· March, 2009

Stories about Armenia from March, 2009

Azerbaijan: Like a virgin (reprise)

  31 March 2009

Following on from earlier posts on the matter of virginity in Armenia, Scary Azeri in Suburbs recounts the situation in Azerbaijan. The blog concludes that medical techniques to restore a bride's virginity for her wedding night are more advanced in the former Soviet Union than in the West.

Armenia: Blogger Interview

  30 March 2009

The DOTCOM project which brings together Armenian, Azeri and U.S. teenage bloggers has now updated its interview with Arzu Geybullayeva with one conducted with Global Voices Online's Caucasus Regional Editor Onnik Krikorian. In particular, the potential for blogs and online social networking sites to cross geographical and geopolitical divides is...

Armenia: Questions linger after post-election unrest

  28 March 2009

tzitzernak2 comments on the deaths of three opposition supporters during the 1 March post-election clashes last year. The blog says that although their deaths were caused by improperly fired gas grenades used by only four policemen, those responsible have not been identified let alone suspended from duty or prosecuted.

Armenia-Turkey: Obama's dilemma

Blogian gives its readers its opinion on the dilemma facing U.S. president Barack Obama in terms of fulfilling his campaign pledge to recognize the massacre and deportation of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

Caucasus: Pitiful democracy

  26 March 2009

Writing on the International Federation of Liberal Youth blog, Bart Woord sums up a month of traveling in the South Caucasus by saying that democracy and governance are in a pitifully depressing state in all three former Soviet republics.

Armenia: The price of success

  24 March 2009

Blogian says that passengers on local transport in the Armenian capital, Yerevan were recently impressed by the vocal talents of his 6-year-old niece. However, the blog notes, while talent is not enough to succeed in Armenia, money is.

Armenia: Ruben Mangasaryan R.I.P.

  21 March 2009

Mark Grigorian [RU] announces the death of his long-time colleague and friend, veteran local photojournalist Ruben Mangasarian. The journalist-blogger says Mangasarian was more than just a friend and remembers some of the stories the two worked on together.

Armenia: The virginity debate continues…

  17 March 2009

Following posts by the Frontline Club and Global Voices Online, Jezebel also comments on the tradition of the red apple in Armenia. In particular, the post has initiated further discussion by Armenians and foreigners alike of a custom which promotes the virginity of the bride but not the groom.

Armenia: International Women's Day action sparks virginity debate

  16 March 2009

Although couples now marry at a later age than before, some traditions have been slow to change in Christian Armenia. One custom, for example, expects women -- but not men -- to remain virgins until their wedding night. However, a recent rally to mark International Women’s Day after which red apples were buried, a symbol of the bride losing her virginity, has prompted intense discussion in the Armenian blogosphere.

Armenia: Former president to run for Mayor

  16 March 2009

Ahead of a potentially significant municipal election in May, Unzipped comments on news that former president and extra-parliamentary opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrossian will contest the vote to elect Yerevan's Mayor. The blog says that the importance of the municipal election should not be underestimated.

Armenia: Anti-corruption student protest?

  14 March 2009

Unzipped comments on an apparent anti-corruption action staged by members of a pro-government youth movement against allegedly corrupt university lecturers in Armenia. Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor also reports on the action on the Frontline Club blog.

Armenia: Homophobia

  12 March 2009

The Armenian Gay & Lesbian Association of NY posts a short video of a recent presentation on homophobia in Armenia. Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on the video in a separate post which also includes an excerpt detailing a documented case of rape in the Armenian army.

Azerbaijan: Controversial Book Banned

  12 March 2009

Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that the controversial book, Artush and Zaur, which details a love story between two men — one Armenian and one Azerbaijani — has been banned in Baku. The blog also says that bookshops selling the novel have been closed down.

Armenia: International Women's Day

  8 March 2009

Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor posts photographs and an account of how some civil society groups marked International Women's Day in Armenia on the Frontline Club blog. In a country known for its traditional and patriarchal tendencies the day was observed not without its incidents.

Armenia-Azerbaijan: Artush and Zaur

  6 March 2009

After the publication of a controversial new novel in Azerbaijan, Blogian posts an interview with its author while Unzipped: Gay Armenia says that a book discussion will be held in Baku on 11 March. Artush and Zaur, the story of the homosexual love affair between an Armenian and Azerbaijani in...

Armenia: First Anniversary of Bloody Post-Election Clash

  3 March 2009

Thousands took to the streets of Yerevan on Sunday to remember last year’s post-election unrest in Armenia which left eight civilians and two policemen dead. With some opposition activists still behind bars, Armenia’s government is widely accused of doing little to investigate the clashes properly.