Comments on: Rock for Human Rights Protection http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/ Journalism and Photography from Armenia and the Surrounding Region Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:19:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Anonymous http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2908 Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:41:11 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2908 Onnik, you are wuite right about the spirit that has disappeared from Armenia and almost all the public events... But that was not the fault of the organizers, I believe. I agree that time is need to have major changes in mentality and psychology and attitudes. IMHO, the festival was modest attempt to liaise rock and HR, and the young and not only young ppl who attanded the concert would certainly get at least a notion about HR, at least would think for a while. If they didn't, they will the next time. And I agree with certain valid points, and hope that next time the Georgian bands will also participate. As for the rock scene in Armenia: it is moving, there are certain processes underway.... I believe we have some progress, and we will have more as more people become FREE of the current limits of today's politics and when more people fill the vacuum of ideology and ideas that we currently observe in Armenia. Thanks. Onnik, you are wuite right about the spirit that has disappeared from Armenia and almost all the public events… But that was not the fault of the organizers, I believe. I agree that time is need to have major changes in mentality and psychology and attitudes. IMHO, the festival was modest attempt to liaise rock and HR, and the young and not only young ppl who attanded the concert would certainly get at least a notion about HR, at least would think for a while. If they didn’t, they will the next time.

And I agree with certain valid points, and hope that next time the Georgian bands will also participate.

As for the rock scene in Armenia: it is moving, there are certain processes underway…. I believe we have some progress, and we will have more as more people become FREE of the current limits of today’s politics and when more people fill the vacuum of ideology and ideas that we currently observe in Armenia.

Thanks.

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2890 Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:40:22 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2890 Just spoke to a European friend about the concert. He says it was pretty crap too -- apart from MDP, of course. Asked him about the human rights component and he says he remembers someone speaking for 2 minutes between each act or something. That was about all. Well, it had a human rights component, doesn't seem like it had enough to me although I wasn't there, but anyway, while I would have paid 2,500 drams for an 1hr MDP concert with support band, I wouldn't pay 2,500 for the festival. Then again, it's Armenia and apart from Bambir and MDP we don't have any good rock bands. And, of course, we also don't have an understanding of the importance of human rights. Hopefully the next festival will be better and what are some valid concerns will be addressed. Rock is about pushing things as much people can. In countries such as Armenia where human rights are trampled upon on an almost daily basis, that becomes even more important. As such, I still don't believe that this was the festival it should have been. From past experience I can already guess there was no "spirit," although that's pretty much a problem with everything in Armenia. Anyway, I'm glad that people are finally leaving comments. Just spoke to a European friend about the concert. He says it was pretty crap too — apart from MDP, of course. Asked him about the human rights component and he says he remembers someone speaking for 2 minutes between each act or something. That was about all.

Well, it had a human rights component, doesn’t seem like it had enough to me although I wasn’t there, but anyway, while I would have paid 2,500 drams for an 1hr MDP concert with support band, I wouldn’t pay 2,500 for the festival. Then again, it’s Armenia and apart from Bambir and MDP we don’t have any good rock bands.

And, of course, we also don’t have an understanding of the importance of human rights. Hopefully the next festival will be better and what are some valid concerns will be addressed. Rock is about pushing things as much people can. In countries such as Armenia where human rights are trampled upon on an almost daily basis, that becomes even more important.

As such, I still don’t believe that this was the festival it should have been. From past experience I can already guess there was no “spirit,” although that’s pretty much a problem with everything in Armenia. Anyway, I’m glad that people are finally leaving comments.

]]> by: I was at the festival http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2889 Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:15:34 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2889 I was at the festival and it sucked major ass soundwise, but one thing you can't deny is that it was fully loaded with human rights related stuff, so you better get back to that girl and get the real truth out of here with some torture devices or smth.. I was at the festival and it sucked major ass soundwise, but one thing you can’t deny is that it was fully loaded with human rights related stuff, so you better get back to that girl and get the real truth out of here with some torture devices or smth..

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2888 Sat, 16 Dec 2006 17:10:52 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2888 Well, thanks for the comment Ed. However, a lot of what I wrote was based on a conversation with one ythe festival's organizers which depressed me a lot. Also, my last comment was based on talking to one girl who attended the festival and said there was no reference to human rights. Given that say t here was I'm obviously confused. Anyway, the long and the short of it is that regardless of money, everybody needs to work hard on the matter of human rights, and not just in Armenia, but across the Globe. And as you say, rather than compete for resources it's about time that everybody worked together. I'm still not happy about this festival, but then again I'm not happy about the general apathy in society either. No doubt most of those that went to the festival went for the music and couldn't give a shit about human rights or democracy. Perhaps that's the saddest thing of all. As for money, however, one thing really pissses me off the most. People here always speak about money whereas the rest of us work on things we believe in. Human Rights is one of those, and unfortunately, as with trafficking and democracy, as soon as the West makes money available for such issues and problems, a hundred NGOs are set up the next day. It's become a business and in most cases, the NGOs don't give a shit about anything other than the money. So, wanna get some easy money? Simple. Add the words "anti-trafficking, poverty, democracy, human rights" etc and hope some int org is dumb enough to fall for it. In reality, those people who really believe in the issues will do it with little or no money. Of course, this is Armenia where it's only money that matters. When a rock group decides to do a free acoustic set in a small club for human rights because they believe in it I'll think there's some hope for the future. Probably the money for a greater number of smaller events would be better spent than for a rock festival and reach more people, but that's my opinon. To be honest, only MDP were worth seeing at the festival anyway, although I've heard good things about Sworn. Regardless, one things for sure. It's about time people here started believing in issues rather than use them for personal gain. On that point, as you imply in your comment about human rights NGOs, we at least agree. Well, thanks for the comment Ed. However, a lot of what I wrote was based on a conversation with one ythe festival’s organizers which depressed me a lot. Also, my last comment was based on talking to one girl who attended the festival and said there was no reference to human rights. Given that say t here was I’m obviously confused.

Anyway, the long and the short of it is that regardless of money, everybody needs to work hard on the matter of human rights, and not just in Armenia, but across the Globe. And as you say, rather than compete for resources it’s about time that everybody worked together. I’m still not happy about this festival, but then again I’m not happy about the general apathy in society either. No doubt most of those that went to the festival went for the music and couldn’t give a shit about human rights or democracy.

Perhaps that’s the saddest thing of all.

As for money, however, one thing really pissses me off the most. People here always speak about money whereas the rest of us work on things we believe in. Human Rights is one of those, and unfortunately, as with trafficking and democracy, as soon as the West makes money available for such issues and problems, a hundred NGOs are set up the next day. It’s become a business and in most cases, the NGOs don’t give a shit about anything other than the money.

So, wanna get some easy money? Simple. Add the words “anti-trafficking, poverty, democracy, human rights” etc and hope some int org is dumb enough to fall for it. In reality, those people who really believe in the issues will do it with little or no money. Of course, this is Armenia where it’s only money that matters. When a rock group decides to do a free acoustic set in a small club for human rights because they believe in it I’ll think there’s some hope for the future.

Probably the money for a greater number of smaller events would be better spent than for a rock festival and reach more people, but that’s my opinon. To be honest, only MDP were worth seeing at the festival anyway, although I’ve heard good things about Sworn. Regardless, one things for sure. It’s about time people here started believing in issues rather than use them for personal gain. On that point, as you imply in your comment about human rights NGOs, we at least agree.

]]> by: Eduard Abrahamyan http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2885 Sat, 16 Dec 2006 15:58:27 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2885 1. There were 3-4 TV programs on the festival issues, during which Human rrights problems were discussed, trafficking and drug problems in particular. 2.There was one meeting with UNDP officials with concert leader and festival orgranizers on human rights matters ONLY. Trafficking and anti-drug problems were discussed in details1. There were 3-4 TV programs in advance and tens interviews during the event on the festival issues, during which Human rights problems were discussed, trafficking and drug problems in particular. Some of them are available upon request. 2. There was one meeting with UNDP officials with concert leader and festival organizers on human rights matters ONLY. Trafficking and anti-drug problems were discussed in details. 3. There were more than 1000 leaflets and hundreds posters on anti-trafficking and anti-drug issues. All of them were available on every seat and in the lobby. 4. Also, UNDP provided festival with projector and special DVDs – there was a special stand in the entry to the hall with video anti-drug and anti-trafficking clips. Leaflets and posters were also available on that stand. 5. Festival had a concert leader, famous RA actor, and not just some DJ with “How’re you all doing!!!” screams, who was instructed what to say and when. He had a special role. His introduction to the festival was amazing – he said a long speech on human rights protection related issues. In the end of his introduction he asked everybody to hold each others hand. Everybody did. Between the band performances the concert leader had 5-10 minutes for his speech which was 1% for the following band announcement and 99% for the human rights related issues. 6. The festival wasn’t commercial in its roots. UNDP wasn’t the main sponsor of the event – something around of 30% of the festival total expenses. IMN was the general sponsor, and the ticket price of 2500 AMD was the only possible price which could make it possible to come to zeros, at least. In fact, we didn’t, and IMN still paid 3-zero sums for the expenses of the festival and we believe community should appreciate it. The event was really good, if not to say unique – in fact, there were several “Human Rights Protection Day” festivals here in Armenia, and this one was the one of the best, but also it was THE FIRST ARMENIAN METALFEST. 7. There weren’t official 5000 AMD tickets. It was just one more way for organization to support the festival, which, as I mentioned, is a VERY EXPENSIVE THING by itself. It’s not something you can see in some of the pubs with the drunken audience and journalists. Thousands, if not tens, of dollars. I am happy that everybody on the concert appreciated the overall quality as in terms of sound and show, the concert leadership and bands quality, and also in terms of the event itself. 8. There were several organizations which I won’t mention here, who wanted to have some “presence”, as they said, on the festival, but what were their reasons? The number ONE reason: - You know, we don’t have money now, this is the end of the year, but we expect some new grants, and we want to have some presence to make it easier to receive that grant. No comments. In fact, some of that organizations were allowed to have their stands or whatever, but didn’t come back – maybe they figured out that the grant went to another “human rights protection activists”?:) And again, thanks to ALL supporting and sponsoring organizations – they prove one more time that they are not just a fiction but a real force to make important steps in the area of human rights protection. And why not, in music also. Thanks to all of them. Thanks, Eduard Abrahamyan – IMN PR Director http://rockarmenia.com P.S. Onnik, you could always ask me how it was instead of dealing in pubs with someone who even wasn’t there. 1. There were 3-4 TV programs on the festival issues, during which Human rrights problems were discussed, trafficking and drug problems in particular.
2.There was one meeting with UNDP officials with concert leader and festival orgranizers on human rights matters ONLY. Trafficking and anti-drug problems were discussed in details1. There were 3-4 TV programs in advance and tens interviews during the event on the festival issues, during which Human rights problems were discussed, trafficking and drug problems in particular. Some of them are available upon request.
2. There was one meeting with UNDP officials with concert leader and festival organizers on human rights matters ONLY. Trafficking and anti-drug problems were discussed in details.
3. There were more than 1000 leaflets and hundreds posters on anti-trafficking and anti-drug issues. All of them were available on every seat and in the lobby.
4. Also, UNDP provided festival with projector and special DVDs – there was a special stand in the entry to the hall with video anti-drug and anti-trafficking clips. Leaflets and posters were also available on that stand.
5. Festival had a concert leader, famous RA actor, and not just some DJ with “How’re you all doing!!!” screams, who was instructed what to say and when. He had a special role. His introduction to the festival was amazing – he said a long speech on human rights protection related issues. In the end of his introduction he asked everybody to hold each others hand. Everybody did. Between the band performances the concert leader had 5-10 minutes for his speech which was 1% for the following band announcement and 99% for the human rights related issues.
6. The festival wasn’t commercial in its roots. UNDP wasn’t the main sponsor of the event – something around of 30% of the festival total expenses. IMN was the general sponsor, and the ticket price of 2500 AMD was the only possible price which could make it possible to come to zeros, at least. In fact, we didn’t, and IMN still paid 3-zero sums for the expenses of the festival and we believe community should appreciate it. The event was really good, if not to say unique – in fact, there were several “Human Rights Protection Day” festivals here in Armenia, and this one was the one of the best, but also it was THE FIRST ARMENIAN METALFEST.
7. There weren’t official 5000 AMD tickets. It was just one more way for organization to support the festival, which, as I mentioned, is a VERY EXPENSIVE THING by itself. It’s not something you can see in some of the pubs with the drunken audience and journalists. Thousands, if not tens, of dollars. I am happy that everybody on the concert appreciated the overall quality as in terms of sound and show, the concert leadership and bands quality, and also in terms of the event itself.
8. There were several organizations which I won’t mention here, who wanted to have some “presence”, as they said, on the festival, but what were their reasons? The number ONE reason: - You know, we don’t have money now, this is the end of the year, but we expect some new grants, and we want to have some presence to make it easier to receive that grant. No comments. In fact, some of that organizations were allowed to have their stands or whatever, but didn’t come back – maybe they figured out that the grant went to another “human rights protection activists”?:)

And again, thanks to ALL supporting and sponsoring organizations – they prove one more time that they are not just a fiction but a real force to make important steps in the area of human rights protection. And why not, in music also. Thanks to all of them.

Thanks,
Eduard Abrahamyan – IMN PR Director
http://rockarmenia.com

P.S. Onnik, you could always ask me how it was instead of dealing in pubs with someone who even wasn’t there.

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2882 Sat, 16 Dec 2006 12:09:06 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2882 The more I think about this event the more depressed I feel, and not least because last night I spoke to a young Armenian who went to the festival. She said nothing was said about human rights protection, which figures but is also taking the piss considering international donors gave money for this event so that there would be. On the other hand, the international donors are also at fault because they didn't even bother to make sure that the event was staged for the purpose stated. And they should know because we've seen this happen in the past. Instead, the whole idea of such events is now discredited and I doubt many sensible organizations are ever going to fund such events in the future unless the necessary safeguards are in place to stop people taking the piss on such an important matter. At the very least, known and credible human rights organizations should be involved even if only in a consultative manner. Secondly, major human rights activists should be invoted to speak during the festival. Human rights NGOs should also be allowed to have stalls free of charge. After all, if an international NGO is to fund such an event, I doubt they'd want the NGO sector to have to pay some ridiculous sum to take part in an event on an issue that means more to them than the organizers. I'd also suggest that if such events are staged in the future, NGOs and activists should make official complaints to those organizations funding such events. Enough of this crap. Human Rights is an important issue in this country and affects all our children. So, you either believe in human rights or you don't. And if you don't, let others who do stage events for that purpose. The same goes for democracy and elections next year. It's all of our duties to make sure that any events are staged properly. No political bias, just human rights and democracy, and hopefully staged by those with proven track records in these two areas. Incidently, as I know from my access statistics that the organizers are reading this post and checking back on the comments, they're more than welcome to put their position here. The more I think about this event the more depressed I feel, and not least because last night I spoke to a young Armenian who went to the festival. She said nothing was said about human rights protection, which figures but is also taking the piss considering international donors gave money for this event so that there would be.

On the other hand, the international donors are also at fault because they didn’t even bother to make sure that the event was staged for the purpose stated. And they should know because we’ve seen this happen in the past. Instead, the whole idea of such events is now discredited and I doubt many sensible organizations are ever going to fund such events in the future unless the necessary safeguards are in place to stop people taking the piss on such an important matter.

At the very least, known and credible human rights organizations should be involved even if only in a consultative manner. Secondly, major human rights activists should be invoted to speak during the festival. Human rights NGOs should also be allowed to have stalls free of charge. After all, if an international NGO is to fund such an event, I doubt they’d want the NGO sector to have to pay some ridiculous sum to take part in an event on an issue that means more to them than the organizers.

I’d also suggest that if such events are staged in the future, NGOs and activists should make official complaints to those organizations funding such events. Enough of this crap. Human Rights is an important issue in this country and affects all our children. So, you either believe in human rights or you don’t. And if you don’t, let others who do stage events for that purpose. The same goes for democracy and elections next year. It’s all of our duties to make sure that any events are staged properly.

No political bias, just human rights and democracy, and hopefully staged by those with proven track records in these two areas. Incidently, as I know from my access statistics that the organizers are reading this post and checking back on the comments, they’re more than welcome to put their position here.

]]> by: Observer http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2847 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 14:33:18 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2847 I have to excuse myself for not translating the extract, which I typed in here straight from the newspaper. Hayq Newspaper, December 13, 2006 - Issue #61 (1221) - the journalist Narine Gabrielyan starts her article entitled "Puppet Rock - with Lyrical Shades" (Տիկնիկային ռոք՝ քնարական զեղումներով) with the following lead: <blockquote>"...Ռոք երաժշտությունը Հայաստանում զարգացնելու համառություն ցուցաբերող մի խումբ չհասկացված երիտասարդներ տիկնիկային թատրոնում համերգ էին կազմակերպել։"</blockquote> The openly mocking tone persists, as a paragraph below the journalist writes: <blockquote>"...Այսպես «ոգեպնդված» էլ նրանք սկսեցին համերգը և ամբողջ 4 ժամ տառապում էին բեմի վրա, փորձելով բաղաձայնել իրենց ստեղծագործությունների ողջ ցանկը։"</blockquote> And this is how the journalist concludes the story: <blockquote>"...Հանգիստ կարելի է ասել, որ վերոհիշյալ երաժիշտներին ոչ միայն հաջողվեց տակնուվրա անել հանդիսատեսի հոգու նուրբ լարերը, այլև վերացնել ռոք երաժշտության մասին միայն իրենցից տեղեկություն ստանալու մտայնությամբ տիկնիկայինում հայտնված դեռահասների հավատը մարդկության հանդեպ։ Այդ համերգը Հայաստանից ռոքը վերջնականապես արտաքսելու և հարյուրամյա պատմություն ունեցող երաժշտական ուղղության այս ձևը վարկաբեկելու հաջողված փորձ էր։"</blockquote> I have to excuse myself for not translating the extract, which I typed in here straight from the newspaper.

Hayq Newspaper, December 13, 2006 - Issue #61 (1221) - the journalist Narine Gabrielyan starts her article entitled “Puppet Rock - with Lyrical Shades” (Տիկնիկային ռոք՝ քնարական զեղումներով) with the following lead:

“…Ռոք երաժշտությունը Հայաստանում զարգացնելու համառություն ցուցաբերող մի խումբ չհասկացված երիտասարդներ տիկնիկային թատրոնում համերգ էին կազմակերպել։”

The openly mocking tone persists, as a paragraph below the journalist writes:

“…Այսպես «ոգեպնդված» էլ նրանք սկսեցին համերգը և ամբողջ 4 ժամ տառապում էին բեմի վրա, փորձելով բաղաձայնել իրենց ստեղծագործությունների ողջ ցանկը։”

And this is how the journalist concludes the story:

“…Հանգիստ կարելի է ասել, որ վերոհիշյալ երաժիշտներին ոչ միայն հաջողվեց տակնուվրա անել հանդիսատեսի հոգու նուրբ լարերը, այլև վերացնել ռոք երաժշտության մասին միայն իրենցից տեղեկություն ստանալու մտայնությամբ տիկնիկայինում հայտնված դեռահասների հավատը մարդկության հանդեպ։ Այդ համերգը Հայաստանից ռոքը վերջնականապես արտաքսելու և հարյուրամյա պատմություն ունեցող երաժշտական ուղղության այս ձևը վարկաբեկելու հաջողված փորձ էր։”

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2845 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 14:11:23 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2845 Observer, any chance of a summary or link to what Hayq wrote? Observer, any chance of a summary or link to what Hayq wrote?

]]> by: Observer http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2844 Wed, 13 Dec 2006 13:07:19 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2844 Just read the disgusting article in the "Hayq" newspaper about the concert. I'm disgusted at two things: 1. Because of the abundance of musical "antaghands" - fools mocking to be rocking - Rock music is sinking even deeper in the eyes of the unprepared music audience - who are only trying to get started at listening and understanding music. 2. Because of really bad jounalism and abundance of journalistic "antaghands" - fools mocking to be reporting, News media is sinking even deeper in the eyes of news consumers, who still have to live with that kind of "news" coverage for the next dacade or two. And worst of all - the only option I see is to tolerate and wait, till the time puts everything in order... Just read the disgusting article in the “Hayq” newspaper about the concert. I’m disgusted at two things:
1. Because of the abundance of musical “antaghands” - fools mocking to be rocking - Rock music is sinking even deeper in the eyes of the unprepared music audience - who are only trying to get started at listening and understanding music.
2. Because of really bad jounalism and abundance of journalistic “antaghands” - fools mocking to be reporting, News media is sinking even deeper in the eyes of news consumers, who still have to live with that kind of “news” coverage for the next dacade or two.

And worst of all - the only option I see is to tolerate and wait, till the time puts everything in order…

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2827 Mon, 11 Dec 2006 20:46:32 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2827 I have to be honest and admit that I'm not sure why the high cost of such an event when UNDP, British Council, Council of Europe etc financially supported part of it at least. Also no doubt that a human rights rock festival -- or indeed, any human rights event -- should be left up to human rights organizations who believe in their goal and don't just view it as a money-making event. BTW: I'm shocked about those prices for NGOs. 10 tickets at 5,000 AMD?!?!?! WTF?!?!?!? You would have thought they might have at least kept the tickets at the normal price of 2,500 AMD, but anyway. Not good, and also because I thought they just wanted 5,000 and not 50,000 AMD. Very disappointing and I hope UNDP and other donors make sure things like this don't happen again -- especially with the parliamentary elections coming up. Like I said, leave human rights, democracy and so on to those NGOs who know what they're doing, and who actually believe in it. I've heard there will be some rock events planned for these elections, but I really hope that audiences and NGOs get to at least participate free of charge. In the case of today's event, for example, it's not as if the proceeds were going to be donated to some worthwhile cause. I'd also be interested in learning how much money UNDP etc gave for this event. Accountability and transparency in all walks of life, please. I have to be honest and admit that I’m not sure why the high cost of such an event when UNDP, British Council, Council of Europe etc financially supported part of it at least. Also no doubt that a human rights rock festival — or indeed, any human rights event — should be left up to human rights organizations who believe in their goal and don’t just view it as a money-making event.

BTW: I’m shocked about those prices for NGOs. 10 tickets at 5,000 AMD?!?!?! WTF?!?!?!? You would have thought they might have at least kept the tickets at the normal price of 2,500 AMD, but anyway. Not good, and also because I thought they just wanted 5,000 and not 50,000 AMD. Very disappointing and I hope UNDP and other donors make sure things like this don’t happen again — especially with the parliamentary elections coming up.

Like I said, leave human rights, democracy and so on to those NGOs who know what they’re doing, and who actually believe in it. I’ve heard there will be some rock events planned for these elections, but I really hope that audiences and NGOs get to at least participate free of charge. In the case of today’s event, for example, it’s not as if the proceeds were going to be donated to some worthwhile cause. I’d also be interested in learning how much money UNDP etc gave for this event.

Accountability and transparency in all walks of life, please.

]]> by: Tamar http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2825 Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:55:44 +0000 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/12/10/rock-for-human-rights-protection/#comment-2825 Hi Onnik, Yea I'm rather disappointed myself. Actually, after receiving your email as well as this announcement from other people as well regarding this human rights rock festival, CSI sought to inquire what to do and how to get involved in having a "booth" at the festival. So we called and inquired with one of the organizers of the event (his name is "Mark") and said we would have to purchase 10 tickets at 5,000 AMD each so that we could represent a booth at the festival. So while the website said 5,000 AMD in reality they told us 50,000 go figure! Tamar Hi Onnik,

Yea I’m rather disappointed myself. Actually, after receiving your email as well as this announcement from other people as well regarding this human rights rock festival, CSI sought to inquire what to do and how to get involved in having a “booth” at the festival. So we called and inquired with one of the organizers of the event (his name is “Mark”) and said we would have to purchase 10 tickets at 5,000 AMD each so that we could represent a booth at the festival.

So while the website said 5,000 AMD in reality they told us 50,000

go figure!

Tamar

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