All Types of Honorable and Folk Titles to Be Removed: New Draft

The government approved a draft amendment to the law on "State Awards and Honorable Titles of the Republic of Armenia" and related laws at its session on October 26.

The draft proposes to eliminate the folk or honorable titles. Specifically, it suggests removing the following titles: People's Artist of the Republic of Armenia, People's Painter of the Republic of Armenia, Honored Scientist of the Republic of Armenia, Honored Architect, Honored Builder, Honored Physician, Honored Lawyer, Honored Artist, Honored Painter, Honored Cultural Figure, Honored Educator, Honored Journalist, Honored Worker of the Economy, Honored Figure of Physical Culture and Sports, and Honored Coach.

As part of the draft, it is suggested to revise the system of honorary titles awarded in the Republic of Armenia, establishing only one collective honorary title aimed at encouraging teams: the Honored Collective Title of the Republic of Armenia. This will provide professionals in various fields an equal opportunity to express themselves and create in equal conditions and present their work to the public.

The justification for the decision states that the awarding of honorary titles often negatively impacts the relationships emerging within a specific professional community. For instance, the popularity of any artist or cultural figure cannot be assessed or determined at the discretion of any expert group. The concepts of "folk" and "honored" are not measurable and cannot be evaluated by any specific criteria.

It is clear that the title of "popular" has only a moral significance, reflecting the popularity of the creator, public recognition, and the public perception of their character and activity—none of which can be verified, measured, authenticated, or rejected by any competent state body.

These titles serve as a form of immunity from ratings that prevents the head of a particular organization from carrying out an unrestrained personnel policy and the right and opportunity to implement creative generational change.