VIDEO: Staff of the 'Goy' Theater Demands Resignation of Zhanna Andreasian Amid Protests

The staff of the 'Goy' Theater is conducting a protest near the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, demanding the resignation of Minister Zhanna Andreasian. According to the theater's director, Sargis Arzumanyan, the issue arises from the dismissal of the acting director of 'Goy' Theater, Sargis Choloyan, on December 25, and the subsequent appointment of another individual, Karen Simonian, whom no one at the theater recognizes.

“We don’t know who he is; we do not even know him by face, we only know his name and surname. The Ministry of Education has informed us that Karen Simonian will be the acting director of the theater for as long as the theater's existence is not suspended,” he stated.

Arzumanyan pointed out that Choloyan was removed for not retroactively signing the document to merge 'Goy' Theater with the G. Sundukyan National Academic Theater. The theater director expressed concern that the new acting director would easily comply with the Ministry's orders, leading to 'Goy' Theater being handed over to the Sundukyan National Academic Theater.

Participants in the protest demand that either Zhanna Andreasian or one of the Deputy Ministers of Education meet with them, but not just one or two, but with the entire staff.

It is noteworthy that the proposal to merge 'Goy' with Sundukyan Theater was presented by the Ministry of Education, citing that 'Goy' Center had underperformed its annual financial plan by 3,436,990 AMD in 2022. Additionally, invited directors have not staged performances, and the center has not collaborated with the Ministry of Education and other entities.