Singer Flora Martirosyan and American actor, musician and poet Michael Stone presented performance in Yerevan, which expressed active civic standpoint. The basis of the concert was the Armenian genocide, which found its reflection not only in the songs of our beloved country but also in Stone poems and in the short film of Zhirayr Dadasyan, titled “Stop, people.” The Armenian agony was put among the global issues of the world. The event expressed complaint about any type of violence, disaster and aggression aggregated by humanity. By the way the film was created by the support of Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan. Michael Stone met Flora Martirosyan several years ago due to the great concert of the latter. Although the American actor has been cast in various Hollywood movies and may call his actor’s career successful (mostly thanks to her famous sister – actress Sharon Stone) however, he first of all considers himself a musician. His passion is for rock and roll. During the conversation with us he said that he was planning to come to Yerevan with his band.
– I have an amazing band, where real stars play. For example, my bass player also plays in the band of the famous Armenian singer Cher; my keyboard player has worked with famous singer James Brown for years. I hope that this year in summer I will visit Armenia with my band and will perform a joint concert with Flora Martirosyan. In summer we are also planning to visit Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kiev and Paris.
– People usually try to find their identity in culture and arts. In your opinion, where does this identity originate from?
– I think it is very important to work right with youth. Several days ago I visited Yerevan State University and spoke with students. I realized that it’s very important to pass this way of thinking to the young people and make them value their identity. I think we should start with the children as they are the future of the country. They are the ones, who’d be making decision tomorrow and will tell the world to refuse aggression, violence and be the ones to stop genocides. Every person should follow the call of their hearts and not pay attention to the decisions of the governments. Of course, I understand that at present the whole world is in a quite complicated state – the global crisis thrives. But no one has the right to forget that genocides take place at this very moment at different spots of the world. And the people that have abided genocide should explain to the rest of the world of what happened to them. They should tell people the truth. I have personally witnessed many wars in my life. I was 18 when I was participating in air attacks in Vietnam. I ensure you that the person who goes to war, comes home with deformed psychic state.
– Do you know about Karabakh war?
– Yes. And I understand that when the enemy comes your home, knocks at your door you have to grab the weapon and protect your family. But the picture is totally different when you take the weapon and attack others. Unfortunately at present many wars are levied in order to dominate oil reserves. Oil, gold, diamond and heroine are the basic reasons of war. The war in Afghanistan also started because of controlling the roads of heroine. And it’s very sad when small states become a prize for the super states. I am sure that it is necessary to either fight this intention or avoid being involved in such wars. I told the Armenian students to be leaders and not let others control them.
– How can they do it?
– For the person the most important thing is the education. We should develop and be self-educated every moment and listen to what the world tells us. Life is very short. I rarely personally meet with my parents and sisters. We all live in different towns and I am able to see my parents and sisters only one-two times a year. And every time I meet my father I realize that he gets older. That is very sad. It was yesterday that I was young; now I am a grown man and perhaps tomorrow will go to God. I’ like to say that everyone considers his/her family the most valuable. You may have the diamonds, gold and money of the world but if you don’t have a family, then you don’t have anything valuable.
– I think people will understand you very well. For Armenians the family is the most imprint circle.
– Money cannot substitute happiness. I personally have many millionaire friends, who are really rich but unhappy because they don’t enjoy the family “sweetness.” Poor people understand it better.
– What impression do you have from Armenia?
– I have seen wondrous churches in Armenia. I admired their loftiness and meanwhile got surprised how people can leave trash in the vicinity of those monuments. Mountains of garbage arise near those churches and people throw garbage from the window of the cars. Such a thing cannot just happen in America. I think it’s because of the lack of education. Such a thing one can see in Mexico, where people as well lack education. And this is really sad because it got nothing to do whether the country is rich or poor. You may not have money but it’s necessary to have culture of behavior. And I am sure that national pride starts from education and self-education. There is no need to speak much. It’s better to look at the world and listen to people. In general it is not a good thing to speak much. It is good to work. I am happy that I work and that I have a full working schedule. I want my mother and father to be proud of me.
– Don’t you think that the international crisis may also bring certain use to people in terms of re-meaning their lives?
– Crisis is a good thing as it wakes people up and opens their eyes. People lack money and therefore find time to listen and understand each other. People should be able to start over everything; work better and live better. You know, people often tell me that I am lucky and that my sister is happy and she helps me. But no one seems to notice that my sister Sharon works painstakingly every day and has a tight schedule and therefore doesn’t have time for rest. She works with poor children, is involved in HIV issues and implements various charity actions. Do you know why she does that? When we were young we were very poor. Our parents didn’t even have money to buy food for us. Poverty was a great stimulus for us. I am sure that Sharon had great success as she didn’t want to go back to her childhood and live in destitution again. She was ready to work day and night to overcome poverty. We have spoken a lot about that and she told me that she was grateful for her memories and always remembered what it means to be poor. People have short memory. When they get rich they usually forget their poor past and stop working and developing.
– Do you look at life as a poet or as a realist?
– I am an emotional person and prefer to transmit my thoughts to people through poetry. I know that you cannot become a poet within several days. It is necessary to live a life full of emotions. That’s the only way to deliver your real message. I have lived several days in Armenia and Armenian penetrated into my poetry. I have already managed to write a few poems about Armenia which I will shortly develop.
– What is your message to Armenians?
– Keep believing in God and your memories. And also work hard. No one knows how live will proceed. Even Barack Obama doesn’t know that.