Nation without an Anthem
Well, we’re used to stupid and illogical things happening here in Armenia, but it has to be said that that this time round we’ve probably outdone ourselves. After the falsified referendum to amend the Constitution last year, Armenia has to adopt a new national anthem by 6 December. Right, that’s today and, right again, no it hasn’t. Why the proposed change? Well, for one, Wikipedia says the current anthem is too “wimpy.”
“Mer Hayrenik” (Armenian script: “Մեր Հայրենիք”; English translation: “Our Fatherland”) is the national anthem of Armenia. Adopted on July 1, 1991, it is based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922), but with different lyrics.
The lyrics were written as a poem by poet Mikael Nalbandian (1829-1866) and later set to music by composer Barsegh Kanachyan (1885-1967).
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Lately, there has been a debate over whether Armenia should ditch its current national anthem and adopt something more modern, more attuned to today’s national aspirations. There have been complaints that the song is too wimpy and gloomy.).
Regardless, thanks to fierce protest from some political circles in Armenia, including those who actually form the so-called “coalition government,” a contest to determine the replacement to the national anthem was scrapped. The present anthem was meant to be kept for another year while a new song was found, but law wasn’t passed. Therefore, until it is, Armenia doesn’t have a national anthem. RFE/RL has more.
Armenia was effectively left without a national anthem on Wednesday as its parliament failed to meet a constitutional deadline for reaffirming the existing state symbol or introducing a new one.
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The clause was widely seen as a prelude to the abolition of “Mer Hayrenik” which was the official anthem of an independent Armenian republic in 1918-1920 before being reinstated by Armenia’s first post-Communist government in 1990. President Robert Kocharian and many of his political allies, backed by some artists and composers, consider its tune and lyrics too unsophisticated.
But their plans have met with strong resistance from some opposition groups and, more importantly, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), a member of the governing coalition which had founded the First Republic. They forced the government last month to scrap the results of a contest for a new Armenian anthem.
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“The situation is unpleasant,” admitted Prime Minister Andranik Markarian. “We will probably not have, de jure, a national anthem for a few more days. But those few days won’t have any practical impact on the existence of our state.”
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Dashnaktsutyun lawmakers, meanwhile, insisted on their alternative bill that would perpetuate the official status of “Mer Hayrenik.” “Armenia is in a situation where if, God forbids, there is an official ceremony in the next few days [involving anthem rendition], it can not play any music as an national anthem,” one of them, Gegham Manukian, complained.
The full story is here, and there was some discussion on the proposed anthem change over at Cilicia.com in May, and the later decision to scrap the contest to find a replacement in October. Another blogger to weigh in on the controversy was esot3r1c, who did so here.
Ave María purísima, what is wrong with Armenians? Just leave the anthem as it is. National unity is more important than anything else. The ARF is correct on giving the old anthem official status, that’s the most prudent step.
What if the German High Chancellor pays a visit? Hmm? Or the Pope? What then? Please, just a few minutes silence if you will… Who died? No-one it’s our anthem.
Comment by Esoteric — December 7, 2006 @ 2:52 am
The Star Bangled Banner isn’t particularly liked by most Americans. Most Americans don’t know all the words. It is on the opposite side of the spectrum compared tp Mehr Hayrenik. More popular songs are America The Beautiful or , God Bless America.
One thing that America’s anthem and Armenia’s have or had is tradition. Khatchatourian’s melody is inspiring and has a following amongst my friends.
If you listen to Mehr Hyrenik with out the singers , it loses all it’s flavor and emotion. Imagine a visiting dignitary listening to the band playing a few bars over and over again. Armenia deserves better. Oh Canada, now there’s an anthem with or without the lyrics!
Comment by Darwin Jamgochian — December 7, 2006 @ 10:03 am
When we have no other problems, it is only then you would think that so called intelligent nation will look for progressive alternatives. How much do Armenians understand the Aremnian situation, it’s political, economical, social or otherwise ? Is it in our blood to help the “ARMENIANS”, or is it our intention to even lose the very little we have?
We must build, improve, progress, acheive, excell, promote, unite, defend, and LOVE what is for. If this issue will create a new problem, then WE, Armenians are to me ashamed of ourselves. For milliniums we struggled, but we loved our nation, and so we were able to survive. An advice to my people: ” The enemies of Armenians are those who do not see what is ahead.”
Mernim Hayots Hamar.
Comment by Michael Benlian — December 9, 2006 @ 11:38 pm