Refusal Of Two Versions

REFUSAL OF TWO VERSIONS
Anna Israelian

Aravot.am
05 Sept 06

Poet David Hovhannes leaves the contest commission of the text and
music of the RA national anthem.

David Hovhannes explains the reasons why he left the commission.

"I went out angrily after the sitting of the commission on 28 August
refusing to participate in the works of the commission. But "Aravot"
had written that it had become obvious that the author of text for
Ervand Erznkian’s music under Ararat B pseudonym was Razmik Davoyan,
the member of commission. The main point is that it didn’t become
clear, that’s why I went out. The authors of music of 5 compositions
that have passed second stage but two authors of texts are unknown. I
mean nobody knows Arsen Soghomonian who is the author of the text
written for Aram Khachatrian’s music. Ararat B was also unknown. I
have always voted in favor Ervand Erznkian’s melody. I suggested at the
beginning of the sitting of the commission on 28 August to find out the
authors of those two texts. Unexpectedly I faced obstacles. Everybody
was against my suggestion. Everything was done not to publish those
two names. I didn’t understand why it was a secret. After an hour I
managed to find out that Arsen Soghomonin was a chief of department
in the ministry of culture. I was asked what changed it. I answered
that it changed a lot of things: finally it became clear for me why
that unprofessional text passed the second stage. It is a pun as
other 42 texts. This participation was inadmissible both morally
and technically.

As regards "Ararat B", they were strongly opposing not to declare
his name.

It became clear for me who that person was, following his panic and
miserable condition. /As David Hovhannes didn’t say the name, we were
interested whether Razmik Davoyan was present at that sitting. A.I./
I just mean him. I don’t pronounce names but I have always asked who
"Ararat B" is. When that version passed the second stage, I suggested
finding out who he was. Maybe that person is a Turk, enemy of the
nation, he can be the member of commission alluding to him. They
spoke of human rights. I say, I also have human rights and as the
member of commission want to know who is under this pseudonym. Is it
a state secret or matter of national security?

The commission has its working order, and I specified once more from
Nora Dayants, the secretary of commission that the participation of
any member of commission as the author of text or music is forbidden
in this contest.

Everybody in the commission knew who "Ararat B" was, and everybody
was trying to keep it in secret. That’s why my patience was exhausted,
and I made a declaration that I stopped my participation in the works
of commission.

Now I’m sure, only three versions from 5 can be put for voting. The
text version for Aram Khachatrian’s music must be put out. I have
nothing against Ervand Erznkian’s music but the author of its text
is the member of commission, so it must also be put out."