Occupied Gori, August 2008

Photographs © Onnik James Krikorian 2008

LATEST BLOG POSTS

Opinion: the economic impact of an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement should not be overestimated

Opinion: the economic impact of an Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement should not be overestimated

Commonspace yesterday published my third opinion piece on a potential Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement – or rather on what needs to happen and what should be avoided. Given some recent claims – including a rather baffling one that the cost of petrol would be reduced by half if Yerevan and Baku signed a treaty and Azerbaijani petrol was imported to Armenia – it was one that had to be written.

Opinion: culture can play a critical role in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace-building

Opinion: culture can play a critical role in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace-building

Commonspace, a publications of LINKS Europe, has published my opinion piece on the potential role of culture in Armenia-Azerbaijan peacebuilding. A double-edged sword, though subjective interpretation of culture has traditionally been used by nationalists to drive the sides apart, there are also examples where it can be used to highlight shared values and overlaps in customs and traditions.

From St. Petersburg to Tbilisi: The Georgian Punk Scene Experiences a Revival

From St. Petersburg to Tbilisi: The Georgian Punk Scene Experiences a Revival

The Caspian Post has published my article, accompanied by photographs, on the influx of alternative Russian musicians to Tbilisi following Putin’s further invasion of Ukraine last year. It’s a continuation of my work on the underground rock, metal, and punk scene in all three countries of the South Caucasus since 2001 and especially my personal project, Tbilisi Underground. The punk scene in Georgia, incidentally, has always been unique, but the arrival of often political bands from Russia and beyond has arguably diversified and reinvigorated it.