Ruben Vardanyan’s Address

Dear compatriots,

Although this is not easy for me, I want to address you in Armenian, because I consider it very important. From here, from the place where I am now, I want to share five thoughts with you, hoping that you will understand me correctly.

First, I want to remind you once again: it is the people who choose Brave Nazar as king; he does not become king by himself. I want to remind all of us of this, so that we do not forget it.

Second, dear “Brave Nazar” Nikol, your luck ran out three times.

First – I have loved reading since childhood, and in my youth one of my favorite writers was Erich Maria Remarque.

Second – while spending 800 days in a prison cell, I read a great deal, trying to preserve my Armenian. I searched the library for books by Armenian writers. Unfortunately, there were only two books in Armenian in the library: one by V. Petrosyan, and the other by you. This surprised me very much: I did not know that you were such a famous writer.

After reading your book, I became convinced that you not only have serious problems with moral and ethical standards, with education, and with other things, but that, in addition, you are also a liar, a fantasist, and a plagiarist. I must say, this surprised me greatly, because as a journalist you should know that one must not steal someone else’s property – intellectual property, books. But you did so calmly, and more than once.

And, of course, your shortcomings, mistakes, and conduct upset me deeply. Unfortunately, I fear that for what you are doing, you will have to pay a heavy price.

You know, in India people believe that after death a person is reborn as other people or animals. The greatest punishment for committing many sins is considered to be rebirth as an earthworm, living in that form for 84,000 years. I fear that this is the punishment awaiting you. But I hope that you still have time – although perhaps it is already too late.

Third, I want to say that we must all understand: today we face an extremely serious challenge. This is not a question of elections. It is a question of the fact that the war is not over. The war continues. And it continues not in the form of military action, but in other forms.

Now, when attempts are being made to turn us into a bargaining chip between Russia and the European Union, the greatest danger is that we will ultimately fall under the control of a third force. That third force is only waiting for the moment when we become fully dependent on it – economically, financially, informationally, technologically, in every way – and become a vilayet of Turkey and Azerbaijan.

This is precisely their goal. They will move toward it step by step, already without physical or military action. And if someone does not understand this, I want to say: we must all realize that if we do nothing, this scenario will become reality very quickly.

We are in great danger. If we do not change our conduct, neither Russia nor the European Union awaits us. What awaits us is becoming a Turkish vilayet.

Fourth, these days there is discussion about preparing a military parade to be held on May 28. I consider this immoral, because at this very time our soldiers and officers are in captivity, sitting in Azerbaijani prisons.

I want to remind you once again: an army is not built on parades, money, weapons, or ranks. Above all, it is built on spirit – moral and patriotic spirit. And I call on all true patriots of Armenia not to participate in this parade, because in a situation where our officers and soldiers are held here, holding a parade is immoral.

This thought gives me no peace. I consider it immoral that our boys have been here for six years and have no opportunity to receive photographs, letters, or clothes from their relatives. Another problem is that Armenia is inactive. The defeated commander-in-chief does nothing so that these people may at least feel that a state stands behind them.

Fifth, remember: the greatest danger is indifference. Indifference is more dangerous than any other vice. The opposite of love is not hatred, but indifference. The opposite of good is not evil, but indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, but indifference. The opposite of life is not death, but indifference.

In order to have our own state and to be proud that we are its citizens, we must understand: no one owes us anything. We ourselves must not be indifferent, and we must do everything to preserve our state.

Each of us must understand: no one, no single person, can change the situation alone. Only by uniting can we, together, do everything possible to preserve our country, so that we have an independent state.

And in conclusion, I want to say: for me, it is a joy to serve God voluntarily and to be grateful to Him, to love everyone and everything around me, to overcome temptations, to learn every second until my last breath, and to give the world everything I know and can do, repaying to God my unpayable debt for my happiness.

And I am happy that I can do all of this until my very last breath.

I am dasa (Sanskrit: दास, dāsa – servant, devotee) Ruben, the son of Karlen and Irina, an Armenian who thinks in Russian, a member of the Brotherhood of Translators of Meaning, a person who is happy to have the opportunity to dedicate his life to his homeland and to the world, to serve with love and faith in his heart.

And I want all of us to understand: our future is in our own hands, and in no one else’s. I am confident that we can and will do everything possible for that future to be bright, good, and based on principles and values.

And I hope that all those who are acting wrongly today and approaching everything with the wrong attitude will understand this and change their approach. If not – God be with them. I forgive everyone, I love everyone.

Thank you all. I am with you.