Vishup Ensemble (Armenia), Tserakvi, Georgia © Onnik James Krikorian 2017
Stratfor has published my text and photographs on the One Caucasus Festival held in the village of Tserakvi in Georgia. It’s aim is to bring together young Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian musicians and other artists to work together to build a common image of a united and peaceful region.
Billed as the ‘most inspiring festival in Georgia,’ I was at first skeptical when I heard about One Caucasus, a four-day musical event held every August that can be best described as a Woodstock for the South Caucasus. Don’t get me wrong. The idea of bringing Armenians, Azerbaijanis, and Georgians together in a neutral location is, of course, to be commended. Armenia and Azerbaijan, after all, have been at war with each other for nearly three decades now, and the likelihood of a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict diminishes with each passing year. Citizens of both countries rarely get the opportunity to meet.
Great festival.
