During the past 25 years, a new generation has grown up knowing nothing but the existence of an independent Republic of Armenia.
For this generation, the Diasporan dreams of an independent republic—the rallying cry for generations of post-Genocide, post-1918 Republic Armenians dispersed around the world—are figments of their imagination or anecdotal vignettes passed down from a previous generations. For the generation growing up in post-independence Armenia, the thought of an iron curtain separating them from the rest of the world and the yoke of Soviet oppression are similarly unfathomable and, at best, stories from a dark past.
As the Armenian Nation celebrates the milestone of the 25th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence, we must fully be cognizant that it is the independence generation, whose dreams and ideals will guide and shape the future of the Republic of Armenia and thus any reforms and planning must be rooted in the advancement of that generation so they too can exercise their right to determine their own and their country’s fate just as was done 25 years ago by those who advanced the notion of independence.
A quarter of a century of independence is certainly cause for celebration and pride. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the processes and events of the past 25 years and correct our course in order to ensure that the Republic of Armenia perseveres and continues to become our national focal point and the nexus for all things Armenian.
The current realities of our young republic require all of us, whether in Armenia or the Diaspora, to pledge our unwavering support for the strengthening and the advancement of Armenia’s statehood so that Armenia can exist from a position of strength and set its future based on an agenda that first and foremost stems from our national ideals and benefits each and every Armenian.
It is no secret that in the past 25 years our young republic has not been the bastion of freedom and democracy that we have all dreamed about. Today, the socio-economic and political conditions of Armenia have resulted in an alarming number of Armenians leaving the homeland and those who have opted to stay are frustrated with the uneven distribution of the national wealth and the often obstruction of their civil liberties. This requires good governance and an opportunity to include all Armenians in the nation building process.
As a nation we possess such resources that if thoughtfully and thoroughly calibrated can make Armenia one of the strongest nations in the world. Thus, it is time to replace the rhetoric with action and truly—and consciously—utilize the pillars that make up the Armenian nation—Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.
The events of this year have proven, beyond a doubt, that our collective efforts must be put forth to defend and advance Armenia’s statehood, which cannot and should never be equated with those forces in positions of authority—the government. Governments will come and go, but the Armenian state will always be there. Our challenge has always been, and moving forward it must be, to advance the needs of the state above all else.
The four-day war in April, when Azerbaijan aggressively attacked Artsakh, demonstrated that our collective resistance and our united front is one of the most important assets that many nations do not have. At the same time, the events of this past summer brought to fore the immense frustration of our citizens toward the current socio-economic and political realities, which if not addressed immediately and properly can wreak havoc on our entire nation.
At the same time, the four-day visit by the Pope to Armenia elevated our nation’s glorious history, heritage and culture and how they have transcended generations to become the core of our national values, ideals and aspirations, as well as our will to persevere under the most adverse of conditions.
This should be the guiding force for us as a nation. As we mark this important milestone, let us together use it as a turning point to advance our national ideals, which include a prosperous existence for the citizens of Armenia, the advancement of security and the people’s right to self-determination in Artsakh, and, of course, one day realizing the dream of a FREE, UNITED, INDEPENDENT HOMELAND.
Long Live the Republic of Armenia
Long Live the Armenian Nation
I never cease to be amazed at the resilience, capabilities, talent, hospitality, and yes heroism of Armenians here in Armenia. I am in complete agreement with your editorial: under proper governance Armenia can be an impressive example for the rest of the world. I think that even the exodus of talent could be reversed. But people need to have confidence in their government and, even more, the government needs to demonstrate that it is deserving of that trust. The level of distrust is so extensive at this point that it will take years for the government, any government, to demonstrate that it is worthy of the trust of the people.
I agree
Long Live the Republic of Armenia
Long Live the Armenian Nation
I agree
“….the thought of an iron curtain separating them from the rest of the world and the yoke of Soviet oppression are similarly unfathomable and, at best, stories from a dark past. ”
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
Cuanto más cambian las cosas, más permanecen igual.
Որքան շատ բաներ փոխել, այնքան ավելի են մնալ նույնը.
Armenia is a TYPICAL developing nation with TYPICAL growing pains. Actually, when one considers that the country is small, poor, remote landlocked, blockaded and in a state of war since its independence, one may actually realize that Armenia is actually doing not so bad after all. It could have been much, much worst. But Armenia is alive and well. The constant, relentless complaints about the country are being propagated by Western intelligence agencies via their proxies (servants) in Armenian communities around the world. The net result: Today’s hysteria, panic, hate, hopelessness, disillusionment and thus, population flight. Armenians may think they are running away from “injustice”, “corruption” or “oligarchs” what they are actually doing is running away from all the constant negativity being propagated by Western powers. Injustice, corruption and oligarchs are much worst in most countries of the world. Yet, it sometimes feels like Armenians are the only ones fleeing from it. The Western agenda to weaken Armenia has achieved some success. Western interests want to foment a revolution in the country like the one they managed in Ukraine simply because Armenia is allied to Russia. This is why Western agents in Armenian society (and there are a lot of them) constantly air Armenia’s dirty laundry and this is why Western agents in Armenian society (and there are a lot of them) constantly bad mouth Russia. Trust me folks, had Armenia been in bed with Uncle Sam we wouldn’t be seeing any protests against our “corrupt leaders” or “oligarchs”. At the end of the day, we must realize that the Western agenda is alive and well in Armenia today only because we Armenians are foolish enough or, in the case of the thousands of Western funded NGO workers in Armenia, financially desperate enough to allow it. Anyway, despite all the hysterical rantings, be it in the homeland or in the diaspora, Armenia is slowly but surely developing and moving forward. People can begin developing a positive attitude and join in the long process of nation-building or continue staying on the murky sidelines and continue spewing their poison. Those who choose the latter are merely doing the bidding of Armenia’s enemies.
Armenia is a TYPICAL developing nation with TYPICAL growing pains. Actually, when one considers that the country is small, poor, remote landlocked, blockaded and in a state of war since its independence, one may actually realize that Armenia is actually doing not so bad after all. It could have been much, much worst. But Armenia is alive and well. The constant, relentless complaints about the country are being propagated by Western intelligence agencies via their proxies (servants) in Armenian communities around the world. The net result: Today’s hysteria, panic, hate, hopelessness, disillusionment and thus, population flight. Armenians may think they are running away from “injustice”, “corruption” or “oligarchs” what they are actually doing is running away from all the constant negativity being propagated by Western powers. Injustice, corruption and oligarchs are much worst in most countries of the world. Yet, it sometimes feels like Armenians are the only ones fleeing from it. The Western agenda to weaken Armenia has achieved some success. Western interests want to foment a revolution in the country like the one they managed in Ukraine simply because Armenia is allied to Russia. This is why Western agents in Armenian society (and there are a lot of them) constantly air Armenia’s dirty laundry and this is why Western agents in Armenian society (and there are a lot of them) constantly bad mouth Russia. Trust me folks, had Armenia been in bed with Uncle Sam we wouldn’t be seeing any protests against our “corrupt leaders” or “oligarchs”. At the end of the day, we must realize that the Western agenda is alive and well in Armenia today only because we Armenians are foolish enough or, in the case of the thousands of Western funded NGO workers in Armenia, financially desperate enough to allow it. Anyway, despite all the hysterical rantings, be it in the homeland or in the diaspora, Armenia is slowly but surely developing and moving forward. People can begin developing a positive attitude and join in the long process of nation-building or continue staying on the murky sidelines and continue spewing their poison. Those who choose the latter are merely doing the bidding of Armenia’s enemies.