RUBEN HAKHVERDIAN : "OUR BROTHERS’ BLOOD IS SHED IN LIBERATED TERRITORIES, THEY MUST NOT BE RETURNED"

Noyan Tapan
Aug 4, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, NOYAN TAPAN. "Our brothers’ blood was shed in
liberated territories, they must not be returned. If a war starts
I will prepare and go to the war," this was the way composer Ruben
Hakhverdian formulated his position on the Nagorno Karabakh issue
at the August 3 press conference. And expressed an opinion on the
current state of Armenia, saying that "We live in the epoch of deep
feudalism when "we have imagined freedom, independence, but Armenia
has never been in such a dependent state."

R. Hakhverdian considers himself to be an artist, not an
intellectual. He sees people next to real intellectuals who makes use
of the moment, who sings to the government’s tune: "They are supporters
of all the authorities during officiating of the all the authorities."

Evaluating the current state of the Armenian singing art,
R. Hakhverdian mentioned that he notices a terrible fall of taste. "He
does not depend only on the people’s level: it is imposed to listen
to those songs, and it seems that is the horizon," R. Hakhverdian
said. In his words, the state in Armenia sponsors low-quality music,
instead of sponsoring classic one.

Meanwhile low-quality music gets state assistance in none of the
countries.

"I will never abase at the level to make my singing art a business,"
R. Hakhverdian stated, adding that he is satisfied with earning
bread, travells on minibuses. "I must communicate with the people,
argue with the salesman for a new song is born," the composer said.