At one time in the past, those who were against Armenia accession to the Customs Union, the first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, used to call them “20-30 spasmodic.” The characterization, in my opinion, is not fair. Professing European, liberal and progressive values are not spasmodic and, I hope, the bearers of these values are more than 30 in Armenia, although, certainly, make the minority. But to open a group on the Facebook calling it “a club of 20-30 spasmodic”, as they say, out of spite of the first president, I think, it is also wrong. Let it be a club of liberals, a club of Erasmus, Montesquieu, Montaigne, but not be called “out of spite” of the first president. Another example: if I do not like German philosopher Carl Duering’s views, I can express my views but I do not necessarily call my book “Anti-Duering”.
“Out of spite” in the personal and family life leads to senseless and often long-lasting conflicts. As to what extent it is widespread in the media, I do not want to say or bring examples to save space.
The Armenian Apostolic Church is no good too. Advocating our traditions and our culture, certainly, is commendable. But recently, I notice that this is done “out of spite” of the Catholics. They are celebrating St. Valentine, let us celebrate St. Sargis to eliminate “outsiders’” celebration from the mind of our people. I am in favor of St. Sargis with both hands up but when a contrast is imposed to people’s mind, it can lead to an opposite result. Now, something new has popped up. The Catholics organize a carnival on the Day of Barekendan (Ash Wednesday) and the Apostolic Church has also decided to organize its “carnival”. Main Barekendan, yes, it should be celebrated but with our Armenian “instruments” which, in my opinion, is more discreet, reserved and with more accentuated spiritual component.
We know the 20th-century famous poet Joseph Brodsky’s popular maxim very well, which he has said “out of spite” to very good poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko, “If Evtushenko is against kolkhozes, then I am for it.” As a joke, it is a good one. But, in reality, there is something unhealthy here. The attitude towards the “kolkhoz” or any other phenomenon should be driven from the peculiarities of this very phenomenon irrespective of who says what about it.
Read also
Often, people in the family and in the public life, motivated by the desire to oppose at any cost, creates numerous inconveniences for them. There is even a Russian proverb for this: to spite the conductor, I’ll buy a ticket and then go on foot.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
