I DO NOT WANT REVENGE AND PUNISHMENT, I WANT JUSTICE, BRAZILIAN ARMENIAN ACTOR STEPAN NERCESSIAN SAYS

NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY
SEPTEMBER 18, 2009
YEREVAN

RA Minister of Diaspora Ms. Hranush Hakobian on September 10 received
Brazilian Armenian actor Stepan Nercessian who was on his first visit
to Armenia. At a press conference on the same day, the minister said
that in addition to his cultural activity, S. Nercessian is involved in
politics: he is deputy chairman of Rio de Janeiro City Council where
he represents the Socialist People’s Party of Brazil. S. Nercessian
intends to run in federal elections as well.

In 2008 S. Nercessian prepared and submitted a draft law on
establishing a day of the support and tribute to the Armenian people
in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. "He managed to make the city
council pass a bill on Genocide issues. It means that the problem
of the recognition of the Genocide is on the agenda of the Armenian
community in Brazil," H. Hakobian stated.

"It is my rebirth today because I set foot on the soil of the Mother
Homeland for the first time. I am happy to be an Armenian. The
Armenians are very well received in almost every place of the world
as one of their greatest advantages is that they are on good terms
with everybody," S. Nercessian said.

According to him, he first heard of the Genocide in his childhood from
his father – Karabed Nercessian from Diarbeqir. "I was going to kill my
classmate of Turkish descent, but my father said revenge is not a duty
of an Armenian. His behest to work for the improvement and development
of mankind has become a guideline for me," S. Nercessian noted. As
regards the problem of the Genocide recognition, he pointed out the
necessity to struggle so that the Genocide will be acknowledged and the
history wont’t be forgotten. "I do not want revenge and punishment. I
want justice. By denying it, they deny my consciousness, my history,"
he said.

"Dance Hall" film with Stepan Nercessian in one of the roles was
screened at Moscow House in Yerevan on September 11. Nercessian started
his acting career at the age of 16 when he played the lead role in
a 1970 film Marcelo Zona Sul. Since then he has appeared in 40 films.