What is heroism? While this may seem like a simple question, it is not so easy to answer. The concept of heroism must be understood within different systems of values. For example, to a child, their parents are naturally seen as heroes. A schoolboy who helps an elderly woman cross the street or carries her heavy bags home is considered a hero in the eyes of the grateful woman and those around her. Broadly speaking, professionals who make life easier for others are also heroes. And, of course, those who risk their lives and health without hesitation to defend their homeland embody the highest form of heroism.
However, in Armenia, where part of the population lives in a parallel reality, the word “heroism” takes on a different meaning. At least, the events unfolding there today give precisely that impression. In the eyes of the overwhelming majority of Armenians, with few exceptions, heroes are those who tirelessly slander Turks and Azerbaijanis and harbor deep hatred toward them. The origins of this phobia might be a subject for psychiatric study. But in the Armenian worldview, their so-called “heroes” can even be elevated to a saint-like status, idolized and glorified.
The pinnacle of such “bravery” in this distorted perception is the murder, torture, and abuse of innocent Azerbaijani civilians. The more an Armenian kills defenseless people, the brighter the “halo” of their supposed heroism shines. A striking example is the war criminals Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan, who were elected presidents of Armenia as a reward for their atrocities in Khojaly.
Armenia is filled with monuments erected in honor of bloodthirsty figures such as Garegin Nzhdeh, Drastamat Kanayan (Dro), Monte Melkonian, Soghomon Tehlirian, and others. But times change, and in the 21st century, new “heroes” must be fabricated—ones whose crimes rival those of their predecessors. These modern “heroes” are none other than the former leaders of the criminal junta in Karabakh, who now stand before the Baku court awaiting their deserved punishment.
“Our compatriots imprisoned in Baku have demonstrated through their actions that the Armenian freedom-loving spirit can be detained, but it cannot be broken.” These words belong to Eduard Sharmazanov, former Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA). According to him, the message from former “State Minister of Artsakh” (as quoted by Minval.az) Ruben Vardanyan is a shining example of courage and dedication to one’s life mission.
“I also proudly read the statement of General Levon Mnatsakanyan, who confirmed his participation in the ‘liberation struggle of Artsakh.’ All these people who are in ‘Azerbaijani captivity’ must be our heroes, and future generations should be raised on their example of self-sacrifice,” Sharmazanov emphasized.
It is difficult for any rational person to understand why Sharmazanov glorifies Mnatsakanyan’s admission of participation in a terrorist war against Azerbaijan—on internationally recognized Azerbaijani territory, no less. After all, a normal person calls the occupation of foreign lands an act of aggression and the killing of civilians an act of genocide.
Likewise, a rational individual would struggle to comprehend Sharmazanov’s appeal for future generations to emulate war criminals. Unfortunately, however, the Armenian worldview, shaped by the glorification of criminals, welcomes and embraces Sharmazanov’s words with enthusiasm.
As for the over-the-top rhetoric about the “unbroken freedom-loving Armenian spirit,” it is worth reminding Sharmazanov of Araik Harutyunyan’s apology to the Azerbaijani people. Of course, issuing an apology is considered shameful in Armenian nationalist circles. But how did this so-called “freedom-loving spirit” of Harutyunyan express itself?
“The Azerbaijani people believe that I gave the order to strike Ganja. But this decision was not made by me. Yes, I made a statement about it at the time. Now I regret that statement and apologize,” he said.
So, one of these so-called “heroes” immediately distanced himself from his past actions, shifting the blame for a criminal order onto his patrons in Yerevan. Indeed, it takes a special kind of nerve to so quickly “betray” the Armenian leadership.
Then there are the words of another “brave warrior,” Arkadi Ghukasyan, who stated that Armenia was the guarantor of Karabakh’s security and that “little Karabakh” could not have independently maintained its defense until the conflict was resolved. This is only the beginning of the “Marlezon Ballet.” As legal proceedings progress, more such “heroic” betrayals will emerge.
Meanwhile, another “icon” of Armenian nationalist mythology, Ruben Vardanyan, has effectively dismantled all Armenian and foreign disinformation regarding supposed torture and mistreatment. In his own words, he stated that he feels “fine, energetic, and has no health problems.”
It seems that Sharmazanov either did not carefully read Vardanyan’s message or decided that the “former state minister’s” admission of well-being was insignificant. After all, Armenian “heroes” must be portrayed as victims of torture. But Ruben, in a moment of carelessness, made an unforgivable mistake…
Fakhri Akifoglu
Translated from minval.az
