, the Russian Football Federation was fined not only for the fans’ hooliganism, but also racist deeds.
It seems that this approach is excessive European political correctness. However, in reality, it is a certain mentality, a system of values, the rules of which Europeans themselves sometimes break, but we, Armenians, haven’t fully comprehended them yet. The manifestations of that are many. Recently an election for village headman took place in the village of Dzorakap, region of Shirak. Locals claim that in order to guarantee his “reproduction,” the village headman brought people from Akhalkalak who had never lived in the village, but were registered there for a few hours. They voted for him and then returned to Georgia. It is very probable that it was the case. But look what measures some of the complainers are ready to take – if their demand is not met, they threaten to close roads (it is normal) and to kick out of the village the natives of Akhalkalak who have been living there for a few years; the story was broadcasted in both Gyumri and Yerevan. Thus, innocent people must be held accountable for the village headman’s illegal action.
Well, now compare this approach with the international reflection of such a mentality. Muslims didn’t like some American movie, which, in their opinion, misrepresented 9/11. What is the way of protesting against it? To fire at and shell American diplomatic representations in different countries. It is the same logic.
For me personally, humanity is more important for me than nationality, let alone where one is from. Thus, I don’t have a problem with communicating with Azerbaijanis. I have a problem with communicating with those people – even Armenians – who think that one can somehow justify killing a sleeping man with an axe.
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ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
