Debating in the Diaspora whether Armenian history textbook should be called «Armenian History» instead of «History of Armenia» obscures the issue of teaching history itself. The debate is driven by an honest concern that the titling of the textbook has a relfection on the history being taught. I do not have a definite answer to the concern. The attached is my translation of the introduction of the third “History of Armenia” textbook. I obtained the copy from Tatul Hakobyan posting the cover and the introduction from his daughter’s textbook. The third textbook in the series appears to be the last as it claims to cover Armenian history from nineteenth century to the present. The introduction dwells what the debate in the Diaspora misses. A responsible citizen, the authors of the textbook rightly point, views history critically to arrive at substantiated conclusions and to draw informed consequences for the present and for the future of their state. Below is my translation of the introduction. A copy of the introduction, courtesy Tatul Hakobyan, is posed below. Vaհe H Apelian
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| The cover of the third "History of Armenia" textbook, courtesy Tatul Hakobyan The cover of Simon Simonian's "Armenian History" textbook. |
The Formation of History:
Why distinguish facts from interpretations
Dear Student
This book is the third in your series of textbooks on the subject of “History of Armenia”. This time our journey will begin at the end of the 19th century and end at the beginning of the 21st century, almost in our days. This period of history is distinguished by the process of reestablishment of the state in Armenia, but also by a revolutionary, tragic and at the same time unprecedented development for the Armenian people.
We would like you to pay attention to the issue of the formation of our ideas about history. When we think about historical events, we often ask whether they really happened that way. When you watch a TV news at home, you will have noticed that different channels tell the same news in different ways. And the question arises - what is the truth? Reality is more complicated than anyone is telling it.
The same thing happens in history. There are some indisputable facts (objective) – for example, when a battle took place or a treaty was signed. However, there may be different opinions about the causes, consequences and the significance of these events (subjective). Thus, the same historical event can be presented in different light, depending on who is telling the story, what is being told, why is being told, how is being told, when is being told, where is being told and for whom is being told. This is why it is important to learn to think critically and analyze information, taking into account all possible perspectives.
History is like a huge mosaic, each piece of which is important for seeing the whole picture. Together we will learn to put these pieces together to understand their meaning.
Remember that a person who has merited its own state, is a knowledgeable and responsible citizen who conducts a deep and comprehensive analysis, studying different perspectives, combining different facts, and only then arrives to substantiated conclusions or draws consequenes for the present and the future.
We wish you a pleasant and useful study.
Authors
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| A copy of the introduction of the third "History of Armenia" textbook Courtesy Tatul Hakobyan |
"Hayots Badmootyun" or "Badmootyun Hayots" ("Armenian History" or "The History of Armenians") are correct because in the past one-thousand years a large percentage of Armenians have lived outside Armenia (Eastern and Western Armenians), especially in Cilicia and under Seljuk and Ottoman Turk rule. Diaspora Armenians have also played a huge role in preserving and enriching Armenian history. They have played an oversized role (as Byzantium emperors, generals, armies, cultural figures) in addition to the Cilicia Armenians who maintained a kingdom for three centuries and excelled in politics, military strategy, architecture, art, trade, agriculture, military engineering and architecture. And let's not forget the flowering of western Armenian literature in 19th century Constantinople. Let's not forget also the contributions of that tiny Catholic island in Venice. Finally, Western Armenians (Nubar Pasha, etc.)made great efforts after WWI to regain some of Western Armenia. There's much to say about the Diaspora's history since.
ReplyDeleteI would add another aspect or viewpoint in writing-or rewriting- our history. Is there a philosophical feature , ingredient or particularity in our history?
ReplyDeleteMore questions follow:
Is our history a collection ( and recollection) of events or there is a trend, a law, purpose and pattern in it? What is the driving force in our history.
These questions naturally will lead to different viewpoints hopefully to converge and to suggest a proper ( acceptable) general title to the Armenian history