ARARAT TO ARMENIANS AND ARMENIANS TO ARARAT

The removal of the image of Ararat from the logo of the football federation of Armenia and the uniform of the national football team is in the focus of the society. Although there were no demonstrations and marches of protest, the issue of the image of Ararat is discussed by many on these days. Many of our readers too, indignant that the image of Ararat has been removed from the logo, asked us to share our attitude towards this. I share although I fear that I will also be listed among those who removed the image of Ararat and will criticize me for the absence of national dignity or at least political illiteracy. However, the honesty and sincerity of a reporter with readers are perhaps greater virtues than “national dignity” and “political illiteracy” the way these are perceived among us. So, I am saying honestly and sincerely that I think it is not a tragedy that the picture of Ararat has been removed from the logo of the football federation and the uniform of the national team. The point is that the very existence of Ararat has actually started doing harm to the Armenian people, depriving them of the ability to think. Of course, it is not the mountain’s fault because it was not its decision to stand where it stands now, and it cannot move to a cozier place to rest from Armenians and the Armenians from him. Maybe it is not the fault of the Armenians either that they are so attached to Ararat, especially that it has become so unreachable, like an apple of paradise which was sweeter as it was forbidden. It is not important who is to blame, maybe nobody is to blame, but the fact is that Mount Ararat has become something like a universal unit for the Armenians, which can be used in any setting. For instance, through Ararat it is possible to sell an apartment to Diasporans. Ararat raises the price of apartments, that is it is an excellent spice for the realty business. Ararat helps make good videos because Ararat looks beautiful on the background of any singer. In other words, Ararat is also an excellent spice for show biz. With Ararat on the background, election ads appear more impressive, and most importantly more patriotic, and every candidate on an ad with Ararat on the background becomes a savior of the nation. In other words, Ararat is also a spice for political business. If you want to write a poem, repeat the word Ararat three times, and the poem is ready. You need a logo, do not think long, what is Ararat for if the Armenians have to rack their brains over logos? You place Ararat on the logo of an organization, and everything is ready. Ararat is a background which is always with you. And, unfortunately, only the national round dance is impossible to dance around Ararat. However, it is the exception brought about by the historical injustice, and confirms the rule established by human morality: the Armenians abuse Ararat, without worrying that the mountain leans, wears out, becomes lower because of exploitation, and if the fifth floors of the newly built elite blocks of apartment used to look on Ararat, now the top of Ararat is hardly seen from the sixth floor. Ararat is everywhere, in, on, beside, behind, in front of everything. In this context, it is worrying that Ararat which is everywhere is not found on the logo of the football federation and the national football team, but on the other hand, if the responsibility and burden of the mountain before the nation will be relieved after removing it from the logo and uniform, it must be removed. After all, Sevan, Echmiadzin, some khachkar, Garni, Geghard, the “granny and grandpa” of Karabakh might also claim to be on the logo. After that, the logo of the football federation and the uniform of the national team would look like a guidebook for travelers to Armenia. But is this the way Armenia must be presented to the world? Is it not enough that Ararat is on the national emblem of Armenia? Is it federation logos and uniforms of national teams that should tell the world that Ararat is ours? Or who said that it is ours? Maybe Ararat belongs to the world, by God’s will, on whose decision Noah stepped on Ararat and set the beginning of the new world. It may be considered as a problem that the removal of the picture of Ararat from the logo and uniform is not determined by the consciousness of the necessity to relieve the exploitation of the mountain but by the circumstance of pleasing the president of Turkey visiting Armenia, or maybe to meet the demand of the Turkish side. It is a problem, of course, but not in the sense that we met the demand of the party which is considered as a historical enemy. It is a problem mostly because we cannot realize that it is unacceptable to abuse our historical values and national symbols, and generally it is unacceptable to abuse anyone’s historical value and symbol. If we fail to realize to do that ourselves, the situation will make us to do, this time the visit of the Turkish president, next time something else. Therefore, there is no need to be indignant that Ararat is not found on the logo of the federation and the uniform of the national team. After all, even if Mount Ararat is removed from its place, it will remain in the hearts of Armenians forever. HAKOB BADALYAN

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Discussion

90 days before | remove (1) | reply
Abo wrote:

What most people don't realize is that Serj Sarkisyan's regime has no values and no principles. They have no vision for Armenia.
They would do anything to keep their power and continue stealing money.
Why should they worry about protecting our memroy, our symbols and our values if doesn't bring them any money.
I was already pretty diisappointed with the Armenian regime. But as time goes by disappointement has turned into disgust.
90 days before | remove (1) | reply
avo wrote:
- Abo
  What most people don't realize is that Serj Sarkisyan's regime has no values and no principles. They have no vision for Armenia.
  They would do anything to keep their power and continue stealing money.
  Why should they worry about protecting our memroy, our symbols and our values if doesn't bring them any money.
  I was already pretty diisappointed with the Armenian regime. But as time goes by disappointement has turned into disgust.
I agree. If FIFA decided to remove ararat from the uniforms, then I would not want to be a part of the game. I rather make a statement then win a game. I am sure that Armenia is not going to go even close to winning the World cup. So, when get major politics out of it instead of a stupid game with Turkey. I agree with Serzh with no vision. This is why Armenia is in the hole.
90 days before | remove (5) | reply
Григорий wrote:
Don't buy an ordinary demogogy from the gutter press.
This canard was "invented" by Turkish "Zaman" and brought to Armenia by turks-coupled levonakan newspapers.
See the old logo on
ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Сборная_Армении_по_футболу
and the new one on
www.ffa.am
One should have fertile imagination to discern Ararat Mountains in the primitive geometrics and graphics of the former logo - it is not much more "Araratic" than Roman-Cyrillic letter "M" and foreigners are not able to identify it 100%.
New logo is more imposing and vivid.
86 days before | remove (5) | reply
Nazaryan wrote:
- Григорий
  Don't buy an ordinary demogogy from the gutter press. This canard was "invented" by Turkish "Zaman" and brought to Armenia by turks-coupled levonakan newspapers.
  See the old logo on
  ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Сборная_Армении_по_футболу
  and the new one on
  www.ffa.am
  One should have fertile imagination to discern Ararat Mountains in the primitive geometrics and graphics of the former logo - it is not much more "Araratic" than Roman-Cyrillic letter "M" and foreigners are not able to identify it 100%.
  New logo is more imposing and vivid.
What you and the writer of this article refuse to see is the fact that the football federation of Armenia has broken two laws, 1 the law on official logos and 2 the law on use of foreign language, and the new logo no matter how impressive (I personally can not see how it can be impressive, or what is it that impresses you about it!) is not Armenian. It could well be the logo of any football federation. From Angola to Albania to … do you get it ? Mr Григорий

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