tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.comments2023-09-24T12:47:57.051+01:00Unzippedartmikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comBlogger3436125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-43160174826496431792019-03-19T23:27:17.141+00:002019-03-19T23:27:17.141+00:00do you know the name of the guy in the picture pl...do you know the name of the guy in the picture pls <br />i need to knowAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03910493791536550213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-45497893730084466242016-07-02T22:25:28.860+01:002016-07-02T22:25:28.860+01:00March for Europe, London - photo story + video of ...<a href="http://unzipped.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/march-for-europe-london-photo-story.html" rel="nofollow">March for Europe, London - photo story + video of Abba's SOS performance</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-88759113658337079902015-12-08T07:36:54.660+00:002015-12-08T07:36:54.660+00:00Armenia ruling Republican party rep to constitutio...<a href="http://gayarmenia.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/armenia-ruling-republican-party-rep-to.html" rel="nofollow">Armenia ruling Republican party rep to constitutional referendum observer: "Go back to Holland to gay and lesbian parties"</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-52984843120536829932015-03-14T13:20:35.205+00:002015-03-14T13:20:35.205+00:00For sure, I had no doubts that it was tourist-orie...For sure, I had no doubts that it was tourist-oriented :)) artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-13316005798763830802015-03-14T13:09:52.842+00:002015-03-14T13:09:52.842+00:00You know those products are for tourists mostly:) ...You know those products are for tourists mostly:) I'm sure you took that photo in Beyoglu neighborhood which is so popular for tourists. Turks usually use more authentic and traditional products for that need.Ertugrulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14201525318029663062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-8949908156262073412015-01-18T20:32:29.206+00:002015-01-18T20:32:29.206+00:001) Ara Abrahamian of Sweden complained to CAS that...1) Ara Abrahamian of Sweden complained to CAS that a penalty in the second round wasn’t assessed until after the round ended. <br /><br />2) Abrahamian’s coach was then denied a request for a video review, then the wrestling federation—the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, or FILA—refused to consider a protest<br /><br />3)Elsewhere in the 20-page ruling, judges noted several times that FILA did not appear at a hearing.<br /><br />4)Judges said Abrahamian was right.<br /><br />Nothing else to say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-75253976971902931862014-10-11T15:48:05.581+01:002014-10-11T15:48:05.581+01:00Armenia’s ex-file<a href="http://unzipped.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/armenias-ex-file.html" rel="nofollow">Armenia’s ex-file</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-76704794942581911632014-10-11T15:47:27.547+01:002014-10-11T15:47:27.547+01:00Armenia’s ex-file<a href="http://unzipped.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/armenias-ex-file.html" rel="nofollow">Armenia’s ex-file</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-91470657522328575792014-06-07T00:41:27.756+01:002014-06-07T00:41:27.756+01:00The Legend of Armen Ra and the Theremin: “I do fee...<a href="http://gayarmenia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-legend-of-armen-ra-and-theremin-i.html" rel="nofollow">The Legend of Armen Ra and the Theremin: “I do feel I carry the cross of all gay Armenians on my back”</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-13995919088906618422014-03-24T19:50:12.442+00:002014-03-24T19:50:12.442+00:00Defendants Handed Lengthy Jail Terms In Restaurant...<a href="http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/25307582.html" rel="nofollow">Defendants Handed Lengthy Jail Terms In Restaurant Assault Trial</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-9111949813505459122014-03-02T18:15:38.883+00:002014-03-02T18:15:38.883+00:00Now that I watched Nymphomaniac, I can imagine why...Now that I watched Nymphomaniac, I can imagine why certain circles in Armenia banned it from screening in Yerevan. Individual freedom vs collective ‘morality police’, open desire vs closet, many other interesting questions would scare the sh*t out of some...artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-23129946232817338792013-11-21T20:07:05.495+00:002013-11-21T20:07:05.495+00:00Armenia ruling regime rejoice at Ukraine fail with...Armenia ruling regime rejoice at Ukraine fail with the EU. This card will be used internally & externally to cover-up their own bluffing with the European Union. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/the-eu-just-lost-ukraine-to-russia" rel="nofollow">The EU Just Lost Ukraine To Russia</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-45754043052770173012013-10-05T19:50:55.741+01:002013-10-05T19:50:55.741+01:00Today Zaruhi Posanjyan returned back to Armenia. I...Today Zaruhi Posanjyan <a href="http://civilnet.am/2013/10/05/zaruhi-postanjyan-at-zvartnots-airport" rel="nofollow">returned</a> back to Armenia. Instead of eggs and tomatoes, as threatened by ruling Republican Party youth wing, she was greeted with balloons and flowers. [<a href="http://civilnet.am/2013/10/05/%D5%A6%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B0%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6-%D5%A4%D5%AB%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%BE%D5%B8%D6%80%D5%A5%D6%81%D5%AB%D5%B6-%D5%B0%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%B8%D5%BD%D5%AB-%D5%B6%D5%B4%D5%A1%D5%B6" rel="nofollow">video</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-89440201384534934952013-09-23T20:29:03.374+01:002013-09-23T20:29:03.374+01:00Recommended reading: The ‘Gender Equality Law’ Hys...Recommended reading: <a href="http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/09/20/the-gender-equality-law-hysteria-in-armenia" rel="nofollow">The ‘Gender Equality Law’ Hysteria in Armenia</a> - The Armenian Weeklyartmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-66311926050430517422013-09-09T16:12:50.118+01:002013-09-09T16:12:50.118+01:00Well, you may be right that the plan was an elabor...Well, you may be right that the plan was an elaborate charade from the outset. But I think that gives them too much credit for long-term planning and that the decision was made more recently—maybe late last year, when the Russia-Abkhazia-Georgia-Armenia railroad restoration story was first floated. I believe that Sargsyan and company had the original intention of proceeding with the European agreement provided that there were enough carrots and candy included for the oligarchs’ businesses to thrive in the European market. They needed to go through to the conclusion of negotiations (should we call it haggling?) to see whether signing on was in their own interest (not in the interest of the people of Armenia, just that of the oligarchs). However, when the last best offer got to the table, it became clear that breaking up monopolies and the hard work needed getting products up to European standards (see the Wine Union president’s statement regarding that here: http://news.am/eng/news/170168.html) would have a negative effect on the oligarchs’ bottom line, at least in the short term (and they only ever think short-term). And of course, all the human rights and civil society elements of the Agreement you mentioned were an integral part of the package; they would not be allowed to sign it à la carte.<br /><br />As the doubts grew, it was easy for Russia to step in with its own small carrots (the railway story float) and big sticks (the gas price rise and the Azerbaijan weapons sales) to seal the European plan’s fate. (You made the point that Armenia negotiated the European agreement with Russia’s permission; I think that this permission was not needed, because Russia knew it could sit back, watch, and wait, thinking the agreement would fall through on its own or it could spoil the deal if necessary.) To make the case more palatable to (too) much of the Armenian population, though, the gender hysteria was cranked up as well as other stories about how “European values” were not compatible with “Armenian values.” Thus there is now a doubt and a balance between explanations as to whether the Russians forced the agreement or the Armenian government decided the Eurasian Union was a “better fit.” <br /><br />There is no doubt that the Eurasian Union is a very poor alternative to the European package. Belarus and Russia are at odds and Kazakhstan is busy making huge independent deals with China. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are being pressed to join, but their economies are in worse shape than Armenia’s and will yield no economic benefits. Meanwhile, small businesses and individuals in Armenia will continue to be shut out of opportunities, since nothing new will be offered to them from Russia, and European interest will wane, so emigration will continue and perhaps accelerate. Sorry, no optimism here.Anihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05443689500887100154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-41211207527761655692013-09-09T07:58:19.861+01:002013-09-09T07:58:19.861+01:00Some similarities with my view. Good read (AM). St...Some similarities with my view. Good read (AM). Stepan Danielyan on Hetq: Armenia authorities 'master of imitation', bluffing re EU integration process http://hetq.am/arm/news/29194/s-danielyan-em-asocacman-gortsyntacn-i-skzbane-blefi-vra-er-himnvats.htmlartmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-15425964494132446812013-08-29T21:24:25.718+01:002013-08-29T21:24:25.718+01:00Kvinna Till Kvinna chimes in... "Witch hunt o...Kvinna Till Kvinna chimes in... "Witch hunt on activists in Armenia": http://kvinnatillkvinna.se/en/2013/08/29/witch-hunt-on-activists-in-armenia/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04752958049808789376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-72733883673949057952013-08-29T09:28:13.607+01:002013-08-29T09:28:13.607+01:00Unfortunately, not only men. There are quite a few...Unfortunately, not only men. There are quite a few women involved in this campaign of hate and anti- gender equality hysteria too...artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-18647836506900317582013-08-29T08:49:24.963+01:002013-08-29T08:49:24.963+01:00I would suggest to men to look at some change in t...I would suggest to men to look at some change in the way they define being a man. I think a change in their definition is not going to hurt them. sometimes change is scary but it benefits the group or the person when it happens. i think men are afraid of change because they think they won't benefit from it. They will benefit in many ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-71728906740764506952013-07-27T20:04:49.721+01:002013-07-27T20:04:49.721+01:00"Despite the claims that Armenia’s civil soci..."Despite the claims that Armenia’s civil society is gaining strength and has gained victory, it has actually suffered defeat." - Armenia’s ex-premier Hrant Bagratyan speaks of price rise, fares, social movement.<br /><br />Good points, in line with the key theme of my blog post.<br /><br />http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/07/27/hrant-bagratyan/artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-18616581023407933872013-07-27T18:54:27.839+01:002013-07-27T18:54:27.839+01:00I call this: To satisfy people by giving up nothin...I call this: To satisfy people by giving up nothing.<br /><br />The thing is I am not sure it tackled the apathy in any significant way (apathy is in itself could be considered as a consequence or as a disease, depending how we look at it). The chronic apathy is still there. We just see the ups and downs, starting with 2008 presidential election, then Mashtots park environmental movement, then brief “barevolution” moment, and now this action. They all contain positive signs, for sure, and good as a training ground for future citizen activists, as Babken Der-Grigorian writes in Hetq. However, as the day after the ‘victory’ proved, all those who hoped it will develop into something more substantial, need to think again. <br /><br />As to Diaspora press started paying more attention to intra Armenia problems, surely a positive sign but it did not start with this protest action, but before, and more so since “barevolution”. In Armenia everyone knows the names of people who own the lines, but as of know this protest action was not aimed at corruption, monopoly, oligarchy, but more as a consequence of these realities.<br /><br />If I see the signs of changes, I will happily acknowledge it. artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-2411705820481029932013-07-26T03:11:18.135+01:002013-07-26T03:11:18.135+01:00Well, it’s complicated. There does seem to be an i...Well, it’s complicated. There does seem to be an intramural battle being waged by the authorities, and besides those you mentioned who came out in favor of “the people,” the Greek, Assyrian, and Yezidi ethnic minority groups also supported the protests, which I felt was a clear signal that the rate hike would be rescinded, or, as it stands, tabled for now, because these groups never venture out on any wobbly limbs. Another suspicious factor was the timing of the announcement, when both Serzh Sargsyan and Hovik Abrahamyan conveniently took their vacations. That put all the heat and the responsibility on the Mayor and the Prime Minister to be the ones to disappoint the busline owners. Besides those owners, Mayor Taron and some of the more ridiculous Republican Party spokesmen (those mumbling about the usual “dark forces”) are clear losers, for reasons opaque to those outside the privy chambers. I also believe there are probably some behind-closed-doors factors in the simultaneous discussions with the EU on the Vilnius Process, involving some clear anti-monopoly carrot-and-stick deals; we might soon see the oligarchs start spinning off more Armenia holdings and shepherding even more of their money off into offshore accounts or investments out of country (like Tsarukyan’s Belarus investments).<br /><br />Nevertheless, I think this is a clear victory, because 1) the focal issue was a domestic and economic problem that transcended political leanings; 2) it shone a spotlight once again on the businessmen/oligarchs who are sucking the lifeblood of the Armenian people—this point cannot be made often enough (and naming names as the Armenian Weekly did was quite damning); 3) members of the Diaspora and the Diaspora press took a real interest, rather than ignoring or belittling the problem, as has so often been the case in the past; 4) it recontextualized and intermingled opposition activists with apolitical civic society, showing how police discriminate in whom they detain, no matter what the protest is (here I’m referencing the fact that they managed to detain Areg and Sargis Gevorgyan as two of eight people out of a large crowd, even though they were doing nothing different than anyone else). <br /><br />But to say as you do that this protest treated the symptom but not the disease, we have to agree on which disease we are talking about. In fact, there are multiple diseases. But the one I’m interested in right now is “apathy,” and the “We won’t pay 150 drams” action really did strike at the heart of it. Now, the next step is to motivate and keep energized the public’s enlightened self-interest so it can perceive that not only economic relief, but also human rights, rule of law, environmental protection, and a right to the pursuit of happiness for everyone are win-win propositions with bigger-pie gains, rather than “someone else’s” problem. Let’s hope so.<br />Anihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05443689500887100154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-7401179761971429962013-05-28T02:03:14.052+01:002013-05-28T02:03:14.052+01:00Radio Yerevan (AM) by Armen Ohanyan: Մի սիրո պատմո...<a href="http://gayarmenia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/radio-yerevan-am-by-armen-ohanyan.html" rel="nofollow">Radio Yerevan (AM) by Armen Ohanyan: Մի սիրո պատմություն, կամ գույնափոխ Երևան</a>artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-18203468681746052612013-05-19T15:02:02.993+01:002013-05-19T15:02:02.993+01:00:)) no, of course not, it was an exaggeration on m...:)) no, of course not, it was an exaggeration on my part, Eurovision style. But yes, it's a process of re-defining relationships, I think.artmikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11207317653711435445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4331396433182434044.post-32836500204387439852013-05-19T14:48:25.229+01:002013-05-19T14:48:25.229+01:00Great post and comments as usual, Mika jan. One qu...Great post and comments as usual, Mika jan. One question on my part: Do you really think it's "finita la 'strategic alliance'” between Armenia and Russia? The scores they gave each other were an unprecedented low, but does this mean the two countries' strategic alliance is really over? Perhaps this is the start of a long process in cutting Mama Russia's apron springs. We can surely hope!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04752958049808789376noreply@blogger.com