VIDEO: Was Konstantin Orbelyan Appointed Through Rita Sargsyan's Mediation?

The former director of the Al. Spendiarian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Konstantin Orbelyan, addressed the controversial issue of his dismissal at a press conference today.

"I need to continue to be involved with the theatre and fulfill the obligations I have towards it. We have committed to do more; there are major projects underway, and I do not want to interrupt them. I simply understand that this commotion has arisen due to misinformation, and the question of my legitimacy is not my concern," he said.

In response to a remark suggesting that the directorial position is thus not principled, Orbelyan pointed out that the primary individual in charge of the theatre should be the artistic director, and everyone should be subordinate to that person, while the director's role is purely administrative: signing documents and handling other administrative works.

"There is simply a misunderstanding, and Nazeli Gharibyan has decided that I was not legitimately appointed. They say that the former minister Armen Amiryan appointed you, and I say to them that their issue is with the authorities. They should file a complaint with the leadership to clarify whether it is legitimate or not, but my contract is legitimate, as I did not ask anyone to grant me a favor in an illegal manner. What do I need this for? I did not ask to be appointed to this position; it was not my life's goal. I simply tried to save the situation and do something productive," he said, adding that it is apparent that Gharibyan has poor advisors.

Orbelyan stated that he does not intend to resign, even though they have been striving for that in recent times.

Regarding the enormous debts accumulated, the maestro indicated that these debts were accrued before his tenure, in 2014, 2015, and 2016, which Nazeli Gharibyan has also acknowledged. He noted that all the new productions and significant expenses were undertaken through his efforts and sponsors he found himself, as well as through the bank. He has not accumulated new debts; on the contrary, he is gradually trying to settle the debts left by his predecessors.

He presented a 13-point justification to the Prime Minister concerning the continuation of his position, who said that if even one point is not justified, and unfortunately, all points are not that well-founded, decisions will be made on how to proceed.

When asked whether his appointment was motivated by the former government, specifically by former First Lady Rita Sargsyan, Orbelyan stated that he was not nominated by the ministry but by virtue of being Konstantin Orbelyan. "I was not appointed as a favor; it was based on my service," he concluded.

Video source: News.am