"Armenia: 43rd Meeting of the "Learning is Fashionable Movement" article by Carlo Coppola

As communicated to the press by the "My Step" foundation ("Իմ քայլը"), the meeting was opened by Anna Hakobyan, executive director of the foundation and wife of the Prime Minister. In her introductory remarks, Hakobyan emphasized a fundamental concept: the true path of development, education and progress begins with accepting reality as it is, without embellishments, and with the courage to admit one's own ignorance.

This approach reflects an educational philosophy that seeks to privilege intellectual honesty and self-reflection as the fundamental basis for authentic growth, a particularly significant message during a period of social and cultural transformations for Armenia.

The culminating moment of the meeting was the intervention by master sculptor Vighen Avetis, an artist known for monumental works installed in various European cities in commemoration of the centenary of the Armenian genocide and who has, for decades now, provided valuable contributions to the epistemology of Armenian art, to its nature, structure and evolution with reference also to international exogenous trends.

His words touched on profound themes regarding intellectual freedom and the cultural renaissance of the country: "Looking at you, I see an Armenia being reborn. These dialogues are an example of this," declared the artist. "Until last night they urged me not to come, not to participate in the movement and not to speak from this platform, but I am a free man, free in my decisions, which no one can influence, not even the Prime Minister."

This statement highlighted the importance of intellectual and artistic independence in a democratic society, emphasizing how true freedom lies in the ability to make autonomous decisions, regardless of external pressures, sometimes courageous ones, at the cost of serious repercussions from so-called "civil" society or "illiberal" political tendencies.

The sculptor's speech then focused on a central theme of his reflection on art: "Today we have everything, except the ability to appreciate beauty. And that beauty can only be seen and noticed by an educated person."

According to Avetis, an educated person can be recognized by specific characteristics:

• Richness of vocabulary: the use of varied and precise language
• Care for the Armenian language: respect and valorization of the national linguistic heritage
• Rejection of vulgarity: avoiding offensive and degrading language
• Appreciation of the power of words and artistic expression: understanding the impact of words on society

The event was not only a moment of intellectual reflection, but also of cultural action. During the evening, performances alternated between the folk instrument ensemble "Kamanche" and Vanuhi Hovhannisyan from Sophie Devoyan's dance school, demonstrating the movement's commitment to promoting Armenian artistic traditions alongside contemporary forms.

During breaks, participants had the opportunity to interact directly with speakers, ask questions, take photographs and share their reflections, creating an open and constructive dialogue environment.

The concluding speech was delivered by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with the title "Real Armenia." His intervention addressed crucial themes for the country's future, focusing on the need for changes in the value systemand emphasizing that the educated, aware citizen who understands the value of the State represents the central role in strengthening our country.

During the question and answer session, issues of fundamental importance for contemporary Armenia emerged:

• Prevention of emigration: strategies to retain talent in the country
• Internal migration: the transfer of rural population to the capital
• Transformation of social values: evolution of collective mentality
• Governance effectiveness: improvement of public administration
• Digitalization: technological modernization of the country
• Salary policies: improvement of workers' economic conditions

The "My Step" foundation highlighted the innovative character of these discussions, defining them as "rightly unique in their format." The movement represents a significant social experiment in the Armenian cultural landscape, combining education, art and political dialogue in an accessible and engaging format.

The movement will continue its activity during the summer with the last scheduled meetings:

• June 28: Yerevan
• July 4: Gyumri
• July 6: Ashtarak
• July 13: Martuni

To participate in the events, interested citizens can register through the link: https://forms.gle/14TU9paSzmZrKeps5

The "Learning is Fashionable" movement takes place at a crucial moment for Armenia, a country undergoing a phase of profound social and political transformation. After the Velvet Revolution of 2018, Armenia is seeking to redefine its cultural and social identity, promoting democratic values and intellectual openness.

The country's commitment to cultural innovation is also demonstrated by Armenian participation in the Venice Biennale 2025, where the national pavilion explores the relationship between artificial intelligence and cultural memory, highlighting how Armenia is seeking to combine tradition and modernity.

The initiative represents a concrete attempt to elevate the cultural and educational level of the population, promoting civil dialogue and active citizen participation in the country's democratic life. In a period of regional geopolitical challenges, the movement emphasizes the importance of education and culture as tools of national resilience and social growth.

Carlo Coppola