Vardan Petrosyan: We have no right to forget the Genocide

The message of not forgetting the Genocide should be seriously implemented in our educational system, famous actor Vardan Petrosyan, who was on tour in Moscow, said in an interview with Alpha News‘ Moscow editorial office on April 24.

On April 23, Vardan Petrosyan presented his latest play, Lullaby Commandment, to Armenian theater lovers in Moscow.

“We have no right to forget the Genocide. I always say that we should learn from the Jews. They added one more commandment to the 10 commandments. Do you know what that is? ‘Do not forget’. See what a genius solution it is! It is possible to sign an agreement, cooperate, and develop relations with any state, but they have made the factor of not forgetting a spiritual commandment.

This should be taken as an example, regularly reminded, and the message of not forgetting should be included in our education system with the utmost seriousness,” he said.

When asked why the Armenian intelligentsia is so passive in these difficult days for the country, Vardan Petrosyan said:

“I find it difficult to speak on behalf of someone else, but to some extent I understand the essence of the problem. It is a serious and multifaceted problem. One of the most important points is that today we live in an information field where the Armenian mind is divided and fragmented.

If an intellectual person has a basic opinion, even because of their profession, before that opinion reaches the public, it meets thousands of statuses, gets wasted in it, comes out undigested, and only then reaches people. A part of the intelligentsia does not want to become a victim of these attacks. This is a very dangerous period when you are afraid to express your opinion.

A group of intellectuals also say this, and it’s fair to wonder if I say something to someone, will my words get to the point? If my words won’t find their place in that noise and fuss, then why am I saying them? No matter what you say, the human mind is labeled.”

According to Vardan Petrosyan, on the other hand, it is good that intellegentsia does not talk too much because it is competent, knowledgeable people that should speak.

“It is sad when an ignorant person speaks. In such complicated political situations, you should not ask questions about the way out to a theater person or an art person.”