In laymen’s terms, I'll fill in the dots for the tiny number of earthlings losing sleep over the nation that has the apricot as its national fruit. Why apricot revolution? I use this term to describe the recent events in the capital, Yerevan. Finally, Armenia has decided to join other former Soviet satellites in denouncing the oligarchy. Ukraine (Orange) and Georgia (Rose) have had their version of political revolution in modern times, however, this one is of greater interest to yours truly (blame my ancestry and an obsession to read, write and speak loudly in my mother tongue).
By no means does 10,000 (0.30% of population, equivalent to 1.1 million Americans protesting) residents taking in part in peaceful protests mean that democracy will magically become a daily part of life. Russia still exerts major influence in all corners of Armenian life, from vocabulary, military presence to nepotism in political circles. Serzh Sarkisian was a military strongman who bought himself two presidential terms, then did the classic 'I'm a democrat disguised as a dictator move made post his Presidency made changes to the Constitution where the President will be a symbolic ribbon cutter, so he can take on the role of Prime Minister (Ala Putin-Medvedev). Little did he know that Armenian do protest outside of April 24 (the genocide has power over Armenians that clouds critical thinking allowing many to forget living in the present - best left to dissect for another day. A little ironic that the mass protest was in April, with Sarkisian eventually falling on his sword on April 23.
For those among us who understand the inner workings of the Armenian political system, this won't change much. The largest bloc in parliament is still Sarkisian Republic Party, full of its cronies and their family members who have their fingers in every facet of Armenian industry. The positive is that Nikol Pashinian (former editor of a liberal daily) leader of Yelk (holds only 9 seats in the 105-seat parliament) lead the upheaval and managed to force a concession from the oligarchs that have for so long ruled with an iron fist, which to the outside is interpreted as business as usual. As an old American couple once told me at Zvartnots airport, Yerevan reminds them of Paris - glorious history, beautiful parks, fashionable people driving European cars. That is the facade of the chosen 1% of the population, dominating the touristic areas that visitors see. What they don't witness is 20% unemployment and the 30% of the population living below $3 a day.
Now the hard part begins, a KGB style political operative known in Armenia as the gambler may have vacated the halls of power, but his party still wags the dog that is the Putin's Armenia. We in the diaspora are living out superficial lives and occasionally we wake up and want to spill Turkish blood over the events in 1915, however that same enthusiasm is never aimed at the present genocide, a cultural and economic one where we are selling out the country to Russian interests. Neighboring Georgia has an association agreement with the EU and is very forward about integrating with European ideals, whereas Armenia struggles to divorce itself from the Mother Russia yolk (this explains why EU flags during protests have been non-existent).
Whenever I have visited Armenia I spoke in formal Armenian, yet some locals would be bemused, acting surprised why I didn't speak Russian. Even spelling on street signs/buildings is in incorrect Armenian. April 23, 2018 should be the start of the beginning of the end of Russian influence and the rebirth of an Armenia that has 10 million strong diaspora that has little in common with the Fatherland.
Putting in an apolitical leader and calling for new elections is one thing; what's needs is a free and fair vote that leads to liberalism penetrating the halls of power. Maybe if the diaspora transfers the same energy as they do into beating the genocide drum towards their brethren having what we take for granted, liberalism, then maybe apricots will symbolize more than just fruit.
Note: to the likes of the Kardashian clan (feeling dirty just saying their name), we don't need your input into the conversation over the future of the country. Snake oil salesman who major in pornography may achieve success in the U.S. (as the current illegitimate President has proved), but Armenians can do without the influence from a family full of plastic narcissists.
By no means does 10,000 (0.30% of population, equivalent to 1.1 million Americans protesting) residents taking in part in peaceful protests mean that democracy will magically become a daily part of life. Russia still exerts major influence in all corners of Armenian life, from vocabulary, military presence to nepotism in political circles. Serzh Sarkisian was a military strongman who bought himself two presidential terms, then did the classic 'I'm a democrat disguised as a dictator move made post his Presidency made changes to the Constitution where the President will be a symbolic ribbon cutter, so he can take on the role of Prime Minister (Ala Putin-Medvedev). Little did he know that Armenian do protest outside of April 24 (the genocide has power over Armenians that clouds critical thinking allowing many to forget living in the present - best left to dissect for another day. A little ironic that the mass protest was in April, with Sarkisian eventually falling on his sword on April 23.
For those among us who understand the inner workings of the Armenian political system, this won't change much. The largest bloc in parliament is still Sarkisian Republic Party, full of its cronies and their family members who have their fingers in every facet of Armenian industry. The positive is that Nikol Pashinian (former editor of a liberal daily) leader of Yelk (holds only 9 seats in the 105-seat parliament) lead the upheaval and managed to force a concession from the oligarchs that have for so long ruled with an iron fist, which to the outside is interpreted as business as usual. As an old American couple once told me at Zvartnots airport, Yerevan reminds them of Paris - glorious history, beautiful parks, fashionable people driving European cars. That is the facade of the chosen 1% of the population, dominating the touristic areas that visitors see. What they don't witness is 20% unemployment and the 30% of the population living below $3 a day.
Now the hard part begins, a KGB style political operative known in Armenia as the gambler may have vacated the halls of power, but his party still wags the dog that is the Putin's Armenia. We in the diaspora are living out superficial lives and occasionally we wake up and want to spill Turkish blood over the events in 1915, however that same enthusiasm is never aimed at the present genocide, a cultural and economic one where we are selling out the country to Russian interests. Neighboring Georgia has an association agreement with the EU and is very forward about integrating with European ideals, whereas Armenia struggles to divorce itself from the Mother Russia yolk (this explains why EU flags during protests have been non-existent).
Whenever I have visited Armenia I spoke in formal Armenian, yet some locals would be bemused, acting surprised why I didn't speak Russian. Even spelling on street signs/buildings is in incorrect Armenian. April 23, 2018 should be the start of the beginning of the end of Russian influence and the rebirth of an Armenia that has 10 million strong diaspora that has little in common with the Fatherland.
Putting in an apolitical leader and calling for new elections is one thing; what's needs is a free and fair vote that leads to liberalism penetrating the halls of power. Maybe if the diaspora transfers the same energy as they do into beating the genocide drum towards their brethren having what we take for granted, liberalism, then maybe apricots will symbolize more than just fruit.
Note: to the likes of the Kardashian clan (feeling dirty just saying their name), we don't need your input into the conversation over the future of the country. Snake oil salesman who major in pornography may achieve success in the U.S. (as the current illegitimate President has proved), but Armenians can do without the influence from a family full of plastic narcissists.
