Latest posts by Onnik Krikorian from September, 2008
Georgia: Frontline Photos
Popular Photography's blog features photos and an account of the war between Georgia and Russia by New York-based photojournalist Jonathan Alpayrie.
Azerbaijan: Urban Development Blog
Social Science in the Caucasus comments on a new blog established to monitor urban development in Baku by two German researchers. The blog includes commentary and photography and is at http://urbanchange.wenedeux.com.
Armenia: Cultural Control
Unzipped says that there is a link between the decision to remove the screening of a film by well known director Tigran Khzmalyan from the programme at Yerevan's main cinema and his political activities. The blog also says that Khzmalyan and other academics have also been dismissed from their positions...
Armenia: Victor Hambartsumian Remembered
Armenian Higher Education & Sciences comments on government plans to commemorate the work of leading scientist and astrophysicist Victor Hambartsumian who died in 1996. The blog notes that the traditional way of remembering prominent Armenians has now given way to some more interesting ideas which should promote the scientific potential...
Armenia: Pro-Government Youth Group Formed
Unzipped comments on stumbling upon what looks like the start of a series of anti-smoking actions staged by a new pro-government youth movement. The blog says that Miasin appears to be poorly organized and lacked the creativity of other youth movements which have emerged in Armenia in the past year...
Georgia: Rock for Peace
This is Tbilisi Calling comments on Friday's free concert held in the Georgian capital by Canadian soft rock star Bryan Adams. The blog by British journalist Matthew Collin says the concert was billed as “Peace, Freedom and Democracy for Georgia,” but was ironically sponsored by a Russian-owned mining company. Adams...
UK: Azerbaijani Gay Artist Deported
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that gay Azerbaijani artist Babi Badalov has been deported from the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan. The blog also says that faced with protests, the British Midlands Airways’ spokesperson turned off his phone to avoid calls lobbying on Badalov's behalf.
UK: Azerbaijani Gay Artist's Deportation Update
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that following pressure on Azerbaijani Airlines, the details of Azerbaijani artist Babi Badalov's deportation from the UK have been changed. The blog calls on concerned individuals and organizations to lobby British Midlands Airways (BMI) who will fly Badalov to Baku in just a few hours.
Armenia: Turkish Visitors
Unzipped quotes news reports saying that 300 Turkish citizens visited the Genocide Memorial and Museum in Yerevan on the sidelines of this month's World Cup qualifying football match between Armenia and Turkey. However, as one comment says, it is unclear how many were ethnic Armenians or ethnic Turks. Nevertheless, the...
UK: Gay Azerbaijani Artist Faces Deportation
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that gay Azerbaijani artist Babi Badalov faces deportation from the U.K. this weekend. The blog has chronicled concerns about the persecution of people such as Badalov in the South Caucasus and urges its readers to protest against the decision.
Armenia: Competing Opposition Ideologies
Unzipped comments on statements from the leader of the Marxist party in Armenia that God and Russia are considered to be the solution to the problems faced by most of the population. The blog says such statements are embarrasing for the opposition and raises questions about the conflicting positions of...
Azerbaijan: Gay Artist Detained in UK
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that gay Azerbaijani artist Babi Badalov has been detained by British police. Badalov is currently seeking asylum in the United Kingdom and the blog posts details of a protest demonstration to be held in his support today.
Turkey: Genocide Stories
Project Common Humanity, a new blog established by researcher and writer Ziya Meral, asks its readers to submit stories of Turks who saved their Armenian neighbors during the 1915 Genocide.
Armenia: Opposition Momentum Declining
The Armenian Observer comments on yesterday's opposition rally in Yerevan and says that it was the smallest gathering yet.
Georgia: Travelogue
Michael J. Totten's Middle East Journal recounts a recent trip from Azerbaijan to post-conflict Georgia. Traveling with veteran Caucasus journalist Thomas Goltz, Totten details an attempt to visit Russian-occupied Gori and an unfortunate encounter with Azerbaijani customs officials on his return to Baku. The problem? The Lonely Planet Guide to...
Georgia: War With Russia Poll
Social Science in the Caucasus comments on a telephone opinion poll conducted in the aftermath of the recent Russia-Georgia conflict over South Ossetia. Although the specialist blog says that this is the first time it has heard of the pollsters, it provides its readers with the results in which 42.4...
Armenia: Relations with Turkey — What Next?
After the historic visit by Turkish president Abdullah Gul to Yerevan at the weekend to watch an Armenia-Turkey World Cup qualifying match with his local counterpart, Serge Sargsyan, Security in the Caucasus examines the question of what next for the two estranged neighboring countries.
Armenia: Local Elections Marred by Violence
Unzipped comments on the possible appointment of a notorious government official to the position of Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly. The blog also reports that local elections held in Yerevan yesterday were marred by reports of violence, vote buying and other irregularities.
Armenia: Football Diplomacy & Relations with Turkey
A number of World Cup qualifying matches were played worldwide on Saturday, but many were interested in what might instead prove to be a historic political rather than sporting event. Without diplomatic relations or an open border, Armenia played against Turkey in its capital, Yerevan. Despite historical grievances, Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived to watch the match with his Armenian counterpart in what many referred to as “football diplomacy.”
Armenia: Remembering Meline's
Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts photographs and remembers Meline's, Yerevan's only gay bar which recently closed because of financial problems and construction work in the city center.
Armenia: An Unprecedented Football Match
A Fistful of Euros comments on this weekend's World Cup qualifying match between Armenia and Turkey in Yerevan. Although there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries, and as the border remains closed, the blog considers the event, which will also be attended by the Turkish President, Abdullah Gul,...