Head of the Yerevan State Puppet Theater named after Hovhannes Tumanyan and director Ruben Babayan spoke to Aravot in an interview about the bonuses awarded within the Ministry of Finance and other governmental structures. “I just want to make some comparisons. The theater’s subsidies decreased by 8 million AMD last year. 8 million AMD is the equivalent of 70 people’s salaries, or 2 new performances, or 8 high-quality spotlights, or 16 high-quality speakers, or participation in 3 international festivals, or 5 performances in Armenia’s regions. I want to know how many people were awarded 8 million AMD within the Ministry of Finance.”
He said that the resources that were set aside for cultural events had been cut. As a result, finances set aside for the theater were cut by 7 percent, or 8 million AMD.
Babayan added, “Imagine that the resources for a working theater that serves 60,000 people, holds more than 500 performances every year, as well as new performances, festivals, and guest shows, were cut, and instead given as bonuses to others.”
The head of the theater said that over the past 21 years that he has been in charge, he had never given a 13th salary, despite having encouraged his employees. He also said that he had never given himself a bonus. “And now I see how high these bonuses are. My employees come and ask me what’s going on here. They receive 110,000 AMD as a salary, but we get financial cuts, and people elsewhere get such high bonuses.”
Ruben Babayan said that it can be said that this all took place within the limits of the law, but, “Isn’t there a point where you cross the line?”
Gohar Hakobyan
