– What are your impressions of the recent International Press Congress held in Moscow?
– I can’t say anything due to the fact that I didn’t really participate in the congress. I just took part in one of the round-table discussions as a debater (it was a serious topic dedicated to the press and freedom of speech). So, I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to make any comment. I can only say that there were many people there, it was very representative, very serious and there were many different, interesting opinions.
– The slogan of the congress was “Russia without stereotypes”, but the event organizers didn’t expect to hear such opinions about Russia from the participants. I personally heard the following question: “Is it true that two meters of snow falls in Arbat?”, etc. There were people asking these kinds of questions when there were other more educated people present…
– Well, you know, that’s the same as having some Russians think that people live on trees in Africa.
– Perhaps I’m asking a question that has been asked many times, but what does freedom of speech mean for you?
– Freedom of speech is freedom of mind, the freedom of expression, the absence of an inner “editor”. Each person must feel a sense of responsibility as himself and a journalist in the eye of the public and the readers. However, that’s responsibility and not fear that “someone will attack you” if you say something wrong. That’s simply people’s responsibility to “not pour more salt on the wound”. But when responsibility turns into fear, then that’s simply the absence of freedom.
– What do you think about “self-improvement of the journalistic association” stated by Vladimir Putin during the congress?
– I don’t know what President Putin meant by that. In reality, the “self-improvement of the journalistic association” is like Darwin’s natural selection, in other words, the strongest must stay, the most talented and that’s natural. In my opinion, the level of journalism as a whole has gone down in Russia. I’m talking about both television and newspaper journalists. That has to do with a number of reasons. I think politics comes first. What we have now is polarization. I follow up on what’s going on-it’s centralization and Putin is most probably in the center. Political journalists are divided into two sides-people IN FAVOR of Putin and people AGAINST Putin. Then you have the people who are neither in favor of nor against Putin, like yours truly, but are either in favor or against depending on what Putin says or does. This is what I just don’t understand. So, in my opinion, journalism turns extremely simple. Putin’s example is just one of the examples.
– In your opinion, what impact did the “colorful revolutions” have on freedom of speech in Georgia and Ukraine? One of the representatives of Ukraine said during a round-table discussion that journalists have freedom of speech in Ukraine.
– I won’t deny or confirm what my Ukrainian colleague says because I won’t compare freedom of speech in Ukraine and Georgia now and a couple of years ago.
– During an interview with President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, you asked him what he thinks about how Armenians treat Russians and what they think about Russia. I would like to turn the question around: how do Russians look at Armenia and how do they treat Armenians there?
– Unfortunately, I must state the fact that Russia is a multi-ethnic country and I can’t say for sure if Russia is nationalistic. But xenophobia has developed over the past couple of years and that is a huge problem. I’ll tell you something: the average Russian (I mean many educated people) doesn’t see a difference in Armenians, Georgians or Azerbaijani. Unfortunately, they all look the same and they are all Caucasians. On the one hand, that’s good because you can’t divide people based on races, religion or ethnicity. On the other hand, what difference does it make if you are Armenian or Azerbaijani, or if you’re a good person or bad? It doesn’t matter what your nationality is…However, in this case not seeing the difference is negative. Not everyone is equal (I see the difference in intelligence, honesty, etc.), but they are all physically alike. They look like Caucasians. This is a serious issue, first and foremost, for people living in Russia, for Armenians and the people of Russia. We have to fight against this.
– Russia has always been a multi-ethnic country. How come there are so many nationalist parties and organizations suddenly being founded and who supports them?
– Unfortunately, nationalism is in high demand. Nationalism sells well politically. That has to do with the Russians’ longing to have an empire and it’s a so-called post-imperial syndrome along with a certain underestimation after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It’s really very easy to grasp the concept of nationalism and easy to contract the disease. We are living in a time when nationalism is extremely dangerous.
– Have you been in Armenia? What are your impressions?
– Yes, I have been in Armenia. It’s a beautiful country, the people are very hospitable and they really love Russia. I can’t name any other country in the world that loves Russia that much. That really amazed me. Perhaps we can come up with different reasons, but the fact remains.
– In your opinion, what can be the world symbol or brand for Armenia besides brandy?
– Besides brandy…Armenia’s brand…hmm…I don’t know. What about Russia’s brand?-vodka or the bear? There are very few countries where you can find a brand. I don’t know, I can’t say which brand will be appropriate for Armenia. Brandy isn’t bad, Armenian brandy is very good.
– A country must recognize its heroes. It’s interesting to know if other countries know the heroes of Armenia. What Armenian historic figures can you recall? They don’t have to be from Armenia; after all, Armenia has a huge Diaspora and there are many famous people.
– Jigarkhanyan, Harutyun Hakobyan, Ishtoyan…(laughs). The list goes on, there are many singers, actors, athletes…
– There is a constant question tied to that. Many people from foreign countries are Armenian by nationality. That’s why Ayvazovski is considered a great, national painter both in Russia and Armenia.
– Pushkin is a great Ethiopian poet…
– Are there any limits-this is ours and that’s yours? Do “copyrights” spread?
– There are no limits. That’s really wonderful because you just can’t leave Ayvazovski aside. Let him be respected by Armenians and Russians for the love of God. He’s enough for two nations. It’s a good thing that the two countries consider him their own. That brings the two together.
– Do you think Russia has a problem with keeping the language and culture of other ethnicities?
– Do you mean the communities?
– Yes.
– Of course there is, but different Diasporan communities solve the issues differently. The communities usually keep the language and the culture alive. They can be Italians in America, or Armenians in France and the Jews of the world who have kept their religion, culture alive and have survived in the Diaspora. The Jews have even built their country and returned to their historic Homeland. I think that if the given culture is strong, then it will flourish anywhere around the world.
– Do you have a Russian mentality?
– Of course I do. I am from Moscow. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to learn Georgian. Russian is my native tongue and I am a citizen of Moscow. I think Russian when I talk and I will probably continue like that until the day I die.
– Are there any national customs in your family which are transferred to the next generation?
– Not Georgian. Even my father, who spent his childhood in Georgia, understood Georgian but could never express himself freely in the language because they talked Russian in the family. My grandmother and grandfather used to talk Russian with each other. My grandfather knew how to speak Georgian because it was his native language, but my grandmother talked Russian.
– Armenians and Georgians have gone hand in hand throughout history; they have worked together and rather well. What can you say about the current relations between Armenia and Georgia?
– I think Georgia and Armenia still have great ties. You know, neighboring countries face serious issues quite often, take for example Armenia and Azerbaijan. We have the city of Baku, which as we all know, used to be an international city and we all know what happened later on. Take Tbilisi, it used to be an international city. As far as I know, many bad things happened there during president Gamsakhurdia’s term. He was leading nationalist politics and many Armenians suffered because of that. I think that Georgia and Armenia will have a brighter future together thanks to their religion.
– Finally, what will Armenia be like in ten years?
-I like Armenia and the Armenian people. I am very cordial. I hope and wish that Armenia turns into a flourishing, enriching and peaceful country in ten years.