Sculptor Astounded by Public Reaction to Christ Statue in Armenia: 'No Muslim Objected in Syria'

Leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan's announced competition for the statue of Jesus Christ has attracted responses, including a project from Gyumri sculptor Artush Papoyan. His bronze statue titled 'I Have Come to Save the World' is erected in Syria, at the summit of the Mount of Cherubim in Saydnaya, standing 2000 meters above sea level. In an interview with Aravot.am, the sculptor stated that his design bears no resemblance to the statue in Syria, asserting its uniqueness.

Papoyan expressed his astonishment at the public uproar regarding Gagik Tsarukyan's initiative, even suggesting that the idea be put up for public discussion. 'I am surprised; when I was crafting the statue of Christ for Syria, a Muslim country, no Muslim objected, but here in Armenia... There is so much confusion; people mix everything up,' he said.

He reminisced about the public reaction when the statue of Kirk Kerkorian was installed in Gyumri, recalling the initial backlash but how later people pose for photos with it and appreciate it. 'There is always a non-professional approach; people do not trust the specialists, and everyone becomes an expert on the matter. If you talk about electricity today, everyone will consider themselves an electrician; if it's construction, they all become builders. Everything in our country has mixed up,' he added.

'Let the expert do their job; not everyone should involve themselves in matters beyond their expertise. People can express their opinions but should maintain restraint and not resort to insults. Today, there’s no room for opinion, only for insult. They see politics in the placement of the statue of Christ; they interpret it in a myriad of ways. Normal human relations have turned into predatory ones. If someone thinks of something, a hundred people will emerge to attack them, and another hundred are needed as shields to protect against those axes. But isn't it commendable that a person is investing their own money? Today, not everyone is willing to reach into their pockets,' said Artush Papoyan.