Court Issues Ruling on ‘GOY’ Theater

The president of the theater management council, director Sargis Arzumanyan, has released a statement on his Facebook page: “The ‘GOY’ Theater has preserved its identity; the court rejected the attempt to recognize the legal successor. The Court of Cassation rejected the application from the G. Sundukyan National Academic Theater to be recognized as the legal successor of the ‘GOY’ Theater, meaning that the legal identity of the ‘GOY’ Theater is protected, and this provides grounds to discuss much deeper questions.

The Sundukyan Theater attempted to be recognized as ‘GOY’s successor, essentially trying to replace us. But the court said NO. This is a clear NO to state mechanisms that seek to make culture interchangeable, ephemeral, and devoid of memory.

This is a direct reaction from the court to the mindset that ‘we created it, we can close it too.’ This is a victory not only for the ‘GOY’ Theater but for the entire cultural community. No structure, no building, no budget can be the successor of art that has been created, lived, and fought for. ‘GOY’ is neither transferred nor inherited. ‘GOY’ exists because WE do.

This is not only a legal victory; it is an argument for our existence, the dignity lived through our journey, struggles, and rejections. This decision states, ‘What you created cannot be attributed to anyone else. Not now. Not ever.’ This ruling confirms that the ‘GOY’ Theater is a legal entity, not just a stage, a building, or the number of positions; its creative and cultural path cannot be attributed to any other organization or state structure.

This is a precedent-setting decision because it protects creative identity, the unbreakable continuity of cultural heritage, and the value of civil perseverance. Yes, this is just a rejection of one application. But it is a big ‘no’ to the state system that aims to see culture as a tool for control, silencing, or vendetta.

We are not just defending the name of the ‘GOY’ Theater; we are also defending the idea that no theater should become ‘closed’ or ‘replaceable’ by the arbitrary will of some individuals. However, the struggle is not over. A substantive review of the case still lies ahead. But this ruling clearly establishes that the ‘GOY’ Theater exists. It has been. And it will be.

Thanks to all the people who have continuously stood by this struggle.”