Author and host Hayk Hambardzumyan

History textbooks have critical role in shaping the historical consciousness of society. Being a state-ordered and funded book, the textbook is inevitably perceived as a propaganda tool for the authorities, an ideological battle field, and etc. Why is it so, and how was the history of the first Armenian Republic in particular, reflected in the Armenian history textbooks? 

Hayk Hambardzumyan talked about this with historian Smbat Hovhannisyan.

 

There are numerous problems in the field of education, ranging from corruption to the necessity of introducing new educational programs, with the adjustment of educational objectives in general, which require immediate solutions. Are those in charge of sector reforms and the system itself ready for reforms? How can and should education change in Armenia? 

Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed those issues with education expert Serob Khachatryan.

 

The vicious phenomena distorting public life, although often seem to be linked only to political, legal, or economic circumstances, however, for intellectuals, for people closer to the art, it is evident that it is the cultural crisis behind everything, which is expressed,  for example, by the disrupted communication with art, indifference to literature, decline of reading, clarification of perceptions, concepts and values. 

Is a cultural revolution possible? And is it necessary at all?

Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these issues with poet and translator Hakob Movses.

 

Positive changes are taking place in Armenia. The society expects positive developments in cultural and scientific-educational spheres in parallel with the political, legal spheres. Particularly in the scientific system corruption, favoritism and politicism should be excluded, new models of effective management and financing of scientific institutions should be elaborated. 

Are the scientific organizations ready for such changes and how did the scientific world react to the revolution? What new publications and programs are there in Armenian Studies?

Hayk Hambardzumyan talked about these issues with Doctor of Historical Sciences, Scientific Research Director of Matendaran Karen Matevosyan.

 

Implementation of education reform is conditioned by the adjustment of educational objectives, the change of public attitude towards learning and development of enabling legislative framework. How and in what time frames can these conditions be met and who can implement these changes?

Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed those issues with education expert Serob Khachatryan.

 

What was life like in the First Armenian Republic, how did people live, what films and performances they watched, was art developing, and what kind of writers were there? What were the relations of parties, church-state relations? The answers to these questions are hard to find in the history textbooks. 

Hayk Hambardzumyan talked to historian Hamo Sukiasyan about the culture, lifestyle and politics of the First Republic.

 

The issues of the status of Armenian language, the need for protection, the prevention of language abuse and other related issues have been raised for many years but never received answers. What has changed in the new, post-revolutionary reality: is it the general atmosphere in the country, the new state policy that creates more favorable conditions for solving language development issues? 

Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these issues with linguist, the Chairman of the State Language Committee of the RA Ministry of Education and Science - David Gyurjinyan.

 

The national movement, among other achievements, brought about a great creative force. How can the potential energy of the revolt be transformed into creative force and inspiration, how will this movement contribute to the modern Armenian art, to our cultural reality as a whole? 

Hayk Hambardzumyan discussed these issues with sculptor Mamikon Yengibaryan.