When asked to choose between Lebanon and Armenia, Lebanon’s Tourism Minister Avedis Guidanian answered “Armenia”. Guidanian was a host on Mona Abou Hamze’s “Talk of the Town” show and the answer came during the “Heik wou Heik” section where he had to choose between two options. You’d think that he rushed his answer and replied instinctively but he did hesitate on previous questions and refused to comment when asked to choose between “Israel & Turkey” so that’s not really the case.
To be honest, I’m not surprised or outraged by his answer because Armenia is his mother country and a lot of Armenian-Lebanese feel the same way, but given that he’s the Minister of Tourism, whose job is to promote Lebanon, he shouldn’t have picked “Armenia”. You cannot be the Lebanese Minister of Tourism and come out on TV and say you prefer Armenia over Lebanon. That’s just wrong and he should clarify that matter.
Start watching at Minute 22:
Lack of communications skills. He should have stated that he’s Lebanese with Armenian origins.
Such mentality from a citizen could be understood, but we’re paying the salary of a Lebanese minister who prefers Armenia, well, get the fuck out of this government dear minister.
I also understand Armenians hating on Turks but as the minister of tourism he can’t state on live TV that he hates them and can’t stand them and doesn’t want them to come to Lebanon.
Yaaneh bas na2iss enno y2oul “visit Armenia” instead of “visit Lebanon”.
I never understood the Armenian superiority complex.
Armenia is one of the poorest and most backward countries.
The “superiority” complex you claim exists does not. A collective memory of trauma that maintains the Armenian Diaspora, Yes. Armenians in Lebanon are very proud of being Lebanese Citizens. And in response to your other statement, I’d suggest you look at Statistics issued by international organisations before calling Armenia backwards (and furthermore compare Armenia’s Debt to GDP ratio to those in the region I believe you so proudly defend).
Armenians have many reasons to feel superior, not the least of which being the adoption of Christianity as the STATE religion in 301 AD. When Christians in Rome were being devoured by lions, Armenians were freely bracing themselves in public.
When Armenians settled in Bourj Hammoud, it was a filthy rat-infested place not worthy of animals to live in. Look at its beautiful square today, and the beautiful shops selling the funkiest clothes, as well as the countless pubs, bars, and restaurants which attract more non-Armenians than Armenians. Let’s not forget all the workshops that produce all those fabulous goods which fill the windows of the most elegant shops all over Beirut. Bourj Hammoud is known as the “capital of Lebanese Industry” because a huge amount of Lebanese industry is Armenian owned and operated.
As far as Armenia being backward is concerned, whatever you mean by it is due to its having been under the unrealistic and unworkable communist system for seven decades. With independence, and the introduction of a market economy, Armenia is making economic advances unmatched by few countries. With the continued influx of the Armenian diaspora to the fatherland, Armenia will soon become one of the most economically viable countries in the region affording a high standard of living to all its citizens. Achieve only 10% of what Armenians have, and I will see how high YOUR head will reach.
I am a proud Armenian, but I don’t think Armenians should be superior to others , because such thoughts will lead to racism and nationalism