Most people gained what they deserve: Andre Simonian

Interview with Andre Simonian, founding member of “The Beautified Project”, singer/songwriter.

Andre, parliamentary elections were held on April 2: I know such processes are important to you, in this process you appeared in a social ad calling on the citizens to cast their votes. Elections are over, what’s your assessment to these elections regarding public participation and results?

The fact that we had 60% and more participation really made me happy, also that they were more fair, than the previous ones. There were more precise devices, which were monitoring it so that everything was correct. We know that violations have been recorded as well. If there are people discontent with the results, people should more blame themselves, as we know how elections have been held and people are guilty as well if they are discontent with the results.

This time everything was organized prior to elections, particularly bought votes are being touched upon.

Yes, there are simple facts, that it happened and most part of people—80%, gained what they deserve.

We have an immense layer of the socially needy, for whose 10 thousand drams election bribe is more important, that future of their children. We also have uneducated layer, bearing street mores, deprived of upbringing, who are actively involved in forgery. Which steps can be taken to raise public awareness? How should they be explained that by selling their vote, involving in forgery they destroy not only themselves, but an entire state.

I’ll attempt to say it in one sentence—people should be aware. People taking those steps, either encourage others to go to that, they don’t know what a damage they cause to the country’s future.

It comes from upbringing, i.e. person’s capabilities and ideas are comprised of three different things: intellect, education received inside the family and upbringing, as well as education at school or university. Combination of these three comprises person’s intellect, and unfortunately, people, busy diverting election order, I think should pass the process of upbringing and be aware of what they do. Comprehending the issue is the first step.

You touched upon education at school, teachers of schools are also engaged with election fraud. How can they bring up a generation?

It shows that wrong teachers appeared there. It’s clear that the issue of educational system exists in Armenia, and this very fact people take bribes in schools and universities shows that the issue is not only elections.

What do you think, what steps are necessary to take to that end?

As a person of art, I can do what I did, e.g. shooting social ads, informing people, if you’re bought by 10-15 thousand drams, by that amount you sell 4-5 years of your life. It’s a simple thematic: if 15 thousand drams is divided to days, it’ll turn out they’re selling their one day with 1 dram. If they want to sell, it’s their affair, but they should be informed to what step they’re going.

Do you consider participation of prominent people correct? For instance, the election campaign of RPA was launched by Reincarnation’s “Change the world” song, where Arthur Abraham and Levon Aronian were found as well, which caused complaints. I know that formerly you had such a proposal as well, but you refused. In your opinion, why do your colleagues cooperate with this or that power? Are they short of finances?

It seems to me that it’s clear: either for finance or they agree with the ideology that political party dictates. If they agree with those ideologies, rudely said, it’s their affair, and let them stand next to that power. In our case powers, which previously proposed us to participate in their election campaign, be next to them, were powers, to ideologies of which we disagreed, and any finance wouldn’t change our mind to take part in it.

Doesn’t this rise discontent among the public, when favorite artist supports this or that political power?

You know, it’s generally accepted in the world that well-known singers support political powers they cast votes for, e.g. during recent US presidential elections some singers were next to Trump, and many singers were supporting Hillary Clinton. It seems to me the issue isn’t in it, but in the point that all that is on ideological ground. Ordinary people don’t understand how much money was transferred, what happened, they look that their preferred artist stands next to that power, and they consider they should take another step.

In your opinion, did Reincarnation ideologically sympathize RPA on account of their previous ideologies they were passing through songs, e.g. “Yerevan”?

As a song, I like “Change the world” by Reincarnation, and I accept lyric of the song, that if you want to change the world, you should start from changing yourself. Roland sends very correct message through very simple words. As for Reincarnation’s supporting RPA, I don’t consider, as the same group also released “Yerevan”. However, I can’t say for 100%, maybe their ideas have changed, maybe their directions have changed, I don’t know. As a group, I assess them greatly, their comment, their teamwork is really appreciated. This step they took, I don’t like at all, I’m a bit disappointed, however, it doesn’t mean it’s a wrong step they took.