In 1958, the film “Communist” was released on Soviet screens. Don’t be scared of the name. It is a story about dedication to the cause under an ideological veil. In one episode of the film, the train delivering food to the hungry has stopped because it has run out of fuel. All around is a forest with giant trees, and the main character takes an ax and spends a whole day trying to cut those trees. In the end, the train crew gets infected with that behavior.
What should an ordinary citizen of Armenia do during the war? He should change his attitude, first of all, toward his immediate responsibilities. For example, the teacher who enters the classroom burning with the desire to impart knowledge to the children is doing as important a task for victory as the soldier fighting trenches. Complaining, grumbling, gossiping, and skulking should be avoided. And the same can be said about people in any other profession. Learning from the previous war is how I see it.
I have no hopes for the current authorities of Armenia. They live in some delusions of the “era of peace” instead of telling the citizens of Armenia plainly and clearly: “People, a new war is waiting for us; let’s prepare for that war together to win this time.” I also have no serious expectations from the parliamentary opposition: their desire to come to power prevails over all other desires. Moreover, they believe that Putin will contribute to that change of power, not seeing the Russian president’s apparent support for Pashinyan.
Let’s leave them to their games. Election time will come, and we may understand that we need a different government and another opposition. But until then, we should present ourselves better both in our workplaces, as citizens, and as Armenians. We can have very different views and preferences, and the unifying factors are three. 1/ the clear awareness that the loss of Artsakh means the loss of the Republic of Armenia, 2/ the equally clear understanding that the “era of peace” project has failed, and 3/ being ready for victims and deprivations. Just like the hero of that old Soviet movie.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
