#Barevolution Faces of Resistance: students strike pics of the day(s)

These are Pictures of the Day(s) for me. Faces of growing resistance to Armenia’s ruling regime. Faces of #Barevolution [‘Revolution of Hello’ - as the presidential challenger, ex-FM Raffi Hovhannisyan dubbed the movement for change that is being developing since February election]

They are a relatively small group of students. For now. A sign of revival of long forgotten spirit of students strike and protest in Armenia. But it’s so liberating to see these students defying the barriers, climbing over a fence, jumping out of a window to join the students strike. It’s liberating.

Oh, and yes, showing a certain gesture to the system.

*picture by Hetq.am (FB page)

© PanARMENIAN Photo / Hrant Khachatryan

© PanARMENIAN Photo (FB page) / Hrant Khachatryan

Armenia: from the most predictable and ‘safe’ election to slap in the face for ruling regime

The outcome was predictable. Incumbent president won. Well, “officially”. Armenia's ruling regime would never voluntarily *ok* 2nd round of election as this would be = defeat for them. Only the revolt of the masses could possibly force such transformation.

The predictability of Armenian elections is becoming a painful sign to the extent that at times I wonder: why bother following the news if you can simply use material from previous years, copy paste and change the date. From the process of voting to the outcome and international observers’ (OSCE/ODIHR) verdict. Same old, same old. 

As soon as polling stations closed, the results of regime-sponsored 'exit poll' were announced, giving incumbent president 58%, and Raffi 32%. To remind, exit polls in Armenia are conducted by fake Gallup with the help of discredited Armenian Sociological Association. Basically, a double fake.

The only reason Armenia authorities started using fake Gallup is to provide sense of legitimacy for their f*-ed up election, a kind of PR coup for both internal [psychological intervention to prepare for pictured percentages] and external consumption [‘hey, here we are, we commissioned ‘exit polls’, with the “Gallup” name on it’ - a successful tactic, as this gets subsequently cited by international media, without any checking of the real source of such ‘exit poll’]. 


And... surprise-surprise: With all polling stations cast, the preliminary official results are 58.6% for incumbent vs 36.7% for Raffi.

Numerous images of intentionally invalidated ballot papers (as a sign of protest) could be found on Facebook or media reports. Ironically, this helped incumbent to increase his %.



The most sensational result of the night, however, was a crushing defeat of incumbent in Armenia’s second city Gyumri, with Raffi getting a massive 70% (!)

Even with official numbers (36.7%) I do not trust, this protest vote for Raffi is more than I expected. And here is hoping, after all.

This is no less than a big slap in the face for incumbent president. Plus, as ‏@Akhtamar89 added: "@unzippedblog Good! It might also be a slap in the face for all those who withheld their votes or gave into bribes thinking they've no voice
".

While I sympathise Raffi and endorsed him for the election, he is not necessarily your typical fighter figure for mass mobilisation. Unless people took to the streets and make Raffi fight for his votes, it’s difficult to imagine any changes in election results.

Nevertheless, a sheer volume of protest votes will act as a signal for the authorities that they are getting too close to the boiling point (if not reached already), and the reforms are inevitable. Armenia will change as a result of this election.
***
And in case you were wondering, a predictable verdict of international observers: election was "in line..." and a "step forward". [From friend’s FB status : ODIHR. Oh, dear.]

Their attitude was summed up perfectly by this hilarious Twitter account @OSCEIntObserver: "We don't understand what all the fuss is about. Isn't #Armenia just a Russian exclave? Like Kaliningrad? #armvote13"

Another classic from ‏@OSCEIntObserver (in response to my tweet that I started working on election related blog post): "@unzippedblog You should do what we do. Our report was written long before election day. #armvote13 #Armenia"


And the video of the day. How activists stole the show at international observers’ press conference. 




P.S. For more updates and insight on #armvote13 and more, see my Twitter page @unzippedblog


Putin, St Nicholas (S. Nicola) and Italian city Bari (travel diaries)

The sight of fake Louis Vuitton bags and other DIY-like versions of famous brands, like glasses, put on sale right in the middle of the streets was surprising.

When I saw Terranova store, it reminded me of Yerevan.






You could spot laundry hanging out on the balconies everywhere, even above and around religious places or symbols.

But the most unusual was to come across... Putin's message attached to the wall of Basilica of Saint Nicholas (Basilica di San Nicola), outside in the square.

In this message, Putin greets Bari and announces Russia’s gift - a statue of St Nicholas (one of the most popular saints in Russian Orthodox church) [picture on the left] to the city that holds part of his relics.






But the sight of St Nicholas statue inside the church with the pile of money notes under his feet was disturbing even for non-religious person, like me, and indicative of the state the church turned into: business enterprise.

P.S. See also Unzipped Gay Armenia: Man and a baby (Bari, Italy)

Armenia: Theatre of absurd called “presidential election” (or shall I say “assassination”?)

On Twitter, I said I was not sure who could have ordered this ‘assassination attempt’ towards one of presidential candidates Paruyr Hayrikyan but speculations and conspiracy theories were abound. I could not imagine Armenia authorities would want to postpone the election as no candidate, let alone Hayrikyan, pose any real risk to them. PR? Provocation? But why? Framing others?

These were the question marks I posed in the immediate aftermath of this ‘assassination attempt’. Now these question marks reduced to one: PR.

The only person who (at least initially) gained PR-wise was the ‘victim of assassination’ himself. The only possible change this may result in, if at all: some re-ordering in the placing of election runners-up (No.2, No.3 or No.4).

And here we are: 'Victim of assassination' #Hayrikyan won't seek #armvote13 delay. Of course, he won't. It's his 'star moment' #Armenia #theatre [one of my latest Twitter updates @unzippedblog]

Apologies for cynicism, but the ‘victim’ got the best opportunity of public exposure that no campaign would have ever provided to him.

He got a prime time coverage focusing on his persona, with almost non-stop ‘exclusive’ interviews during which recovering Hayrikyan put forward versions of the incident from the strange to the bizarre.

While initially quite a few activists, commentators were more supportive of Hayrikyan, things have changed as soon as he started elaborating on the possible reasons and details of this incident.

He blamed ‘special agents’, current or former KGB or whatever. He claimed he started remembering the face of the ‘assassin’, and he reckons the ‘assassin’ is not Armenian because... he (the ‘assassin’ that is) didn’t say a word in Armenian (!) So not only that ‘special agent assassin’ didn’t cover his face but he was expected to have a lovely chat with perhaps a cup of tea with the intended ‘target’...

Even “assassination attempts” during this election are extremely boring. And very safe, indeed. [I am happy that it was safe, of course, but that’s not the point]

You want the reality show where borders between fiction, theatre and the reality are hardly discernible? Welcome to Armenia. The whole country turned into a big theatre with a play on stage called #armvote13.

Prepare your popcorn. Seat back. Relax. And press the button. Or do not.

In the meantime, the best to come out of this election is DIY satire, internet meme and similar that Facebook and other online forums are full with.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Out of all my pics of Eiffel Tower in Paris, this one I made few days ago is my favourite so far.

Armenia’s incumbent president: why bother campaigning?

Looking at Serj’s campaigning one may wonder why he bothers to campaign at all? The only reason he campaigns is to show the international community that this election is not a farce but rather ‘exemplary’ one. Ironically, with each passing day, he is making more and more mistakes, to put it mildly, damaging further his reputation. Not that this decreases his chances to be elected. With or without people’s votes.

Today, marking the Army Day, a woman managed to approach the president and started complaining about social hardship she is living in. This has angered Serj. Seriously. He had nothing better to say than get back to the woman and complain arrogantly that with her coming here and crying she is spoiling the holiday. This is more like a քուչի տղա response, rather than president’s.

Regardless how annoying or inappropriate this woman’s complain may seem to him, this is absolutely not a way any official, let alone president, should speak to the very people he (supposedly) serves.

Հայոց բանակի կազմավորման 21-րդ տարեդարձի առթիվ ՀՀ բարձրաստիճան պաշտոնյաները այսօր այցելել են Եռաբլուր պանթեոն, ծաղկեպսակներ դրել արցախյան հերոսամարտում զոհվածների շիրիմներին: Իսկ մինչ  Սերժ Սարգսյանի գլխավորությամբ բարձրաստիճան պաշտոնյաները կատարեցին իրենց պարտքը եւ ցանկանում էին լքել տարածքը, նրանց մոտեցավ մի կին եւ խնդրեց, որպեսզի լսեն իրեն, հաղորդում է Galatv.am-ը: Սերժ Սարգսյանին մոտեցած կինը հայտնեց, որ ապրում է ծայրահեղ ծանր պայմաններում: Նախ թիկնապահները փորձեցին հեռացնել նրան ճանապարհից, սակայն կնոջը հաջողվեց մոտենալ, իսկ երբ կինը լացակումած պատմում էր իր ապրելակերպի մասին, Սերժ Սարգսյանը արձագանքեց. «Եկել ես ստեղ, լաց ես լինում, մեր տոնը խանգարում ես, որ ի՞նչ անես»:

Read also:

“Towards secure Armenia”: Public admission of fail with bizarre stage-managed election campaign launch

and

It's Christmas Day in West and end of an era in Armenia politics

“Towards secure Armenia”: Public admission of fail with bizarre stage-managed election campaign launch

“Towards secure Armenia”- this is Armenia’s ruling republican party slogan for presidential campaign. Effectively, this is a very public admission that president failed in ensuring one of his main duties, as per Constitution:

Article 49 The President of the Republic shall be the guarantor of the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Armenia. 

Their campaign launched with a music video where everyone is happy smiling and dancing literally everywhere. It depicts a disturbing picture of nation under drugs. The only dancing part that - unfortunately! - looks believable is dancing in the airport before the plane’s take off. “Towards secure Armenia”? Ha!

The very threat to the security of Armenia is a current political establishment headed by republican party with formally accepted neo-nazi style ideology. A party whose high level officials, including the spokesman, publicly and unashamedly support terrorism against a group of their own citizens and spread intolerance and discrimination towards anyone who does not fit into their ‘national standards’.

Never before my friends and relatives in Armenia were so indifferent to presidential election. It’s no news for them, just a time for occasional mocking (in a #funnysad way) looking at the clownery named “campaign” (with few exceptions of Heritage party leader, ex-FM Raffi Hovhannisyan and ex-PM Hrant Bagratyan).

Just how fake everything connected with the ruling republican party is perfectly illustrated in this video.... Not that we needed any additional proof. 

Here in this video, unzipping a blatant stage-management of the campaign, school children were trained to greet current Armenia president. The video then continues to present slightly different version of ruling party's presidential election campaign music clip. Closer to the reality.



And in case you were nostalgic of Soviet/Stalinist style “Dear party leader” nauseating lines, watch this pretty #funnysad clip from one of week No.1 election campaign meetings of current president Serj Sargsyan. I will never look at my childhood favourite Cheburashka the same way again. Not only they ruin the country. They ruin my childhood memories too.

Ice graffiti, ice chess + ice sculptures: International Ice Sculpting Festival in London

Was at the International Ice Sculpting Festival in London over this weekend.

I was not particularly impressed with the sculptures per se but I liked the atmosphere: fun and interactive.

And I liked the idea of "ice graffiti" for that very reason.

There was also "ice chess" on offer, although it was not as popular as the graffiti above.

This sculptural composition by French artists was entertaining. Depending on the angle you view it, you get different image, perhaps not what was intended :)

And an ice cross by US team.

I am not posting other pics as they do not look particularly interesting picture-wise.

McLenin's: Russian art in London

 *McLenin's by Alexander Kosolapov (1990-1991)

*Russian Revolutionary Porcelain by Alexander Kosolapov (1989-1990)

As seen in Saatchi Gallery, London.

'Ideal slogan': Russian art in London

 *Parade / Demonstration by Vitaly Komar & Alexander Melamid (1972)

 *by Vitaly Komar & Alexander Melamid (1972/2012)

 *Study, Son! by Alexander Kosolapov (1973)

*Entry - No Entry by Erik Bulatov (2006)

As seen in Saatchi Gallery, London.

'Criminal government': Russian art in London

*Criminal Government by Gosha Ostretsov (2008)

*Violin at the Cemetery by Oskar Rabin (1969)

*Nepravda by Oscar Rabin (1975)

As seen in Saatchi Gallery, London.

2013: rock-n-roll New Year !!

On a personal note...

Never before I was able to achieve so many personal To Do-s [some coming back from my teenage years] as I did in 2012. Apparently, dragon loved me. But hey, I was determined, I took the risks, and it was worth it. I fought some of my personal inhibitions [yes, I do have inhibitions too :) !], and it was so worth it.

I wish readers of my blogs, my friends and family to see at least some of the most important dreams realised in 2013.

May 2013 rock your inhibitions and set you free.

It’s London calling. It’s rock-n-roll.

Have a very happy New Year !!


With love, 

x Mika

It's Christmas Day in West and end of an era in Armenia politics

Here we are. It's Christmas Day in West, and now officially end of an era in Armenian politics, as ex-president and leader of (what remains of) opposition HAK group Levon Ter-Petrosyan formally withdrew his candidacy from upcoming presidential election citing age (68). Not surprising, considering the circumstances. Considering the fact that over the last 5 years he failed in building up a viable opposition force. He failed in contributing to the rise of new leaders ready and able to challenge the status quo on a national level.

That flirting - unashamedly - with oligarch-led party and the oligarch himself illustrated the impotency of those on the scene and inability to lead. Ironically, Gagik Tsarukyan (oligarch head of the BHK [‘Prosperous Armenia’] party) became ‘the only hope’ for the opposition. It was painful to see how political figures downgraded to become oligarch-pleasers.

Here is hoping this ‘end of an era’ will stimulate the rise of new political leaders to match an increasing importance and influence of civic activists in Armenia.

As for the February presidential election, the only candidate that I will support is the leader of Heritage party, Armenia ex-FM Raffi Hovhannisyan. Although I disagree with Raffi on number of internal and foreign issues, and criticised his populism in past, currently he is my favourite Armenian politician (compared to others in public view). I also respect immensely his post-DIY stance, when he came out in support, even though it was obvious this would not be in line with the majority of average voters and in defiance with the prevalent anti-gay hysteria. I will never forget his stance.

But there should be no doubt that Serj is the winner. I can safely say Armenia is heading to the most predictable presidential election. This time, he won't need any violations, any fraud. This could be a textbook example of 'free and fair elections' in Armenia. It will be 'picture perfect'.

‘Free and fair’ only from a technical point of view but never by essence.

Welcome, winter! à la Brussels

 *Grand Place: as I was told, pretty "controversial" main Christmas tree in Brussels, No.1 talk in town

 *Grand Place: much more controversial, in my opinion, 'Nativity Scene'...with real sheep

 *Cuteness: 'Welcome, winter'

 *Christmas tree with recycled bottles

*"controversial" main Christmas tree (from different angle)

Papier d'Arménie

A discovery from Brussels, thanks to present by a dear friend of mine.

Papier d'Arménie:
Papier d'Arménie, or Armenian Paper, is a room deodorizing product sold as booklets of twelve sheets of paper each cut into three pieces, which are coated with benzoin resin, the dried sap of styrax trees.
At the end of the 19th century, Auguste Ponsot discovered that Armenian households would burn Styrax as a fragrance and disinfectant. M. Ponsot adopted this habit with the help of the pharmacist Henri Rivier, whereby benzoin resin was dissolved in alcohol, then infused onto a blotting paper support. The "alchemy" inherent in Papier d'Arménie became a huge success with the emerging importance of hygiene from 1888–1889, and has been steadily produced in Montrouge, France since 1885. (for more: see Wikipedia)

March against gender-based violence: clear message, 'Rhythms of resistance', creative performance (Yerevan, Armenia)

To mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and as part of the annual 16 Days Activism Against Gender Based Violence, Women's Resource Centre in Yerevan, along with other groups, organised march against violence. Participants included wonderful and inspirational 'Rhythms of resistance' [Հեղառիթմեր]. March ended with a creative performance.



*Video above via Utopiana.

New York - New York: few pics for now

Few pics from NYC. I will post more, including from other travel diaries, on both of my blogs, depending on inspiration.

 *Spotted at one of NYC subway trains. Love it, with all the diversity of characters.

 *From above the High Line, downtown Manhattan, NYC

 *in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy, NYC

*Times sq, NYC

Armenia PM: the end of cool

I have a confession to make. When Tigran Sargsyan was appointed PM, I was pleased as he was the most intelligent, well educated, seemingly pro-Western person in the cabinet. And he had a good taste in number of things. Ocean apart from the likes of Galust Sahakyan & co that ruling Republican party is so full of.

I am not going to provide a critical review of his years as head of the government. He looks pretty organic when he plays the music. He looks pretty awkward and out of place when he tries playing ‘macho’ (example).

Unfortunately, he will be remembered most as a PM who turned church related mourning days into national holidays.

Needless to say that being a VIP member of the Republican party whose ideology (if I may use such term in relation to this group) is out of touch with contemporary realities (to put it mildly) is in itself tarnishing the reputation. They are the epitome of uncool and impede Armenia’s moving forward, despite the very slogan they adopted.

What happened to the cool PM I once hoped for (example)? Nothing has left of that image.

Aparan, Armenia: triumph of ugliness

Poor Aparanci. As if all the jokes associated with that particular region of Armenia were not enough, they got this: "official opening of 33 metre cross in Aparan".

One word: ugly.

As noted by friend: "Who and why? So there can be more Aparan jokes?" Indeed.

*picture - by © PanARMENIAN Photo / Varo Rafaelyan. For more pics - see here.

"Beyond Borders: Linking Our Stories": Turkish - Armenian border, women, storytelling

The Women's Resource Center in Armenia and the AMARGI Feminist Collective in Turkey are coming together to work on this inspiring project called "Beyond Borders: Linking Our Stories":

We believe that women should take peace into their own hands and one way to begin is by sitting down with one another, across borders and across difference, to tell our stories. 

***
The power of a woman telling her story lies in the transformation she lives when she hears the strength of her own voice and in the transformation we live when we are forced to shift our own ideas about women as faceless objects without a voice. 

This project aims to establish a dialogue and cooperation between Armenian and Turkish women, to build solidarity among women across the closed Turkish-Armenian border and to develop an innovative approach to peace-building by collecting a number of interviews by and from women in both countries, which will then be turned into a performance and book for larger audiences. Some of the themes that will be explored include violence, poverty, family, and sexuality. One of our main goals is to make visible ordinary women's lives living across the border, and to make their stories accessible to women in both countries, as well as to women in other countries with conflicted borders.

Because most policies and peace negotiations are usually implemented at higher levels of government where women's voices are not often heard, this project will place the power to create peace into ordinary women's hands. After all of the interviews are conducted (approximately 30 in total from both sides) a group of women from Armenia will travel to Turkey to meet and work with a group of women from Turkey for two weeks. The interviews that were conducted will be discussed and analyzed, workshops on effective peace-building and conflict resolution will be given, and a short film will be made documenting the process of the two groups coming together and preparing for a final performance at Madrasa Theater in Sirince, Turkey. Some time after this initial meeting, the group will also meet in Armenia to hold a second performance in Yerevan.
***
You may support this project by donating here:  

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/401497233/beyond-borders-linking-our-stories