Pashinyan and Protesters Reach Agreement: How the Opera Theatre Scandal Will Be Resolved

During a protest outside the government, member of the 'My Step' alliance, Armen Sarkissian, told reporters that he has not received an offer to become the director of the Opera and Ballet Theatre.

"I even said that I need to speak with Orbelyan and understand the situation. It is a bit inappropriate to talk to a great artist through paperwork. He should be for Armenia and Armenian culture," he stated.

When asked if he would like to be the director of the opera theatre or if he could be the director, Armen Sarkissian replied, "I can, but there are many questions. I have already made a statement yesterday that there hasn’t been a proper attitude, and they haven’t spoken correctly with Maestro Orbelyan. This attitude needs to change. I have not received an offer from Nazeni Gharibyan. The proposal came from some of the artists."

In response to the remark that Nazeni Gharibyan has announced he is one of the candidates for the position, he reacted, "I don't know who suggested it at the ministry. I received an offer to direct another theatre in November. Since I am close with most of the artists, I am not afraid to come here and there are no hidden agendas."

It should be noted that the meeting between cultural figures and Pashinyan has already ended. The delegation from the Opera staff thanked the participants and stated that they have agreed with the Prime Minister that there will be no appointment of a new director, and the deputy director will temporarily fulfill those duties.

The Prime Minister has tasked the protesters with presenting counterarguments against the data provided by the Ministry of Culture as to why Orbelyan should not be dismissed. The participants of the protest are now heading to the Opera Theatre to work with their lawyers there.

Incidentally, in the case of any false counterargument, the concerned staff member will lose their job.

Gevorg Gorgisyan, a deputy from the ‘Bright Armenia’ faction who came to meet with the protesting artists against the dismissal of the director, expressed his opinion during a conversation with reporters, saying that if the law needs to be changed for K. Orbelyan to be able to serve, then that should be considered.