The true service to the fatherland
Novelist Levon Khechoyan refused to accept the 2nd level medal of honor for “service to the fatherland” granted by the president of Armenia. Without any exaggeration, this move must be considered the most political and human action of the recent period in Armenia. It is not only about refusing to accept a prize honored by a leader that has not been elected by public vote and got the power through reproducing the power.
There have been such cases last year. However, Levon Khechoyan did not brand his refusal with clichés and other standards words used in politics. Mr. Khechoyan refused to take the prize without critics and slander, which made his move even more respectful.
“…This is still my country, my fatherland, I am grateful for the honor and medal, but I cannot accept that when there is such emigration from the country, when my brother volunteer liberators are on strike because of the utter social conditions. How can I accept a medal after all this?
The medal is granted for “service to the fatherland,” and as an artist I think that if so many people are emigrating from my country, if liberators are in such utter condition, and if people are in bad social situation, it means I am guilty too and as an artist I did not send a strong message. Do I have a right after all this to accept a medal of honor for service to the fatherland? Maybe this is coming from myself too, maybe I contributed to this situation and maybe I did not write my book well to help the country be in a better situation.
This is what I think about it,” said Mr. Levon Khechoyan commenting on his decision to refuse the medal honored to him. This is a move of a real intelligentsia representative and citizen, which is so rare in Armenia. This move is even more valuable in a situation where gaps have been filled by intelligentsia representatives that cajole and flatter with the authorities.
By refusing the medal Mr. Khechoyan in fact shows that he is not going to take part in the government’s party, which is taking place on the account of utter social conditions, emigration, moral and psychological decline. This move also shows the real face of the authorities that granted him the medal and also the “intelligentsia” that are happy to receive anything given by the president’s office.
Certainly Mr. Khechoyan did not have a certain purpose of this move, however it came to show the fact that there is no real intelligentsia in Armenia, which is a move that will be criticized by people that represent themselves as being such.
Mr. Khechoyan pointed out at the fact of lack of not only intelligentsia but opposition too, who slander the authorities but are happy to accept the medals (mandates) given to them. Khechoyan refused to accept the model but did not condemn the government, but himself only.
Do you imagine what would happen if the officials of the government had the same thinking for at least one day? If there was miracle and such thing happened, Armenia would not be in a situation when Khechoyan had to refuse to accept his medal “for service to the fatherland.”
P.S. Levon Khechoyan has finished his recent novel entitled “Mher’s Door.” He had been working on this novel during the past 11 years. Another novel by Khechoyan, King Arshak and Eunuch Drastamat is already in bookstores.
