Stories about Armenia from March, 2008
Armenia: Sevan Museum
Robert Dietrich posts photographs of some of the treasures he recently discovered at a small museum outside of the capital. The Peace Corps Volunteer says he was overwhelmed by the amount of items dating back thousands of years and in urgent need of being displayed properly.
Armenia: The Little Prince
The Armenian Patchwork posts photographs of preparations and a performance of The Little Prince in the Armenian capital, Yerevan. The blog seems impressed with the organization of the play for children.
Armenia: Opposition Protests Continue
Despite amendments to the law on public marches, rallies and demonstrations following the recently lifted state of emergency, the opposition continues to hold meetings on the streets of the Armenian capital. In order to circumvent the restrictions, the gatherings are held under the guise of playing chess, reading books or even eating fast food in public.
Armenia: Eurovision Betting Odds
Heckler Spray takes an albeit irreverent look at Armenia's entry in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Nevertheless, the blog says that the song by local singer Sirusho is one of the favorites to win the competition usually ridiculed in Europe but taken very seriously indeed by new competitors from the...
Armenia: Brandy Shootout
Halfway down the Danube hosts a shootout to determine whether Wisconsin's Korbel brandy is better than one of its Armenian counterparts. Its hard to tell which won through in the end, but at least the blogger enjoyed both and doesn't appear too inebriated.
Armenia: More Opposition Activists Detained
The Armenian Observer reports that more than a dozen pro-opposition activists, including at least one from the Sksela youth movement have been detained after staging demonstrations on Yerevan's Northern Avenue.
Armenia: New Parliamentary Election
Unzipped comments on suggestions to hold new parliamentary elections in Armenia. The proposal comes from an MP hoping to end the deadlock between the authorities and radical opposition following last month's disputed presidential election.
Armenia: Opposition Diaries
Unzipped posts videos produced by the radical opposition on the post-election turmoil in Armenia. Although both government and opposition continue to disseminate propaganda, The blog says that until an independent and objective inquiry is held, a plurality of opinion should be heard.
Armenia: Peaceful Protest
Halfway down the Danube gives reasons for not attending last Friday’s demonstration held the day after the state of emergency was lifted in Yerevan. The post also looks at the use of the Internet in what some have called an attempt at a “colored revolution” in Armenia. However, the blog...
Armenia: Political Chess
Khirimian’s Thought comments on news reports that an opposition politician accuses the present and former authorities of dealing with demonstrations in the same manner. Earlier this month the government declared a state of emergency and used the military to enforce prohibitions on rallies by supporters of former president Levon Ter-Petrossian....
Armenia: Uprising Radio
Uprising Radio has a program on the recent election in Armenia, the protests that followed, and the state of emergency lifted last week. The guests on the radio station based in Los Angeles were Dr. Harry Sarafian and Harout Der-Tavitian from the Coalition for a Democratic Armenia.
Armenia: Open Letter
Unzipped posts an open letter from the wives, sisters and mothers of opposition activists currently detained or on the run from police.
Armenia: Terrorism Concerns
A new blog, khirimian's thought, responds to concerns expressed from some quarters that the radical opposition in Armenia might resort to more violent action unless their demands are met.
Armenia: Threat of Terrorism
Unzipped says he agrees with presidential candidate Arman Melikian that Armenia now faces the possibility of violent actions and terrorism by the radical opposition in light of the arrest of many of their leaders and the lack of dialogue with the government.
Armenia: Independent Media Concerns
The Armenian Observer reports on an arson attack on a car belonging to the president of a media association in the second largest city of Gyumri. The attack is seen as being linked to the Asbarez Club's attempts to defend a pro-opposition local TV station which is currently under pressure...
Armenia: Police Violence
Blogian comments on concerns raised in some quarters that a video allegedly showing soldiers firing directly at protesters during a post-election riot on 1 March has been edited inappropriately giving grounds to question its authenticity. However, the blog says, the fact that seven protesters and one policeman died during the...
Armenia: Volunteerism
My Stay in Armenia recounts a recent visit to a school where the International Red Cross educated children on humanitarian work and volunteerism. The blog says that the latter in particular remains something “foreign” for most people in the country.
Armenia: The Epic Land
Deep Roasted Blend posts a guide for tourists interested in visiting Armenia. The guide, accompanied by many photographs, was written by Rhyne from The Armenia Blog.
Armenia: Shameful Diaspora
Unzipped expresses its concern with statements issued by ethnic Armenian groups and organizations in the United States calling for political forces to find a peaceful solution to the post-election standoff in Armenia and to refrain from violence. Noticeable by its absence, the blog explains, are calls for an independent inquiry...
Armenia: Right to Know
Armenia Now reports on the current state of emergency which restricts the media in covering the post-election situation in the country following the 1 March clashes between opposition supporters and the authorities. The blog says that while the print media has become more independent under the outgoing president, the tendency...
Armenia: Cultural Protest
Unzipped comments on an open letter signed by a five individuals prominent in their cultural fields including expressing their concern with the political situation in Armenia. The signatories suggest holding new parliamentary elections in Armenia to defuse tensions following the 19 February presidential election and the current state of emergency.
