Patriotism for an Armenian cannot be Soviet, Byzantine, or Ottoman. Armenian patriotism is naturally Armenian. It is an emotion or a driving force that is either there or not. Today, for me, patriotism means a solid and unwavering desire to live in Armenia, regardless of all social difficulties, the quality of the government, and the political regime. When I say Armenia, I mean the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh because these two territories represent Armenian statehood. And secondly, patriotism for me means the willingness to fight for the right to live here.
I am writing these lines, and I understand their reaction can be suspicion, skepticism, and sarcasm: “What are you doing? Why are you acting?” And the problem is precisely that: discrediting the right words and honest motives. In a cynical atmosphere, not only is patriotism denied, but also love as such. So, for example, in a “boyish” environment, it is not customary to say that you love a woman; it is more “respectable” to make clumsy remarks to women.
At this particular stage, the main reason for discrediting patriotism is apparent. When negative phenomena appear next to noble ideas (predominantly when expressed by those with cheeky morals), discredit is inevitable. From 1998-2018, the word “patriotism” appeared next to theft and banditry, and in people’s perception, they were intertwined, almost by a conditioned reflex mechanism.
Now it’s time to separate them. More than ever, patriotic people, true devotees, ready to take Armenia (again, in the sense I mentioned) out of this challenging situation, are in demand. I mean, in particular, those officers and soldiers of our army who honorably fulfilled their duty in the 44-day war and returned home. Now, some imprudent myths are being woven about them. That dirt, of course, does not touch the boys, like the filth of disbelief and cynicism does not touch the word “patriotism.”
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Modifying the well-known expression a little, we can say that the last point of a scoundrel is to discredit patriotism.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
