March 18, 2017
I pack my travel bag, meticulously placing each item and all the while carefully going over my check-list, lest I forget to place a second charger to my computer. What if the first is lost or breaks down?
Early morning I catch the first flight to Yerevan. We turn off laptops and cell phones. I pick the last issue of “Nor Haratch” I had tossed in my bag to keep me company for this precise moment of “curfew”. I read the election platforms of the parties. The Republican party’s is on the top of the list.
Yesterday I worked until the wee hours. I barely took a three hours nap. I tried to put in order the jobs that had been piling during the past few weeks.
“My God”, I say to myself, “ what is happening? Is it the end of the world? You will be away only for four days. Do you need to tear yourself apart?”
As the plane takes off, I start feeling sleepy and I surrender to my sleep. Along with the airplane, my mind hovers over and soars to the seventh heaven, just where the Republican party’s platform had been described: Armenia is already the strongest nation in the region and has a commanding presence in countries of the region, monitors their industries and natural resources including Alrosa’s diamond mines in Russia and copper mines as far as Africa. No! They are not owned by Arayig or Levon, but the Republic of Armenia itself.
Suddenly someone taps on my shoulder: “Would you like to have breakfast?”
Oh my God, I was dreaming. I am back in the real world, flying to Yerevan over Moscow in the economy class on an Aeroflot Sukhoi plane. The same Republicans are in power and going to remain after the election. The “Chess Champion” has well figured and tailored the new constitution. As to the « Bureau », it has approved it. The party which reigns in Armenia is the same which has sold the national jewels as well as the furnishings of the country. What remains is the bed frame, the mattress, and grandma’s gold teeth…
Upon arriving in Yerevan, I drop my suitcase and go to grab something to eat with my friend Vram.
– “Which party are you going to vote for?” I ask Vram.
– “I am not going to vote.”
– “Why?”
– “There is no sensible platform.” Vram Replies.
– “ If I had the privilege of voting, I would vote for Tashnagsoutiun. They have a sensible platform and further than that, their party is rooted in moral values.”
– Vram explains: “That is a prevailing myth in the Diaspora. Here, the Tashnagsoutiun is a mirror image of the other parties… a widespread impression of clinging to a seat, corruption and bribery.”
Could it be that there are two kinds of Tashnagsoutium and I did not know?
I start searching: Whispers and gossips about misappropriation, breaking the law, although at a lesser degree compared to the others. No one really knows if these rumors are true or not. But, don’t we judge a tree by the fruits it bears? Is it normal that the party of the wrestling champion gets 10 times more votes than the century old party? Did the mighty and much valued Tashnagsoutium had to engage in petty horse-trading negotiations to secure a « seat », at the expense of its fundamental principles? “Any adult of a good moral character can be a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation”. Good moral and good character, two very beautiful words…
Had that statement been the slogan of their campaign, had it penetrated into the souls of the party leaders, couldn’t the party overruled the rest? I wonder.
“But if the salt loses its flavour, how can they make it salty again?” *
Such appears to be the state of Tashnagsoutiun. Meanwhile the Ramgavars are torn apart. One does not know to who to turn to. It seems that only the Hunchakians are spared from thrown stones. Could it be because their tree does not bears much fruit? The states of the traditional parties leave one bewildered and confused.
Our religious establishments also appear to have veered from their core values. A high ranking clergy has required to be driven in a car of a certain brand and another requested to stay in a specific lavish hotel.
Don’t these clergy know that Jesus was born in a stable and that he entered Jerusalem seated on a donkey? « Washing the feet » is not meant to be just a show. It is a ceremony with a deep meaning. Jesus knew well the human nature and set examples for them to emulate. Had our church kept its values, had our clergy preached their sermons with belief, the Nation would not have had any problems.
“What if the salt loses its flavour…”
January 11, 2019
– Hovel, there is a panel discussion to broadcast tomorrow “Our present challenges and the role of Armenian Revolutionary Federation”. Can you take part in it with a few words?” Vartan is asking me.
– Yes, I can.
I record a short « voice message » to be aired and forward it to him.
Regarding to challenges, it is important first to assess our current situation in order to evaluate them better.
During the past forty years, the center of gravity of the Armenian Diaspora moved from the Middle East to the West. In the Middle East, being surrounded by « aylazk-s », or populations of different religions, we were somehow protected. In the so called Christian West, the Armenians integrate and conform relatively easily with the greater local society and feel at ease, much like a fish in water. The situation is even worse for our community in Russia.
During these forty years, our Diaspora organizations, whether ecclesiastical, political, educational or social, have lost institutions, real estate, income and people, both in headcount and quality.
The second change that is taking place today is the de-politicization of our society. Nowadays people are much less involved and less active in political and in other institutions. This phenomenon is not the fault of the political parties nor is specific to Armenians. Look around and it will not be difficult to see the demise of traditional political parties in France, Italy, Great Britain and the USA. They are simply coming apart at their seams. Our situation though is different than that of the above-mentioned nations. We are not living on our land and we badly need the institutions to which we owe our very existence.
The people in general and the youth in particular are not getting involved in social organizations and political parties as did the previous generations. This is a general tendency which we cannot avoid.
- What are our present challenges?
To comply with these developments with wisdom, to preserve what we still have and keep on building new structures.
What do I mean when I say «with wisdom”?
Some thirty years ago, both Russia and China were subjected to transitions from the communism to the free market economy. The transition which took place in China was planned with “wisdom”, in an orderly way, while that of Russia happened in a chaotic manner and resulted in the dismantling of the economic and industrial infrastructures of the country.
You can see where China is today and where Russia is: despite its vast territory, strength, natural resources and industrial experience.
- What should be the role of Tashnagtsoutiun (ARF),
I am neither a member of the ARF nor a supporter. It must be admitted however that the ARF, which appears to outsiders as a “closed” organization working behind the scene, has alongside its sister organizations, armies of followers who work with dedication for the party, while contributing to the nation at the same time. For an example, the school in Marseille, run by the Hamazkayin Cultural and Education Association, was ranked 16th among over 4000 similar schools in France. My dear friends, such an achievement can come about only by selfless dedication. We all know how much work and sacrifice is needed to have a community school excel academically.
Yesterday, there were two poles in the Diaspora which were gradually coming closer. Today, a third pole is emerging with an “anti-establishment” tendency, opposing generally the existing structures. They are right, but we should not endanger our valuable institutions or threaten them because of the inadequate or indecent leader, principal or clergyman.
- What are our present challenges?
To have a national leadership that guides the nation by wisdom, directs the Diaspora to work together with the primary objective of building up, rather than seeing our structures destroyed or dismantled, as Russia experienced in 1990s.
What should be the role of the Tashnagtsoutiun and the other Diasporan national parties?
To open up and rise in order to see the overall picture, to support the Diaspora with a new direction, which following the trend of the society should be non-partisan.
Today it is imperative to reform our programs, to upgrade our “softwares” in different areas and to adapt to the changes with wisdom. This is not just our problem. The globalization and digitalization are reshaping the way society in general functions. The “local” is giving way for the globalization. Digitalization is devouring the world. Brick and mortar stores and movie theaters are closing down in favor of Amazon and Netflix. Instead of textbooks we need e-books, we need newer methods of teaching and communication. We need short clips on dedicated U-Tube channels…
How many Sydney, Paris, or Los Angeles, born teenagers go to church, attend Armenian schools, make their oath to a political party? How many will do in thirty years? The projection is unsettling. Those who do not conform to the evolving changes of the times are condemned to history.
Opening up and rising are the dictates for our nation as a whole and for our national structures, including the ecclesiastical, political, educational or social.
Hovel Chenorhokian
Paris
January 16, 2019
* “But if the salt loses its flavour, how can they make it salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” Mathew 15:3
Translated by VHA