Recently, I read the news in the “Regnum” that on April 28, about a dozen “marginals held an anti-Russian campaign” in the Freedom Square. The rally deems “anti-Russian”, the participants of which express against Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union. As far as I know, the Customs Union and Russia is not the same thing. For instances, it seems to me that CU opposes the interests of Russia, as well as Belarus and Kazakhstan, these countries do not economically benefit anything from this union, which vainly creates further tension between the countries. Anyway, it is up to their people, they either find that the leaders are always correct, or do not agree with these leaders, but say nothing.
If people are protesting against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s policy, this also does not mean that they have “anti-Russia” or, moreover, “anti-Russian” stance. Such identification can only happen in totalitarian society. In our country, no one believes that Serzh Sargsyan’s opponents are fighting against Armenia or Armenians, do they? Putin is not Russia’s embodiment. Exactly in the same way, many people in the world may not like, let’s say, David Cameron’s actions, but at the same time they can also be warm admirers of British. But what’s most interesting here, of course, is the word “marginals”. There is “mainstream”, and there are those who are beyond the margin. Is it good or bad being in this status? It depends what stream is “inside the margin”. If the representatives of this stream have decided to walk in the streets dressed in clothes, whereas their opponents are dressed in feathers, then being marginal here probably is not so much praiseworthy phenomenon. But if the “mainstream” insists that the earth is flat, and a few “marginal” came to the conclusion that our planet is round, then maybe it is preferable to appear beyond the margin.
No science and no art can develop without this “marginal” layer, because the views of the majority, at all times and in all societies, are conservative, constrained, stereotyped, and if not those showing new ways, there would be an absolute standstill in given sectors. Now, who is “marginal” on the “customs” issue: the majority, which says, “hey, bro, all our life we had lived under the shadow of Russians, and who’s gonna protect us from Turks,” or those who think Armenia would be more vulnerable in the event of losing its sovereignty? Time will tell who is more marginal.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
