Stories about Armenia from May, 2008
Armenia: Last Bell
Kyle's Journey in Armenia, a Peace Corps Blog, reports on the end of the school year in Armenia. The Last Bell is quite an occasion for graduates of 11th form students and the blog posts photographs and an account from the north-east of the country.
Armenia: Diaspora Fatigue
Life in Armenia, a blog run by ethnic Armenians from the Diaspora resident in the country, says that the number of tourists and volunteers visiting Armenia might be dropping following the recent post-election unrest as well as for other reasons. However, the blog says that Armenia is still worth visiting...
Armenia: Bigoted Journalism
Blogian comments on the misrepresentation of the words of a journalist partly of Turkish descent speaking in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, by the local pro-opposition A1 Plus news agency. The blog says that a combination of factors such as anti-Turkish sentiment and sexism might have something to do with what...
Armenia: Youth Activist Beaten
The Armenian Observer reports that a pro-opposition youth activist was yesterday beaten in Yerevan, the Armenian capital. Arsen Kharatyan was called for an interview, but when he arrived at the location for the meeting he was instead attacked from behind. Unzipped comments on speculationthat the beating was probably connected to...
Armenia: Historic Football Match
Unzipped says that a football match staged in Armenia between the country's Under-19 football team and one from Turkey was a historic occasion. Although neighbors, Armenia and Turkey have not established diplomatic relations.
Armenia: Public Chamber
The Armenian Observer reports on plans to create a public chamber of NGOs, businessmen and public figures to help facilitate dialogue between the authorities and society. However, with most of Armenia's many thousands of NGOs inactive and interested only in hunting grants, the blog has its doubts about the effectiveness...
Armenia: Nasty Politics
The first president of the Republic of Armenia depicted as a Jew, supporters of the newly elected president labelled as “Turks” while he is depicted in visual propaganda as a Nazi or female genitalia? Blogian says it's all run of the mill in what is fast becoming a mutually hostile...
Caucasus: Eurovision Results
The Armenian Observer says it is satisfied with fourth place in last night's Eurovision Song Contest going to Armenia's Sirusho. However, it also raises the question of political voting in the international song contest, something which my The Caucasus Knot examines in more detail. Regardless, Unzipped: Gay Armenia says it...
Europe: Eastern Partnership Project
AnTyx writes about the Eastern Partnership project.
Armenia/Georgia: Online Diasporan Communities
Social Science in the Caucasus examines the Internet presence of Armenian and Georgian communities in Switzerland. The blog of the Caucasus Research Resource Centers says that examining the extent of activity in online communities is one way of tracking how organized migrant communities abroad are.
Armenia/Azerbaijan: Eurovision Success
After yesterday's success enjoyed by the Armenian and Azerbaijani entries in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Unzipped posts a photograph of Armenia's Sirusho celebrating. In the comments section of the post both myself and the blogger agree that the reason we like the photograph is that “she looks lovely” and...
Armenia: Human Rights Activist Attacked
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that a local human rights activist was verbally and physically assaulted in Yerevan today as well as shot at with a gas pistol. The assault was reportedly carried out by the former leader of a pro-establishment party who accused the activist of being a “CIA agent...
Armenia/Azerbaijan: Eurovision Semi-Final Results
Life Gets In The Way reports that as predicted by many blogs, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have made it through to the 24 May final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia. The blog says that the vocal range of the Azerbaijani act was amazing and their performance show-stopping....
Armenia: Out of Change
Dominic in Armenia comments on how frustrating buying goods with bills in the local currency can be. In particular he recounts how even if a shop has change it will often say it doesn't to avoid having to take bills over 5,000 drams (about $16). Small change is also a...
Armenia: Sirusho Eurovision Update
Unzipped Gay Armenia says that Sirusho, the country's entry in this week's Eurovision Song Contest, is the best yet and stands a good chance of winning the international song contest. The blog also says that if she does, next year's Eurovision would be held in Yerevan and attract the attention...
Armenia: HIV Awareness
Armenia and Me reports and posts photographs from Sunday's annual HIV Awareness event held in Yerevan. The blog says that over 60 Red Cross youth volunteers marched through the center of the capital with candles. The event ended by creating an illuminated HIV ribbon by one of the city's most...
Armenia, Russia: Shavarsh Karapetyan
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about Shavarsh Karapetyan, the man who saved 20 people in the trolley bus accident in Yerevan in 1976.
Armenia: Global Food Crisis
The Armenian Observer says that despite the global food crisis, the country is self-sufficient in most foods and so seems likely to be spared shortages in the future. However, figures for the import of wheat and sugar are high. It also says that rising prices are also starting to hit...
Caucasus: Eurovision Countdown
With the first of the semi-finals in this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia, just days away, the countries of the South Caucasus are becoming increasingly excited about the international song contest and how their representatives will fair. Global Voices rounds up the reaction to the three songs in the Eurovision blogosphere.
Armenia: “Non-Armenians”
Seetizen, the blog of a youth activist in Armenia, decries the latest action by the pro-radical opposition Hima youth movement — a list which labels various celebrities, political figures and others as “non-Armenian” because of their support for the authorities. And Nothing Else Matters also weighs in with its own...
Armenia: Sirusho Eurovision Interview
Krik! Music Corner posts an interview it held with Armenia's entry into the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, Sirusho, while she was on promotional tour last week. The blog was impressed by the young singer who it says was beautiful, kind and friendly.
