Ruben Giney on Armenian-Chinese cultural relations: We have so much to say to each other (interview)
ChinArmArt
People who have watched “Andin. Armenian Journey Chronicles” are often curious about the medieval astrolabe that also appeared on the poster of the film. Was it discovered by the film crew? Why did exactly that object become the symbol for your film?
Ruben Giney
It’s a very good question, indeed. Through many years and dozens of interviews, no one really asked why the astrolabe became the symbol of the film covering the subject of Armenian-Chinese relations. We found the astrolabe in the repository of the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan, it was never exhibited and only a few scientists were aware of its existence. For me, the astrolabe has become an embodiment of interconnections between Armenia and distant lands, as that object, in fact, is the living equivalent of today’s air ticket. Without the astrolabe, one could not take a long journey, easily getting lost while navigating. At those times, it was undoubtedly a very powerful navigation tool that broadened the human horizon of perception. Thus, the mentioned circumstances, including the fact that it was created by the Armenian master Vanadetsi, suggesting the idea that the Armenians constantly sought to explore things and people outside the visible world, that is to say, to discover something “Andin”, determined the choice of the astrolabe as the hallmark of our film.
ChinArmArt
What happened to the gravestone of the Armenian boy you had discovered in Shanghai?
Ruben Giney
The tombstone of the five-year-old Onik became another symbol of the film. No wonder I ended the picture with the theme that makes it clear how little we know about our own history. It seems to us that the history of Armenia refers solely to its geographical location, but in reality, this idea is far from the case. The history of Armenia is much profound and more interesting than we use to believe. Not many people are aware of the fact that the constitution, according to which we all live today, was originated in India, and that due to Armenian merchants, Europeans were able to find their way to China, eventually reaffirming to cartographers that Cathay and Sina (Sinae) are one and the same country. I suspect that very few people will believe in the truthiness of my words if I say that China and Armenia were parts of the same state for several decades – the Mongol Empire; they both had the same ruler – the Mongol Khan, and both countries lived according to similar laws and regulations, known as “The Pax Mongolica”. And the gravestone of a five-year-old boy, lost in the Shanghai Public Park, once again proves that huge research work is still ahead, and I’d like people to realize the significance of those upcoming explorations. The tombstone itself still adorns the framing of the lake, but, however, it can be removed at any time, and that is so sad…
ChinArmArt
What do you think, why Western, as well as Chinese scholarly and artistic circles, are interested in exploring the Chinese-Armenian cultural past?
Ruben Giney
Armenia, like the Middle East, is considered an interesting, historical, less-researched region in European and American perception. The intense tendency of Orientalism emerged at the turn of the century (late 19th and early 20th centuries), particularly following the period of such publications, as Lafcadio Hearn’s works on the history and folklore of Japan and the book of fairy tales “One Thousand and One Nights”. In addition, Egyptology was evolving either. After the death of Queen Victoria, leisured Edwardians in their large mansions were mad for stories about Armenia and Mount Ararat, the pyramids of Giza, and the silent Sphinx. This craze of exoticism is still alive; though its pure romanticism faded a little into the background, nevertheless, it continues to enchant people all over the world. As for China, the situation is slightly different; Chinese people realize that Armenia is a large, unexplored archive for them, and most importantly, thanks to the fresh, novel data, it is quite possible to shed light on their own historical events, for instance, the establishment of the Silk Road, the spread of Christianity and Christian culture in the western parts of China, the influence of the culture of the Middle East on such city-states as Dunhuang or Kizil. In fact, China has just been starting to comprehend the value and significance of those primary sources, that is why, notably in recent times, its interest in Armenia and Armenians has obviously grown.
ChinArmArt
When you are observing “Andin” through the prism of the year 2021, what you’ll be willing to change in it and whether we’d be lucky enough to enjoy the continuation?
Ruben Giney
The film “Andin. Chronicles of Armenian Travels ”was released in 2014 and the version, which is a theatrical release for international film festivals. In fact, a multi-part film of 12 parts was planned for release. The trimmed two-hour version included only twenty percent of what was filmed in four years. A number of aspects are shown superficially, others are not mentioned at all. Unfortunately, people nowadays are occupied with much more important things than history. Thus, “Andin” remained only in the known form.
ChinArmArt
Do you see any progress in Armenian-Chinese cultural relations and interconnections in recent years?
Ruben Giney
This is only the beginning. I am quite confident that in the near future cultural and historical ties between the two ancient states would be much closer. We have so much to say to each other…
Photo of Ruben Giney: © ReAnimania Int. Animation Film & Comics Art Festival of Yerevan, © Photo Atelier Marashlyan
Poster of the film: ANDIN. Armenian Journey Chronicles (Հայերը մետաքսի ճանապարհին եւ Հնդկական օվկիանոսում), Orion Studio Production 2014©, Directed by Ruben Giney, Produced by Grant Sahakyan, Directors of Photography Azat Gevorgyan, Lin Zhao, Jerome Colin, Music by Luis Argüelles, Certificate of Registration: PA-2-088-473, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pswkbz6QkZw&t=69s