2. Current cultural affairs
Armenia
Last update: January, 2015
In the past, the priority of the Armenian cultural policy was mainly directed at the preservation of cultural structures and major trends, but now cultural development and promoting Armenian culture are emphasised more.
The priority directions of the cultural policy today are:
1. The formation of the legislative framework in the field:
- compatibility of cultural and relevant legislation with European standards and requirements; and
- regulation of the legislative framework directed at the development of specific fields of culture.
2. Development of strategies for cultural development
The Cultural Development Strategy for 2008-2012 has the following priorities:
The preservation of cultural heritage:
- elaboration and implementation of a comprehensive programme on preservation of cultural values (mobile and immobile, tangible and intangible);
- creation of mechanisms for identification, registration, monitoring and preservation of cultural values in the Republic of Armenia and abroad; and
- promoting the cultural heritage internationally and increasing its availability to the public.
The development of a new model on decentralisation of cultural management and financing:
- increasing public participation in the management of cultural structures and establishments;
- specification, separation of powers and eradication of double management by authorities in the cultural field;
- introduction of a multi-source financing system, development and introduction of a programme financing system, and introduction of a co-financing system through a participative mechanism; and
- establishment of supporting cultural organisations.
The development of modern art and cultural infrastructures and the promotion of cultural processes:
- promotion of the formation of an Institute of Cultural Managers;
- promotion of new processes; and
- assistance to highly valuable cultural activities.
The use of information technologies in the cultural area:
- introduction of new informative-communicative technologies and electronic management systems into the cultural area; and
- promotion of the digitisation of data on cultural values – formation of a digital treasury.
The provision of training and education for specialists in the cultural field:
- a review and improvement of training of specialists in the cultural area; and
- provision of continuing education for cultural specialists, with the involvement of the interested parties in the development of educational programmes, according to market demands.
The development of cultural links inside Armenia and with foreign countries:
- promotion of inter-marz cultural cooperation;
- support to the broadening of cultural dialogue with foreign countries;
- engagement of the Diaspora in the cultural field of Armenia; and
- a promotion programme on Armenian culture abroad.
Among the priorities of the Cultural Development Strategy for 2008-2012 are:
- effective coordination of cultural policy;
- cultural heritage;
- international cooperation;
- digitisation of non-material culture; and
- popular culture.
Currently, the encouragement of projects by talented artists, youth cultural groups, broadening the outlook of young people by educational establishments and by the programmes of education on national culture, history, and civic education are among the priorities in the cultural field.
Currently the achievements of the Cultural Development Strategy for 2008-2012 are being finalised and analysed.
This information will be published as soon as possible.
This information will be published as soon as possible.
Last update: January, 2015
A major direction of Armenian cultural policy is investment of modern informational-communicative technologies and systems of electronic management in the cultural sector, as well as stimulation of digitalisation of cultural objects. The provision of electronic information equipment is still far from satisfactory in Armenia.
With the purpose of creating an electronic depository of museum objects under the patronage of the World Bank "Museum", a computer programme was developed, which is used in 7 museums. Multiple programs on training of museum specialists have been implemented by the government in collaboration with NGOS and international parners.
In 2000, the technical re-equipment process for libraries began. With finance from the state budget and remunerations, the automation process of collections has started in all state libraries; 7 libraries carry out an electronic service and currently 12 libraries are included in the project of creating the joint automated network of Armenian libraries, which is currently in the process of implementation. The production of a combined electronic catalogue programme has started, with the participation of the Armenian National Chamber of books. Library collections are enriched annually with 16 000 units of information material to meet current reading demands. The effectiveness of the library-informational services needs to be improved in order to meet modern reading demands and to provide an adequate electronic service level. The Armenian Higher Technological Centre and the Information Technologies Foundation are working on cultural initiatives.
The automation of the informational-search system for archive collections was initiated in 2001. Since 2004, work on digitalisation of the photo collection and, since 2006, the cinema collection has got underway. A special fund was established to carry out this work.
To date, the digital data catalogue includes about 400 000 documents, 11 900 photos and 40 film pictures. In 2011 the process of digitilisation of objects of cultural heritage was continued by launching the renovated web-site of the National Gallery (http://www.nga.am).
The digitisation of museum collections has been launched by two virtual exhibitions of Armenian carpets (http://carpets.iworldarmenia.com). Also, the first 3D model of Tatev, the monastic complex of the 9th century has been made and is currently sold in tourist shops.
Last update: January, 2015
Intercultural dialogue is one of the priorities of Armenia's state cultural policy. According to the Armenian cultural strategy, all types of culture and art are considered as elements of intercultural dialogue. For the purpose of developing and strengthening intercultural dialogue in recent years, the Republic of Armenia has joined a number of major international instruments.
Within the framework of principles and norms of international law, Armenia promotes: the preservation of Armenian historical and cultural values that are in other states and the preservation of historical and national values of other nations that are on the territory of Armenia; the development of educational and cultural life; as well as the implementation of articles of the Law on Preservation and Use of Immobile Monuments of History and Culture and of the Historical Environment, according to which "political, ideological, religious, race and national discrimination is prohibited".
The Republic of Armenian conducts active cultural dialogue with those countries that have elements of Christian and Islamic culture in its own territory, as well as protecting them at state level. According to Article 5 of the European Cultural Convention (provision on the preservation and availability of cultural values that are on the territories of different countries and that are a part of the European cultural heritage), the Republic of Armenia has proposed more than once to discuss the opening of a cultural corridor, on the one part, in the direction of Ani (in Turkey, including the Armenian historical-cultural monuments and historical places that are of Armenian interest - numerous ancient and medieval structures, Urartian fortresses and tombs, medieval Armenian churches, sites of ancient and medieval Armenian citiesand palaces and temporal structures). On the other hand, the cultural corridor could be extended in the direction of the Islamic historical-cultural values that may interest the Turkish people, particularly, the Muslim mosques and mausoleums, but also other medieval monuments like caravanserais, bridges, and bath-houses that can be found in different regions of Republic of Armenia and Artsakh (NKR).
A vivid example of intercultural dialogue at the regional level is the Caucasian Chamber Orchestra, including the best musicians from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia (http://www.caucasianco.com/).
Armenia has different levels of cross-border cultural cooperation with neighbouring countries. The highest level of cooperation is with Georgia and Iran. There is a Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran functioning in Armenia and promoting Iranian culture. Georgian and Iranian artists are constant participants of most international cultural events in Armenia (festivals, master-classes, concerts, exhibitions, etc). Days of Iranian Culture in Armenia were organised in 2005 and 2009. Days of Armenian Culture were hosted in Iran in September 2011. In 2009, Days of Georgian Culture were held in Armenia, and in 2010 Georgia responded with Days of Armenian Culture in Georgia. Besides, the Ministry of Culture supports cultural initiatives of the Armenian Diaspora in Georgia.
The most difficult cultural relations are with Azerbaijan and Turkey. The absence of official relationships excludes official cultural contacts or development of strategies of cultural cooperation. The Azerbaijan government officially prevents any intercultural contacts with Armenia at all levels because of existing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (the official position of RA regarding the conflict can be seen at Nagorno-Karabakh page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RA, http://mfa.gov.az/en/content/812).
However, contacts on an individual or organisational level happen from time to time. Peace-making organisations (mostly international and very few local ones) are interested in establishing a sort of intercultural dialogue in peace-making goals; however separate efforts are not successful. Thus, in 2011 and 2012 festivals of Azeri films planned by the Centre for Peace-making Initiatives were cancelled because public sentiment in the Armenian society is not currently prepared for such activities, due to the apparent unilateralism of recent peace-making initiatives, the absence of mirror activities and the intimidating rhetoric of some Azeri representatives.
Armenian-Turkish cultural contacts are somewhat more successful than those with Azerbaijan. Turkish artists participate in some festivals in Armenia ("Golden Apricot"). There are a couple of Armenian-Turkish cultural projects being implemented, mostly aimed at reaching mutual understanding regarding the tragic events of what is seen in Armenia as the "Genocide of 1915", when 1.5 millions of Armenians lost their lives in Turkey (http://www.genocide-museum.am/eng/armenian_genocide.php). Nevertheless, the Armenian-Turkish dialogue-related initiatives are not very welcome by both the Armenian and Turkish societies because of the current political situation.
Though there is no diplomatic relationship between Turkey and Armenia, some constructive ideas on collaboration in the area of restoration or the study of cultural heritage were announced during 2010 and 2011. Nonetheless, their implementation still seems to be difficult.
In the sphere of Armenian-Turkish relations, the non-governmental sector develops and implements some programmes aimed at building relationships, mostly with the support of international donors. A number of initiatives have been implemented during 2010 and 2011, such as the programme of Support to Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement, funded by USAID and implemented by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation – Armenia. The cultural component is one of the most important in this particular initiative. Thus, so far it includes policy and media dialogue, training for media specialists, and dialogue between Armenian-Turkish animators within the framework of the "Re-Animania" cartoon-makers' festival in Armenia (2011).
Intercultural dialogue: actors, strategies, programmes
The government pays attention and takes appropriate measures in the local communities and regions to support cultural variety, intercultural dialogue and the issues of social unity. This support is confirmed by the Law on the State Budget. According to this Law, special lines of the State Budget are envisaged to support activities of national minorities at the community and NGO levels.
Last update: January, 2015
There is no perceived requirement for intercultural education in the timetables of Armenian schools. Schools are mostly Armenian although, in the regions inhabited by national minorities, Assyrian, Yezidi, Kurdish, and Greek classes operate. There are also two Russian schools for the Russian-speaking population. The first international English-language school opened in Dilijan, in September, 2014.
In the 2007 academic year, the Department of "Linguistics and Intercultural Relations" was opened at Yerevan State University, which focuses on general national values, cultural and language diversity, world culture, religion, tolerance etc.
Last update: January, 2015
In the mid-1990s, private radio and television broadcasting began to develop. However, the regulation of this field began only following the adoption of the Law on Television and Radio (2000) and the formation of the National Committee for Television and Radio on 19 March 2001. Today, in Armenia, there is one Public TV Company and one Public Radio Company. There are more than 40 private broadcasters, 20 Radio companies (9 in Yerevan, 11 in the regions)), and 61 TV companies (23 in Yerevan, 38 in the regions). Unlike the printed press, the advertisement incomes of radio and TV companies are very large. The correlation between the Armenian programmes in television broadcasts (including the Armenian translation of foreign programmes) and foreign ones varies, depending on the TV channel, but averages about 55%-45% (see also chapter 4.2.6).
According to the Law on Television and Radio, the same legal entity may not obtain a broadcasting license for the same geographic location for both radio and television. The same Law also stipulates broadcasters to guarantee a certain proportion of local content - 65% of air time for all broadcasters and no less than two thirds for Public Television.
The process of digitalisation of broadcasting is currently taking place in Armenia. According to amendments to the RA Law on Television and Radio, approved on 20 May 2010, Armenia is to move to digital broadcasting. In connection with this transition, a new competition for frequencies was conducted in July – December 2010. Only 18 TV companies were appointed. The competition was claimed to be unfair by the TV companies that were unsuccessful.
There are press agencies in Armenia that cooperate with CIS member countries and similar world major agencies disseminate everyday information. "Armenpress" is the oldest press agency in Armenia, operating since 1921. Two other agencies that have been formed since 1991 are "Noyan Tapan" and "Arminfo", a private agency. There are also news agencies: "Mediamax", "De Facto", "Arka", "Regnum" and photoagencies: "Photolur" and "Patker".
There are 5 daily newspapers, including "Aravot" (Morning), "Azg" (Nation), "Haykakan jamanak" (Armenian Times), and "Hayots Ashkharh" (Armenian World). All of them are private. The former official newspaper of the Parliament, "Republic of Armenia", has special state status and the publisher is "Hanrapetutyun" (Republic), a closed joint-stock company, with the state as stockholder. The Russian "Respublika Armeniya" is published twice a week and the publisher is again a state company. There are Russian private newspapers "Novoye Vremya" and "Golos Armenii" (published three times per week). Among the political weekly newspapers are the official weekly newspaper of ARD "Erkir" and UCR official newspaper "Iravunq", as well as the private "Ayb-Fe", the founder of which is the "Melteqs" company - the founder of "A1+" TV company.
Since Soviet times, there have been publications of children's and youth periodicals ("Kanch" and "Akhbyur"). After independence, a number of new periodicals emerged - "Khatutik", "Manana", "Lolo", "Urakh Gnatsk" ("Merry Train"). However, currently some of them do not exist anymore and the general decrease in number of children oriented media may be noticed. Instead, a number of leisure, fashion, sports, youth and Diaspora oriented magazines increased in number ("Hayuhi" (The Armenian women), "Zaruhi", "Es", "Sports planet", "Football Plus", "Ne", the Armenian version of "Comsmopolitan", "Yerevan", etc).
There are also social, political, literary and cultural newspapers - "Yerevani Hamaynapatker", "Noyan Tapan" in English, the newspapers "Grakan tert", "Grqeri Ashkharh", as well as the magazines "Garun", "Nor Dar", "Norq", and "Literaturnaya Armenia". There are also specialist periodicals (comic, scientific, philosophical and so on). The newspaper "Qristonya Hayastan" is published by the church. Russian commercial and social-political periodicals have a great number of readers in Armenia also.
Academic periodicals include those published by the universities ("Banber Yerevani Hamalsarani", "Vestnik RAU", etc), and by Academia of Sciences ("Lraber Hasarakakan gitutiunneri", "Hayastani bzhshkagitutyun", "Hayastani qimiakan hands", etc.). Totally, currently the Academia of Sciences of RA has 16 periodicals in different spheres of science and humanities.
In 1995, "Aragil" (in English) information electronic agency was established (by Internet). Two information agencies also specialise in the area of the economy - "Arka" and "Mediamax"(in Russian).
In 1991, together with the adoption of the Law on other Means of Press and Mass Media, censorship officially disappeared in Armenia and freedom of the media was declared.
When becoming an EC member, Armenia stated that it would pass a new Law on Mass Media within a year and reorganise the TV national channel into a Public channel, with an independent administrative council management. Both of the plans have been accomplished. In 2000, the Public Television and Public Radio Company were established and, in the same year, the Law on Television and Radio was passed. In 2003, following a number of discussions and decisions of experts (including the experts of Armenia, EC and Article 19 organisation) a new Law on Mass Media was passed, which came into force in February 2004. Compared with the previous Law, this one is more progressive and complies with international standards. The most important part is that the compulsory registration of mass media has disappeared and the principle of legal protection of the mass media was confirmed.
The Law on Freedom of Information was passed in September 2003 and came into force in November 2003. The Law guarantees the transparency and promotion of state and local self-governmental bodies and the transparency and promotion of private company activities that implement public functions, as well as the protection of the right for everyone to be informed, including the legal mechanisms of ensuring the information availability.
Subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals are low, due to the high prices related to expenses for publication and dissemination and a weak market for advertising. The lack of financial investments for the control of media groups and the small salaries of the journalists also hinder progress in this field.
Network (Internet) media was initiated in Armenia in 2000 by the Pan Armenian Network. Today, there are a number of similar newspapers, such as "Antsudarz", "Hetq", "Armenia now" and "Taregir". Parallel to the dissemination of these periodicals, the information from various media also flows to the Internet. There are a number of popular news sites such as "7or", "Panorama.am", "News.am", "Armenia Today", etc. All the radio channels, 55% of the printed media and 26% of TV companies have web pages. In 2002, the state role in information provision disappeared though, until now, the financing of state and non-state media, "Armenpress" agency and "Mir" TV company, is realised by the Ministry. According to the Vice-Minister of Transport and Communications in Armenia, the number of Internet users has dramatically (6 times) increased in Armenia in 2009-2011, and now makes involves one third of the whole population.
The cultural media has a limited circulation and are published in the form of separate publications (e.g. Armenian-English magazine "Hay Arvest") and supplements to newspapers ("Azg", "Golos Armenii"). There are also web pages devoted to Armenian culture and its separate administrations (e.g. http://www.arvest.am, http://icha.armenianculture.am). The radio channel "Vem" has a cultural theme. Previously there was a specific TV channel "Ararat", supported by the Ministry of Culture, that addressed different spheres of art and culture. It does not exist any more. Some of its functions were transferred to another cultural channel "Shoghakat" (supported by the Armenian Apostolic Church). The children's channel "Hayrenik" that was mainly focused on elucidation of culture related topics for children has also stopped broadcasting since the beginning of 2012. As well as having many art, music and spiritual education programmes, Armenians also have access to the Russian "Cultura" TV channel which is very popular in the sphere of culture. In the sphere of literature, electronic periodicals Inqnagir (http://www.inknagir.org/) and Granish (http://www.granish.org/) are well-known in Armenia.
There are no serious debates in the country over EU competition policies.
The Media Diversity Institute Armenian office has conducted several training programmes and has published guidebooks on diversity reporting, which highlights cultural diversity issues among other sensitive issues.
In the sphere of freedom of speech, the situation is better served with printed and electronic media, which do not encounter serious obstacles for their activities, though separate cases of violation of journalists' and citizens' information rights may happen. However, in the case of the broadcasting media, more serious violations such as lack of access to the TV and radio waves for broadcasting may take place. These and other developments on freedom of speech are covered by the Freedom House Armenia 2011 report: http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2011/armenia (Freedom House is an independent watchdog organisation dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world). The violations in the media sphere can be exemplified in the case of A1+ TV channel which has been denied a license for 8 years for political reasons and just recently has got several hours of broadcasting on the Armnews TV channel.
Last update: January, 2015
The Law of the Republic of Armenia on Language was adopted on 3 March 1993, under which the state language of the Republic of Armenia is Armenian and the official language is literary Armenian. The second language is Russian, which the majority of the population still speak, though the number of people having a good command of Russian has significantly decreased. Among the new generation, the number of people with knowledge of other foreign languages, particularly English, French and German, is gradually increasing.
The Language State Inspectorate, attached to the Ministry of Science and Education, manages the language policy, decides the criteria and controls the execution of the Language Law.
Compared with the Soviet period, the usage of the Russian language has noticeably declined, although Russian is still taught in secondary and higher education institutions, the Russian press and literature is published, Russian radio programmes are broadcast, and some private TV channels broadcast Russian-speaking films without Armenian subtitles. In Armenia, which is described as being a language homogenous country, many foreign language papers and magazines are published, such as the Russian "Respublica Armenia", "Urartu", "Golos Armenii", "Novoye Vremya", Delovoy Express, and other newspapers, "Literaturnaya Armenia", "Yerevan", "Afisha", "Armyanka" magazines, Yazidi "Lalesh", "Ezdikhana" ("The voice of Yazidis" in Armenian), Kurdish "Rya Taza" (New way), "Mijagetq" (Armenian-Kurdish), Ukrainian "Dnipro", "Magen David" ("The star of David" in Russian) of the Jewish community and the Greek "Byzantine inheritance".
Currently, there are no major issues in Armenia relating to foreign languages and other cultures. During the Soviet period and, especially, following 1988 there was a struggle against the use of the Russian language although, following independence, this struggle ceased (at present, the Russian press in Armenia is even stronger than it was during Soviet years). Besides the English language, a number of other foreign languages are taught in the institutes of higher education and the centres operate for teaching French, Spanish, German and Italian, and cultural unions operate.
The existing legislation does not prohibit the language usage of minorities; the state language supremacy is in harmony with the language preservation of national minorities, the international right of mutual respect towards all cultures and the language-political norms of the European Union. In general, each non-Armenian resident of Armenia freely enjoys the entire international and national rights provided for national minorities, but the state offers additional financial support only to the national minorities that meet certain guidelines. These guidelines are developed on the basis of the main principle that if a national minority in any settlement is 15% or more of the population and, if in any small settlement with a population of 2 000 people, the national minority is represented by at least 300 people, then this minority will receive financial support from the state budget to realise their educational, identity protection and other programmes. In Armenia, the Russian, Yazidi and Assyrian ethnic communities meet these guidelines.
In early 2010, an attempt to change the language related legislation was made by the Ministry of Education. The new draft Law on Language addresses the legal justification for opening secondary schools with teaching in foreign languages. The draft Law faced unexpectedly negative reaction of the intellectual circles of society and its discussion process is currently being accompanied by public protests and actions largely advertised in the electronic social networks and mass media. The Armenian civil society is mostly preoccupied by the possible fast growth in number of schools with teaching in foreign languages, which, in turn, will threaten development and status of the Armenian-language schools. It seems to recall a situation of the Soviet times, when the Russian-language schools were much more prestigious and better maintained by the authorities than the Armenian-language ones. Opening foreign-language schools would mean damaging national culture and identity. The initiative group fighting the draft Law refers the Constitution, which declares Armenian the only official language of Armenia, and therefore the only allowed language of secondary education. Public debates on this issue are still in progress.
Last update: January, 2015
Armenia has joined the UN Convention on "Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination of Women".
In accordance with the Constitution, all people are equal before the law and gender discrimination is forbidden. The National Statistical Service lists the average number of women working in culture and science in 1999 as 111 800; in 2000 - 117 400; in 2001 - 116 600; in 2002 - 105 300; and in 2003 - 98 600 people. The present Culture Minister and Deputy-minister, Deputy-speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of the Permanent Commission on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports are women, as are 62% of ministerial employees (5 231 people, 1 975 of whom are men and 3 228 are women). The number of women in cultural NGOs and in institutions engaged in cultural production is also high.
The Republic of Armenia adopted the "National Programme for 2004-2010 on Improvement of the Situation of Women and the Elevation of their Role in Society". The programme envisaged a number of objectives and activities most of which were implemented, however a proper evaluation of results of the programme have never been made. Since 2011, The Ministry of Culture has been applying the new gender policy, aimed at:
- overcoming gender discrimination and achieving equality between women and men;
- ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities for women and men to realise their cultural needs and to promote the development of social, legal and political culture;
- overcoming women's under-representation in the decision-making of legislative and executive branches of power and to strengthen social cohesion. Ensuring 30% female representation in the legislative and executive branches of government decision-making levels;
- making periodic assessments of the gender situation in the country; and
- increasing gender sensitivity among public employees.
This information will be published as soon as possible.
Last update: January, 2015
In 2007 the Armenian government ratified the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. According to the Convention, each participant country "ensures artists, cultural professionals, practitioners and citizens worldwide can create, produce, disseminate and enjoy a broad range of cultural goods, services and activities, including their own." The Convention attracts special attention to cultural expressions of minorities and various social groups.
According to the last census (2011), the national minorities in Armenia make up 1.9% of the country's population; Yezidis prevail (62%).
According to this census, the national composition of the population of the Republic of Armenia is as follows:
Table 1: Population of the Republic of Armenia by Ethnicity, 2011
| Nationality | Number |
|---|---|
| Armenians | 2 961 801 |
| Assyrians | 2 769 |
| Yezidis | 35 308 |
| Greeks | 900 |
| Russians | 11 911 |
| Ukrainians | 1 176 |
| Kurds | 2 162 |
| Georgians | 617 |
| Persians | 476 |
| Others | 1 634 |
| No response | 100 |
| Total | 3 018 854 |
Source: http://www.armstat.am
In line with the Constitution, citizens of Armenia who belong to national minorities have the right to preserve and develop their own customs, language, culture and religious liberties. These rights are reflected in a number of laws, which are being strengthened. The policy on national minorities is based on three fundamental principles:
- to promote the preservation of ethnical identity and development of ethnical culture;
- to prevent any ethnical discrimination; and
- to promote the full integration of the non-Armenian population into the society of Armenia.
The adoption of international agreements, the necessary amendments and insertions made to the laws of Armenia, as well as the operation of programmes promoting integration, are directed at the implementation of the above three principles.
Under the Law on Fundamentals of Cultural Legislation passed in 2002, Armenia supports the cultural identity protection and development of national minorities residing on its territory.
Armenia has joined a number of international and intergovernmental treaties that ensure and protect the multicultural environment of national and language minorities, including the Framework Convention on the Rights of National Minorities and the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages. They are implemented in Armenia both by national legislation and by including them in cultural, educational, informational and other programmes. Armenia has also passed the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organisations. A number of non-governmental organisations operate initiatives to benefit national and religious communities.
At present, state support is provided for education in national (mother) languages, for the following minorities: Russians, Yazidis, Kurds, Assyrians, partially Greeks, Poles, Germans, and Ukrainians - in the programmes of Armenian higher educational institutions. There are regular radio programmes in Kurdish, Yazidi, Russian, Assyrian, and Georgian languages, which are realised with state support. In the cultural sphere, organisations that function in the educational-cultural development sphere also receive financial and organisational support. The legislative amendments for the protection and development of ethnic identity of non-Armenian residents are ongoing.
In recent years, a number of cultural institutions and cultural centres for national minorities were opened in Armenia. Priorities in this sphere include support for ethnic media (about 12 newspapers and magazines are being published in Armenia through communities of ethnic minorities), preservation and promotion of ethnic cultures through publication of books, making films, organisation of art festivals and rehabilitation of historical and cultural monuments (cemeteries, religious worship sites, etc).
Cultural diversity in Armenia is also represented by the religious diversity. The Constitution provides freedom of religion (article 23). Currently there are 14 different denominations and churches in Armenia, each having its own religious culture, mentality, specifics of everyday life, and centres of social and cultural life.
Last update: January, 2015
The state has the key role in ensuring the right to create and to make available its citizens' cultural activity, ensuring access to cultural services and benefits, and encouraging society's cultural potential. Put differently, the principle of cultural animation is part of the state cultural politics. However, this principle does not work equally for all citizens of Armenia for a number of reasons. A socially polarised society and uneven regional development hamper the formation of coherent and culturally involved communities.
According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, the average monthly wage in Armenia in 2012 was 115 000 AMD, which equals 213 EUR. In the meantime, the average monthly fee for art classes is between 5 000 and 10 000 AMD (about 9.2-20 EUR) excluding expenses for the purchase of materials or tools.
Table 2: Average monthly nominal wages, in AMD and in EUR
| Year |
Absolute Value in AMD |
Absolute Value in EUR |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | - | - |
| 2013 | 146 524.0 AMD | 271 EUR |
| 2012 | 113 163.0 AMD | 213 EUR |
| 2011 | 108 092.0 AMD | 200 EUR |
| 2010 | 102 652.0 AMD | 190 EUR |
Source: http://armstat.am
To ensure social unity, one of the main tasks of the cultural policy is the link between the provision and availability of cultural services. To ensure the availability of cultural education for socially disadvantaged families, since 2007, the music and art schools receive extra payments from the state budget (in the form of refunds). The refund system was applied initially in the education of folk music instruments; it is anticipated to extend this benefit to other professions as well. In order to expand access to museum, library and theatrical-concert services, a new tariff policy and reduction system for socially disadvantaged groups is being developed. Today there are fixed days to visit museums free of charge. Concert tours of state theatrical-concert organisations are presented in the regions, financed by the state budget.
Another main direction of cultural policy is the enhancement and development of the cultural potential of society. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture carries out the training of specialists at medium and highly specialised educational institutions with the goal to ensure the necessary quantity of specialists. There is state support for educating young people from socially disadvantaged families and there is also support to ensure that the cultural organisations functioning in the regions are replenished with necessary specialists.
The officials responsible for ensuring social cohesion at all the levels of power are the bodies that control the cultural policy (see chapter 1.2.2).
The Armenian legislation ensures social and cultural rights of people with disabilities. In 2010, Armenia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. However, the problem of physical accessibility of cultural institutions remains acute. A number of non-governmental organisations (like "Unison" NGO) cooperate with state agencies in the development of corresponding by-laws and regulations to have the problem resolved.
This information will be published as soon as possible.
Last update: January, 2015
Religion and Church as cultural policy development factors
Religion is one of the most important factors of cultural specificity and cultural development of nations and countries. Armenia is a secular country which means the religious institutions de-jure does not intervene in the state policy development process, but a de-facto religious factor definitely impacts on the decision-making process in some spheres, such as cultural heritage, education, and cultural tourism. The Armenian Apostolic Church is a dominant religious institution in Armenia, and about 94.7% of citizens belong to it. Its role and functions are much more than those of just a religious institution. The Armenian Apostolic Church implemented functions identical to those of a state since the last Armenian state collapsed in 14 c. So far, it has been playing a central role in the organisation, management and protection of the Armenian Communities of Diaspora. For the vast number of Armenians, the Armenian Apostolic Church is a symbol of national and ethnic identity rather than that of a religion.
Since the declaration of independence in 1991, the Armenian Apostolic Church has significantly enlarged the scope of its activities in many spheres of culture.
- In many communities the Armenian Apostolic Church has taken over the functions of cultural centres and cultural houses. Local church communities fulfil different projects on religious and cultural education of children, adolescents, youth and the elderly. The Church officials and activists organise excursions, lectures and cultural events for the locals. Typically, they maintain and support choirs, youth organisations, arts and crafts (see Hayordyats Tner, in chapter 8.4.1). Some of the most active church communities are involved in environmental protection and charitable activities. It should be noted that similar activities are organised by other religious movements in Armenia for their own communities.
- The Armenian Apostolic Church has also succeeded in its efforts to make religion a part of secular education. The course on "History of the Armenian Apostolic Church" is delivered in secondary schools and, in fact, fully addresses Christian dogmatism, mythology and values. This course has become an issue of public debates among the secular part of the population. Secular intelligentsia criticise the introduction of the subject and the content of the textbooks, considering it a step backward from the idea of a secular state.
- The Armenian Apostolic Church tends to be one of the central players in cultural heritage related activities. Most of the historical monuments in Armenia that are preserved from antiquity and the Middle Ages are of religious nature. There are approximately 1 300 officially registered historical and architectural monuments, mostly related to early and medieval Christianity. Since 1997 (State resolution N274, 1997), the state has started the process of restitution of Christian monuments (churches, monasteries, chapels) to the Armenian Apostolic Church. Activation of churches and monasteries highlights the necessity for renovation and modernisation so that religious services can be facilitated. The Armenian Apostolic Church raises money from private donors and Diaspora organisations for this renovation. Some restoration projects are carried out along with the Ministry of Culture. However, some cases of inaccurate restoration and / or modernisation of ancient churches and monasteries irritate the local and pan-Armenian community of architects, historians and cultural studies specialists and have become an issue for public debates and political activities.
Sustainable Development
Cultural sustainability constitutes one of the four domains of the concept of sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Strategy of Armenia (October, 2008) considers cultural sustainability among its priorities. In particular, the Program prioritises:
- Preservation and promotion of the Armenian Cultural Heritage;
- Stimulation of modern cultural processes and promotion of modern art;
- Cultural education;
- Development of international cultural cooperation and ties.
In June of 2012 the Armenian delegation participated in Rio de Janeiro summit "Rio +20", devoted to sustainable development. The RA Ministry of Culture developed a report entitled "Cultural policy in 2000-2012 in the context of sustainable development" that had been presented in the summit.
Sports
Some sports may be considered as a factor strongly impacting culture and development. Unprecedented success of the Armenian chess-players in the World Chess Olympiads 2006, 2008, and 2012 promoted national interest in chess and stimulated the introduction of chess into secondary schools as a part of the national education programme (2011). Chess has also become an additional means for international recognition of Armenia, the Armenian people and culture.
The discipline of "Sport and Physical culture" is taught in the Institute of physical culture (since 2013). It includes history and cultural evolution of sports and its sociocultural role.
Transparency of Culture related State Institutions
Criticism of the activities of the Ministry of Culture that periodically appear in the mass media sometimes stem from the lack of transparency of ministerial activities, appropriate information on cultural projects, awareness about decision-making and selection processes, etc. Public debates on this issue often do not get immediate and adequate feedback from government officials, so people do not feel their opinion is valued by the state.
During 2011, there have been several positive changes in the situation. The Minister of Culture tried to be more open to the public and obtain feedback on some important issues that were emerging (the issue of restoration and displacement of frescos of Minas Avetissyan, the famous Armenian painter, the gradual removal of book stores, etc.) through various mass media outlets. A meeting with the Armenian blogging community was organised in August 2011, where all these and other issues were discussed and at least addressed. The official website of the Ministry (http://www.mincult.am) also plays an important role in the provision of public awareness, but the question of transparency still remains open. Since 2013 the website of the Ministry has been restructured and significantly improved. It has become more informative, more transparent and more user-friendly.