Ruben Hakhverdyan’s recent “controversial” interview with the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet has been a topic of debate and discussion in the Armenian press. In an interview with Hurriyet reporter Vercihan Ziflioglu, dated August 3, the popular Armenian singer-songwriter is alleged to have said, “What we call unique Armenian culture has been created by Istanbul-based western Armenians and Anatolian Armenians.

Armenia does not have its own culture. It has been affected by other cultures.” Hakhverdyan, well known for being outspoken at times regarding the decline of cultural norms in Armenia, is also cited as having said that Armenian artists had stolen Turkish and Azerbaijani music. “In the past, Armenian songs were stolen in Turkey but now it is the same in Armenia. This is a big mistake. We should not have repeated the same mistakes.” The Armenian folk singer said he welcomed cross-cultural exchanges between Armenians and Turks and appreciated the steps taken by Turkish intellectuals. “They are struggling for the peace of two peoples. They are worthy of appreciation.” The article also claimed that Turkish recording companies were taking steps to acquire the rights to Hakhverdyan’s songs. Perhaps the most controversial statement allegedly made by Hakhverdyan was that, “I’ve become estranged from this city [Yerevan] and its people. I prefer to get in touch with an intellectual Turk rather than an ignorant Armenian,” he said. “What I want to say is that the human being comes first before [anything else]. Being able to find a common language with them is important.” In closing, he told Hurriyet it was important to steer clear of nationalism. “Let’s act with humane values and justice. Nationalism poisons each of us. It is only fed by ignorance,” Hetq’s Chief Editor Edik Baghdasaryan spoke to Ruben Hakhverdyan about the interview and the reaction it has engendered.

-Are you being pressured?

-I don’t understand all the fuss. All I said was that the Turks have more to complain about than we do from them. Starting from the melody played by Karo Hayrapetyan, “Black-Black Eyes” is a song of Ibrahim Tatlises. They have elite that wants to understand what happened in 1915 and are struggling to find out. Pamuk’s book was published here and if he isn’t a national hero, well, he’s the next best thing. He was banished from Turkey. Let them do the same to me. First, no one has official approached me about copyrighting my songs in Turkey. It’s all made up. All I said is that even if they do approach me, I would say go ahead. This is much ado about nothing. I believe all the fuss started here is to divert the attention of the people from the really serious social and environmental problems we face. All the governments we’ve had in Armenia after independence have come out with the same crap – “My duduk is my weapon”, “I love you”, and other such garbage. It’s like the Communists of old who tried to cover up the garbage pile with cries of “Glory to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union”. I have nothing to be embarrassed about. Go to any restaurant in Yerevan and listen to the Turkish-inflected music. No one here is defending the rights of Ibrahim Tatlises. I am struggling for the correct pronunciation where the stress comes at the end of the word.

-Were your words distorted in the interview?

-I wouldn’t say distorted but they didn’t fully get the meaning of some things I said. I don’t understand why our restaurants have become places for people to sing in the gurgling Turkish style. Armenian songs aren’t song in this way. Our spoken words have always been precise and saintly. This is my belief and if they want to find dirt in me, then they should know I was washed as a babe.

-Do you believe they have started a concerted assault against you?

-They won’t succeed. People come up to me in the street and ask, “How are you maestro?” I have taken an oath to serve my people and country. Do you know how difficult it was for me to make that record of children’s songs? Nobody ever thought it was important for kids to listen to Armenian songs. Do you know how many people have said thanks? Some Jewish people called from San Francisco saying their kids want to learn some Armenian so that they can understand the songs. Did I say anything wrong? What is this Turkish music that they have infused into our nation with a syringe? I said what I think. You can’t pile dung upon dung and then state lies or hide your eyes to the truth. We know what is happening here. I am a person who writes songs. My songs have saved a few people who were contemplating suicide. Every two years or so I write a song. Then what? They start to attack me? They won’t succeed for I have never lied for personal gain. What have I got to gain? Serzh Sargsyan, the Catholicos and Unibank helped me out with the record of children’s songs. But were they helping me or the kids. I took the money for the children and didn’t make much of a profit. I did it for my people and will cut a second CD. And I will go to the oligarchs and ministers and tell them to give me money so that our children can learn Armenian songs without being ashamed, that their language is truly wonderful. Like Komitas said, songs are first and foremost a basis for linguistic thinking. I just wrote some children’s songs and never allowed anyone to say “This is junk”. Then again, no official sponsor or cultural minister has ever come up to me and asked what these songs represent. At least someone should have asked. This is important work. All the while, people come up to me and say their kids listen to my songs before going to sleep. Where is your cultural minister? Where is your so-called culture?

-Are they using the “One nation, One Culture” argument against you?

-It’s just a slogan. I said the same on Kentron TV. I said, “Mr. President, we shouldn’t be writing things like ‘My duduk is my weapon’ or ‘We are the Armenian Army’. The Armenian army is made up of individuals. It was people like Garegin Nzhdeh who rallied folks behind it. It was Leonid Azgaldyan and Monte. Are we to continue to be lead by individuals? Why are they lying to the people? Our people don’t even have the means to survive. Do you know the extent of the exodus from Armenia? If you don’t serve you are worthless. What answer will I give to the Leonids, Montes, Dushman Vardans or Moso. You go, and then? At least I want to justify myself through my work. And they want to stone me? I have said nothing negative against the Turks. They have an elite which spawns people like Pamuk. Where is our elite to analyze all of this? Where is our elite and what is is it doing?

-But why does this irritate you? Usually, you brush it all off.

-My wife called me and says what the heck is going on? My kids ask what is all this they are writing against you? I do not compare myself to the greats. But you know how Komitas and Tumanyan, true giants, were disparaged and mocked by the ignorant clergy. I have done a small piece of work, issuing a CD. And I have a second CD of children’s songs but who is my sponsor, the government? I sent it to the Ministry of Culture, requesting that they listen to it. Not a word in return, not a positive expression. I they want they can kill me. I am ready. They have no spiritual refuge. They have no clue about the Armenian language. You do your work and I will do mine, but look at how they want to slander me. For what? Because I do work for the people almost for free? Do you think it’s easy swallowing all of this? Sayat Nova was Caucasian folklore. It took Komitas to single us Armenians out. Komitas was the only one who was our saviour. For 70 years the Communists failed to propagandize Komitas. They sang “Bari Aragil” (Good Stork), a song written by a cop. They stored Komitas away and poured dust on him. They neglected him instead on focusing on him and centered in on pan-Caucasian folklore, which of course had some good songs; like those of Arno Babajanyan. These rulers today are following in the footsteps of the Communists, instead of saying, “Hey guys, let’s but some intelligent people next to us.” We only had true folklore in western Armenia. In any event, we never had folklore of song in eastern Armenia. I say this categorically but it is correct. The Turks destroyed our culture with the Genocide and they knew well that we would be under their influence. But can they sing my songs? The Serbs are Serbs, the Russians are Russians, but I like my songs. There are Frenchmen who sing my songs. Last night I saw some cars with official license plates. They were really speeding up and down this street. I asked one if he ever sweated. The guy looked out into space, not knowing what to say. We are living in the midst of dolts and illiterates. When the entire society is made up of illiterates, the intelligent ones flee the country. The borders of culture have long since opened and the Turkish desert sun has made its way to Armenia.