Epress.am News from Armenia
Epress.am has previously and extensively covered developments on and the comments surrounding a screening of Azerbaijani films that was to take place yesterday in Yerevan.
As reported earlier, the festival was once again postponed due to pressure being exerted on the proprietor of the venue where it was to be held. Festival organizers are sure that the event will take place; however, at this time, they cannot say where or when.
Epress.am decided to approach residents on the street and get their opinion on the festival. As was to be expected, a majority of those we asked were against holding such a festival in Armenia, though only two of the respondents were even aware of the event.
“If only that they’re Azerbaijanis, already there’s a negative opinion. Azerbaijani, Turk, I don’t know, it’s the same thing,” said a student by the name of Knarik. That being said, Knarik “has an interest” in watching an Azerbaijani film. She said she would be interested and would attempt to watch the films, if only out of interest.
Twenty-three-year-old Ani, who works in the educational sector, welcomes the organizers’ idea. However, according to her, if the festival takes place, then “some people must be committed to organize such a thing” in Azerbaijan.
“In any case, I understand also those individuals who are against [the festival] and attempt to disrupt it in some way,” but calling organizers “traitors” and the threats made against them, Ani considers these against national identity.
A negative attitude toward the films of Armenia’s neighboring country seemed to be more prevalent among the youth. Older people, such as astronomer Sergei, are in favor of solidarity. “Cinema is art; it has nothing to do with politics,” he said, adding that he considers the event to be a positive thing.
Resident of Russia Gurgen Mamikonovich believes that the problems with Azerbaijan have to be resolved in some way.
“We didn’t have bad relations before. The war had very negative consequences. The Armenians are taking the first step; that’s good,” he said. Mamikonovich also spoke about those who are attempting to disrupt the event, saying that it seems to them “they’re doing good, but that’s wrong. They should find a way out.”
Thirty-year-old Liana, comparing the mentality of Armenians and Azerbaijanis, said it’s possible to hold an Azerbaijani film festival in Armenia. To the Epress.am correspondent’s statement that festival organizers are being threatened and the festival is being hindered, Liana said: “Well, then our citizens are not ready yet to say to Azerbaijan, ‘come, welcome’.”
Another respondent also stressed not to confuse politics with art. Asked whether he would come to the festival to watch Azerbaijani films, the youth responded favorably: “A film can be watched, why not.”
However, 37-year-old Haik thinks that Azerbaijani films can contain certain “anti-Armenian propaganda or things against our position.”
“To provide a platform for them in our country, so they can say ‘you’re bad’ or ‘you’ve seized our lands,’ it’s not right,” he said. In Haik’s opinion, festival organizers shouldn’t be called “traitors,” but he also doesn’t understand the need for this event. “We too have to be shrewd like them and understand what is our interest in this. So that we can be seen as good before the world? Why is this being done?”
An older woman connected coming out against the film screenings with Manvel Saribekyan’s death. “For no reason, they killed that child.” Recall that Saribekyan was taken captive by Azerbaijani forces in September and died under suspicious circumstances while in their custody. His body was returned to Armenia and exchanged with a live Azerbaijani POW on Nov. 4.
Note that the festival is being organized by the Caucasus Center of Peace-Making Initiatives, with the support of the US Embassy in Armenia.