Harmick over at Blogrel confirms that Armenia’s pop stars are part of the campaign to urge voters to pass amendments to the constitution scheduled for referendum on 27 November. Once again, when the referendum should be decided by informed discussion, the government is instead using other tactics.

Talented singer/songwriter Leyla Saribekyan releases her new song this week, appropriately entitled “Asek Ayo”.(Say Yes), It may be just me, but I think this may be linked to the up coming constitutional referendum. The chorus goes: “Say yes to your childs future, say yes in the name of Armenia’s future ” - she also released a song for the dance of unity in May. However, from her interviews its clear that she really believes in what she does, and so I’d like to reserve judgment.

Other Armenian popstars have been touring the regions singing and urging voters to say “Yes”. Christine Pepelyan, Hasmik Karapetian, Armine Nahaptian and Andre - and many more were touring. A clever move by the government , and the stars need it, as a lot of their publicity comes from the (still state contolled) Armenian Public Television.

We could also add that a lot of these people owe their careers to money from the state, especially from government connnected sponsors who always call back the favor at times of elections. During the 2003 presidential elections, pop stars were called upon to include clips of Kocharian in their videos, and as for the referendum, gave free concerts throughout Armenia in support of the President.

A related issue, which I hope Transparency International will investigate as they do report on where money for political campaigns comes from, is whether the financing of such events and videos violates electoral legislation. Still, the point is that culture is used by the government as a political tool to control youth which is why I am more interested in investigating alternative contemporary culture instead.

Reference to the use of Armenia’s manufactured pop stars was also made in a recent article on rock music for Eurasianet. Personally, I think it’s typical of a soviet-era mentality successive governments in Armenia have shown towards democracy, and just one reason why most Armenian youth are apathetic and isolated from the socio-political processes in the country.

Thankfully, however, I also believe that this is slowly starting to change.