By Anna Ghazaryan
YEREVAN.- Armenian News - NEWS.am continues a series of interviews with diplomats working in Armenia. This time Brazil’s Ambassador to Armenia Mrs. Marcela Maria Nicodemos told about difficulties of a diplomatic job, her life in Armenia and favorite Brazilian dish.
Does you working day differ in various countries?
Yes, of course you have different relationship with the local government. The relationship can be equally good in different countries but the projects that you conduct and the way that local people react to the proposals is different. For instance, we had a lot of cultural activities here that helped Armenian people to know better Brazilian culture. It is a new embassy; it opened in 2006, so there are many things to be done. So, we have to establish priorities, unlike in the countries which have a long history of relations with Brazil. Relationship between the states is like a marriage: when you get married at the beginning everything is easy, but with time things start becoming complicated. You know the person better, and he knows you, but you must act more careful not to get into trouble.
What do you think is the strongest diplomatic tool?
It is the capacity to relate well with other people and to accept the differences that any diplomat and any person can find between his own country and other state. He must appreciate these differences. It is a way of enriching himself, working together with people and government of the country he or she is living. This can be enrichment for both countries. If you do not accept, if you have no tolerance to the foreign culture, you will not be able to be a diplomat at all.
Which are advantages and disadvantages of your job?
The advantage is an opportunity to travel, to meet new people, to live on a daily basis with people of different cultures. It is not the same like traveling as a tourist. As a tourist you are going to see the good things, but not the difficulties any country experiences in everyday life. A disadvantage is sometimes you have a language barrier. There is always a way to communicate but sometimes it is more difficult. Coming to the other side of the world and speaking a Latin language, totally different with Armenian alphabet, creates certain difficulties. But it is not something you cannot overcome. I regret the fact that I did not make the decision to take serious studying the language. I know only “mi kich” (a little bit) “shnorakalautyun” (thanks), “barev zez” (hello), “inchpesek” (how are you), “kamac-kamac”(step by step). Armenian alphabet is very difficult.
There are still more men in politics and diplomatic corpses. Do you think this job is more difficult for a woman? Is it easy to communicate with officials who are mostly men?
In global meaning we have accepted that a woman has the same capacity as a man. But it is still one of the main difficulties for a woman to join the diplomatic career and climb the highest post, combining professional and personal life. If you want to get married to have children, you must have an understanding husband, who I am lucky to have, and to be able to divide your time between work and family, without hurting any of them. I am very lucky person in this sense, my husband and my sons always accompanied me. Women are becoming professionals in all spheres. We were one of the first, at least Latin American states, to have a woman president, but there is still a long way to go.
When we say Brazil we imagine beaches, Rio de Janeiro, carnival, coffee and football. How did you imagine Armenia before coming here? Where there any stereotypes?
To tell you quite frankly, I did not have any stereotypes. The first thing that came to my mind was my diplomatic colleagues of the Armenian origin. But I did not have much idea of the country. I started studying the history. We have to be confirmed by the Brazilian parliament before going to a new country, so I studied a lot. I was really surprised at your long history and culture, and all that you achieved through years.
What would you advise your successor? Would you warn him/her against something in Armenia, may be about weather?
No, I have worked in Canada before coming here. It was – 25, it was terrible. I would tell my successor that it is a country where it is very easy to relate to other people. You are very generous. I always find it impressive: you can visit an Armenian just to say “hello, how are you” and he will make you sit down and offer you coffee, lots of food. It is something you do not see in most countries. In Brazil people can ask you “would you like a cup of coffee” but not much beyond that.
I would tell him we have no problems in diplomatic relations with Armenia and you have to see many things in Armenia and it is a safe place to be.
Is there anything you miss being out of Brazil?
My husband once told me one thing that I came to realize is true – the last thing you let go from your native country is food. Sometimes I want to eat for example pão de queijo, Brazilian cheese bread. The first thing I do when I come to Brazil, I go to one of coffee shops at the airport to eat cheese bread. Sometimes I miss the language, too. I spend 90 percent of my time speaking English, French or Spanish. I sometimes miss speaking Portuguese.
You can also read in this series interviews with the ambassadors of Britain, France, Italy, and Poland.
