Shushi is - and always will be - an Armenian Town

There is an Armenian fund created not too long ago trying to revitalize Shushi, in the hopes of giving the town a new breath and establishing this medieval city as a must visit destination in the Caucasus. Visit their site (not the best site, but a good start): http://shoushi.org/en/index.php

Many of the readers know that a few years ago, Lara and I had bought ourselves a small house in Shushi. During that time, the government was also (supposedly) giving out abandoned, semi-destroyed houses for free with the condition that the new owners would start renovations within 6 months. I have recently heard from Shushi officials that there are no more private homes available to give away. If anyone wishes to own a home, they would have to buy it from the existing owners – and existing owners have started to raise their prices to the equivalent of Stepanakert real-estate.

All this to say that Shushi is finally, but very slowly, starting to get the attention it deserves. The diaspora and the Armenian authorities have neglected it for far too long. I believe that this is a piece of land that should not be compromised during the peace talks with our neighboring azeries.

Turkey prepares for border opening while Armenia sleeps

To all those who are interested in the eventual consequences of the opening of the Turkish borders, please take a look at how Turkey is preparing its tourism agenda for the region of Kars: http://www.globalheritagefund.org/where/kars_page2.html

They have made sure to carefully revitalize the Armenian Town of Kars an by doing so, perhaps erasing much of the Armenian cultural remanence in and around the town. They make sure to name the town as Ottoman City without any reference to its almost entirely Armenian populated history.

AIPRG held a conference recently on the economic implications for both sides of the border after its opening. It is clear to us all that the closing of the border is called Blockade which is (as Richard Giraggosian put it) an act of war. The conference shed much light on some issues that required immediate attention. I am referring to Armenia’s plan in Gyumri. Much has been accomplished in the earthquake zones of Gyumri thanks to the efforts of non-governmental orgs such as the Urban Institute, Jinishyan Memorial Fund, Lincy Foundation and many more. However, the economic initiatives are still to be developed. Investment has been made in the clothing manufacturing and Beer industry, but they are too little to account as major investments. I think the conference has triggered some interest in the region and I am hopeful that big changes are on the way in Gyumri.

The Not So Calm After the Storm

Well, I anticipated a nice long and restful weekend for once after all the rallies and protests and vigils. It wasn't meant to be. Work is consistently increasing and never slows down. But I can at least say I had fun. Saturday night was a bit of home in our new home. A group of us rented out a theater space to watch Borat. I haven't heard people laugh that hard in my life. We continued to a new Irish Pub where we felt Irish for the night. There was lots of Guiness and toasting and spontaneous singing going on. Bambir's Nareg came equipt with his guitar and natural speed... seriously, the guy is the most hyper spaz I've ever seen, but a nice guy.

That leads me into the next night. Bambir gave their first real show in Yerevan since May when they left for LA. Stop Club was PACKED and hot and smokey. Blekh. But what a show. Those guys have really taken off and will keep going.

Yesterday was the typical chaotic busy day as usual, but thank God I love my work. We ended the day with a nice evening at the Avant Garde Folk Club for the Trio Bravo, or Bravo Trio... not sure. But they were amazing. I still don't know where they are from... Germany, or Eastern Europe, or something.

Now I'm being nudged to go to see the Time Report at the Folk Club. Remind me again, exactly when do things die down in Yerevan? I don't believe it anymore.

And I leave for Geneva this weekend to do a photoshoot of SoloDuo for the next Pomegranate Music CD production. Looking forward to seeing a new city. :)

More photos while I'm at it...

Couldn't have said it any better...

The following article was forwarded to me. Worth the read. It seems this sentiment is growing louder and louder in Turkish borders.


HRANT IS KILLED, LET ALL LIARS SHUT-UP

by Ayşe Günaysu

Everyone who says that this was an attack on Turkey, everyone who talks about the sinister games played on Turkey, everyone who talks about the timing of this attack coinciding with foreign parliaments' making decisions on the "alleged" genocide, and thus trying to disguise the fact that Hrant Dink was being tried because he said "genocide" and was receiving threats because of this, and everyone who is protecting the real murderer, that is the ones who are allowing Union and Progress' covert operator, lyncher, rabid spirit to still live on, has a share of responsibility.

The Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk, who yelled from the podiums of the congress that the ones who were organizing the Armenian conference were stabbing the Turkish people in the back, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer who vetoed the law proposal dealing with minority foundations on the grounds that it would strengthen minorities, the district attorneys who turn a blind eye on thousands of cases of torture, convictions without trial, unknown culprits taken into custody and lost, but processed and tried the alleged "notices of guilt" that are devoid of the most elementary notions of universal law, the newspaper Hurriyet that in the days Hrant Dink declared he was going to look for justice in the European Human Rights Courts, made front page news with the head of the Greek foundations who said he wouldn't go to European Human Rights Courts as he trusted the Turkish Justice system, called him a true citizen, and therefore whomever tried to look for justice in the European H.R. Courts was shown as a target, branded as "so-called/pseudo" citizen, and, before Hrant's blood was even dry, the Turkish Television stations that for hours debated a litany of provocation by relating it to the law proposal pending in the United States Congress, are all a part of this murder, they have a responsibility.

Everybody who says that this was an attack on Turkey is lying. Because this attack was made possible by Turkey herself therefore, Turkey is responsible. This attack was made possible by the government that has implemented article 301, as protection against only the denigration of Turkishness, not of all identities, thus providing a legal basis for aggression, and it was made possible by an entire population of Turkey who didn't reject this article.

Everybody who, instead of feeling shame faced with the murder of Hrant Dink, instead of saying "we are all guilty", worried about Turkey's dignity, from the officials to the opinion leaders, they are all lying, they are trying to disguise their guilt. Let all the liars shut up.

And you shut up too please, democratic journalists like Altan Oymen. If you are not refusing to answer questions that link the murder of Hrant to the genocide recognition proposal in the US Congress, and do not see a problem replying to them, if you are not refusing to be disrespectful to the pain of the Armenian people by making such connections, if you are not rejecting to thus support the ones who are trying to fool people with conspiracy theories by foreign influences aimed at the Turkish people, just to exonerate our own murderers, shut up, all of you shut up.

LET ALL LIARS SHUT UP. HRANT'S WOUNDS ARE STILL BLEEDING.

Thank you, Turkey

Thank you for your shock, your anger and your participation. The funeral is another important sign to me that understanding is growing, change is coming. The New York Times article was excellent.

Armenians, please understand that many Turks have been brainwashed and do not know the truth. They cannot all be held responsible any more than Americans can all be held responsible for Iraq, or the Soviet Armenians could all be held responsible for the gulags of the Soviet Union.

Let this huge loss lead to something better.... it seems already to have had consequences I could not imagine.

Hrant Dink Rally in Freedom Square, Yerevan

Here's a quick photo from today's rally. Over 5000 people attended on last minute notification. More info later.

Public Rally today at 1pm-Freedom Square

Just a quick reminder, please attend the rally. Press Release repeated below.


PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Raffi Niziblian
+ 374 93 99 22 11
raffinizi@yahoo.ca


Armenia to Hold Parallel Gathering to Remember Hrant Dink

On Tuesday, January 23, at 1 pm Yerevan time, a public rally will be held in Freedom Square to bid good-bye to Turkish-born Armenian Newspaper Editor Hrant Dink. The rally, scheduled to coincide with the funeral procession to take place in Istanbul, will offer those in Armenia an opportunity to publicly pay homage to their compatriot who was slain on Friday, January 19.

The organizers are calling on all those in the capital to join them to announce to the world that Armenians share Dink's dream of dialogue and peace among peoples.

The site of the mass rally – Freedom Square – is appropriate, given Dink's commitment to that basic human right.

Photos, Demos, and more

Here are some photos from yesterday's march towards EU Commision Headquarters. Also in the mix is a flyer for a demonstration in France.

Dink's funeral. Will the whole subject be buried?

I don't know how I feel about being exactly right about the motive of the murderer of Hrant Dink. On the one hand I wish I was wrong, on the other, I'd have a hard time believing any other reason.

It all unfolded so quickly... they released the pictures, the boys father turned him in (that must have been very hard, but my god I am so thankful to him) and they nabbed the culprit. He apparently was directed and funded by a local Turkish man who trained in Azerbaijan with Chechen terrorists. Maybe I was hoping I was wrong. Maybe the fact that there were people behind it - rather than just a single, misguided soul scare me even more. But the reaction of many Turks has certainly gone a long way towards giving me hope.

I still have mixed feelings about the whole "this was a shot at Turkey" we have heard so much. The blame, as I originally said and still believe lies squarely at the doorstep of the Turkish government. They prosecuted him on a MISQUOTE - not even for a correct one, and convicted him, and upheld it, when numerous others were let off for much "worse". They made him well known, simply for saying the sort of normal thing that is said around the world, and behind closed doors in Turkey. These facts led to his shooting. If article 301 is meant to silence people, the gunman merely enforced the law. The intent of the law, rather than the letter of the law.

The media coverage again and again mentioned that Turkey and Armenia do not have diplomatic relations. Never once did they mention that the Armenian side of the border has always been open - but the Turks have closed it for one reason or another. Same with relations. Armenia has always been ready for unconditional diplomatic relations. Turkey has refused consistently. First it demanded that newly independent Armenia renounce any claims to its lands (claims which it had never made), and then changed its demand to having the Armenians pull out of Karabakh (even as they continue their illegal occupation of N. Cyprus for 3 decades), and also have threatened Armenia not to bring up the genocide issue internationally. And that's just with Armenia proper. In Turkey the Armenians are still not allowed to bequeath any property to the Armenian organizations/church there. The church may not buy any property, may not re-open a seminary, repair buildings without red tapes meant to block it, have trouble with confiscated schools, graveyards being taken. And of course, they continue to actively deny the genocide abroad and teach Turks it never happened.

How evil can you be to a tiny neighbor that you nearly wiped off the face of the earth? And then for the president and all these members of government to say, oh yes, this was an attack on Turkey. Bullshit. This was Turkish government policy reaching its logical conclusion. It is, I insist, the fault of the Turkish government.

Some people say, oh, is it too much to hope article 301 will be dropped because of this? That is NOTHING. That's a drop in the ocean. Look at the list I compiled above. Is it too much to ask for EVERYTHING to be rectified? For the government to step forward and tell the people they have been lied to, that many wrongs need to corrected and there is no better time than the present?

With the Turkish peoples reaction, I have seen hope, but not with their governments. I was truly amazed at the coverage the story got, and relieved. When I first read the 2 lines on RFE/RL, I thought that this was all the coverage the story would get, and this poor man would be forgotten forever. Now I have some hope that he will be a touchstone of change. Even Turks too blinded by their governments propaganda or too proud to be able to accept the genocide as a possibility have been outraged and shown respect for Hrant.

I hope a memorial will be placed where he was shot down. I think a fitting one would be a khachkar. It would be physical proof that things are changing. That a big Armenian cross can be placed in central Istanbul and people can simply accept it.

In the end though Hrant is gone. I doubt if the small and trodden-upon Armenian community will find a new leader like him. I don't know if others will want to risk their lives the way he was willing to. He left a wife and three children behind. He seemed almost to see the assassination coming. His last column was about the threats he was receiving and the unwillingness of the government to do anything about it. The day he died, he wrote this (which is also a condemnation of the Armenian government, fittingly, from a man who just wanted what was right in this world):

To stay and resist

But if we go, where then?

To Armenia?

But to what extent could a person like me tolarete the injustice as intolerant as I am at this issue? Wouldn't I find myself in greater troubles there?

To go and live in European countries wasn't my style either.

I know myself. After three days abroad, I miss my country. What should I do there?

Ease makes me uneasy!

To leave "boiling hells" and go to "ready heavens" was against my understanding.

We were sort of people desiring to turn hell to heaven.

To stay and live in Turkey was our real wish and and also a must of respect towards all of our known and unknown friends giving the struggle of democracy in Turkey and supporting us.

We would stay and resist.

However if someday we had to go, then we would go like in 1915... like our ancestors... Without knowing where to go.... Walking on the roads they had walked.... Feeling their pain and agony...

With such a reproach we would leave our country. And we would not go to the place of our heart but where our feet went. To whatever place it was.

Continued Rememberance of Dink in Yerevan

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Raffi Niziblian
+ 374 93 99 22 11
raffinizi@yahoo.ca

Armenia to Hold Parallel Gathering to Remember Hrant Dink

On Tuesday, January 23, at 1 pm Yerevan time, a public rally will be held in Freedom Square to bid good-bye to Turkish-born Armenian Newspaper Editor Hrant Dink. The rally, scheduled to coincide with the funeral procession to take place in Istanbul, will offer those in Armenia an opportunity to publicly pay homage to their compatriot who was slain on Friday, January 19.

The organizers are calling on all those in the capital to join them to announce to the world that Armenians share Dink's dream of dialogue and peace among peoples.

The site of the mass rally – Freedom Square – is appropriate, given Dink's commitment to that basic human right.

Voice your outrage

Everyone keeps asking me what they can do in the wake of Dink's assasination. The first thig you can do is send an email to President Bush at the following address:

http://capwiz.com/anca/issues/alert/?alertid=9270991&type=PR

Feel free to send the same to PM Tony Blair or any other leaders who have bowed down to the Turkish Government over the years. Make sure they are held accountable for this crime. And for all the Turks reaching out to us, keep doing what you are doing. Don't let the Turkish Government brush off the responsibility onto a 17 year old kid. That 17 year old kid got the idea from the oppressive violent hateful environment in which he was raised. That 17 year old kid was allowed to get away with this murder because no one stopped him. To the Turks reading this, make sure your government makes the changes necessary to protect freedom of speech in your country.

Vigil scheduled in DC

I may live in Armenia, but I can still promote DC events. For those in the DC area, please see below and join the vigil at the Turkish Embassy in DC:


The Armenian American Community Condemns the Murder of prominent journalist Hrant Dink in Turkey

When: Sunday, January 21, 2007 @ 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: In front of the Turkish Embassy, 2525 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, DC 20008

His murder is not an isolated act, but rather the direct result of Turkey's official and increasingly aggressive policy of Armenian Genocide denial.

BACKGROUND ON HRANT DINK: Editor of the Armenian/Turkish bi-lingual newspaper, AGOS, Dink was a prominent journalist in Turkey who championed freedom of expression. Persecuted for his outspoken references to the Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century, Turkish courts recently upheld a six-month suspended sentence against Dink for “insulting Turkishness”. Several other prominent voices of dissent against the Turkish Government’s official policy of genocide denial have been similarly charged under Article 301 of the Turkish penal code. The code, a continuation of previous penal codes outlawing discussion of the Armenian Genocide, continues to draw sharp criticism from the European Union, which Turkey hopes to join. Recently featured in the anti-genocide movie, SCREAMERS, Dink spoke openly about the Armenian Genocide and the pressures on those in Turkey trying to come to terms with that bloody part of their history.

Organized by the: Armenian Revolutionary Federation Washington-Sebouh Gomideh, Armenian National Committee of Greater Washington, Armenian Youth Federation Washington-Ani Chapter

For More Information Contact: Paul Jamushian 703-521-5955, Serouj Aprahamian 951-316-6351, Brenda Nourian Tricha 202-256-1581

Vigil for Hrant Dink

Approximately 100 Armenians from Armenia and the Diaspora gathered together at Aznavour Square in downtown Yerevan to mourn the death of Hrant Dink and express their outrage towards the tragedy. See photos below.

Protest and Vigil to take place in Yerevan

I just met with some fellow outraged Armenians and have reached out to numerous organizations/government to see what will be organized in Armenia in response to Hrant Dink's assasination.

There will be a protest at the European Union building on Sayat Nova at 5pm today and then a vigil at Aznavour Square (infront of Moscow Cinema) at 7:30 pm. More events will take place tomorrow, Monday and then some, but this is the immediate response for now.

From Pamuk to System to Dink to Stallone, truth will be heard

Just after Screamers was screened on Capitol Hill with overwhelming attendance, Hrant Dink's death reaches headlines accross the planet, and now Stallone reaches the front line as Turkish genocide deniers protest him.

http://www.bitsofnews.com/content/view/4616/42/
http://anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=1059
http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg174717.html

Honoring Hrant Dink

I wrote a full blog with my initial reaction to this tragedy, but it's not necessary. The only thing I can do is now call on the Turkish people to learn about the facts of our history, learn about the genocide. Let's face the truth and put the lies behind us. Aren't we tired of this? Aren't the Turks tired of covering this up? Since AIPRG's conference on the impact of opening the Turkey-Armenia border, we in Armenia have been talking about economy, pushing forward, growth, and stability. All a waste of breathe as Turkey continues to blockade us.

Today over lunch, I discussed with friends the potential for growth, but we kept getting drawn back to the issue of genocide recognition. Just yesterday and today Raffi N and I were talking about the importance of those speaking out in Turkey, how genocide recognition will be realized from within Turkey and those speaking out (Hrant Dink, Orhan Pamuk, Sibel Edmonds, etc.) will lead the way.

The Turkish Ambassador to the US is now speaking on CNN and condemning the killing of Dink as did Prime Minister Erdogan. It's very convenient that the Turkish government now has the opportunity to speak out against this behavior (people attacking free speech) and exploit the topic as example of how they are moving toward democracy and free speech... and yet managed to illiminate the voice at the same time. Dink received threats as deep as the state itself for which he received no protection, and yet everyone is chasing after an "18-19 year old suspect who acted alone."

Reports also state that the US Congress plans to vote on a resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide as now Speaker Pelosi stands strong on the issue. America, your move.

do you see a pattern?

Turkish-Armenian writer shot dead

Hrant Dink had received threats from nationalists The Turkish-Armenian writer and journalist Hrant Dink has been shot dead, Turkish media report.

Dink, the high-profile editor of newspaper Agos, was shot three times outside its offices in Istanbul, the paper said.

Dink was one of the writers who had been prosecuted under Turkey's strict laws against "insulting Turkishness". He was given a six-month suspended sentence in October 2005 after writing about the Armenian "genocide" of 1915. Turkey's NTV television said police were searching for a teenager wearing a white hat and a denim jacket in connection with the murder. The channel showed pictures of a white sheet covering the journalist's body in front of the newspaper building's entrance.

Dink, 53, had received threats from nationalists who viewed him as a traitor, the Associated Press news agency reported. He was a public figure in Turkey - one of its most prominent Armenian voices.

He once gave an interview with the Associated Press in which he cried while describing the hatred some Turks had for him, saying he could not stay in a country where he was unwanted.

Hundreds of thousands of Armenians died in 1915, in what many Armenians say was a systematic massacre at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. Turkey denies any genocide, saying the deaths were a part of World War I. Turkey and neighbouring Armenia still have no official relations.

Hrant Dink, Turkish-Armenian editor was shot dead

Wow, this news really sent a chill down my spine. It seems almost certain that Hrant Dink was shot to death simply for talking about the genocide, in a country which convicted him for insulting Turkishness. He was also charged with it again basically for saying he was an Armenian, not a Turk.

I must say I lay the blame entirely on the Turkish Government. They have created a culture of lies, hatred and violence. Another death they will deny any responsibility for and which no doubt they will not be held accountable for.

The picture is one he sent me a few months ago when I asked for one for Armeniapedia.

RFE/RL simply wrote: "A Turkish-Armenian editor, who was convicted last year for insulting Turkey's identity, was shot dead outside his newspaper in Istanbul on Friday, a colleague and Turkish television said."

Court Won't Hear Eminent Domain Case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to consider a property rights case involving a redevelopment project in New York state where businessmen are fighting local government efforts to take their land.

I never like to compare myself to bad examples, but I did find this an interesting parallel between what was happening in Yerevan and what's going on in the US. Eminent domain is being used to take land for private businessmen to develop and prosper. In the US, the problem is that the property owners rights are being violated. In Armenia, the property owners actually have known about the plan to redevelop their area for a good 70 years, so their main problem is that the compensation they are offered is laughably tiny. The full story is here.

Armenia has great economic freedom! (on paper!!)

Well the good news is Armenia ranks 32nd in the world in Economic freedom by The Wall Street Journal and the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, 2007 rankings. It tries to take into account Armenia's corruption and poor property rights, but I don't know if they were given enough weight. In any case, the laws in Armenia are quite good... now, they just need to be followed :-) See full RFE/RL article.

Waaaaaa! ... whining

Which country in the world has fireworks at 12:30am? Today is, well was, January 13, old New Year's Day, and I'm guessing that was the reason for ALL THIS RACKET! I really have no clue what's going on in the city. I’ve been hibernating like a bear. It’s damn freezing out! I don’t recall winter being this cold in Yerevan. It's pretty much been at the same damn temperature for the past month AND ... winter’s not even half way through. What happened to the occasional sunny days when the snow would melt and we'd look forward to another beautiful snowfall? Wait ... should I mention the horrible internet connection? It took me 2 days to get into my email account. Sure, more supermarkets are open this year than last year, but why do they sell expired milk? It seems that all local juice, egg, and milk production companies are on an extended vacation. I should quickly finish this blog before my electricity goes out for the 10th time today.

Anyway, I'm not usually this grumpy ... it's my S.A.D. Déjà vu, this was last year's excuse for my whining.

A couple of weeks ago I took a trip down south to a place my parents have been pressuring me to visit for years. I went to Syria with a few friends. Both my parents are from there. We spent most of our time traveling throughout the country, and celebrated New Year’s Eve at the Aram Manukyan Hall with a few hundred "akhpars" listening to 10% Armenian music, 90% Arabic. Man, I had forgotten how it feels to hang out with that many of us. Aleppo was diiiiiiirty! Most Armenians I spoke to were complaining about how they were slowly becoming nothing in the business world. Once a reputable class of business-minded skilful hard workers, they are quickly losing their valued status in society. Blah, blah, blah. Quite depressing actually. I really hope we’ll see some big positive changes in Armenia this year. Most people I spoke to on the trip were asking me about living in Armenia, how much it costs, doing business in Armenia, etc, etc. Let's just pray for the best. I can't stand when diasporans move here and complain 24/7. LOL, sounds like me. Naaaah, just joking. I love it here! I'll love it even more when this summer I install gas in my apartment so that I don’t spend close to $80/month on electricity like this year.

Ambassador - again (and again!)

So Bush once again nominated Hoagland for Ambassador to Armenia, and Senator Menendez once again put a hold on the nomination of this man who (no doubt following State Department instructions) refuses to use the "g" word.

Read the Menendez announcement and send him a quick thank you for taking a principled stand here.

Back in the Stan

I would have kissed the ground if I didn't think my lips would freeze to the ice. It's good to be back. I had a wonderful time with my family for Christmas, New Years, and Christmas again, but it was clear that I needed to get back to my life, my home.

During the time I was in DC/NY, I managed to go to a Redskins game (we lost), celebrate Christmas with my family and some cousins, start a fire in my parents' house which my father put out (no damage, just my brother in law's nerves... I was talking to him on the phone until I shouted out FIRE FIRE and hung up. He's fine now.), have a quiet dinner with family and friends for New Years, dinner with old friends, and then the big Armenian Christmas extravaganza at our house... all of my parents' friends, my sister and her husband, and my brother and his wife all under the same roof. Boy I tell you, want a party? I can honestly say my parents' friends are some of the most entertaining people I've ever met. For hours we all sat around just listening to them tear into each other. hahaha. The following day, my mom, sister, brother-in-law and I went to Costco for shopping. I sat in the cart while my brother-in-law pushed me around. :) Good times.

So anyway, back to Armenia. Yerevan is one big block of ice. I got in a few days ago and jetlag is killing me. Sleep all day, up all night. I reorganized the kitchen cabinets one night because I couldn't get to sleep. But I did manage to see people. The second night reminded me why I came. I got together with friends and felt at home once again. The snow is slippery and the weather is cold, but so is DC this time of year... usually, it was 75°F when I left. That's insane.

In other news, as Meneshian mentioned on the Diaspora page, he has signed on SoloDuo to the label for which I'll be doing the design and photography. I'm actually really excited because the music is beautiful, but also because I get to travel to Geneva, Switzerland for the photo shoot. Perhaps a February trip will be just what I need to break the winter blues.

The rest is all about work. I'm trying to catch up on the things that I missed. It's good to have a calm season to take care of the little details, really.

What? No honking?

I am already tired of traffic and distances and driving in California. It reoccurred to me today that despite all the traffic, the sound of honking is completely missing. Of course, I prefer it this way, but it's amazing how pretty much no matter what the circumstance, people just don't honk. I had already realized I haven't actually walked anywhere since getting to this country, and that has not changed, either. Maybe if I was in Hollywood, or old town Orange, or Newport Beach or somewhere along those lines it could have been different, I dunno, but in suburbiaville, there is nowhere to walk to, and all you'll see are tract homes.

Of course since I'm hearing reports that Yerevan is freezing cold, I can't say I'm terribly sorry not to be there, either. Yet.

We were in Armenia

Christmas, New Year and Sourp Dzenunt in ARMENIA!

... lots of food, more food and then some more food. This is the best ay to describe the celebrations is Armenia. Our celebrations began as early as Dec 24 when Lara and I hosted a Christmas eve dinner at our place with friends from all over. Unfortunately some had left town to meet family and relatives "back home". We had organized gift exchange games and other party favorites such as Twister and Gestures (girls against boys). We then had a great New Year's eve with some close friends spent at home. Santa arrived with all the gifts a kid could want. Celebrations continued on Hrabarag. On the 6th, we went to Sourp Krikor Church (the big one on Tigran Mets).

It was great to have some friends from Montreal and LA who had decided to spend their holidays in Armenia. It seems like this is becoming a trend. It could actually be the beginning of a winter tourism season. I know for a fact that the Dzaghgatsor resort is already reserved for next year. It was completely booked this year. We know since we had some friends of friends who came over from Lebanon for one week to spend the New Years in Armenia.

Next year, I know that there will be new attractions both in Yerevan and outside of the Capital.

Here's to a healthy year ahead. Looking forward to seeing many friends and family this year... in Armenia!

Hearkening the old days...

Ahh, new year's in Armenia... It seems I'm one of the few loggers to still be in the Homeland to ring in 2007. You know, it seems odd, if you think about it, celebrating a "new year" in the dead of winter, that too, in the middle of the night. I'd imagine a nice spring dawn would be more appropriate. Anyway, this is the way it is now, and I suppose it enlivens what would otherwise be a dreary season. At least for the Northern Hemisphere...

Hayastantsis are very much into the night of the 31st of the December, as well as the morning of the 1st of January, followed quickly by the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... There's plenty of eating and drinking, followed by more eating and drinking at someone else's place, with a third banquet within the same day not uncommon. Things don't quiet down until about the 14th or 15th, I'd say. See, we have the 6th of January - Armenian Christmas - and "old" "new" "year" on the 13th. Don't ask me to explain that one, but there are various theories.

We do have an old pagan Armenian new year, however - Navasard, the 11th of August. This was the day, tradition has it, in 2492 BC, that the battle took place between our progenitor, Hayk, and Bel. We won, of course, and the Armenian nation was thus founded. There are some neo-pagan/heathen Armenian groups, and they try to get something going on that day at the Temple of Garni (ironically, reconstructed during atheist Soviet times), but there is no serious mass movement in that regard. I, for one, wouldn't mind if there were some official celebrations of Navasrd, especially as that time of year is quite pleasant. The 11th of August, 2008, will mark the beginning of the year 4500 according to the old Armenian calendar ("Boun Tomar Hayots", or something like that). A celebration then would be nice and touristy, too...

Something else happened with me today that was reminiscent of some old days, not long past. I went to an upscale supermarket, and there was no bread...! Well, it did finally arrive, plenty for all, without much of a line or a wait, but still, Yerevan never ceases to amaze sometimes...

Have a great 2007, everyone.

Akh Ararat....

The Armenian Navy Band video...