Singer and songwriter Serj Tankian was in Yerevan on Aug. 14 where he gave a free concert, making headlines for his calls to end corruption and for his support of civic activism. While in Yerevan, Tankian also met with President Serge Sarkisian, and received an award from Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian.
Tankian performed before 10,000 fans during the inaugural celebration of the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, held in collaboration with Deem Communications and Fugitive Studios. The program included numbers from his “Elect the Dead” album, as well as Armenian songs. He was accompanied on stage by an orchestra, conducted by Hamish McKeich from New Zealand. Dorians, an Armenian rock band, was the opening act.
During the concert, Tankian took a moment to remind the audience of the importance of keeping the air, land, and water clean, adding that Armenia should be careful not to fall into the same troubles other countries have come across, and that citizens must care for one another.
Tankian calls out corruption
During a public discussion with non-governmental organizations and the media, organized by Kanachastan, the Civilitas Foundation, and the local office of Counterpart International, Tankian also spoke out against corruption in the country, saying there needs to be a separation between business and politics. “When I first got here there was a look of desperation on people’s faces, not just unhappiness but hopelessness…and that is worse than poverty. I think we need to establish a rule of law in the country,” he said.
“In Armenia we have business and politics in the same seat. One of them has got to get off the seat,” he added. “I think having a rule of law in the country from top to bottom will alleviate a lot of concerns, whether it’s traffic tickets or taxes or wages or how many hours someone should work. It’s all connected to this one thing of enforcing the rule of law. I think we have great laws on the books. I think we have a decent constitution as far as I’ve seen. So as far as we actually stick by it, we’ll be fine.”
Speaks against environmental threats
Tankian then singled out a controversial mining project as a threat to Armenia’s environment. The mining plan, which will be executed by Armenian Copper Program, aims to extract copper and molybdenum from Teghut forest, located in the Lori area, by clear-cutting 1,500 acres of the forest, say activists.
“I think open-pit mining is very dangerous in this country and everywhere else. I think we’ll be poisoning our lands by opening up that mine in the Teghut forest,” he said.
On Aug. 15, Teghut Forest Defense Group, an environmental protection group, met with Tankian. The singer also visited the Lori region, where he “was taken aback by the beauty of the lush forests, rivers, and countryside. The Teghut forest is in that region and will be completely devastated by mining if it’s not stopped,” he wrote in a post.
Earlier in the week, the group sent a letter to Tankian asking for his support in bringing the mining issue to light. “Today, in the name of development, massive mountains are being destroyed in order to get gold, uranium, molybdenum, copper, iron, silver, and other metals, and in order to get super-incomes,” the letter read. “For the sake of so-called ‘development’ and ‘creating jobs,’ Armenians are cutting their own virgin forests and turning our country to a deserted, unpopulated piece of land… Once a land for creativity, Armenia is now turning into a sterile and poisonous place, which is even dangerous for humans and other species.” Environmentalists, the group explained, are often thought of as “anti-governmental forces.” As a result, artists and intellectuals stay clear of speaking against mining for fear of falling into conflict with the authorities.
“Please, AWAKEN the Armenian society, government, diaspora with your messages, songs, your inspiring words or meaningful silence. Help the Armenian people to stop cutting the branch on which we are sitting. Collect armies of thousands, wake those who are asleep for the sake of Life, Nature and Being,” pleaded the group.
Tankian also spoke about genetically modified foods, and his hope that Armenia takes steps to ban them.
Meets with top politicians
Prime Minister Sarkisian received Tankian on Aug. 12, and awarded him with a commemorative medal for his efforts towards the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and contribution to rock music. During the meeting, the two discussed the “Rock against Genocide” festival, which will be held on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The PM also highlighted efforts to encourage the development of rock music in Armenia.
During the panel discussion, Tankian noted that during his meeting with Sarkisian, he took the opportunity to share his concerns and observations. He said Sarkisian was very receptive, and listened to all he had to say.
Tankian also met with President Sarkisian at the Tumo Center, before his concert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-sZ9puNLKE
Nanore Barsoumian
Latest posts by Nanore Barsoumian (see all)
- What’s Behind All the Pro-Azerbaijan Articles? - October 24, 2020
- Sharp Rise in Hate Speech Threatens Turkey’s Armenians - October 8, 2020
- When Erdogan Apologizes - May 9, 2019
Very proud of you Mr. Tankian for your steadfest love for your country and people.. With your music and presence your ability to move mountains is very feasible…
I just wished you would have slaped our President out of his comma and start thinking about his people for once…
Keep up the fight..
Gayane
Forgot to say THANK YOU Mr. Tankian for giving a free concert to our people.. That was very generous and nice of you… Truly a great deed…
Gayane
Thank you Mr president for your leadership and making this all possible.
Although it’s very funny that people are actually eager to hear what a mere rocker thinks about politics and the world, I nevertheless do agree with Serj – with some reservations. At the end of the day, Armenia needs political evolution – not a Western funded/inspired revolution. When Armenians do finally open their eyes they will see that the evolution I speak of has already begun in the homeland. But Rome was not built in a single day, so wasn’t the US for that matter. When it come to Armenia, Armenians need to be proactive, Armenians need to be objective, Armenians need to be farsighted, Armenians need to engage in constructive criticism and Armenians need to be patient.
If you truly want to help Armenia, seek ways to work with the current government – not against it!
If one decides to work with the current government he’d have to give them a bite out of his resources so large that he soon will regret he muddled into it…
This “mere rocker” is more popular in the world than the current president and his clique altogether.
Thank you Mr. Tankian for being proactive against corruption in Armenia and for speaking against environmental hazards in our Motherland. I just hope that president Sarkisian not just be a good listener, but be active and work diligently against both corruption and the environmental hazards for the betterment of our country and for the people.
True that Seervart jan… He can be the greatest listerner in the world but when it comes to actions and he fails to honor it, then he is nothing but no good President…
Gayane
Gayane jan, I know a young, highly educated, progressive and a wonderful family who love their country but they live humbly and are not so happy about the administration that let the majority of the men seek jobs in Russia, marry Russian women and forget about their beautiful girls and women left behind in Armenia. Sarkissian’s administration is doing nothing against corruption, to provide opportunities for creating better jobs and subsequent pays for the majority of the people. The people don’t want to be heard only but no action, they want to have better opportunities and better jobs and not just for the oligarchs and whoever kisses the government but for the local people that consists of the majority of the population.
Thank you Avetis.We need more people like you . Some people just don’t realize how difficult it is to keep an army in a country with a population of 3 million,LA has14 mil. population, just for comparison. S. Sargsyan is very patriotic and smart,he just needs more support!
Ani jan.
Thank you for your kind words. I am sure you realize that there is a Washington based media campaign against Armenia. In military circles it’s called psychological warfare operations or Psyops. Alarmingly, even various Armenian organizations and political parties are participating in it for their selfish reasons or simply because they are funded by Washington. As a result of all this, a significant portion of the Armenian people today are psychologically sick. Since all they hear and read about is negative news, they can no longer register positive news in their heads. They are only able to see the negative, the bad and the wrong in the fledgling country. The media campaign against Armenia has even turned the very name of the country synonymous with corruption in the minds of many Armenians.
Most nations of the world are in much worst shape than our embattled Armenia yet Armenians talk about Armenia as if its a hell on earth. Although there are a lot of problems in the nation, there is also a lot of good. Despite the very bad political neighborhood, despite the double blockade, despite problems with Georgia, despite the war situation in Artsakh, despite a tiny consumer market in the country, despite its undereducated and inexperienced populace, despite its gluttonous businessmen, despite its lack of natural resources, Armenia is doing well. Against all odds, both foreign and domestic, Armenia is gradually going forward under the very capable leadership of Serj Sargsyan.
Armenia is also one of the world’s most stable and most crime free nations.
But history teaches us that good Armenians leaders were never truly appreciated by the Armenian people. So, as a result, I really don’t expect Armenians to wake up from their blinding political ignorance any time soon.
It would have been nice see some constructive criticism and positive or objective outlooks from our people for once, but most of our self-destructive peasantry today would much rather engage in fear-mongering and predicting doom. Then they wonder why people see no hope in the country…
Avery, personally I much preferred Sargsyan than Levon in who’s time there was a million exodus. I went to Armenia only last Sept. since the time before that it was in the seventies when it was the Sovet regime and it was very different than. I saw now Yerevan to be like any advanced city, very beautiful and simply gorgeousn, not to mention our other beautiful sighnts like Tilijan, Sevan and our breathtaking mountainous Artsakh that has been ours again now, thank God. I more than realize the shortcomings of the situations such as the turks and the azeris as our no. 1 enemies that turkey have illegally blockaded us for 20 years, and even the georgians are not friendly and cannot be trusted as friendly whatsoever. While it is true that Armenia is blockaded, small, and without any sea to be able to do cheaper trade with the outside world; we are indeed a fledgling country asy
No alleged psyops can affect the perception of reality by the people on the ground. The Armenian people today may be “psychologically sick” because worsening living standards, not some psyops, brought them into such condition. People don’t have to hear positive news to believe that their lives are improving. People judge by their consuming basket, availability of jobs, legal protection, and elementary civil rights, among other factors of well-being.
Undereducated
and inexperienced is, first and foremost, the ruling clique, not the populace at large. The bulk of the populace received one of the best educations in the world: the Soviet education, which was ruined by all independent regimes. This “undereducated” populace gave to the world prominent astrophysicists, scientists, engineers, composers, poets, and writers. If under one regime the populace was highly educated, as in the Soviet times, and under another it has become undereducated, as in independent times, then whose fault is it? Is it not the government’s fault?
I don’t know where Armenia is going, forward or backward, but the fact remains that people emigrate because they have no faith in any positive change, whether under “the very capable leadership of Serj Sargsyan” or even more “capable leadership” of Poghos Poghosyan.
I don’t know what history some read that teaches them that good Armenians leaders were never truly appreciated by the Armenian people, but, as far as I can tell, Tigran the Great was appreciated, Vardan Mamikonian was appreciated, Ashot Yerkat was appreciated, Gagik Bagratuni was appreciated, Khrimian Hairik was appreciated, Karen Demirchian was appreciated.
People can’t wake up from “blinding political ignorance” as long as their minds are preoccupied with how to earn their daily bread.
It would have been nice to see some positive steps at improving the well-being of the people from our government for once so that the people see hope in the country…
‘Avery, personally I much preferred Sargsyan than Levon…..’
Avery has not posted any comments in this thread.
Hi Avery, You are absolutely right. Twice I posted that I wrote your name by mistake while I meant to address it to Avetis, but unfortunately the administrators didn’t post it for me.
Avetis, While it is true that today we have a blockaded Armenia, but nonetheless a free Armenia as well as our Artsakh; but Sarkissian nor the presidents of Armenia before him did a thing to do away with the oligarchs in the country to stop the corruption. I went to Yerevan eleven months ago and there is a certain radius in the middle of Yerevan that is beautiful and people are driving BMW’s and living it up, but the rest of the population are very poor. The government of Sarkissian must be proactively cleaning up the oligarchic regime that is still ongoing left from the soviet regime times. The people need food and guess what? To get food you need jobs. The government can live in a bit of richness, but for heavens sake try very hard to at least minimize the corruption in the country and be able to create more jobs. I would love to see my people having happier faces and happier times in their own country, and for the newer generation to thrive not become beggers. That’s why Tankian went there, may God bless his soul as I thank him plentiful for it. There has been numerous Armenians from Diaspora that are afraid now to send monies because they know that the oligarchic regime are going to pocket it for themselves alone. This must stop for the sake of the people and for the enrichment of our one and only Motherland.
Armen jan well said my friend.. well said…
Avetis jan– much of what you said was a bit convoluted because your generalization about those of us who clearly don’t see what you see is not really fair.. just because we don’t praise the President who has not really done anything productive, it does not mean we are unable to see the good as well…Why don’t you provide some examples of all the great things the President did to keep the people (who want to leave the country IN huge numbers) in the country, examples of all the work the President is doing to create jobs for those who seek employment outside of Armenia, examples where he is doing everything to create better living conditions for those who have been living in tents for years… why don’t you show us any advancements he initiatied BESIDES adding new businesses (of course you have to be in President’s clique to be able to operate such businesses or else forget it), and make his buddies richer…. i mean the list goes on…
Any good President (of course with some degree of self divolgance.. they are politicians after all) should put the remaining efforts to MAKE every day citizens’ lives better and not for his razboynik mafyogineri lives…. if a President does a good deed, he gets recognized for it.. If a President sucks at his job, he will get critisized… nature of the beast….but know that I have no problem giving praises if praises are due…. I rather give praises.. I like them much more….
Thank you
Gayane
I am with you Seervart jan.. Absolutely….
Gayane
Exactly Gayane jan, I would also wish to be first to speak well of Sarkisian for a job well done; but the corruption must stop or at the very least minimized to a great extent. I wish to see the majority of the people having jobs and living better lives, and not just the government officials, the government sympathizers and the oligarchs. I also wish to be able to send monies to the local people without having the fear that the unwanted parties are going to pocket it. But more than that, I wish them to tend for themselves, because the government are doing their best to provide jobs for the majority of the people.
Ani and Avetis,
Though I wish that Armenia was doing well for a 20 year old country, this is not the case.
Crime in Armenia is at an all time high. This is taking into consideration unreported crimes and also crimes against the state by state officials and their friends. Tax-evasion exceeds $500 million a year by big business. These are big businesses that are owned by government officials and their friends.
Have you read the recent news of the ARF West boycotting Sarkisyan’s up coming visit to Los Angeles? The story speaks for itself and I can’t agree with it more.
ARF-D of West America Against Serzh Sargsyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics23021.html
Published: 14:19:16 – 20/08/2011
ARF-D Central Committee of West America congratulated the Armenian people on the 20th anniversary of independence
In the statement the ARF-D CC welcomes the efforts of the Armenian Consulate General to Los Angeles which organizes a series of events to mark the holiday. A solemn reception in honor of President Serzh Sargsyan will be organized at the Beverley Hills Hotel. In this connection, the CC noted the presence of Serzh Sargsyan, as well as the reception organized in his honor, may discredit the idea of independence and play down the struggle of our people for justice.
`The Independence Day cannot be a reason to honor a disreputable president `thanks to’ whose policy independent Armenia is getting bogged deeper and deeper for the sake of the reproduction of the regime. Gross violations of human rights, lack of justice and independence of the judicial system and an unhealthy climate have annihilated the belief of the Armenian people in justice and independence. The oligarchs who have taken in their hands the economic system based on monopolies and the leverages of the parliament and government continue to oppress people. The level of social injustice and poverty cause the citizens of Armenia to emigrate, seeking their future elsewhere,’ the statement runs.
We cannot honor a president who surrendered in the issue of Artsakh and announced ready to hand over the territories set down in the NKR Constitution. We cannot honor a president who has led Armenia along the humiliating and defeatist path for normalization of relations with Turkey, the ARF-D CC of West America announced. Hence, the CC declared to boycott the reception `in honor of Serzh Sargsyan’.
Good for your ARF-D CC of West America. Then what is our organizations doing for Armenia? Why aren’t they getting together not to let these gross calamities happen to our one and only Armenia? When is the time if not now. The time is right now to act for both our lands. Not tomorrow but RIGHT NOW!!!!!
I read Mr Manoogian’s links. He has done admirable work for Arstakh and Armenia, as detailed in his blog and bio. Puts most of us to shame.
Nevertheless, I am with Ani and Avetis on this one. (…except for Avetis’s derogatory language).
There is no doubt that there were irregularities and probably outright fraud in Armenia’s elections. ARF probably feels that if they were running things in RoA, conditions would be much better. Maybe. However, ARF has never been able to poll more than about 5% in RoA. If it were say 40%-45%, than one could reasonably argue that ARF was cheated out of a win. But 5% is not even close.
Pres. Sargsyan and his predecessors have made lots of mistakes, but which new president of which new (or old) country hasn’t ?
He was dealt a hand, and is playing it as best he can. He made a few amateurish moves in foreign relations at first, but seems to be learning from his mistakes.
Nothing that takes place in Armenia is unique for the region: the same and worse occurs in Georgia, Azerbaijan and all the former republics of Soviet Union including Russia and Ukraine. We are in a lawless neighborhood. Because of Russia’s immense natural wealth and size the corruption and lawlessness there are not as visible.
Ukraine fell to the siren song of the West during the Orange Revolution, and was almost dismembered. And Ukrainians do not face an existential threat from any of their neighbors.
We are expecting Armenia to become the Switzerland of the Caucasus overnight. How can she, considering where she’s at ?
Armenia spends about 15% of her precious budget on Defense to prevent a certain attack by Azerbaijan on RoA and Artsakh: is that Sargsyan’s fault too ?
RoA’s military has to be on a more or less permanent war-footing condition at all times. [RoA Government expenditures US$2.8 Billion. Defense Budget US$400 Million. (2011 figures).] [Azerbaijan’s Defense expenditures alone are US$3.3 Billion (2011): and Azeris don’t have to do anything to earn that money – it just gushes out of the earth.]
We need to close ranks and present a united front. In-fighting and publicly boycotting an RoA event is not going to do any good for RoA.
Armenia has been targeted by the Neocon West for destabilization and takeover since she became independent. (guess why ?)
For example, why do you think JWs have such an overwhelming presence in Armenia, but not in Georgia or Azerbaijan? How is it they can operate freely in RoA, but are violently suppressed in Georgia and Azerbaijan?
It is very easy to destabilize and take over a country by manipulating patriotic people who genuinely want to make a positive change for their country: the West has raised that particular technique of manipulating honest intentions of the targets for their own ulterior motives to an Artform.
Anyone that doubts that, look at what was done to Libya and being done to Syria: dictatorships you say ? Sure, then why not Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It’ not the dictatorship, or human rights, or democracy, or …
If you do what you are told by the Neocon West, you’ll be left alone – as long as you let them loot your country, or not get in the way of their plans to loot somebody else. If you don’t, you’ll be “liberated”. How well has Iraq’s “liberation” worked for the Iraqi people ?
To honor Serz????? FOR WHAT????? He has the balls to show his face in LA especially after the outcry when he visited LA the last time to promote the disasterous and infameous Protocols…..
Lets throw an honor event for Serz when he actually does something good for the country… these fake and illegal politicians should not get any of the praises and recognition for nothing because they think that is the way it is… eat and be marry but continue to suck at their job…. not cool at all..
Gayane