Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category

What else does it take….?

Wednesday, February 28th, 2007

Armenialiberty.org reports on some shocking news. A 44 year old father of 4, Jivan Hakopian, from the Armavir region, set himself alight by pouring petrol on himself and chanted anti-government slogans outside the main government buildings in Yerevan. He was taken to hospital but died later.

His family are not commenting, and the Mayor of […]

On A Eurovision Mission?

Friday, February 16th, 2007

Well, it’s that time of year again.. for the second time at least…A joke in the UK, huge in France, and even bigger in Eastern Europe - The Eurovision song contest is a chance for small, often ignored nations, to show themselves to the world through culture…or cheesy pop. Whatever your take on […]

Armenian American Idol

Thursday, February 1st, 2007

Wednesday night we ended up watching American Idol’s L.A. auditions on the Fox network. Last night’s program finally televised an Armenian American from Southern California. I really don’t have the nerve to describe what I saw as this performance was beyond anything I have ever seen on national television. Check out Martik Manoukian’s unusual American […]

“Arigato, sayonara?” - “Non!”

Saturday, January 13th, 2007

nternational Herald Tribune (Herald Asahi) 12 January 2007 :Even at 82, Charles Aznavour–the Armenian-French giant of chanson–has kept the rich baritone voice that lifts his sentimental pop songs into the sublime, winning fans the world over. In February, Aznavour will bring his extended “farewell tour” to Japan.

Landmark Court Ruling. Justice? Or Just a show?

Saturday, December 23rd, 2006

Armenialiberty.org reports on the plight of the 3 Armenian army conscripts accused last year of murdering two fellow soldiers in Karabagh. Whilst the military prosecutors charged the soldiers with murder,one of the conscripts claimed he was forced into confession through torture, and subsequently withdrew his “confession”

Human rights groups have been criticising the trial for […]

“Pari Louse” Talk-Show Concludes

Friday, December 15th, 2006

Glendale, CA: Local Armenian-Diasporian (community firebrand) morning-talk-show host Stepan Partamian ceased his long time running “Pari Louse” program today, as he will be working on other pressing endeavors.

Since 2000, the Armenian Arts organization has been a pioneer in introducing open dialogue through the airwaves. The Armenian Arts program, airing on local Armenian television in […]

Nation without an Anthem

Wednesday, December 6th, 2006

Well, we’re used to stupid and illogical things happening here in Armenia, but it has to be said that that this time round we’ve probably outdone ourselves. After the falsified referendum to amend the Constitution last year, Armenia has to adopt a new national anthem by 6 December. Right, that’s today and, right again, no […]

Return of the Mkhitarist Fathers

Saturday, December 2nd, 2006

Mkhitarist Seminary, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / CNEWA One Magazine 2006
I’ve been a little quiet of late because of work and in particular an article and photos that I had to produce for One Magazine, a publication of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA). After viewing my Lightstalkers portfolio, the magazine’s […]

Deti Picasso Reviewed

Thursday, November 30th, 2006

I first heard the music of Deti Picasso two years ago and liked what I heard. Too often, most contemporary Armenian music falls into one of three categories — traditional, rabiz, very mediocre pop, or a combination of all three. Add to that the unfortunate tendency for most rock bands here in Armenia to content […]

Notes from the Armenian Blogosphere

Tuesday, November 28th, 2006

What is it about Armenians? Doesn’t matter if something is worth supporting or not? As long as there’s an Armenian connection it must be pushed even if it isn’t right. One case in point is Silva, a new pop star in Armenia who somehow made it into the selection of songs for the BBC World […]