Armenian campaign aided by new forces: it is no longer just an Armenian issue

Recognition of genocide grows

Although White House does seem to cling to its "there were massacres, but no G-word, please" policy on the issue, as Boston Globe reports today, there are important changes in mind and growing trend in the US involving wide range of political and social circles to demand formal acknowledgement of Armenian Genocide of 1915.

I highly recommend reading the full article which details background and current developments, including recent Jewish controversy on the issue which sparked world-wide headlines.

"For decades, it was almost strictly an Armenian issue. No matter how hard they lobbied politicians to recognize the genocide of their people more than 90 years ago, Armenian-Americans often failed. When it mattered most, they lacked the political clout and friends to make a difference.

But the recent uproar in Watertown, home to roughly 8,000 Armenian-Americans, shows that the dynamics of the debate have changed. It is no longer just Armenian-Americans pushing for formal recognition of the genocide of Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks during World War I, but also Jews and politicians of many backgrounds.

Observers cite decades of lobbying and a raft of recent scholarly work on the subject as reasons for the change. But the shift is also indicative of a growing antigenocide constituency in the United States. Stirred up by recent massacres in Rwanda, the Balkans, and Darfur, Americans may be more concerned about genocide today than ever before, said Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. "

You are mad if they don't like what you say

Russia: a neo-KGB state

Declaring dissidents to be mad and locking them up was a peculiarly Soviet tradition, says the Moscow weekly Profil, so it's appalling to find that such sinister practices are still going on.

Three years ago, a journalist called Larisa Arap gave a press interview describing abuses she'd witnessed in a psychiatric hospital near Murmansk. Medical staff, she claimed, would force children to "kiss their feet" and would apply electric shocks if they resisted. Some inmates, said Arap, weren't ill at all: one woman had been declared insane merely so her family could get their hands on her house; another was sectioned after accusing a teacher of abusing her daughter. Afraid of scandal, the school head lobbied to have her put away.

Arap received no feedback about these charges until earlier this year when she went for a routine medical check-up [to get a driving license]: recognising her name as that of a troublemaker, the doctor promptly sectioned her; she is now being "treated" by the very medics she criticised three years ago. Those who lobbied for her release say that doctors have threatened to "arrange things" for them too. The communists may have gone but "punitive psychiatry" is still very much with us.

*source: The Week magazine

Telegraph also run details of this horrific story.

P.S. Larisa Arap is a member of the United Civil Front - the opposition party of Garry Kasparov, ex-chess champion. She has been "discharged" few days ago.

Islamic Republic of Fear

Iran makes a grotesque spectacle of itself

The rest of the world may be more concerned about Iran's nuclear ambitions. But for many Iranians, the issue that has begun to outweigh other troubles, such as poverty, unemployment and the danger of war with America, is human rights.

*The Economist

Armenia vs Portugal Euro 2008: Draw which equals to Victory

Another great day for Armenian football!

I am extremely happy to witness continuous resurgence of Armenian football. Well done, guys! Congrats to all of us! It is delightful to see the kind of confidence and quality which was displayed by our national team against world class footballers. Do not be surprised if in time you read world media's shock of Armenia's draw or defeat like they do it now for current favourites. You never know with Armenia :)

Here are just some of the headlines which caught my eyes:

Goal.com
Qualifier Report: Poor Portugal Held By Animated Armenia
A great move from Cristiano Ronaldo saved Portuguese honour in Erevan as the visitors suffered an early goal and only harvested a meagre point from their away fixture. The result is a let-down for Scolari and his men and postpones Portugal's chances of making it through to Switzerland and Austria next year... A bad day for Portugal that delays the long-awaited classification for the Euro 2008 and leaves Coach Felipão stewing in his own juice.

Sky Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo partially saved Portugal's blushes in Armenia
Prior to kick-off and Portugal had hoped victory against Armenia would push them closer to Euro 2008 qualifying Group A leaders Poland, but a 1-1 draw on their travels will be deemed a hugely disappointing result. And it could have been so much worse, for on 12 minutes, Armenia had the temerity to take the lead courtesy of Robert Arzumanyan's surprise opener.

Sporting Life
Portugal's star-studded team could not overcome their eastern European counterparts in the second half as Armenia held on for their third surprise result in a row, having defeated Kazakhstan and Poland in the last set of fixtures.

AP
"The draw is a logical result for the match," Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. "We definitely came here to win, but Armenia played quality soccer today."

"Today it was a beautiful evening for Armenian soccer," Armenia coach Ian Porterfield said.

In the meantime, as Arsineh pointed out in Life in Armenia, "It feels great to be Armenian today. That's all I have to say. Armenians from all around the world and Armenia itself filled the streets of Yerevan to celebrate together... drums and tamborines, even metal ashtrays were used as make-shift noise makers. Amazing! Even the seed stand guy was all smiles and chatty tonight."

Armenian Army Abuses Go Unchecked

Defence minister pledges to clean up poor practice, but conscripts say corruption and violence are still rife.

According to Zhanna Aleksanian, a journalist and human rights activist who has extensively researched abuses in the military, "Bribery is commonplace in the army. Beatings and violence meted out by officers are not even discussed. Parents prefer to remain silent on this issue, as they do not want to harm their sons even more."

Full story by Institute for War and Peace Reporting - here

Is this the final split up for System Of A Down?

*picture via myspace.com/soad (left to right): John Dolmayan (drums); Daron Malakian (guitar); Serj Tankian (vocals) and Shavo Odadjian (bass)

OK, they do not like using words "splitting up" or "breaking up", instead preferring "hiatus". But in reality, they all gone their separate ways:

Serj is working on his solo album Elect the Dead (due 23 October) and managing his record label.

Shavo is working with a band Achozen which has not yet released any songs.

John is managing his comics business and, as announced on Thursday, partnered up with Daron on his new project.

Daron is working on his new project - Scars on Broadway ... and yesterday posted the following update on his myspace page:

"Hey everyone. I just wanted to give you all an update on what's goin' on with my new band Scars On Broadway. I have partnered up with John Dolmayan who is playing drums, and I'm on vocals and guitar, etc. Accompanied by some great musicians, we are preparing to go into the studio really soon to record our debut album. John and I are really excited about this new project and can't wait to get on stage and perform live for you guys. Till then, keep a close eye on the Scars on Broadway myspace page http://www.myspace.com/scarsonbroadway, and official website http://www.scarsonbroadway.com, for the latest news, and music......and prepare to be SCARRED FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daron Malakian"

*picture via Wikipedia

This announcement by Daron, in practice, formalised their break-up. Well, in future, they may do re-union tours, like other bands do, but...

Is this the end of era for SOAD? I wish I could be proved wrong, but I am afraid the answer is Yes...

Hunk Putin? - No, thank you!

He made world headlines again, not for his actions or policy, but for his body. In an attempt to ammend his image with 'sexy macho' touch, he shows off his judo trained physique. In short, Putin goes fishing and strips off.

But the most hilarious picture with excellent Spiegel commentary is this one:

"Here Putin appears to be auditioning for a part in a Village People tribute show. We know the 80s are back, Vlads, but can a world leader really pull off fingerless leather gloves? And why the shrubbery in the belt?"

In case you can't get enough of these pictures, there are more here

*source of pictures: Reuters and DPA

Faithless - Bombs

According to some reports, MTV's main channel would not play this anti-war music video "Bombs" by Faithless considering it too 'controversial'.

Arts review Yerevan: Michael De Marsche unveiled as director of Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art in Yerevan

In what has been described by some as “shocking news”, it was announced today that well known and highly successful Michael De Marsche resigned as director of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center to become the new director of the Gerald L. Cafesjian Museum Foundation in Yerevan.

*Michael De Marsche (picture by The Gazette)

It’s interesting and very indicative - the way this news presented here:

“In what has got to be described as shocking news, Michael De Marsche resigned as director of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center on August 9, just seven days after the new David Owen Tryba-designed wing was unveiled.

Even more shocking is why: He’s becoming the new director of the Gerald L. Cafesjian Museum Foundation in Yerevan, Armenia! I couldn’t make this stuff up.

Yerevan, by the way, is the capital of the country, and the foundation, established by entrepreneur Cafesjian, is currently constructing a huge new cultural facility that will serve as a permanent home for his extensive collection of modern art as well as a venue for traveling exhibitions. "

As a huge fan and admirer of modern art, I am very excited with this news and the fact that very soon, hopefully by the end of year or so, as initially planned, Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art – Yerevan MoMA, will open its doors to public. This will enable Yerevan to rival London’s Tate Modern, New York’s MoMa and others, and establish our capital as a major cultural destination. It will host Cafesjian’s permanent art collection, comprising of works in glass by internationally known artists Stanislav Libenski and Yaroslava Brichtova, paintings by Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall, and the distinctive sculptures of Fernando Botero, as well as influential traveling exhibitions. The arts centre will include open air cinema, decorative pool, sculpture park, and public spaces for arts education, seminars and discussions. At last, our capital will be put on the map of major modern art centres in the world and current church-filled image of our country will hopefully get much anticipated other dimensions. Here is a hint to people who are behind tourism industry and promotional travel clips of Armenia – no more churches, please!

For background info, read articles by ArmeniaNow here and here

As part of Cafesjian Museum of Modern Art, Yerevan has already became home to a number of fascinating works by world famous contemporary artists (source of pictures - ArmeniaNow and Cafesjian Museum Foundation):

Fernando Botero "Cat"

Fernando Botero "Roman Warrior"

Barry Flanagan "Hare on Bell"

Barry Flanagan "Acrobats"

Stanislav Libensky / Yaroslava Brichtova "Open Window"

Lynn Chadwick "Sitting Forms"

Lynn Chadwick "Stairway"

Arts review London: Warhol vs Banksy

If you happened to be in London, the coolest weekend opening is Warhol vs Banksy exhibition at intimate The Hospital venue in London Covent Garden. I was there today and enjoyed it in full. Highly recommend it. I never thought or realised before that Andy Warhol has had such an influence on Banksy, so this exhibit was quite a revelation for me.

Here is just one example: Kate Moss (2005) by Banksy vs. Merilyn (1967) by Warhol:

There are more and better works by both artists at The Hospital; the exhibition is from 10th of August until 1st of September.

I’ve seen many of Andy Warhol’s works, but Double Exposure self-portrait was a discovery for me today - it's just fantastic, really, really. I wish I could buy at least a poster of it but nothing was on sale.

From The Hospital press release:

“A face to face show of classic drawings and paintings by Andy Warhol set against the infamous graffiti work of Banksy. The Hospital Gallery is delighted to present Warhol Vs Banksy; the first exhibition anywhere by the world’s two hottest artists today. Campbell’s or Tesco? Grace Kelly, Muhammad Ali, Winston Churchill, Mick Jagger, Queen Elizabeth, The Beatles, Smiley Man police statue, Andy Warhol himself and others make for a potent cocktail of celebrity, satire and voyeurism. Upon contact opposing pictures are explosive for their contrast, even of the same subject.”

Serj Tankian - The Unthinking Majority

Just released. Powerful stuff from Serj Tankian (System Of A Down). Love it. Well done, Serj!



From Serj Tankian's statement:

The "Unthinking Majority" is a song that I needed to release now, before my record or single comes out, to make a statement about the current catastrophe of our failing democracy. It is unlike any other song on my solo record [Elect the Dead] and meant to inspire collective action...

White House "gave in" and withdrew Hoagland's nomination as its envoy to Armenia

It's official - White House gave in to Senate pressure and withdrew nomination of Richard Hoagland as ambassador to Armenia - exceptional move by US administration standards! The news was first reported by The California Courier more than two weeks ago. However, it was denied by US embassy in Yerevan just couple of days ago.

Today's official confirmation follows months of pressure upon administration, to formally acknowledge Armenian Genocide of 1915, by various political circles, Senators, Armenian lobby and, most prominently, Senator Robert Menendez who repeatedly blocked Hoagland's nomination for his refusal to acknowledge Armenian Genocide during Senate hearings on his appointment. It is widely believed that Hoagland's predecessor John Evans was forced into early retirement after publicly acknowledging the Genocide.

I must say that by refusing to recognise Armenian genocide Hoagland merely followed official White House line, like I suppose any other ambassador would have done. Whether today's announcement is an indication of change in policy of US administration in relation to Armenian Genocide issue; the growing "importance" of US/Armenia high level relationships in the region or just an indication of coming election year in the US, remains to be seen. I wonder what will be the next ambassador designate's answer to Senator Robert Menendez Armenian Genocide question if the nomination process goes through the Senate as usual?

Not to miss: Robert Fisk's lecture in Yerevan

...Threats, Lies & Videotape,
the Armenian Genocide and
Western Betrayal in the Middle East

Date: August 2, 2007, from 19:00 to 20:30
Place: American University of Armenia, Small Auditorium
Speaker: Robert Fisk, The Independent's (London) award-winning Middle East correspondent

Gorbachev as new Louis Vuitton 'model' - oh dear...

New York Times' Eric Wilson reports:

"A decade ago, Mr. Gorbachev’s appearance in a Pizza Hut commercial was generally greeted as a low point in his career.

The Vuitton ad, however, is part of a campaign to emphasize the company’s heritage in luggage and travel accessories. Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, the ads include other celebrities using Vuitton bags: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf cuddling in a hotel room, their bags not yet unpacked; Catherine Deneuve resting on a trunk in front of a steaming locomotive; and Mr. Gorbachev in the back of a car with a duffel bag on the seat next to him. Of the group, Mr. Gorbachev appears the least comfortable. He is holding on to a door handle, as if the bag contained polonium 210.

It seems unlikely he will be approached by L’Oréal. "

They, Us and Liberty

Why on earth they went into trouble to stage the parliamentarian show if they could effectively cease Liberty’s national broadcast using mere technicality: not signing a new contract? Are they that stupid? Or was that just pilot testing? It seems to me that they rely on tiredness and apathy of population and… yes, summer vacation season (even president is away on vacation now – right timing, Mr. Kocharyan!). They thought that they will exhaust the anger, protests etc, and now when they attempt at it again, no one will have strength to protest, everyone will be tired of it, and… it will be very hot outside. Were they right? I am afraid so… Will they succeed? I hope no…

‘Eternal optimist’

*previous posts on the topic: here, here and here

Le Voyage en Arménie (Armenia)

film premier and Q&A in London, Barbican Arts Centre, 5 July 2007

I liked the film. It was simple and complex, with Guediguian style humour which I like and which made the audience, myself including, to laugh a lot and to think a lot. Identity, Diaspora, corruption, freedom, homeland, love, family, communism/capitalism… these were just a small selection of issues touched by this film.

The only storyline that I did not particularly like was the one related to Armenian lapdancer turned hairdresser. At the end, it turned out to be too much of a fairy-tale; other than that, and overall, I would certainly recommend it. I do not intend providing here with the review of this film, it’s available elsewhere, and here is the original trailer:



I’d rather share my impressions from Q&A session after the film. I must say that the film was very well received by the audience, mainly non-Armenian. Afterwards, my non-Armenian friends asked me to keep them posted in case of any future showcase of Armenian film or art in London, which I will certainly do.

Interestingly, same day and time, Armenian Institute in London organised an evening with Mark Grigoryan, producer from the Russian Service of BBC who recently visited newly restored Armenian church on Akhtamar Island in current Turkey. As if there are so many Armenia-related events in London, they organised it same day. For that reason, many people who would like to attend both events were forced to make a choice.

Anyway, back to the Q&A. It lasted quite long, more than an hour, and it was almost as interesting as watching the film. It was presented by Time Out London critique Dave Calhoun. Along with director Robert Guediguian, also present were Ariane Ascaride (Anna – the main heroine of the film) and Simon Abkarian (Sarkis Arabian), talented actor of Armenian origin. He turned out to be nice guy too. I had a chat with him after the screening; and was quite impressed.

*these pictures were taken by me during Q&A: Robert Guediguian (far right); Dave Calhoun; Ariane Ascaride, Simon Abkarian (far left).

Guediguian is half German, Ariane has Itallian roots, and they are life partners. Simon is ethnic Armenian from Lebanon who lives in France now. And here we are – the issue of identity, in fact, multiple identities. Simon in this case referred to the right-wing French proposal on one national identity, and he said that he refuses to consider himself within a ‘box’ with proposed one identity attached to it. He’d rather go for multiple identities which are not in conflict with each other but rather parallel to each other and help to understand complex identity issues in contemporary world. The same may be applied to others, e.g. Scottish and British and so on.

For Robert Guediguian and Arian Ascaride, the most exciting in Armenia were people, human factor. Despite all difficulties and socialism/capitalism transformations, they found kind of warmness, openness among people in Armenia which is lacking in modern Western world.

According to Guediguian, there were differences in the ways Armenians from Armenia and Diaspora perceived the film. While Armenians from Armenia liked the fact that the film presents both positive and negative aspects of Armenia, in Diaspora people prefer seeing only positive Armenian image. When I told about this one of my close friends who is British Armenian, she said that it is because Armenians who live in Armenia are comfortable with being Armenian, and it’s their routine, while for Diaspora Armenians, Armenia is still something like a dream and they want to associate with Armenia, their dream, only positive aspects…

They showed the film in Yerevan and those villages where they shot it, using improvised screens. Ariane said that despite lacking adequate number of cinemas, people in Armenia seem to know and like films, and she was impressed by the fact that they recognised her and her films. She got an impression that the main source of films and cinema-related news for Armenians is TV.

I remember that during Soviet period, along with cinemas, other sources of films were videos and TV programmes which at least once a week were devoted to world cinema. Surprisingly, being in London, I discovered that through our Armenian TV programmes I saw films (and it was during Soviet period!) which were censored by British Film rating agencies or just recently released here.

After the Soviet period, during difficult early years of independence, when people stopped attending cinemas and most cinemas were closed due to economy, or being transformed into other businesses etc, the main source of films, along with national and Russian TV, became local cable TV. Luckily, nowadays cinemas started slowly regaining their role; also, DVDs became one of the main sources of world cinema. Unfortunately, main cinemas in Yerevan most frequently show blockbusters, and Armenians who like independent, arthouse cinema are lacking choices and mainly rely on DVDs. I hope, in time, I will be able to have my favourite hangout at independent cinema in Yerevan, something like Curzon Soho in London, which I love.

Back to the Q&A, Simon Abgarian pointed out some of his observed negative aspects of evolving capitalism in Armenia. Diasporan Armenians started buying apartments or homes in Yerevan, and prices became too high for many locals, who can no longer afford buying properties... Also, some ‘new Armenians’ do not shy away from building their villas in the middle of very poor neighbourhoods…

Ariane authored the script of the film. At first, she did not wanna go to Armenia, like her heroine Anna in the film, but when she went, following Guediguian’s request, she fall in love with Armenia, with people, and she went back again, with a recorder. She said that it was good that she did not know language, it enabled her to look at everything as outsider. She asked some of her Armenain male friends to take her to places that men go, to spend time the way men do. Then she asked Marie Desplechin, who is writing children books, to actually write the script for her, based on recorded ‘diaries’.

*Here is the short clip which I filmed during Q&A after London premier of Le Voyage en Arménie (Armenia), at Barbican Centre in London, 5 July 2007. In conversation with Time Out's critique Dave Calhoun; also present were director Robert Guediguian (far left) and actor Simon Abkarian (far right). I call it "Ariane Ascaride: Falling in love with Armenia":



***

Ariane Ascaride was named best actress for her role in French-Armenian director Robert Guediguian's Armenia at Rome's inaugural film festival (October 2006).
At the award ceremony, in halting Italian, Ascaride said: "You can't imagine how happy I feel ... to have an award in Rome, in Italy, because my father's parents are Italian. It feels like coming home."

The film Armenia relates the story of a voyage of initiation for Anna (Ascaride), a young woman from Marseille, France, who reluctantly travels to Armenia in search of her ailing, elderly father who wanted to see his native Armenia before he died. This becomes a very personal story of discovery through the land of her father.

"It's a role and a personality that I invented personally, since I wrote the script with Marie Desplechin," Ascaride told AFP. "I had a very strong desire to talk about this country, Armenia, and I also wanted to confront this issue of roots ... that you haven't yet gone to look for."
Also, she said, "I wanted to give a gift to Robert Guediguian [her life partner]. He had long been wanting to do something on Armenia, but it was easier for me" as he was too emotionally attached to the country.

*images from film

Armenia Achieves One Of The Highest GDP Growth In The World With 11.2%

When will we see similar trends in relation to the state of democracy and human rights in Armenia?

Good news received via Huliq.com (source: Banks.am - Mediamax):

The growth of Armenia’s GDP in January-June of 2007 totaled 11,2%, as compared to the same period of 2006.

As the press service of the National Statistical Service of Armenia told Mediamax today, the GDP volume in January-June of 2007 totaled 944845.7 mln drams.

The volume of industrial production in the republic in January-June of 2007 stood at 327954.9 mln drams, having increased by 1.4%, as compared to the same period of 2006.

The average monthly salary in Armenia in January-June of 2007 increased by 20.5%, as compared to the same period of 2006, thus making 71344 drams [around $ 211, based on current Central Bank exchange rate, as of 20 July 2007: 1 $ - 337.57 drams].

The salary of budget organizations has increased by 22.1%, making 52491 drams [around $ 155] during the accounting period, and the salary of non-budget organizations stood at 88961 drams (growth – 20.1%) [around $ 263].

Remembering Magician...

*image from Namakani film

To the bright memory of Sergei Parajanov...

This film was made at Hayk studio in Yerevan (Armenia) in 1995; written and directed by Andrei Ayrapetov (for his Diploma work). It contains rare footage of Parajanov just months before his death... 20 July 1990



more in Unzipped: Gay Armenia

Directory of Political Parties in Armenia

This Directory of Political Parties in Armenia was developed by the Foundation for Civil and Social Development (FCSD) with support from the USAID Civic Advocacy Support Program (CASP) and OSCE Yerevan office.

Directory contains contact information, program goals and objectives of political parties officially registered and functioning in Armenia as of 10.01.2007 (in total, 75 political parties included), as well as their positions and approaches to economic, political, social, cultural, scientific-educational, ideological and a range of other issues. The information is presented based on the answers of political parties collected by the Foundation during the survey.

Directory is accessible online at http://www.fcsd.am/ (in Armenian and English)

Yerevan - London, construction/road works - construction/road works...

There are construction/road works going on throughout central Yerevan and this became one of the central topics of discussion in Armenian blogosphere: here, here, here and here

I must say that nowadays similar situation you may observe in London too - throughout central London you may see construction/road works on main streets... Understandably, in both capitals, this creates significant inconvenience for people who live or work there, tourists and motorists. I cannot comment on differences in quality of construction/road works between Yerevan and London, since have no insight into the issue. However, when I said that there is "similar situation" in London, I was mainly referring to the fact of works taking place.

Below are my London pictures. Compare them to the pictures taken by Onnik Krikorian in Yerevan streets, and you will note one big difference. In Yerevan, as Onnik rightly pointed out, "building materials and debris left lying around have made a three or four minute journey a safety hazard for pedestrians and motorists alike." In London, all construction works are isolated by special road work barriers. Relatively simple thing to do, which will make Yerevan roads safer.

Yerevan:

London:

Yerevan:

London:

*source of Yerevan pictures - Onnik Krikorian/Oneworld Multimedia