Representative of Russian Community in the RA: Regardless of Our Nationality, We are Citizens of Independent Armenia

• 09.21.2016, 13:15
• Naira Mkrtchyan
•  EEU,  World,  Armenia,  Interview

On the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the RA independence, "Armedia" IAA presents an interview with the chairman of NGO "Rosia", the director of "Slavonic" primary school, member of the Council for Coordination of Activities of National-Cultural Organizations of the National Minorities of Armenia within the RA Presidential Staff, Yuri Yakovenko.

- Armenians and Russians have been in friendly relations for centuries. We lived together as part of the Russian Empire, then the Soviet Union, and now we cooperate within the framework of the CIS, CSTO, EAEU. Will you, please, tell how the Russian community feels itself  in independent Armenia?

- When we speak in the past tense - "we were" - I feel a little bit uneasy, because we are and we will. We are strong, because we are together. As for the Russian community in Armenia, I would say that at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the number of Russians in Armenia was 89,000, while now, according to our estimates, it is no more than 12 thousand (about 5000 in Yerevan), taking into account also Molokan population (about 3000), who live mainly in the village of Violet, and a small part in Lermontov. By the way, in the Soviet times, Armenia had about 26 Molokan villages, including Chambarak, Shorzha. Many people do not know that the city Sevan – the former Elenovka, was built by Molokans.

 The well-being of the Russian community is connected with the well-being of the entire Armenian people. We are the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. It is our homeland. Most of us were born here. Russia is my historic homeland. I often go there, but on the third day I already miss Armenia. Therefore, all of us - representatives of the Russian community, and representatives of other communities, feel very relaxed here. As a member of the World Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots, I am in touch with people from different countries, and I have always been interested in the situation of national minorities in these countries. There are lots of problems everywhere. But we have different problems in Armenia. They are all connected with the problems of the Armenian people as a whole, it is the social complexity, and, unlike other countries, we do not have international conflicts. There is a clear national policy towards national minorities. It is no coincidence that for many years there is a Council for Coordination of Activities of National-Cultural Organizations of the National Minorities of Armenia within the RA Presidential staff, which coordinates all this work.

    - How often do you meet?

 - We meet once every two months. If there is any need, then we are ready to meet at any time. The Council is not only to coordinate all the work, but also it solves many problems and issues - both inter-communal and between organizations belonging to the communities. This is mainly on humanitarian, educational and cultural spectrum. And the most important thing for us is to preserve our national identity. Yes, at one time there have been some problems, when a law to close all the Russian schools was passed in 1993, and many people left then. Today, the language law continues to operate, but certain concessions have been made. For the past 20 years "Slavonic" school within our NGO "Rosia" operates with Russian language of instruction, which is licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science. And the school fulfills its historic mission.

- And who are studying at your school?

- Our pupils are Russian citizens, as well as the Slavic people living on the territory of Armenia. Our school is bilingual. Children speak both Armenian and Russian. Children are also taught the history and culture of the Armenian people. We have a huge number of competitions, festivals, quizzes, lots of excursions.

It is for many years Armenia funds all of our national communities. Even if  the amount of money is really small, it is  allocated to carry out cultural and educational activities. In addition, there is also the concept of grant support. For example, due to these grants, we sew traditional costumes and perform at various events.

- Please tell us a little about your organization.

- Our NGO "Rosia" is the largest Russian organization in Armenia, it has 17 branches in all major towns of the Republic - Gyumri, Vanadzor, Alaverdi, Stepanavan, Armavir, Dilijan, Ijevan, etc. We try to help our compatriots in different matters - legal assistance, assistance with textbooks from the Russian Embassy. By the way, in these cities there are schools with Russian language of instruction, and we supervise the work of these schools. In Armenian society Russian language does exist, but, unfortunately, the youth is getting to know Russian worse and worse, so we organize school-based various competitions, quizzes on different topics in order to create a Russian-speaking environment for communication.

One of our strongest branches is in Echmiadzin (Head - Yelena Akopian), which is responsible for the stele-monument in memory of those killed in the battle of Oshakanskom in 1827. Every year we are going there and pay tribute to the Russian soldiers and the Armenian volunteers.

- How many Russian churches are there in Armenia?

- The main Orthodox church is a temple of the Holy Virgin or the Holy Protection Church in Kanaker. A new church is being built, and we think that its grand opening will be in spring. There is an Orthodox Church in the Upper Dvina in Dimitrov, a few churches in Gyumri, including Golden Church (Plplan Zham) in Vanadzor, Kirov, which is now called Amrakits, in the village Privolnaya.

- What support is provided by Russia?

- First of all, our children are actively involved in the state program of education of the Russian institutions of higher education. We organize exams of Russian language, and children, who pass, continue their education in the best universities of Russia. We get Russian periodicals, about 60 titles of magazines and newspapers. In our school there is a unique library, free access to the Russian media over the Internet. Now an interesting program is carried out: Russian School Abroad. Last year, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which this program is a priority for the Russian state. In September and October, teachers and management staff in our schools, as well as all classes of Russian schools in Armenia will held an online training, each on its own subject. This is a large-scale event, and it will be constant. In addition, our children will take part in the wonderful project "Hello, Russia!" The winners of competitions and quizzes will get a free travel to the Russian Federation. Many times we took children to Russian cities - Moscow, St. Petersburg etc.

- In Armenia, on September 21, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of  our independence. How does the Russian community prepare for this date?

- We are, regardless of our nationality, citizens of independent Armenia, and our children and grandchildren are the future of the country, so we pay special attention to our children. Our children are bilingual. If you live in a country, you have to know the language of that nation. We should work together to build our future. Armenian blessed land gives us an indescribable power. Maybe even the Armenians themselves do not feel such affection for their native land as national minorities living in Armenia do.

We believe that the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Armenia's independence is a significant event. We perceive with pain and anxiety all the political upheavals that affect our country.

We believe that a bright future is waiting for Armenia! As part of this festive day, we will organize a festival of national cultures and we are going to organize a concert in Noyemberyan military units in order to inspire our Armenian soldiers. We will take them books and will treat with our national dishes.

By the way, during the April war, the students of our school collected a great help for our warriors and put their letters in those boxes.

I would like to wish prosperity to our beloved Armenia and well-being, tranquility, a chance to develop creatively. And let our relationship with the Armenian people continue in a brotherly, friendly way!