Among dystopian known in the 20th century, the two most “prophetic,” in my opinion, are Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four” (also published as 1984) and Huxley’s “Brave New World.” They more accurately describe what happened, in particular, to us in the post-Soviet space. A transition from all-controlling totalitarianism to mindless, heartless, value-less hedonism accompanied by, one might say, the “dictatorship of the mob.” In that situation, what was built in the previous decades was rejected, with the intention of leaving a spiritual desert. The plan to liquidate universities and scientific institutions is from that “series.”
It is not that the previous authorities worshiped for culture and education. If that were the case, they would not have built a stone quarry instead of the Youth Palace. But they would never go to today’s level of insolence. Arrogance, self-righteous ignorance, and hooliganism are now called “dukh” by Nikole’s team, which, of course, has nothing to do with real spirit or soul.
What is “encouraging” the current government? They say “the people,” and in this matter, they are partly right. I would replace the noble word “people” with the neutral concept of “electorate.” Yes, spiritual vandalism is encouraged and welcomed by that mass. Because the ignoramus chooses the ignoramus, the hooligan chooses the hooligan, and the one who spits in the street selects the one who spits in the street.
The current authorities are the total representatives of their electorate. The protest of people like me outside such an electorate cannot have any effect. Of course, universities and scientific institutes should be dissolved. No, of course, they couldn’t liquidate the malls of the ruling oligarchs.
The Rector of the Yerevan State Conservatory, Ghazaros Saryan, had an assistant to whom he assigned various technical tasks. But (I’m telling what I saw with my own eyes), when he had to take the paper he signed to some department, he usually didn’t assign it to anyone. He personally carried it. It was a different time: “Soviet Armenian”.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
Photo: “Sputnik” / Assatur Yesayants
