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The very same history, which any Armenian will not forget to mension, compelled the nation to take up arms again at the turn of the millennium and win a war, perhaps the first one successfully conducted in the last centuries. Finding itself in the paradoxical situation of a blockade after a fairly prosperous existence of the republic within the Soviet Union, Armenia, ravaged by the December’s 1988 earthquake, survived, and at the same time regained (for how long?) the lands of Nagorniy — Karabakh (Artsakh).
Today's Armenians are no longer the same representatives of the "sunny republic" that were readily accepted outside the Caucasus ridge; in Armenia itself there is social stratification and dissatisfaction with economic policy and corruption, stagnant reforms and uncertain political strategy. Many facilities have been taken over by foreign businessmen, most of them Russian, and their efficiency is still questionable. In the mountain villages on the slopes of Aragats they stoke their stoves with cow cakes, not keen to move to the fertile lands of Karabakh, despite state incentives.
Armenia remains a mono-ethnic country with a predominantly Armenian population, loyal to all foreigners with the exception of historical enemies who clamp down on Armenia from both sides. There is a mosque in Yerevan frequented by Iranians, whose attitude is more than friendly. Russians are still big brothers and are looked up to with hope; Russian is taught in many schools, and Russian inscriptions and adverts can be found on the streets.
The farther away from Yerevan, the more welcoming the guests are. In Gyumri (Leninakan) alone, which has not yet recovered from the earthquake, it is impossible to spend a couple of hours without being invited to a house where traditional black coffee is brewed.
Armenians are religious in their own way. And in their own way they are proud of their religiosity. As it is known, it was Armenia that in 301 was the first to declare Christianity as a state religion, 10 years before Rome did the same. Today, due to a historical mishap at the time of the first Ecumenical Councils, the Armenian Church may seem mothballed and closed to influence from its Orthodox neighbours, as well as Catholics. Monastic dormitories are found only in Echmiadzin and Sevan, where the official residence of the Catholicos and the theological seminary are located respectively.
Armenians love and remember their heroes. Every Armenian will give out several dozens of names of famous writers, musicians, artists, politicians, military leaders, who have at least one drop of Armenian blood in their blood. Maybe that is why it is difficult to imagine in Armenia the possibility of any revolutionary variant of events. Envy is a shameful feeling in Armenia.
Alexander Shumskikh 2007
