Georgia Archives - Page 2 of 18 - Onnik James Krikorian - Journalist, Photojournalist, Consultant

Armenians and Azerbaijanis Dance Under One Sky in Georgian Village

Nov 27, 2023 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Caspian Post, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh

Nestled in the hills and forests of Georgia just a kilometre from the country’s border with Armenia, the residents of Khojorni, a small village numbering just 635, held on 18 November the first of what it hopes will be an annual multicultural festival, Under One Sky. Though such events are not uncommon throughout the country, what made this one special was that the population comprises one made up of ethnic Armenians and Azerbaijanis.

20 Years After the 2003 Armenia Presidential Elections

Nov 25, 2023 | Armenia, Georgia

Opposition protest demonstration, Matendaran, Yerevan, Armenia © Onnik James Krikorian 2003 This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Rose Revolution in Georgia that brought Mikheil Saakashvili to power. Though Misha's rule was to deteriorate rapidly by the time...

Georgia: The Final Hurdle To EU Candidate Status

Nov 14, 2023 | Balcani Caucaso, European Union, Georgia

Last week’s decision by the European Commission to recommend Georgia receive European Union candidate status caught many by surprise. A survey conducted by the Tbilisi-based Caucasus Research Resource Centre (CRRC) in the previous days showed that, despite widespread support for EU membership, only 33% of respondents believed it would obtain it. Unlike Ukraine and Moldova, which became candidates in June last year, Georgia had instead been required to address 12 priorities first.

Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian Prime Ministers address Tbilisi Silk Road Forum

Nov 4, 2023 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Balcani Caucaso, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh

In recent days, Georgia once again hosted the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, an event with an economic focus. What is new this year is that for the first time an Armenian leader spoke at such a high-level event in Tbilisi, and high-level officials from all three South Caucasus countries were also on the same stage.

Brussels Meeting Cancelled as Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian PMs Share the Stage in Tbilisi

Oct 27, 2023 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Balcani Caucaso, Caspian Post, European Union, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh

Despite hopes that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev would meet in Brussels towards the end of the month, the European Union’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Toivo Klaar, yesterday said that it will now not take place. Giving the reason as “time constraints,” he made the announcement while participating remotely in a conference held in Yerevan.

A South Caucasus regional approach has big potential

Oct 23, 2023 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Commonspace, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh

On 8 October, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev traveled to Tbilisi to meet with his Georgian counterpart, Irakli Garibashvili. The unannounced meeting concerned regional projects such as a new Black Sea port in Anaklia and the Middle Corridor that will stretch from China to Europe via Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Both leaders expressed a desire to bring peace to their shared but troubled region while Aliyev surprised many by offering to “immediately” launch talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Georgia.

Azerbaijan Invites Armenia for Talks in Georgia While Yerevan Remains Non-Committal

Oct 11, 2023 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Caspian Post, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh

The suggestion followed Aliyev cancelling a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the European Political Community summit in Granada, Spain, on 5 October.

A Summer School in Georgia shows the value of people to people contacts

Sep 4, 2023 | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Commonspace, Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh

Georgia has long been an obvious choice for hosting most Track II initiatives that bring Armenians and Azerbaijanis together on neutral ground. Despite this, however, it rarely gets the credit it deserves for doing so. Bordering both Armenia and Azerbaijan, not only is it perfectly situated geographically, keeping travel and accommodation costs lower, but it also keeps such initiatives in the region.

Gardabani’s Ashiqs: Guardians of an Ancient Musical Tradition

Sep 1, 2023 | Azerbaijan, Caspian Post, Georgia, Minorities, Music

Nestled within the lush green landscapes of Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli region, the municipality of Gardabani is home to many from the country’s largest ethnic minority: Azerbaijanis. Here, despite concerns of dwindling numbers, the age-old Turkic tradition of wandering minstrels has continued. Known as ashiqs, these troubadours are skilled in the art of performing poetry over music, usually performed on the saz, a stringed instrument resembling a long-necked lute.

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