It is not right to label everything we do not understand as satanism: MP

MP Vahagn Tevosyan from the 'My Step' faction, commenting on the controversial performance 'Excitement and Ring' shown near the Republic Metro Station yesterday, wrote on his Facebook page:

“There are many things I do not understand. For example, I did not understand what the last performance was about, nor why it was done. But I find it very natural that many other people understood it; diversity is also about that.

I want to say that labeling everything we do not understand as satanism is, to put it mildly, incorrect; it reeks of ignorance. There have been such times, and one hoped that they were long gone. To think that you have understood something and labeled it as satanism already stems from subjective arrogance that follows objective ignorance, in my opinion.

Moreover, the theme of satanism is itself artificial, especially in Armenia. It is almost as relevant as the formal Islamization of Armenia. Why? That is another conversation, but that’s just how it is.

Imagine someone unfamiliar with the pseudo-Armenian subcultures formed over the last century sees Gevorg Petrosyan's musical performance with the piano; they might think it is a prayer or a bayati and believe that Petrosyan is preaching Islam with his culture. But we know that is not the case. This is simply a form of self-expression in the guise of art, and an unfamiliar person could draw incorrect conclusions.

If there is something I do not understand, I read about it. Sometimes I even read secretly without admitting my lack of understanding (sometimes my ignorance is so primitive that I feel ashamed). Tonight, I will read about people who understand everything to try to understand them.”