Understanding the legacy of the Soviet past in modern Armenia

[@judd442009]

Terrific interview, Emilio Cricchio! You should have Dr. Shakarian back to CivilNet. This was an enlightening and honest appraisal of the Soviet era in Armenia and the Armenian influence in CCCP.

[@allendish]

If there is a symptom of what Mr. Shakarian describes as Armenia's 'unincorporated' Soviet legacy, it is of course the Cascade Monument in the heart of downtown Yerevan. What strikes the eye upon visiting is the unfinished nature of it: just above the cascading complex, atop the hill sits a monument dedicated to 50 years of communism in Armenia. The unfinished section is between the two and sits incomplete, with just a concrete foundation and pillars protruding with exposed rebar, as if a material testament of the incomplete ideological landscape, a part that would metaphorically bridge Armenia's not-so-distant Soviet past and the current global capitalist system. I claim the remaining monument will be finished when Armenia is ready to and fully incorporates and comes to terms with its socialist and communist past. I salute Mr. Shakarian for his contributions to this ongoing discussion, which also deals with historiography, and hope to learn more about this topic in the coming years.

[@PhillMac]

Still to this day a very insightful interview with a lot of important pieces of information.

[@alex_2020]

Great interview! What a great scholar! Thank you very much!

[@hikeoganessian9729]

After 5 years my father escaped Siberia with the help of phone lines in a blizzard..He was from Meghri..shvanatsor village on the arax... He ended up a German prisoner only to end up in Chiacago..my home town...we were only a few eastern Armenians in chicago...

[@hovhannesharutiunian1340]

Of course, schools in Armenia today do not teach an objective history of the Soviet era. Educators in Armenia don't know this history and, if they do, are hesitant to draft a corresponding cirriculm. On the eve of 30 years of Armenian indepencdence, it's critical for a sober evaluation of the Soviet legacy, its faults and acheivements. Most of the housing in Armenia today is Soviet-made. Imagine if the private sector h moving fromad to provide basic housing for thousands of people moving from rural areas to the towns and cities. The number of Armenians residing in Soviet Armenia and the surrounding areas was over 4.5 million. And today??? Was the Soviet Union destined to collapse given its economic problems and competing national narratives? This is meat for another discussion.

[@marcuscato3599]

Armenia thrived in soviet times. This is obvious by even a cursorary glance at the most basic vital statistics. We are a nation in almost irreversible decline and Turkification will be the final result which the current government openly embraces.

[@அவானிஉயர்ந்தது]

Clearly Armenia was the Russia’s favourite child and in many situations they were backed up by Russia against Azeris because Slavs’ve always seen Turks as threat for their security and hegemony. Ironically it’s the Armenians trying to steer away from Russia despite historical and compelling integration, incorporation and ties. It looks like once what was a blessing is about to turn into a nightmare for Armenia since Russia is not ready for this break up yet.

[@Believe_on_the_LordJESUSChrist]

Honestly, the first and most important thing to make things better and improve the situation is for the people to seek GOD and seek Him more and more, because the closer the people get to GOD, the better things will become, but if people do not humble themselves and seek GOD for help, things will not get any better, unless the people REPENT and seek GOD in the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God that rose from the dead.

[@judd442009]

What is the Armenian Church in Armenia doing to achieve your goals?

[@Believe_on_the_LordJESUSChrist]

@@judd442009 do you believe in God, do you believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God that rose from the dead?

[@judd442009]

@@Believe_on_the_LordJESUSChrist Yes, I do. Why do you ask?

[@Believe_on_the_LordJESUSChrist]

@@judd442009 Thank God. Because faith in Jesus is the only way to be saved. Do you read the Bible? Jesus died on the cross for your sins that you have done, and he was buried, and on the third day, he rose from the dead and is now alive forevermore. Because Jesus the Son of God died on the cross for your sins and rose from the dead, that means that ALL of your sins are forgiven for you if you accept what Jesus did for you. And if you accept what Jesus did for you on the cross, that means that God forgives you of all of your sins and you have everlasting life, if you truly accept what Jesus did for you and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. what do you believe happens after you die?

[@judd442009]

@@Believe_on_the_LordJESUSChrist You need to be more concerned with your own soul than with the souls of others. The relationship God has with his believers is actually none of your business.

[@MARS--777]

Fake