Objectives of cultural policy

Editorial

Yerkir/arm
8 July 05

Preservation of the cultural identity is not only a cultural issue for
us but first of all an issue of national identity preservation.

Taking into account that the free Armenian republic is based on the
political will of free living, the preservation of national identity
is of vital importance to us. Preservation of national identity is
best in terms of statehood.

For the Armenian nation, independent statehood first of all implies
preservation of identity on the historical, cultural field.

For centuries on having no statehood, we eventually shaped a state due
to that the territory of the population matched the cultural
territory. It is due to the national culture that Armenians differ
from other nations and reproduce themselves as a society.

However, we should clearly distinguish between cultural preservation
and cultural isolation. Certain actions, trying to defy the Western
cultural expansion, simp0ly isolate themselves.

This type of cultural preservation cannot be acceptable for our
nation, since modern Armenian culture is open and creative. Thus, our
issue of cultural preservation and reproduction is not about deepening
our national traditions but shaping a policy of reproduction
mechanisms identity preservation.

Thus, the basic issue today is acknowledge and express the creative
potential of the national culture. We should not focus on mere
preservation of national values and traditions but on creating
conditions for expression of our human resources potential.