The fact that a revolution took place in Armenia is a positive fact, undoubtedly. The former authorities had stagnated, they boasted and took everything for granted too much, they were sure that nothing would ever change, they had lost their connection with the reality, they did not feel public moods any longer. Suchlike inadequate perception of life can eventually be also dangerous, especially taking into consideration the external challenges of our country. (I intentionally skip talking about presupposed crimes, respecting the presumption of innocence.)
However, the circumstance that the revolution was generally a good change for Armenia does not mean two months succeeding its finish one should place the “bronze statue” of the revolution. Perhaps there is no need in hurrying and “canonizing” the revolution. Before weaving an official propagandist ballade devoted to the revolution, it is necessary to first and foremost estimate its positive outcomes.
Alexander Myasnikyan has made a decision on the Museum of Revolution of the Armenian SSR on June 8, 1921, although it was not that clear who and when made the socialist revolution in Armenia. However, even if we regard the 11th Red Army’s invasion as a “revolution”, then approximately 6 months had passed from that event until Myasnikyan’s decision.
In that time it became more or less clear what the new authorities wanted to do and, moreover, Bolshevik extremely revolutionary approach of “ruining everything and building from none” was overcome. There were no relics in the Museum of Revolution of the Armenian SSR, letters of the order sent from Moscow, reports, photographs, documents about the activities of remarkable revolutionists sent from Armenia to the “center”.
The exhibition material in similar museums of Moscow and Leningrad were richer, encompassing Lenin’s cap (without signature) and the miniature of the hut where the leader of the revolution, according to the official mythology, had lived in Finland, writing April theses.
In new Armenia, the time for official “canonization” and “relics” has not come yet. I would wish it to come as late as possible, inasmuch as when wings grow on the leaders of the revolution, there is a danger that they will fly and thereby lose their connection with the reality again. Consequently, I suggest delaying the execution of the decision of the exhibition of the “relics of the revolution” for at least a year.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
