Sven-Erik Rise: Creating His Own Armenia in Norway

One of the great heroes of the Armenians is Fridtjof Nansen who saved a lot of Armenians during and after the genocide by offering then Nansen passports and making sure they had a safe place to go. Another one is Bodil Biørn, who saved tens of thousands of orphans. Armenia does not ask much of Norway, maybe only to officially recognize the genocide — which the Norwegian politicians are very hesitant to do — whereas the Norwegian people, if they have learned about, would do. I have never met a single person who does not support the Armenian Cause. Norway does not support Armenia very much, and I am ashamed of my country. There is no embassy in Yerevan, there is very little trade with Armenia, and we do not support Armenia with any funds. During the war in Artsakh, Norway was shamefully neutral and did not condemn the Azeri and Turkish atrocities. Norway has big investments in oil and gas in Azerbaijan, so is very careful to criticize this regime which is seen as one of the worst by Human Rights organizations. My opinion is clear. As a country responsible for handing out the Nobel Peace Prize, Norway should be first in line to recognize the Genocide and strongly condemn Azerbaijan and Turkey for their atrocities against the Armenia and Artsakh. Armenia is a country sandwiched between enemies, and therefore must seek partners further away. I do no find it strange that Armenia has trade and good relations with Iran and Russia and other regimes, since the West does not really support Armenia when this support is really needed.

Tigran, once you called Armenia one of the best-hidden, yet most intriguing countries on earth. What radical steps should be done that it does not remain well-hidden anymore?

Yes, and I meant it. Every person I bring to Armenia loves the people, the sights, the language and culture, as well as the food and wine. They all end up as real friends of Armenia. Since then Armenia has become better known, and more tourists are actually coming to experience Armenia. I think Armenia should continue promoting tourism, offer more packages also in winter months, create ski-resorts, sports-trips, homestays and so on. The wine and the brandy are really quality products and should be promoted more, maybe with the aid of spyurk (Diaspora) communities around the world. I know that many Japanese come to Armenia for plastic surgery. This could easily be promotes in more countries. And I dream of the days when investments can be made in areas like Vanadzor and Alaverdi to make these towns beautiful and attractive to tourists and investors. With Armenian salaries, Armenia should be a heaven for people who want to start businesses. If creative Armenian people could manage to make a TV-series about the history of Armenia and today’s Armenia with intriguing stories — sell it to Netflix — that’s one way of creating more knowledge and interest in Armenia.

You do your best to raise this awareness, having created your own Little Armenia in your yard with Ararat and khachkar, small Artsakh with its flag, plants from Armenia, mini winery, memorial with the flags of the countries that recognized the Armenian Genocide, as well as posters with information about Armenia and Artsakh. Can this place one day become an Armenian cultural center in Oslo?

This place is actually my dacha (summer house), but I am planning on moving here permanently. Many people come to see the garden, and to buy my books; even a school class from Yerevan came here this summer. The tourists I take to Armenia always visit after the trip, and the garden is situated on a very popular walking track, so many people learn about Armenia and the history. A cultural center would probably need to be bigger with conference rooms and so on, so I think my Pokr Hayastan (Little Armenia) will remain as Pokr Hayastan.