PEOPLE MIGRATE NOT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF BREAD, BUT – LOVE

Interview with honored artist Levon Manaseryan.

– I am already 90. At 7 I lost my father. Almost every day I remember the war. I was wounded near Sevastopol, after the surgery, I was sent to Armenia. Deputy head of the hospital for political affairs was a theater critic before the war. Seeing my drawings, he advised to obtain a higher art education…

Whence comes this gray, these mediocrity, without a soul, without life?… Because tailor is engaged in journalism, chef draws, the driver is a politician. There are so many lies! We cry about the Genocide, every year all the people are waiting with bated breath – US President will utter the word “genocide” or not? With trembling hearts we count the number of countries to recognize the genocide, Turk-phobia is made the first criterion of our patriotism, but they had to first build for themselves a strong and secure country. A country where poverty and unparalleled depravity not live side by side, the country, from which do not leave… We are to blame for our troubles. Why do not you leave the country for abroad? Such journalists like you out there are paid 10 times more.

– …Because here they love me.

– Someone else would say – because I love my homeland but it would be a half-truth. Then, love people, so they don’t leave their homeland! People easily leave, because at home do not like them. People migrate not because of the lack of bread, but – love.

– Why you did not allow to introduce you to the title of People’s Artist?

– Because I’m offended. People are not happy, in my country colors are extinct, in my country there is pain, there are many concerns. Why do I rank? A journalist must seek the truth. Motherland is the area of your love. How great is your love, so increase your homeland. And the country’s progress, moral self-cleaning, even economic development are due to culture and art. Culture is the driving force of society. And to wake patriotism, it is not necessary to talk about genocide and Masis.

– And what would you say to the Armenian soldier who protects the border?

– Nothing. I’ll tell the people in power. Take care of the homeland, for which soldier’s blood flows. Before you rant about homeland, send your sons to the front with simple guys, so that the country becomes a country, to revive the lost faith. And do so that not a single hair fell from the soldier’s head.

Interview by GAYANEH POGHOSYAN