NEW ANTHEM
Boys and girls, looks like our Republic of Armenia has a new national anthem! Well, sort of...
A piece by Aram Khatchaturyan was chosen, although the lyrics which were submitted with this composition were rejected.
We recently heard the top 5 submissions, and although most people expected Tigran Mansuryan's piece to win, I think this was the more suitable choice. We now have to go through the process of hearing what lyrics people submit.
I've always felt a lack of patriotism in this country, but I'm glad to say that I've noticed a lot of people showing interest in our country's national anthem.
By the way, in reference to my previous blog, check this one. This one is even MORE WRONG ... along with the "e", we now have a lower case "P"! They have a few versions in different colours, each one with it's own spelling mistake.
A piece by Aram Khatchaturyan was chosen, although the lyrics which were submitted with this composition were rejected.
We recently heard the top 5 submissions, and although most people expected Tigran Mansuryan's piece to win, I think this was the more suitable choice. We now have to go through the process of hearing what lyrics people submit.
I've always felt a lack of patriotism in this country, but I'm glad to say that I've noticed a lot of people showing interest in our country's national anthem.
By the way, in reference to my previous blog, check this one. This one is even MORE WRONG ... along with the "e", we now have a lower case "P"! They have a few versions in different colours, each one with it's own spelling mistake.
posted by Der Hova at 2:22 AM
29 Comments:
Maybe these are real 'ipode'-s. You know, cheap Chinese iPod rip-offs.
I am sure a ton of people will comment on your view of the patriotism of the Armenian nationals so I am not going to get into it.
LOL i-pode is like the "panasoanic" phones... lol
As far as the national anthem changing... I just can't believe it's happening... Don't the people of the country have to vote on this? I'm just imagining what would happen if one day the President of the US decides that we need something a little more "hip" than the Star Spangled Banner.
Also... how is my kindergarten student going to learn a Khachaturian piece? I really like "Mer Hayrenik"!!! People need to actually sang all FOUR verses... even to this day, I get teary-eyed when I hear it...
"It's it's not broken, don't fix it".
new anthem? what was wrong with the old one?
shooosh, hogis, very VERY dashi comment about the anthem. Are there any dashnaks who would like to see it changed?
The Khatchaturyan piece is a beautiful piece with hints of ethnic Armenian melodies. I don't hear anything "Armenian" in the current anthem.
Please fill me in.
What is the reason for changing the old anthem?
What is the critique against it?
Wait, seriously, the OFFICIAL national anthem is going to change? That's awful. Saying that "...Khatchaturyan piece is a beautiful piece with hints of ethnic Armenian melodies..." is so not enough. The national anthem, like it or not, represents depth in our nation and stands for so much emotionally, historically, and in unity throughout the world. And it's a contest? Open to who? That makes it sound like a reality show. And who is the deciding "we" anyway. You are challenging our tradition and there is something inherently wrong in that. Besides, it'll probably be as impossible as a company changing their branding and getting their public to recognize the new one...even if you think you have widespread support.
Well for me, it's not that important of whether there are hints of Armenian in it ... when is that really useful anyway? When we win a gold medal at the olympics or the World Cup?
For me, it's more important that the everyday Armenian (like my 3rd generation students) can sing it with pride... not just hum parts of it cause they have no idea "how it goes".
Changing the anthem is required by the adoption of the new constitution.
There is a state commission that is to choose this new anthem. They may choose something new, or choose 'Mer Hayrenik' if there is nothing better. I think it has to be done by the end of 2006.
I personally know of at least one very staunch tashnak who is all for changing it...don't know what his beef is...but i'm with Shoosh on this one...I too get emotional hearing it...the anthem is yet another medium that reinforces our sense of belonging whether in the diaspora or in armenia...and it carries so much meaning in terms of armenia's independence...i'm not saying we will all lose our sense of armenianness with a new anthem...but why change something when it's not broken?! if anything it was fixed!!! "Azad ou angakh"
Where can we hear the Khachaturyan piece?
But really, do you guys really love Mer Hayrenik that much? Would you like it at all if you were hearing it for the first time or would it just depress you?? I guess it's obvious I'm not a huge fan... I am a bit hesitant though since of course there is always the chance they can pick a worse one, but still, it could be quite cool.
I don't get all emotional for the song. I also don't believe it should be changed. People need to realized that not everything in Armenia needs to be remonded. "Mer Hairenik" is a good national anthem and I'm getting tired of them changing it every time they get bored.
I know this is slightly off topic, but can anyone tell me if there's an actual legitimate and authorised Apple store in Yerevan where I can get my Ipod fixed?
Thanks
What is Armenian about "Mer Hairenik" is its history. It was widely sung before the first republic and was the hymn of the first republic. Yes, it may be time to change (as many Tashnag friends agree). However, choosing Khatchaturian is a mistake. He has international name recognition but the piece is not catchy or emotive enough for an anthem. Shoosh is right in stating that school kids are going to have difficulty with this one. It also reflects a big problem with post Soviet Armenia. The intellectuals act like a widow clinging to the underwear of her dead husband. They need to stop holding on to the past (be it the old Soviet spelling system or building style) and get on with a new life for Armenia.
My reasons for wanting an new anthem:
1. It was a temporary measure after independence, we know that.
2. We have beautiful melodies, ancient compositions and yet we all put our hand on our hearts and sing a song based on an Italian composer's melody?
3. The current anthem is WAY too boring and sounds like a Toys R Us jingle.
4. As it stands, the Khatchatrian one is beautiful! And, of course we need Armenian elements at the World Cup, and Olympics.. even more than at home.
Against...
1. The public need to have been involved a lot more.
2.The word "contest" is perhaps not correct, but it should have been more offical ie. major public organisations and bodies present an anthem they support.
3.There is no public ballot on this anthem.
4. How the hell are we gonna tell all those Dashnaks we changed their song??
vay
:))
what's next to change? the flag?... the "bastardized" language being presently used in Armenia (that would be a good thing!!!... no more "activatznel electronayin aftomatnere"!!!!!)? as if there is nothing else that needs to be fixed in present day Armenia... how about fixing all the corruption... the cops... the politicians... LEAVE THE PRESENT ANTHEM ALONE...
if you guys want something more upbeat and that kids can sing to.. then let's vote for "qami pche" as the new national anthem!
Don't tempt us, Pedro! :-)
Ya... we need to discuss this spelling issue before we change a song! Poor Mesrob is rollin' in his grave, cause some guy decided to give his letters new jobs and got rid of some others....
I feel like changing of the anthem is a plan to leave people out... here's ONE song, that every Armenian in the world knows (I hope), and can sing together... and we want to get rid of it? Ya, I know it's somewhat "conspiracy-theorist" of me... but come on, that's why they changed the spelling.
Also.. I don't see this as a Tashnag thing at all. ANDDDDD, if we want something more Armenian, why are we choosing Khachaturian over Khachatur Avetisyan? (just cause khachaturian is more famous)
Pedro, not because I took part in producing the song, but, for Armenians living in Armenia, I think Qami Pchi would get a more positive response than the current anthem.
I, in my circle of friends, don't know anyone who likes the current anthem. In fact, they hate it. And my feelings are mutual. And imagine that, a hated anthem to represent our country. An anthem is supposed to make its people get goosebumps when played, to stand proud and sing along.
Public opinion is definitely needed. The public needs to decide what composition hits their souls. Sorry if this sounds rude, but I think the people who live in Armenia need to decide. I just don't get the logic of someone living out of this country, no intentions of relocating here, singing "Mer Hayreniq ...." on American, Canadian, or whatever soil. I mean come on!
Harmick your comment about it sounding like a jingle is so true. 4 lines, the last 2 repeating again, and over and over again. No progression or build up to anything. Compare this to any anthem out there. And honestly, how many kindergarden students in America know the national anthem? The American anthem has progression in it's composition, "Mer Hayreniq" does not.
And the "...widow clinging to the underwear of her dead husband" comment can apply to "Mer Hayreniq" too.
Anyway, this is all my personal opinion. Let everyone decide, but fair elections in this country? Never mind. Who knows, we might end up with Khatchaturyan's beautiful compostion with the lyrics of "Mer Hayreniq".
This is so typical of armenian goevernment, once again ignoring its nation. Even though changing the national anthem is not an issue that will take to the streets, still I wonder if any armenians will publically protest at all? I guess none....and that's why our government will do whatever it wishes, we'll just sit and wait.
If Qami Pchi would garner more positive response than the national anthem as it stands, perhaps the patriotism of the nationals needs to be reassessed before any song can really mean something. No one disagrees that the musical prowess of our artists can produce a fine new patriotic composition, maybe even “better” if you look at it at the face value. But, you can walk into any auditorium in the US with a class of first graders during a recital for their Armenian Sunday school where the closing piece is Mer Hayrenik and as they start to sing for the first time watch all the mamigs and dadigs in the room regardless of their ailments stand up from their walkers and wheelchairs with tears flowing to lead the charge for the entire room to partake in a moment that reminds us why we are so proud to be Armenian…no matter where we are. No one is thinking about the progression of the song. And I am seriously not being dramatic in this image – goosebumps are an understatement. The lyrics may not be gripping enough for some, the melody not representative enough but, it IS our national anthem and represents just that for generations of Armenians around the globe. It's a symbolic representation that means everything...
And the majority of Armenian kindergarteners in America kill themselves in Armenian private schools or Sunday Schools to learn our alphabet, songs, and history. Don’t take that away from us…we have just as much say in what represents our homeland, whether we plan on coming back home or not.
Whatever its musical merits or shortcomings, "Mer Hairenik" played an large role over the past 100 years as an embodiment of a significant part of the Armenian people's dreams for a liberated Armenia. Now that Armenia has been liberated (at least in part), it is time for a new anthem. However, that doesn't mean "Mer Hairenik" needs to be ridiculed. In doing so, we ridicule a large number of those who dedicated themselves to an independent Armenia.
- 5 year olds in America do sing "Mer Hairenik" with enthusiasm.
- Many Americans would rather have another anthem - lyrics and melody to complicated.
ARMENIA MAY HAVE NATIONAL ANTHEM WITHOUT LYRICS
AZG Armenian Daily
24/10/2006
After long-lasting public discussions and debates of musical experts,
the commission formed for selection of Armenian new state anthem
approved the music composed by the great Armenian composer Aram
Khachaturian for the anthem of the Soviet Armenia. At the same time,
the commission disapproved of all of the 85 texts for the anthem
submitted for the commission's consideration.
At present, in case, RA Government and RA National Assembly approve
the abovementioned decision of the commission, our country may have
an anthem without any lyrics for a while, until a new competition
for the anthem text is announced. The royalties for the best music
amounts to AMD 700, 000. Most likely this sum will be transferred to
Aram Khachatrian's Memorial House.
It's worth mentioning that the majority of the Armenian intelligentsia
have disapproved the previous anthem.
It's funny... I read all the comments, and I think.. "What's the point? They're gonna change the anthem ANYWAY, and none of our opinions matter". Sad.
Lisa is right. Who cares about whether Armenian-American kindergartners know or don't know the anthem? Are you guys really serious? The future generation of Armenian diasporans being totally oblivious about their heritage and identity? Indirectly or directly, that is going to put a huge dent in the growth of our Nation.
Random Memory: Once, I met a 7 year old half-Armenian, who didn't really know how to hold a conversation in Armenian, but who went to his room - picked up a yerakooyn, and performed "Mer Hayrenik" for me with soooooo much pride - and then proudly announced that gramma taught him the "Armenian star spangled banner". :)
Mer Hayrenik is cute for children up to the age of 10, after that, the whole song just loses its power. Ithink a change is nice...
We all know change should occur in Armenia... maybe this is the beginning...
Dashnags should proly not have a say in this since most of them dont even live in Armenia...
and on a random note: Why do diasporans feel that they should have a say in everything done in armenia when the most they contribute to Armenia is the 20 bucks donated during the telethon?
I think the Khatchaturyan piece is brilliant, its classical, its rich, and has a body of power and authority in it.
I've heard ringtones which could have been better than the 91 onwards anthem, it was poor to say the least.
As for people protesting on the streets, what for? An anthem which reminds them of times when they were not poverty stricken, when they were proud to say where they were from?
And who asked the Armenian people for the 91' onwards anthem? Does that have any legitimacy among none dashnaks? No.
"An anthem which reminds them of times when they were not proverty stricken, when they were proud to say where they were from" - Getse Stalin! I suppose Moscow recalled all of the toilets after independence.
No problem changing "Mer Hairenik". But no need to mock it. In doing so you mock a lot of history that allowed for your glorious workers paradise. If it wasn't for the ARF, there wouldn't be an ASSR. I'm not a Tashnag - but history is history. If you don't like it, you should work for Mr. Gul.
The last comment is too rude in tone. Play nice.
Sam, the Tashnags are a part of the ruling coalition, so your argument falls a bit flat, I'd say.
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