OLEG GABRIELYAN: THE TIME WILL COME FOR UKRAINE TOO TO RECOGNIZE THE GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS

Noyan Tapan
May 8, 2009

KIEV, 8 MAY, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY: Interview of Oleg
Gabrielian, leader of the Armenian community of the Crimea, Chair of
the Political Science Program, Vernadsky Taurida National University
(TNU), for Analitika.at.ua Information and Analysis Centre .

– Mr. Gabrielian, please tell us about the Armenian community of
the Crimea.

– As the leader of the Armenian community of the Crimea (ACC) for
the last seven years, I could tell you enough to turn this interview
into a long story. I will mention our most significant phases and
achievements: the establishment of a convenient ACC office; the
construction of a new building for the office; the recognition of the
Genocide of Armenians by the Crimean Parliament; the restoration of
the old Armenian cemetery of Simferopol; the return and restoration of
the churches of Kerch and Evpatoria; renovation of the Yalta church;
celebrations of the 650th anniversary of Surb-Nshan (Holy Sign) Church
and Surb-Khach (Holy Cross) Monastery of Sevastopol (renovation of
the Monastery, construction of a road and conduct of electricity, the
establishment of a museum and the issuance of a memorial coin by the
National Bank); publication of thirty books, printing of the "Dove of
Massis" magazine, establishing after-school classes of the Armenian
language and literature at secondary schools, and assistance to the
self-organisation of Armenian youth. Some ten Armenians were granted
the highest decorations of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea
and Ukraine, nominated by the Armenian community of the Crimea. It
is gratifying to think that the hard work of the community members
yielded such results before its remarkable jubilee. This year the
community will turn 20.

– You are also the Head of the Armenian Studies Committee. How is
the work going?

– In 2008 the Centre for Armenian Studies was established on the
initiative of the Armenians of Ukraine. The first international
conference was held in the same year. The conference materials were
published and in the newly established journal, "Research in Armenian
Studies in Ukraine". This year the second conference will be held. A
competition of projects on research in Armenian culture was announced
in 2008. Five projects were approved. We are to receive the results
of their implementation during the current year. The project on the
publication of the illustrated book, "Ukraine: Armenians" received
special support. This is a big project which is to present the cultural
heritage of the Armenians of Ukraine.

– How many Armenian architectural monuments are there in the Crimea
and in what condition are they?

– At one time we implemented a project supported by the International
Fund for the Renaissance, which allowed not only to register all of the
Armenian architectural monuments but also to describe these in every
detail and carry out photographic documentation. Unfortunately, time
is invincible, and the monuments are deteriorating. The state and the
community lack adequate resources to completely and fully rehabilitate
them. What comforts us is that at least we succeeded in passing on the
minute description of these monuments to the generations. The outcomes
of the project were submitted to the Ethnographic Museum of the Crimea.

– How do you think the Armenian community succeeded in resolving its
vital issues during the years of independence of Ukraine and establish
itself as an effective factor?

– We have two strategic goals that are vital for the community to
achieve to become full- fledged. These include the construction of
the mother church in Simferopol and the establishment of a complete
Armenian school. The latter is an extremely complex task, however,
without it, the community would be doomed to assimilation.

– What are the main problems of the Crimean community?

– The Armenians need to legalize their stay in Ukraine and particularly
in the Crimea. However, the process has not yet been completed,
bureaucracy, as well as our compatriots having their share of fault.

– Please tell us about your plans related to the expected decisive
tasks, such as the inclusion of the Armenian language on the list of
the languages of the national minorities of Ukraine, the recognition
of the Genocide of Armenians, the revelation of the Armenian heritage
and…

– We have an ACC development programme, and the National Council
approves the annual plan every year. I mentioned the two strategic
goals above. They will determine our activities for the coming five
years. I am confident that the day will come for Ukraine too to
recognize the Genocide of Armenians: to this end, we need to extend
the experience of the Crimean Armenians in the solution of this
issue to the entire country. Every year we organize a march and rally
dedicated to that sorrowful day. We could proceed from the particular
to the universal and try to achieve the recognition of the genocide
by the Regional Councils and thereafter by Ukraine. Unfortunately,
our political influence is insufficient to have the Armenian
language included on the list of the languages of national minorities
"preserved" by the European Charter on Languages. We need to try and
achieve this. However, there are processes going on which depend only
on us, for example, open up schools and classes for our children and
teach them their mother tongue and culture. I will repeat that the
community has no future without schools.

With all of my respect for the Armenian Church, the latter cannot
resist the assimilation processes alone without schools.

– What pages of Armenian-Ukrainian history are you proud of?

– I would recall Sergei Paradjanov here. We have a great creative
potential in the area of creating cultural phenomena. For instance,
"David of Sassoun", the Armenian epic poem in the Ukrainian language,
is on my shelf.

The soil of Kerch is abundantly imbued with Armenian blood: two
Armenian divisions fell here in the years of the Great Patriotic
War. This is our common history, and I am proud of such pages of
this history.

– What would you wish our readers?

– I would wish Armenians to ask themselves a simple question, "What
makes me Armenian?" and answer it honestly. As to all the readers
without an exception, I would wish them to be more careful about the
history and culture of their neighbors. That makes us richer and wiser.

Interview conducted by Marat Hakobyan (Analitika.at.ua Information
and Analysis Centre)

NOTE: Oleg Gabrielian has a PhD in Philosophy and MS in Mathematics
and Economics. He is an Honored Culture Worker of Ukraine and the
Head of the Armenian community of the Crimea.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress