This is most outrageous - I’m frustrated and ashamed to have such stupid ministers in the government.

However, Mrs Hasmik Poghosyan, self-conscious decoration of in Armenian political arena is not the very person to comment on the issue I think. She was so honest in confessing in her life mission as a woman (armenianow.com) that I can hardly consider her competent to comment on art, dignity and politics. Presumably it is good to have her somewhere around in a poorest ministry to show female participation in Armenian politics.

Moreover I would like to comment that British culture is not limited with Shakespeare, even though our mother-wife-Biologist-teacher-culture-minister might not be aware of it evidently and the jump of her imagination on British culture breathes out in relevantly modern times.

As for keeping Armenian national dignity high with tidy streets, I am afraid, this is our choice, and British dancers do not throw their waists in Armenian streets. I am sorry, but I think we do where we make the environment comfortable to us, and we deserve the result:(

Philistines who have never seen Nigel Charnock perform condemn his act. Armenian dignity? Armenian idiocy more like!

Having followed Nigel Charnock’s career over the past couple of decades I must confess that I see him as one of the British greats. I was a great fan especially in his DV8 years where he tackled many difficult issues including AIDS. I would think that having a great contemporary dancer in Armenia would challenge and inspire those who saw him perform.

The culture minister’s stupidity and ignorance is monumental. She has done what politicians are good at doing. Scoring cheap political goals. Long after she is gone people will still be admiring Nigel Charnock.

Finally, what does insulting Armenian dignity mean? Ms Poghosyan must have been in bed with Cemal Cicek, the Turkish Justice minister who is a great advocate of defending ‘Turkishness’. Defending ‘Armenian Dignity’. Give me a break. I agree with Harmick’s comments (except the one smacking of homophobia!). Perhaps if some half with had shot Mr Charnock she would have explained ‘he insulted Armenian dignity!).

I also want to ask why, oh why is Armenian dignity so prickly or any different from the dignity of the Portuguese or others who did not find this same dance offensive?

Was it also, perhaps, that a gay male dancer was an easy target in a homophobic, hypocritical, backward and barbaric society? What kind of government does this country have that gets outraged by a dance while being totally indifferent to corruption, poverty and the countless outrages comitted in Armenia every day?

Stop censorship. Leave art to the artists. Politicians have no place determining what art is acceptable. Nigel Charnock should NOT have apologised. This uncultured culture minister should be sacked!

I had a phone conversation with the Press Department of the Ministry. The lady I was speaking to said:

“The British actor is going to apologise.”

I replied: “I am sorry that…” (Cavum em vor…)

She did not let me finish my sentence and screamed in Armenian:

“De tenc cavacac el mnaceq…” That was the end of the conversation.

What is this? Isn’t this worse then dancing on our flag?

I called Astghik Avetisyan who proudly signed the legendary letter. She refused to talk to me. Why? If you put your contact info including your mobile why refuse talking to people who do not agree with you?

I respect the rights of those who did not like the play but in return I require respect for MY rights.

I don’t think it’s a big deal that someone danced on/with the flag. An artist should be able to do whatever s/he wants. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.

Now Nigel Charnock has become a minor celebrity because of the attention he got . Good for him.

Another dumb ass Culture Minister trying to win points. WHEN THE HECK ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A NORMAL MINISTER OF CULTURE???

Naira Sultanyan’s point is pretty serious. When will those petty officials in their ministries learn that they are there to SERVE the CITIZEN?

This is what makes Armenia a third world country and we must all help pull it out into the first world (which in my book means including free speech, no censorship and respect for human rights for all citizens including popular and unpopular minorities).