MESCS head assures: Goy Theater`s repertoire, creative freedom and  funding will be maintained 

ArmInfo.There is a clear restructuring process underway, within which the repertoire, creative  freedom and funding of the Goy Theater will be maintained, just only it will function under the auspices of the National Academic Theaternamed after G. Sundukyan. 

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan  stated during government hour, answering questions from  parliamentarians. "This is the pure truth that we are trying to  convey, but we are always faced with different types of  manipulations, the grounds and reasons for which we do not  understand," she emphasized.

The minister noted that we are talking about the unification of two  structures operating under one roof. In this regard, she recalled  that the Sundukyan Theater covered the expenses of the Goy Theater  for utilities, therefore, there was no need to talk about complete  independence and autonomy.

As advantages after the merger, Andreasyan pointed to the stage areas  of the National Academy of Theater named after. G. Sundukyan, which  can be used by the Goy theater team, which will further expand  creative freedom, contribute to initiative and the implementation of  new programs. "And instead of doing all this, we are busy with some  conversations that are not at all related to the ongoing process,"  emphasized the head of the Ministry of Education and Science. She  also recalled the accusations against the Ministry regarding the  theatrical repertoire, noting in this vein that the latter are  unfounded, since the department does not make decisions on the  repertoire of any of the theater groups operating in Armenia.

Speaker of the Parliament Alen Simonyan suggested that Zhanna  Andreasyan organize a meeting with all the staff of the Goy Theater  to eliminate disagreements on this issue, to which the minister noted  that she is always open to discussions.

In May 2023, the Armenian government decided to include the 'Goy'  National Experimental Performing Arts Center  in the National  Academic Theater named after G. Sundukyan.  The draft justification  for this decision stated that the reorganization of the theater would  help concentrate professional resources and develop the potential of  these organizations, and would also stimulate an increase in  financial resources. The decision is aimed at more effective and  targeted use of the creative potential of the Goy Theater.

The Goy Theater itself and a number of representatives of the  creative intelligentsia of Armenia opposed such a decision. However,  the MESCS  went further, appointing new director of the Theater  (Karen Simonyan)in December 2023,  who yesterday signed a government  decree agreeing to the merger. This caused dissatisfaction, as a  result of which a protest rally was held near the building of the  relevant department, during which the Theater employees announced  their intention to appeal to the ECHR (European Court of Human  Rights) to protect their rights and interests.

Next, a general meeting was held at the Goy Theater, at which the  participants signed a protocol expressing no confidence in Karen  Simonyan and the formation of a Management Council. The latter is  authorized to approve the organization's activity programs, internal  regulatory documents and perform other powers that do not contradict  the Law of the Republic of Armenia.