Will Armenia Become Soulless?
Yesterday, there was a remarkable concert at the Opera by the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Academic Choir of Armenia conducted by Ohannes Tchekidjian. The program was from G. Rossini “Stabat Mater” and the entire audience was astonished by the robust voice this choir let out. We were all pulled out of our seats.
I am relentlessly reminded by the enormous talent (musical, artistic, etc) that we have in Armenia, many of whom leave Armenia thanks to better paying contracts abroad and better living conditions (who can blame them?).
Now, if only we could stop constructing so many new condo buildings in Yerevan and put some of these construction funds to effectively support Armenian artists and the art/music industry; or better yet, find new funds for these all together. What would we have with so many new buildings with no local artists with whom to fill them? A beautiful country with no soul.
I am relentlessly reminded by the enormous talent (musical, artistic, etc) that we have in Armenia, many of whom leave Armenia thanks to better paying contracts abroad and better living conditions (who can blame them?).
Now, if only we could stop constructing so many new condo buildings in Yerevan and put some of these construction funds to effectively support Armenian artists and the art/music industry; or better yet, find new funds for these all together. What would we have with so many new buildings with no local artists with whom to fill them? A beautiful country with no soul.
posted by Lara at 6:37 PM
5 Comments:
Yerani te amen hye kez bes mdadzér!! Shad shidag khosker.
The Armenian current influencial class starting from president and ending with oligarchs or a small town mayors think in a very short term. Robbing as much as they can at the moment.
The cutting down of trees, parks, increases the polution and congestion in Yerevan and not only in Yerevan, This makes Armenia a very dangeriouse place to grow up children, including their own.
The high and secondary schools are in a pittiful condition after the Optimalasation. Being uneducated and theif is now more valuable than being educated and honest. Educated and honest people leave because they are now a minority and can not live in the country anymore.
The country can stand up on her feet only after a strategy is produced which would encourage educated and talanted people to create.
In early 1920s Alexander Myasnikian called all Armenians to come back to Armenia and build the country and he supported them as much as he could. It was successful withe xamples of Acharian with his dictionary, Yervan Kochar with his magnificant sculpturs, Tamanian with Yerevan planning, Toramanyan, Isahakian, Saryan and many others. And the rulling coalition can not even find a candidate for culture minister's position.
Armenia can stand on her feet only after we have an inteligent presedent and government on place.
Lara, I do not share your sentiment that building new condos equals a lack of arts in Yerevan. That city is one of the most vibrant musical arts towns I have been to recently. There is quite a raw hunger and tremendous creativity emanating througout Yerevan whenever I visit or do a talent scouting trip. Ultimately, it is the consumer that dictates if the arts stay around or not. Yes, local and national funds allocated towards arts/music helps, but, if there is not paying customer to help support the product, there are no arts.
I can appreciate the lament at there being no potential art homes in Armenia. However, when and if that is the case (I don't think it will be), the rewarding part of any pursuit of the arts is the process of finding hidden jewels.
So, please don't fret, it really isn't as bad as you think it may be...
Lara, I completely agree with you. I was at the concert as well, and everytime I walk into that building I feel like I'm in a completely different city, a place which has nothing to do with the 'almost' cultureless world right outside those walls.
The concert was a little heavy, but seeing 200+ people on stage is awesome.
A little harsh Lara but we know what you mean!
Garabed
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