Gevorg Petrosyan: We should stop the vicious practice of dismissing  professionals in culture field

ArmInfo.We should stop the vicious practice of dismissing professionals in the field of culture. This was stated on April 1 at a briefing in the Armenian parliament by a  MP from the Prosperous Armenia faction Gevorg Petrosyan, commenting  on the dismissal of the director of the Armenian National Academic  Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after Alexander Spendiaryan  Konstatina Orebelyan.

He noted that Orbelyan is a highly qualified professional who enjoys  the love and respect of the team, and it is unacceptable to make such  decisions easily. "This decision is made by a person who cannot  answer even the most primitive questions during the sitting of the  relevant committee or from the rostrum of the parliament. Those  processes that now take place in the field of culture will lead to  degradation," said Petrosyan, noting that any question solve by  compromise.

In turn,  head of the commission on defense and security issues,  Andranik Kocharyan, stated that Orbelyan was invited to solve a  specific problem in the cultural sector, but he could hold one of  three positions.  "Other two posts could well be occupied by other  people," Kocharyan stressed, noting that he no longer intends to  discuss this issue. Edmon Marukyan, head of the Bright Armenia  faction, called this situation a disgrace.

"A similar situation was formed because the authorities have no idea  how the cultural sector should develop. A mess prevails in the  system. I believe that the only way out is to restore the Ministry of  Culture, and the post of minister should finally be taken by well  versed in this area. I want to note that our party sent a request  regarding the legality of the removal from office of Konstantin  Orbelyan, "the MPconcluded.

To note, acting Culture Minister Nazeni Gharibyan decided to dismiss  Konstantin Orbelyan from the post of director of the Opera and Ballet  Theater. The employees of the theater held a protest action outside  the government building, they were received by Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan. After meeting with the prime minister, the theater staff  said that a temporary decision was made. Namely, the obligations of  the director of the theater will be temporarily assigned to the  deputy director, and Konstantin Orbelyan will perform the functions  of artistic director. During this period, artists will have to submit  their counter-arguments to the cabinet.  Earlier, Orbelian stated   that the decision of the Ministry of Culture will be appealed in  court. Acting culture minister Nazeni Gharibyan, in turn, said that  Orbelyan was appointed to the position of director of the theater  with violations of the law. During today's meeting with the staff of  the theater, Pashinyan said that, according to the Ministry of  Finance's checks, financial irregularities were revealed in the  theater.