Latest posts by Onnik Krikorian from January, 2009
Azerbaijan: Interesting Tidbits
Azer-[bye]-jackie posts a list of 30 interesting tidbits and observations about living in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan: Referendum
Thoughts on the Road updates its readers on the referendum to be held in Azerbaijan in March. Seeking to remove the two-term restriction limit for the president, the blog says that despite voter apathy and a boycott by the opposition for last year's presidential election, opponents of the move are...
Azerbaijan: Jam
Sheki, Azerbaijan continues to introduce its readers to some of the many cultural traditions in the country, and especially those involving food. In a new post the blog writes about mürəbbə, a sweet and sour jam.
Azerbaijan: The Big Picture
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines comments on the referendum to be held in March to remove the presidential two-term restriction and questions whether the legal procedures ahead of the vote have been adhered to by the authorities. In a second post the same blog details the arrest of a group...
Armenia: Ultra-nationalists
Unzipped comments on news that an association for ultra-nationalist groups in Armenia was established before the New Year. The blog notes with alarm that the association will collaborate with ultra-nationalist groups in other countries, including Russia.
Armenia: Homophobic Media
Despite the country's recent endorsement of a UN declaration against discrimination on sexual orientation, Unzipped: Gay Armenia continues to expose the prevalent homophobia in Armenian society. Following recent discriminatory and alarmist comments from a leading member of civil society, the blog notes that one newspaper has discovered there are lesbians...
Armenia-Turkey: Genocide Historian Responds
My The Caucasian Knot details and comments on attempts by one group in the U.S.-Armenian Diaspora to silence a prominent Genocide historian. Coinciding with the second memorial of Hrant Dink's murder in Istanbul, Ara Sarafian was quoted by the Turkish media as saying it was ironic that many Armenians seeking...
Armenia: Musings
Ara Balozian continues to ponder life, the universe and everything on his blog, Ara Home Page. In his two latest posts, the controversial independent writer and thinker considers what it is to be Armenian and contemplates the Armenian view of history.
Azerbaijan: Day of Tragedy
Commenting on a Global Voices Online post, 27 Months in Azerbaijan offers its own opinion on the 19th anniversary of the Soviet repression of unrest in its former satellite on 20 January 1990. The blog concludes that although the day was a tragedy, it also represented the opportunity for a...
Turkey: Obama Trepidation
Istanbul Calling says that the Turkish media has greeted the inauguration of Barack Obama as U.S. President with some trepidation. In particular, the blog says there are concerns that Obama will do what his predecessors have failed to follow through with in the past — fulfill campaign promises to recognize...
Russia: Images of Life
English Russia posts numerous photographs of life in Russia by ethnic Armenian photographer, Aleksey Petrosian. The images represent a side of the country that few tourists get to see.
Azerbaijan: Black January
As much of the world celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, Azerbaijan mourned the 19th anniversary of an event which ultimately led to its independence from the former Soviet Union. At least 130 people were killed and 700 wounded in what is now known as "Black January," a day which marks a defining moment in the rebirth of the former Soviet republic.
Armenia: Azerbaijani Airliner Lands in Yerevan
My The Caucasian Knot comments on yesterday's arrival of an Azerbaijani passenger plane flying directly between Baku and Yerevan. Carrying the American, Russian and French co-chairs charged with the task of mediating between Armenia and Azerbaijan in an attempt to find a solution to the Nagorno Karabakh, such flights have...
Turkey: Hrant Dink Memorial Video
mondoDesperado posts video of yesterday's memorial to commemorate the second anniversary of the murder of Turkish-Armenian newspaper editor and journalist, Hrant Dink, outside his office in Istanbul, Turkey.
Turkey: Hrant Dink Murder Unresolved
Journalist in Turkey comments on yesterday's anniversary of the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and editor, Hrant Dink. The blog says that two years later there is no political will in Turkey to bring the masterminds of the killing to justice.
Georgia: Beautiful Tbilisi
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines, the blog of an Azerbaijani political analyst based in Baku and Istanbul, pays its first visit to Tbilisi, capital of the Republic of Georgia. The blog says that the city is beautiful and has preserved it historical charm while it also notes some of the...
Armenia: Hate, Lies & Ignorance
After Armenia last month endorsed the UN statement against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the prevalent homophobia in society has resulted in strong criticism of the move from unexpected quarters. One of the most prolific bloggers on LGBT rights in the country and its Diaspora, as well as the South Caucasus in general, voices his concern.
Azerbaijan: Tea
Sheki, Azerbaijan introduces its readers to the tea ceremony in Azerbaijan. The blog says that the country might be one of the world's highest per capita consumers of tea and examines the tradition of how the drink is served. It also looks at the cultural role of tea-houses in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan: Mud Volcanoes
Joe's Trippin’ pays a visit to the Qobustan State reserve in Azerbaijan. The blog says that while there are as many as 600,000 rock paintings in the territory of the reserve, its main attraction is nearly half of the world's 700 mud volcanoes. The entry also provides information on how...
Armenia: Public Transport
Despite being the second largest city in the country, journeying to Gyumri from the capital, Yerevan, is not for anyone other than the hardiest of travelers. The Armenian Observer recounts a recent trip and says that while minibuses might be fast and cheap, they are often overcrowded and uncomfortable.
Armenia: New Year Celebrations
With the New Year holiday unofficially continuing until 13 January, whatever you are be a good one posts an extended entry accompanied by photographs on how the occasion is celebrated in Armenia.
