Armenia bans British actor’s performance
Arminfo, Yerevan
1 Feb 07
British artist Nigel Charnock has apologized for his performance that caused
a negative reaction in Armenia, Arminfo news agency reported on 1 February.
During his performance in Yerevan on 31 January, Charnock reportedly danced
on the Armenian flag, which triggered strong criticism in the country.
Charnock said that he had no intention of insulting Armenian spectators and
just wanted to show his love and sympathy. "People in many countries of the
world have seen this solo performance, but I have not faced such a negative
reaction anywhere," the agency quoted him as saying.
The acting director of the British Council in Armenia, which organized the
tour, has also apologized for the incident. "I offer my apologies for
yesterday’s performance and hope that it will not be regarded as a deliberate action
to insult Armenia," Arminfo quoted (?Tonic Roker) as saying.
The Armenian Culture Ministry earlier issued a statement, condemning the
performance.
"Nigel Charnock can do everything he likes with the flag of his own country,
but not with the national symbol of Armenia," Arminfo quoted the statement as
saying on 1 February.
The ministry has imposed a ban on Charnock’s performances in Armenia’s state
theatres, Deputy Minister Karine Khodikyan told Arminfo. She also said that
the actor had violated the Armenian law on the national flag and might get up
to one year in prison or two years of compulsory work for disrespecting the
country’s national symbols.
The artistic director of the Yerevan-based Russian Drama Theatre that hosted
the performance also criticized Charnock’s show. "He can jump on a British
flag as long as he wants. But to an Armenian flag, that is an taunt," the
agency quoted Aleksandr Grigoryan as saying. As for the early part of the show, he
described it as "non-aesthetic and amoral", the agency said. "One should
know what kind of things can be performed in different countries," Grigoryan
said. However, he said the actor might be allowed to continue his performance,
provided that the dance on the Armenian flag and sexual scenes are removed
from the show.