Stories about Armenia from July, 2008
Caucasus: Russian Language
Social Science in the Caucasus comments on data indicating the level of English and Russian language proficiency in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Iran: World Heritage Sites
Blogian comments on the inclusion of three Armenian monasteries in Iran on UNESCO's World Heritage list. The blogger says that while he is happy about the move, he is also unhappy because of inaction by UNESCO when Armenian sites in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan were destroyed.
Armenia: Political Football
Unzipped comments on an opinion piece by Armenia's new president published by the Wall Street Journal in which Serge Sargsyan hopes that September's Armenia-Turkey football World Cup qualifying match in Yerevan can be the catalyst for amicable relations between the two countries. Currently the border between Armenia and Turkey is...
Armenia: Corruption & Scapegoats
Blogrel reports that the head of the notorious Passport and Visa agency (OVIR) in Armenia has been fired for corruption. However, Unzipped wonders why no legal proceedings have been launched and if the government is truly fighting corruption in earnest.
Armenia: LGBT Blogs
While most political blogs in Armenia simply duplicate the views of an already polarized media, the voices of those stuck in between, denied access to the airwaves, or who are simply misrepresented, are often ignored. That might now all be changing with the appearance of several LGBT Blogs from Armenia and the Diaspora.
Armenia: Education Blogs
Now that post-election tensions are dying down in Armenia, there is a huge potential for blogs to cover more specific issues which are either ignored or left undiscussed by the media and society in general. One of those subjects is education, an area which is particularly tainted by corruption in the post-Soviet space.
Armenia: Lost Cause?
The Armenian Observer posts a video with English subtitles and comments on yesterday's rally by the radical opposition in Armenia. The blog says the movement led by the country's first president seems to be slowly turning into a lost cause.
Armenia: Foreign Policy Failure
Unzipped comments on recent statements made by newly-elected Russian president Dmitry Medvedev as well as the Council of Europe and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) reaffirming the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The blog asks its readers somewhat rhetorically if the statements represent the failure of Armenian foreign...
Armenia: Contrasting Posters
Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts two entries about two very different sets of posters on display in Yerevan. In the first, the blog translates signs visible in one of the capital's parks prohibiting lovemaking. In the second, the blog comments on two posters designed to raise awareness of violence against women,...
Caucasus: European Football
Social Science in the Caucasus looks at where the affinity of the three South Caucasus countries lay during the recent European UEFA football competition. The blog says that the exercise provides a fascinating insight into the cultural and political orientation of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Armenia: Best European in Armenia
Unzipped reports and comments on news that opposition MP Zaruhi Postanjian has been awarded the title of Best European in Armenia. The blog says that even if the choice of previous recipients raised a few eyebrows the award is well deserved in this case.
Armenia/Turkey: Cultural Overlaps
Writing on the blog of the US-based Ari Foundation, Selvin Akkus comments on the current state of Armenian-Turkish relations. The blogger says that despite the lack of political will from the governments of both countries, people living in the respective territories of the two estranged neighbors share many cultural similarities.
