Tomorrow, the 6th Pan-Armenian Summer Games are coming to an end. The number of countries, cities and participants reached the record. Both on television and in the streets in Yerevan, it was pleasant for me to see different cultures and young people having different lifestyles, who are united around the Armenian identity. More than 6,300 Armenians have come to Armenia for several days, they socialized with each other and with Armenians, and it is already good.
Of course, there are problems associated with Armenia-Diaspora relations, in general, and in particular, with Pan-Armenian Games, and my good friend Tatul Hakobyan addressed some of the problems. The problem was that the majority of participants to the Games in Gyumri were reluctant to spend the overnight in this city, and were going back and forth every day by Gyumri-Yerevan road, perhaps, finding more exciting forms of entertainment for then in the capital. The publicist’s criticism, basically, is fair, and 10, moreover 20 years ago, I perhaps would write just like that, and perhaps would use the “classic” wording of the First President, about “orange eating Diaspora Armenians”.
But because of my age or maybe for some other reason, my “demanding” from people has been quite reduced. Indeed, glory and honor to those Diaspora Armenians who live with Armenia, who modestly and without advertising themselves assist their homeland, especially those who have come and settled down in Armenia or Artsakh over these 25 years. But those who have just hung the picture of Mount Ararat on the wall and sometimes are saying patriotic toasts, are they worthy of condemnation? Or, those who prefer to have fun in Yerevan rather than in Gyumri. Or, those who are coming here to for some reason had embarrassed the country and now the Internet about the “bad” Posts are doing. Or, those who come here to “draw a photo” with the President of Armenia or any other official. Maybe it seems to us wrong or a philistine, but it is better than forgetting about being Armenian.
I would, perhaps, unreservedly agree with Tatul on one issue: “traditionally”, it is not accepted in Diaspora to speak about Armenia’s internal defects: ineffective governance, corruption, injustices and restrictions in democracy. Truly, it is desirable to break this stereotype. Thus, our brothers, especially those who live in countries that are more developed than Armenia, would be very helpful to us.
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Generally, it seems to me that only the state, with its laws, can put “demands” before the man. The rest can be only advice, urge or a suggestion.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
