The subject of “Aravot” online “Face to Face” talk show is discussed by artist Haghtanak Shahumyan and musician Yeghishe Petrosyan.
Aram Abrahamyan – Generally, should the artists interfere in the political processes, express opinions, or they should stay away from it?
Haghtanak Shahumyan – I have always thought that the people of art and culture should be out of the politics, but willy-nilly, you are the citizen of the country, moreover, if there are more or less intellectual qualities in your education, you become involved in this politics and are concerned about the future of the country. It is impossible to be absolutely far away from the environment and vice versa, cultural people’s participation in public life is useful.
Yeghishe Petrosyan – I must share this opinion, we cannot but form a part of the society, because our energy source and eventually the place of realization is the very society, we are bound by all threads.
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A. A. – When the elections come, this-or-that political force says, you would sing for us, dance for us and entertain us and so on. Is it acceptable for you?
H. Sh. – Of course, it is not acceptable, I have never participated in such shows, no matter the parties are worthy people or not, because this aspect should be left free. I think that our reality is in need for it, that people need to be a free in their opinion; of course, their opinion should be reached the destination, there should be information. This should be done in life, this should be done in the ways accessible to the people rather than by coercion, because the artist’s opinion is a sort of compulsion, especially an actor and an actress, who are more popularly by people and their opinions may distort this information.
A. A. – We treat them in Armenia with reservations, but I must say that, for example, when the presidential elections are held in the United States, it is clear that Barbara Streisand will act in protection of the Democratic Party representative, while Arnold Schwarzenegger – the Republican party. In other words, it is, roughly speaking, is not contemptuous there.
Ye. Petrosyan – It is not in our country too, it is natural where the financial sources are coming, so these people are going to express their gratitude. So it is formed, whether they are, let’s say, palace figures, from the sphere of cultural, or other, it is the same in everywhere. Even during the times of Sayat-Nova, he probably would not do so much work if he was not in the Palace, it a usual practice, the musicians were always sponsored by the kings, the palace and so on. In our times, it is, however, a little disgusting for me.
H. Sh. – America has an established system, if not Bush but I rule, the same system would operate, the individual person does not have any effect there, he can do very few things there. The opinion made at least by an artist or established people does not change much. In fact, there are very little, invisible to us economic problems between the two political parties that differ from one another, and it does not matter who will be the leader there. Our country is a newly established country, and every little fluctuation, like a sick man, a little wind movement can become a cause of a disease.
Prepared by ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
