The Trip Ahead
While things continue with YerazArt here in Boston, I have one eye on our trip to Armenia coming up soon. My wife just applied for her Visa and we are getting mentally ready to hit Yerevan in about three weeks. We are going for a wedding of a close friend of ours and have decided to take the time to celebrate our wedding anniversary as well. I've decided to set aside any music related business for later and just sightsee with her and enjoy the company of friends during our stay in Armenia together. After our week or so together there, I will most likely end up staying in Yerevan for another two to three weeks to take care of YerazArt work. It will be interesting to hear my wife's perspective on her first trip to Armenia. Given she is a black Haitian American woman, I will be interested in how local Armenians react to her. Should be fascinating to say the least.
While Pomegranate remains an "after hours" music hobby (a serious one, though) and YerazArt becomes my full time profession, I am comfortable in my arrangement of spending an extended time in Armenia to pursuit my work. It's a nice balance. While I still become annoyed at all of the Diasporan bashing that goes on in the blogs, especially from people who just can't relate to the uniqueness that binds us Armenians, I am starting to see a strange pattern to the Diaspora experience. And, it does bother me.
In the last couple of months, I have decided to look at my fellow Diasporans from the "Diasporan Bashing" point of view. Basically, I have put myself in the mindset of those who feel that the majority of Diasporans are well intentioned, Genocide recognition minded, gullable, and freespending citizens who like to come to Armenia as their Mecca and then go back home and call it an experience. Never to return, and only to show pictures to their friends and family that they went to this and that church and eat kebab with this persons uncle and so on. I see their point, to a certain extent.
There are others still who are very passionate about their Armenian identity, go to church, attend political party meetings, "do the right thing because it is their sense of duty for Armenia" and have never even step foot inside Yerevan or the surrounding areas. When I confront these people as to why they haven't been to Armenia to see first hand if the fruits of their labor have actually gone anywhere- some of whom are close friends and even family- the answer is stunning. Quite simply, the answer is "no". This to me is the ultimate Armenian Diasporan hypocracy. It's time for Diasporans to move out of their "comfort zone". With so many resources, connections, goodwill, and intelligence, I can't see why we can't put more focus on Armenia itself. And when I say Diasporans, I also mean Hayastansi's who have recently settled here in the Diaspora as well.
So, a blanket statement of this nature is very easy to write. Complaining is easy, bitching is easy. The hard part comes in formulating a plan or following through on an idea in our community. Take a look around the room or park next time you have a dance or kebab festival and ask yourself, "is this the best we can do improve the situation in Armenia directly?"
While Pomegranate remains an "after hours" music hobby (a serious one, though) and YerazArt becomes my full time profession, I am comfortable in my arrangement of spending an extended time in Armenia to pursuit my work. It's a nice balance. While I still become annoyed at all of the Diasporan bashing that goes on in the blogs, especially from people who just can't relate to the uniqueness that binds us Armenians, I am starting to see a strange pattern to the Diaspora experience. And, it does bother me.
In the last couple of months, I have decided to look at my fellow Diasporans from the "Diasporan Bashing" point of view. Basically, I have put myself in the mindset of those who feel that the majority of Diasporans are well intentioned, Genocide recognition minded, gullable, and freespending citizens who like to come to Armenia as their Mecca and then go back home and call it an experience. Never to return, and only to show pictures to their friends and family that they went to this and that church and eat kebab with this persons uncle and so on. I see their point, to a certain extent.
There are others still who are very passionate about their Armenian identity, go to church, attend political party meetings, "do the right thing because it is their sense of duty for Armenia" and have never even step foot inside Yerevan or the surrounding areas. When I confront these people as to why they haven't been to Armenia to see first hand if the fruits of their labor have actually gone anywhere- some of whom are close friends and even family- the answer is stunning. Quite simply, the answer is "no". This to me is the ultimate Armenian Diasporan hypocracy. It's time for Diasporans to move out of their "comfort zone". With so many resources, connections, goodwill, and intelligence, I can't see why we can't put more focus on Armenia itself. And when I say Diasporans, I also mean Hayastansi's who have recently settled here in the Diaspora as well.
So, a blanket statement of this nature is very easy to write. Complaining is easy, bitching is easy. The hard part comes in formulating a plan or following through on an idea in our community. Take a look around the room or park next time you have a dance or kebab festival and ask yourself, "is this the best we can do improve the situation in Armenia directly?"
posted by Raffi at 6:21 PM
4 Comments:
Not wanting to be shook down for bribes at Zvartnots airport and subjected to the whims of thugs is not just a desire for some "comfort zone". My uncle contributes thousands of dollars to help Armenian orphans and other good causes, but he will never go to Armenia as long as the corruption continues unabated.I have offered to pay for his tickets, but he always refuses. When he sends parcels to friends in Yerevan and Vanadzor, items are always stolen out of them by the thieving customs department.
Don't come down on those who are intelligent enough to avoid being shaken down for bribes. Instead of being critical of Diasporans, how about asking how Armenian government ministers and officials can pay for their mansions and Mercedes on their meager salaries. Or maybe ask why Armenian students have to pay bribes in order to get diplomas, even though they have completed all their course work and studies. The reasons for Diasporans not wanting to go to Armenia are obvious and valid. It's no wonder so many don't want to look back after experiencing such frustrations and disappointments.
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I have not been asked for a bribe at Zvartnotz in years. I have been here for 2 weeks and have not been approached for a bribe once. It may be just a matter of time, but it's not a constant thing. Please don't portray this country that way, and that way only.
I don't think anyone is asked to pay bribes at Zvartnots - unless, maybe something very wrong with that trip. The arrival and departure is quite transparent and getting, extending visas is done quickly.
A regular visitor will only come across one type of bribery - the traffic police. There are a lot of alleged violations that a driver can make such as crossing an imaginary dividing line, or going faster than the imaginary speed limit (the line and the speed limit will not be posted). Also there are a lot of violations that the drivers make such as speeding (faster than the POSTED speed limit), not obeying POSTED signs and generally driving like abnormally. Unfortunately, instead of fines, which are quite stiff, bribes are offered and taken.
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