Hrachya Bayramyan: If Armenian schools close in Georgia, we –Armenians, will be responsible for it either

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1, ARMENPRESS: The Center for Georgian Studies working from 2007 at Yerevan State University aims to restore the scientific-educational ties between the State Universities of Yerevan and Tbilisi. To get thorough information about the achievements, issues and programs of the center Armenpress interviewed head of the center, Candidate of Doctoral Sciences, Docent Hrachya Bayramyan.

-Mr. Bayramyan, what achievements has the center registered since its foundation?

-We have already signed agreements with big higher educational establishments of Georgia – State Universities of Akhaltskha, Tbilisi and Batumi. We also have an agreement on exchange of students and aspirants. It is not only a studying process, but also acquaintance with the country’s culture and history. I can also point out 25 books as achievements of the center – textbooks, translations, 65 scientific works, etc.

-Does the Armenology Center still work at Tbilisi State University? Is there cooperation between the two centers?

-There have been Armenoloigical subjects at the university since the day of its foundation – 1918. The university had the privilege of right of organizing defense of doctoral thesis on Armenology. No country in the world had that privilege. By the way, not all the lecturers of Armenological subjects are Armenians. Armenology Center has been working in the university from 1992. Our centers are in close ties.

-Is the center supported by the Georgian Embassy in Armenia?

-The Embassy does not support us, for, as they say, they are in difficult material situation.

-Was the existence of the center necessary only for us – Armenians?

-Yes, because if anti-Armenian materials are written in Georgia, only 1-2 patriotic persons fight against it. Like in Turkey and Azerbaijan, their textbooks, too, contain surprising anti-Armenian materials. That is why we need specialists – specialists of Georgian and Armenian studies. We need them not only in the sphere of science, but in state apparatus as well.

-Is there concern that the Armenian schools in Georgia face the risk of annihilation?

-Of course, the Georgian state diplomatically does its best that not only Armenian, but other nations as well do not stay there, but now the target is the Armenians. If Armenian schools close, then we –Armenians, will be responsible for it either. I cannot blame, it is a fighting for a piece of bread. Only with learning Armenian, nothing will be changed in Tbilisi, in the best case one can become a handicraftsman, while there are people who desire to get higher education, so it is profitable for them to get Georgian diploma.