Recently, another official, in response to our criticism, asked the “traditional” question, “And do you know what I’ve done for this nation?” As soon as anyone: former or current government official, the rich and a cultural figure raises such a question, period, all his words for me, at least, do not cost a penny. Because actually it was done not “the nation”, but rather to talk about it. It is similar to the case that is described on the pages of “Aravot” by ethnographer Armen Petrosyan. An Armenian man is visiting his mistress (whom he names by a harsher word) not because he loves this woman more and wants to see her, but for a different reason, to boast himself among his “brotherhood”. It fits in the notions of beautiful and worthy life of his surroundings.
The same is true about the so-called “charity”. A “great benefactor” can spend 1,000 dollars, let’s say, to donate a computer to a school and then 10,000 dollars for advertising the deed. Therefore, the deed itself is not as important as the “theatrical effect”, which is expected to receive. Such an approach, of course, is not new; it has a history of centuries. “When thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men.” If it is written in the Gospel of Matthew, then the problem exists for at least 21 centuries.
It is not necessarily see only hypocrisy or malicious display of self-advertisement in the addiction towards the theatrical gestures. There are people who are close by their temperament and do not specifically need to be praised or appraised by others. There are also people who measure every move by the reaction of the public “reputable” for them. Of course, these are two extremes; the majority of mankind fits in the “intermediate groups.” It’s a matter of taste. I, for example, more like when a man, assumedly, quits the job without making bombastic statements and slamming the door. In the political life, of course, such a temperament is not encouraged. The theatrical element is more strikingly expressed here; to be liked by everyone, and the willingness to extort applauses in this area is very natural.
… Another story about the theatrical gesture, a bit from a different sphere. When Mozart died in 1791, his wife, 28-year-old Constance, demonstratively lay down next to the dead, saying that she wants to say goodbye to her life together with her husband. Even though there was such an intention, it did not happen. Constance lived 51 more years. In 1809, she married to a Danish diplomat Georg Nissen, who though was not a genius, but a very positive person.
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ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
