· January, 2009

Stories about Ethnicity & Race from January, 2009

Azerbaijan: Martyr's Alley

Learning to Walk in Stilettos pays a visit to Martyr's Alley in Baku, a cemetery for those killed in the Soviet crackdown in the Azerbaijani capital on 19-20th January 1990....

25 January 2009

Armenia-Turkey: Are We Hrant Dink?

Following the second anniversary of the murder of Hrant Dink in Istanbul, Unzipped comments on a recent piece by Glendal News Press’ Patrick Azadian on the ethnic Armenian journalist who...

25 January 2009

Azerbaijan: Jam

Sheki, Azerbaijan continues to introduce its readers to some of the many cultural traditions in the country, and especially those involving food. In a new post the blog writes about...

24 January 2009

Egypt: Bloggers Divided over Geert Wilders

Amsterdam Appeals Court decided that Geert Wilders, Dutch MP, will be put on trial for his views on Islam. Wilders, and his movie had caused a huge anger wave last year, with both sides denouncing each other. While Perwin Ali thought he deserves to be tried, An Egyptian is blogging for his release.

23 January 2009

Armenia: Ultra-nationalists

Unzipped comments on news that an association for ultra-nationalist groups in Armenia was established before the New Year. The blog notes with alarm that the association will collaborate with ultra-nationalist...

23 January 2009

Estonia: Skinheads

Itching for Eestimaa writes about Estonian skinheads – the “purposefully/prematurely bald” young people: “I secretly ponder what is the position of the baldheaded on persons of Mediterranean background. Did we...

23 January 2009

Russia: Migration Issues

Window on Russia writes about a Ryazan Tajik activist's appeal to the Russian media to stop “fanning the flames of ethnic hatred against migrants” and the launch of the Migration-007...

22 January 2009

Armenia: Homophobic Media

Despite the country's recent endorsement of a UN declaration against discrimination on sexual orientation, Unzipped: Gay Armenia continues to expose the prevalent homophobia in Armenian society. Following recent discriminatory and...

22 January 2009

Armenia: Musings

Ara Balozian continues to ponder life, the universe and everything on his blog, Ara Home Page. In his two latest posts, the controversial independent writer and thinker considers what it...

22 January 2009

Azerbaijan: Day of Tragedy

Commenting on a Global Voices Online post, 27 Months in Azerbaijan offers its own opinion on the 19th anniversary of the Soviet repression of unrest in its former satellite on...

21 January 2009

Azerbaijan: Black January

As much of the world celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, Azerbaijan mourned the 19th anniversary of an event which ultimately led to its independence from the former Soviet Union. At least 130 people were killed and 700 wounded in what is now known as "Black January," a day which marks a defining moment in the rebirth of the former Soviet republic.

21 January 2009

The Balkans: “Whose Is This Song?”

Recently several Macedonian bloggers published the documentary “Whose Is This Song” by a Bulgarian director Adela Peeva on their blogs and started discussing the story. The documentary was filmed as an idea that the director got during a dinner in Istanbul with several friends (a Macedonian, a Serb, a Greek and a Turk), when all of them said that the song playing in the background was from their country.

20 January 2009

Turkey: Hrant Dink Murder Unresolved

Journalist in Turkey comments on yesterday's anniversary of the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and editor, Hrant Dink. The blog says that two years later there is no political will in...

20 January 2009