Armenian Beauty
After Marcella’s debut on di cavoli e di re last week, the Italian student who recently visited Armenia has another post. This time she offers her observations on gender and expectations of women in what many people still consider to be a deeply patriarchal society.
Exposed long legs, beautiful thin ankles, and small feet encapsulated in colourful high shoes. Heavy make up, long and shiny hair, happy smiles. Hands perfectly manicured, they move graciously. You can see them chatting and laughing. They often speak many languages. Many go to University, travel abroad, dream, and even plan brilliant careers, or at least those living in the Armenian capital, Yerevan.
In rural Armenia traditions are more heavily rooted. They have the same make up and wear the same high heels, but freedom doesn’t exist even on the surface. The sun sets and the women disappear. They don’t smoke in public and often cannot leave their village without the permission of their fathers or brothers.
[…]
The fairer sex is weak. It’s a flower that belongs to men, and it’s one that can easily be damaged. Men have the duty and pleasure to help them blossom and grow by protecting their beauty, but while the surface is quiet, underneath lies a deep crack linked to daily life and rooted in traditional culture. Roles are separated and very well defined.
The full post can be read here.
