2015 is not the final stage but a beginning of new struggle for recognition of Armenian genocide: Hayk Demoyan

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: The 100th anniversary of Armenian genocide – 2015, is not the end of struggle; many key actions will begin since 2015. Armenpress” had an interview with director of Armenian genocide museum-institute, secretary of state committee coordinating the events of 100th anniversary of Armenian genocide Hayk Demoyan about works, planned programs and importance of their holding before the100th anniversary of Armenian genocide.

- What works are being implemented by the coordinating committee of the events of 100th anniversary of Armenian genocide at present?

- The director of the museum is the secretary of the committee and that combination is tried to be implemented no matter how difficult it is. During all working trips meetings take place with local committees and an attempt is made to clarify the current agenda – what can be planned and implemented until 2015. We can not leave everything to be done in 2015 despite all the resources and means are planned for that year. Preparation works are very important. At first community level events are clarified, their responsible persons, ways of implementation. The positive point in it is that there is an example of formation of April 24 committees and bases on that examples are formed committees of 100th anniversary. I can bring the example of Beirut committee where works are continued and several joint steps already have been implemented.

I do not introduce our work in bright colors although everything should be so. There are problems in part of inside community unification. Sometimes we hear voices of complaint from Armenia and Diaspora on occasion of preparation works.

The volume of work is huge – building of museums, publishing of monographs, organization of scientific seminars in Armenia and abroad the geography and titles of which will be different. In parallel of political recognition of Armenian genocide a very important and difficult work is raising of awareness on the theme in place which is planned to implement with the help of press and TV, publishing monographs in foreign languages, temporary high-level exhibitions and permanent museum exhibitions. We realize very well that a great part of work will be put on Armenian genocide museum-institute because of the simple reason that it is the only such institution in the world.

Among the initiatives very important is the next gathering of International association of Genocide scholars in Yerevan. We expect to host around 300-400 specialists in autumn 2015. There will be exclusive moving exhibitions, summer schools will be organized, scholarships will be given to foreign specialists, our specialists will also be sent on a working trip in order to find archival materials and specialize in different foreign chairs.

- It has been said for many times that 100th anniversary is not the final stage of struggle but a beginning of a new one. About this also spoke the President of the Republic. In fact, will in 2015 be organized larger scale events?

- 2015 does not put any borders in front of us. Simply some people try to present to the society 2015 as a fatal deadline making a mood that if recognition does not take place by that time than it will not take place after it too and everything will be finished. Our aim is more deep and it Turkish side is more concerned about it. We always stress that nothing will end and we will begin everything since 2015. We must receive 2015 as proper and show to the whole world what kind of culture of memory and ways of struggle for justice Armenian people have and what we can do in case of being united. It will be very important moment in the history of our nation.

- In sense of implementation of events are there any differences in those countries Armenian genocide has been condemned and in those countries which still keep silence due to Turkish denial policy?

- There is not any difference. There are countries which try to serve Turkish interests despite the fact of recognition of Armenian genocide. They try instead of Turkey to face the strength of shot expected from Armenian side themselves or try to make it weaker. Under existence of this our work becomes more difficult. But it should not discourage us and create a mood of loss. I am more concerned now about misleading voices which are heard both in Armenia and Diaspora. We are not ready yet to put a high-level question as we should take into consideration a very simple fact – coincidence of geopolitical interest of Turkey and super powers. We must prepare a generation which will have new means and opportunities for implementing new works in direction of struggle and restoration of justice. This is our most important point and we need to work without interruption and achieve new harbors in national struggle.

- It`s known that exclusive exhibitions are expected. Can you talk about it a little bit?

– The museum is going to have around 20 exhibitions during coming 2.5 years, which means that totally different exemplars will be presented during 20 exhibitions. We will organize them at the museums of the major cities. I will not illustrate geography and titles: it`s a museum secret. At this moment, we work hard on permanent exhibitions. Do you know how many materials have been collected during the recent 7 years of scientific activities? The amount of scientific fund units has been doubled. This means, that museum collection has been replenished with thousands of original materials. The collecting process is not only supposed to be the process, when an individual comes and gives us some valuable things. Replenishment takes place as a result of the scientific-collection and procurement process. Personally, I make purchases from thousands of auctions all day and night long. During the recent years I have purchased a lot of things- exclusive exemplars that people will see at 2015 permanent exhibition. Of course, some of them will be in temporal ones as well. Museum staff realizes very well, that it has no problem in being presentable any more. Today, we have original photos from 1915, rare exemplars of documents, which we did not have 7 years ago. The museum has a labor volume, but we prefer not to talk about. Besides, museum will publish exhibition catalogues, which is a serious scientific work. I am very sorry, that it can be done only by this institution, as from the high literature level, such invulnerable exhibitions can be organized only by our museum, which has world`s biggest collection related to the Armenian Genocide. The museum is preparing a multi-volume encyclopedia on Armenian genocide. Personally, I am preparing the volume of illustrated history on Armenian Genocide, which will include around 5000 photos, and will accompanied by text materials. It is supposed to be a multi-language museum in a one volume.

- How will it be available to people?

– People will have access to both electronic and hard version; all the schools will receive on copy. We try to cultivate a new museum culture, new types of provision materials on Genocide, we also try to reshape and review the superficial understandings and psychological inaccurate perceptions on Armenian Genocide. It is necessary to emphasize, that it is not about forgetting the Genocide. We will try to present the main message with its whole depth and multi pillars, in order the lessons and its consequences are perceived correctly.

- Have the counteracting steps of Turkey taken into consideration while developing events on 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide?

-We have some working directions, which are confidential. We value our auditorium, but the third auditorium is the Turkish one, for which we are planning and implementing some steps, which are also confidential. This work is done in a very calculated way. Someday we will talk about what has been done in this direction, but now I prefer not to illustrate it. The Turkish party follows our activities very attentively, and tries to be informed on our big programs and upcoming tasks.

- In result of targeted steps can the recognition of Armenian genocide by Turkey and asking for forgiveness become territorial and material demand?

- If you have noticed when speaking about demand I am restrained as in this stage it is simply immodesty to speak about it and introduce formulas of success. At first we must become strong country. Strong Republic of Armenia, strong Diaspora which realizes the importance of the Republic of Armenia on the world map, Diaspora where exists mutual community tolerance and solidarity in reaching national dreams.

When we will realize the real value of unity and not its documental sense we will become strong and influential. In that case everybody will take into consideration our opinion and at that time we will be able to speak about real demand and guaranteed victories.

Interview by Ani Nazaryan