Pashinyan's 'Real Armenia' Vision Sparks Debate on Peace and Censorship

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

YEREVAN – The Armenian government, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, is championing a new state ideology known as "Real Armenia," aiming to transform public consciousness from a focus on "historical Armenia" to the country's current reality. The initiative, which seeks to define Armenia within its internationally recognised borders, has been formalised in a draft law, sparking a heated debate among artists, public figures, and politicians over its implications for peace, national identity, and artistic freedom.

The proposed concept, detailed in a document published by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, declares that the political and legal space of "Real Armenia" is limited to the internationally recognised borders of the Republic of Armenia. If the bill is adopted, the state will provide funding through grants for theatre, literature, and other artistic works that promote key ideas such as peace, justice, and public responsibility. A central tenet of the policy is the exclusion of war propaganda and calls for revenge from state-funded programs. The bill explicitly encourages the creation of "an environment of peaceful coexistence in the region," even suggesting joint cultural projects with Azerbaijan, such as co-hosted festivals or films.

However, the proposal has been met with sharp criticism, with many artists decrying it as "an attempt at censorship". Publicist Tigran Paskevichyan compared the draft to the "Ruhnama," a book by former Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov used to regulate the nation's identity, calling Pashinyan's concept "a manifesto that will become a toy for [his] amusement". Others, like documentary filmmaker Hovhannes Ishkhanyan, argue the concept is built around one person, stating, "we are dealing with a man who wants to make everyone resemble himself".

Prime Minister Pashinyan has firmly rejected these accusations. "We do not intend to control anything. Armenia was, is and will remain a democratic state," he stated at a recent briefing. He argued that the goal is to document and preserve the culture being created by Armenians today for future generations, ensuring that contemporary art, music, and even cuisine are recognised as part of the national heritage. Some figures, such as Puppet Theatre artistic director Ruben Babayan, have supported the government's position, arguing that "the state is not obliged to encourage propaganda of war, revenge and violence".

This ideological push comes amid a volatile political climate. While Pashinyan's government looks to the future, opposition forces are seeking his removal. The Republican Party, led by former President Serj Sargsyan, is in discussions with other groups to initiate a no-confidence vote in parliament. However, a previous attempt by the "I Have Honor" faction has so far failed to gain sufficient support, with the largest opposition bloc remaining uncommitted.

The "Real Armenia" initiative is unfolding against a backdrop of significant regional shifts following the August 8 peace agreement with Azerbaijan, mediated by the US. This new era has seen both nations sign memoranda with the US to cooperate on artificial intelligence, signaling a move toward technological and economic integration. Pashinyan's vision appears to be an attempt to culturally and psychologically anchor Armenia in this new reality, though the path forward remains contested both within his government and on the streets.