Bloggers Protest Days of Azerbaijan in Armenia?
PanArmenian.Net reports that Armenian bloggers have protested the opening of the Days of Azerbaijan posted earlier. Well, it’s fair to say that they don’t represent Armenian bloggers as a group, but it is interesting to see the use of the word blog in a headline or story. Usually local publications here take news from time to time off blogs, but fail to quote the source while the rest of the world’s media see no problem in doing so at all.
Anyway, the group of bloggers do not speak for all of us, and it’s interesting to note that such an event could not have taken place without the permission of the Ministry of Education and Science (I assume). Certainly, those coming from Azerbaijan would have had to receive visas, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have welcomed the initiative as well, so perhaps this group of bloggers should have instead sent bars of soap there too, but anyway.
What is interesting, however, is that this protest appears to have been staged before RFE/RL published its story so why wasn’t it mentioned? On the other hand, this PanArmenian.Net article is hardly objective either, but at least doesn’t leave out a significant incident which RFE/RL appears to have done.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A group of Armenian bloggers handed a symbolic present – a peace of soap - to Georgy Vanyan, the initiator of “Days of Azerbaijan” in Yerevan. The present was handed with a wish “for better work.”
The measure had for an object to teach the organizers of the so-called Days of Azerbaijan a good lesson.
December 17, a rather strange event titled “Days of Azerbaijan” took place in Yerevan. The event was organized by well known director of Mkhitar Sabastatsi educational complex Ashot Bleyan and his assistant Georgy Vanyan, who represents a Caucasus center of peace sponsored by the UK Embassy. Not to mention absurdity of the event jointly with a state which tries to justify Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh’s blockade in the eyes of the world community, it’s noteworthy that such an initiative could hardly occur in Azerbaijan.
The RA Armenian Ministry of Science and Education did not react.
Armenian schoolchildren were offered to write a composition with a title “Open letter to my peer”, “How I see Azerbaijan”, “Armenia-Azerbaijan: the future.”
Comments are unnecessary, but taking into account the writings of the schoolchildren who are being filled with the ideas that “Baku and Ankara are Armenia’s best friends and the evil comes from Diaspora and Dashnaks, who keep on speaking of a genocide.” No one wants war, especially Armenians. But there is a difference between desire for peace and treason. Unfortunately, Bleyan and Vanyan are not the people to understand this.
One of the bloggers taking part in what is probably the first protest action by such a group in Armenia was Uzogh, who also posts a YouTube video from yesterday. Really, there is no reason why RFE/RL shouldn’t have made even just a passing reference to what happened and it’s amazing that they tried to ignore it. Very strange — and perhaps a matter of some concern, in fact.
Update:
Observer has now posted an entry on yesterday’s action totally ignored by RFE/RL in its report. Given what Observer says about the level of negative reaction to the event, I would expect that side to be represented in the RFE/RL news item from yesterday. However, it was not and instead validates the need for bloggers to keep the media in check.
A group of Armenian Bloggers, including: Uzogh, Pigh, Aerial_vortex and Akunamatata_ser carried out an incredible public campaign yesterday, protesting against the implementation of the “Week of Azerbaijan” in Yerevan, organized by Caucasus Center of Peace-Making Initiatives (CCPMI) with the support of the UK Embassy in Armenia. At the opening ceremony of the event, which took place in the Mkhitar Sebastatsi educational complex headed by Former Minister of Education Ashot Bleyan, the group of mentioned Bloggers rushed to the speaker - head of the Caucasus Center of Peace-Making Initiatives (CCPMI) Georgi Vanyan and presented him with pieces of soap. This symbolic gesture, which is highly offensive and contains elements of bitter sarcasm, was carried out as a form of protest, for implementing this action, which according to blogger Pigh - posted in the video below, is quite untimely, doesn’t contribute to the promotion of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in any way, and is only seen by the Bloggers as a way for Mr. Vanyan, to launder grant money - even at the price of hearting his country’s interests.
It has to be noted, that the announcement last week about the implementation of the “Week of Azerbaijan” in Armenia stirred a lot of emotions, and was seen mostly as a highly negative and useless initiative.
[…]
The full post is here.
It is already several occasions, that I’m noticing biased reporting on behalf of RFE/RL. However, considering the fact, that the the US has expressed support for the “Week of Azerbaijan in Armenia” initiative, and reminding, that RFE/RL has been designed as a US Propaganda mechanism, it is hardly surprising:
Comment by Observer — December 18, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
Dear Onnik,
First of all I would like to thank you for the coverage.
Second - material on PanARMENIAN is really not good, and correct, and I’ve already discussed on this issue. Anyway, Pan didn’t say, that all of the armenian bloggers protest. And all the four people giving soap to G.Vanyan are bloggers. This action was designed as blogger’s protest, never pretending to be the voice of the entire blogging community.
Third - RFE stance is very normal for me - they try to grave protest action in silence, making me sure, that protest has reached its goal and was designed in its best.
Fourth - the main issue for our (protesters) anger was implementation of this conference in a public school, with name “Days of Azerbayjan in Armenia”, and with financial support of foreign mission in Armenia. It’s all about brainwashing of children, Onnik. We are ok with azeris visiting Armenia. We are ok with reconciliation efforts. We are ok with support of such projects from local (not the embassy, but f.e. OSI, or USAID, or smth else) donors. But this situation was completely unacceptable for us, so we decided to protest.
Anyway - it was a great experience and feeling, and I’m really happy, that this action has got a big attention and coverage.
Comment by uzogh — December 18, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
Uzogh, agreed, the body of the PanArmenian.Net item referred to a group of bloggers, but I have to admit it was the headline that grabbed me first of all and indeed, stayed with me. Regarding RFE/RL, well, I remain disappointed. To totally neglect to mention quite a significant occurrence DURING the event and as a key speaker spoke strikes me as quite worrying indeed. It is inexcusable, in fact, and I am still shocked.
Comment by Onnik — December 18, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Seems like few want to mention an event so obviously captured on video.
http://www.azg.am/?lang=EN&num=2007121803
http://www.today.az/news/politics/41910.html
Comment by Onnik — December 18, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
I, in some, way understand those papers, just because most of them didn’t send journalists to this event.
The most TERRIBLE coverage was in today’s Aravot: we were called “Հայ բլոգերների միություն” (Unity of Armenian Bloggers), and the guy speaking with journalists was named ARMEN Qocharyan, instead of Tigran Qocharyan.
Why are they calling themselves journalists?
Comment by uzogh — December 18, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Does the “Unity of Armenian Bloggers” exist and if so, why haven’t I heard about it or a corresponding Facebook Group?
Anyway, so you’re saying that one reason for the lack of mention of the event is that few journalists were present? Does this also include RFE/RL?
Who was there?
Comment by Onnik — December 18, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
AFAIK there’s no such thing Like Armenian Bloggers Unity.
There was reporters from H1, H2, Shant, there was a lot of girls wit recording devices.
Anyway they didn’t say from where are they.
I’m pretty sure, that there was no journalist from Golos Armenii and PanARMENIAN (amongst them, who have covered the event), and actually I didn’t pay a lot of attention to this.
Our first intention was not to speak with journalists, thatn Tigran decided to tell them our position, and did it.
Comment by uzogh — December 18, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
I normally don’t like jingoistic publicity stunts and realize that that portrayal of entire nations as bloodthirsty thugs is a losing proposal in the long run. Under normal circumstances I would welcome any reproachment attempts with the Azerbaijanis.
But given the Armenophobe hysteria by the Azerbaijani government, I found the timing of these ‘Azerbaijan Days’ a little puzzling.
I’m glad none of the bloggers involved were arrested; I don’t like what they did (it was jingoistic and homophobic) but I like that they were able to do it. At least in this instance the freedom of speech was preserved and I hope they don’t get invited to the police to explain their actions.
Comment by nazarian — December 18, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
Nazarian, why homophobic? Anyway, I have to also say that I am not against Armenian-Azerbaijani reconciliation and stuff, but will say one thing. The protest action was confident, but also peaceful. They made their point and they left without attempting to do anything else. Actually, that in itself was quite impressive.
Comment by Onnik — December 18, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
I interpreted handing the soap off to mean this event was dirty, however I guess if there is an alleged homophobic connotation to it all I can think of is the notorious “dropping of the soap” accident in prison showers. The bloggers giving the Armenian the soap back after dropping it would therefore prevent him from having to bend over and pick it up himself, which in prison lore is immediately followed by being taken advantage of, in this case by the Azeris. So I guess it could be aimed at implying Bleyan is setting himself up to be screwed by the Azeris, but frankly I only arrived at this interpretation after nazarian’s comment the act is homophobic. I have no idea if this is even what is what nazarian implied, let alone the bloggers, but this is the only interpretation I can think of when framed in such a way.
I too was surprised to see the word bloggers in an article like this. I also find the portrayal of this as “an incredible public campaign” to be a pathetic exaggeration.
Comment by Paul — December 18, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
Armenia Now has posted something which does mention the action. In fact, it leads the item.
Comment by Onnik — December 18, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
I welcome any effort to reach a peaceful resolution. I am really tired of this viscous cycle of mutual hatred. Those two countries need to find some solution, and MOVE ON! So what if it was financed by a foreign embassy? Armenian and Azeri officials don’t have guts to reach a solution because they’re afraid of unpopular moves which can result them losing their thrones! Meanwhile the poor people on both sides need to figure out how to feed their families, and how to give a decent education and health care to their children. Sorry to say but male machismo of Azeri and Armenian officials will not let them find a logical and sensible solution to this conflict. Therefore, a grassroots effort is needed. It is 21st century. Instead of competing in areas of science, health care, cleaner environment, we are still competing in who has “bigger” army.
Comment by Nanul — December 18, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
Nanul, points taken, but even for someone like me who really wished this region could live in some kind of peace the choice of Bleyan’s school is questionable to say the least. As a very controversial figure when it comes to Karabakh or the Genocide, he is hardly the best choice for such an event.
Indeed, his name alone is enough to derail any chance of some kind of reconciliation, one guesses. Anyway, as RFE/RL read this blog on a daily basis and as I know they’ve seen this post from my statistics, I’m surprised they haven’t added anything to the initial report. This to me indicates they might have purposely left it out.
Meanwhile, reaction to the event is starting to come from Azerbaijan where some MPs have expressed their opposition to the idea. Basically, while the idea might be a noble one, it appears to have backfired on the British Embassy big time. No surprise there then. They nearly always do.
http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=40913
Comment by Onnik — December 18, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
Onnik, the soap symbolizes the lubricant during anal sex.
Comment by nazarian — December 18, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Like Paul, I thought it might refer to the need to clean up something dirty or do clean work or something. Uzogh, perhaps you can explain. What does the soap represent?
Comment by Onnik — December 18, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
There’s armenian idiom “arants sapon meki vor@ mtnel”.
Which can be literally translated “to enter someone’s asshole without a soap”.
It is used when someone desperately tries to play a honey.
So we have given soap to Vanyan to ease his job of playing honey, or “vor mtnel”.
And there was no allegation on anal sex, or any other homosexual things.
Again all of us are not against reconciliation efforts. We are against one-sided reconciliation efforts, and brainwashing of children in public schools with that pseudo-liberal crap.
There will be no protest action, at east from us, if the event was not called “Days of Azerbaijan in Armenia”, was not held in public school.
That’s it.
Comment by uzogh — December 18, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Well, I think the idea of having it at Bleyan’s school was a pretty dumb move, to be honest. Incidentally, any idea of where the idea came from? I mean, did the Embassy come up with this idea or did this NGO approach the Embassy for funding?
On the other hand, would this event have really changed anything? I mean, as the MFA said, it would have showed the Armenian side ready for dialog whereas it is usually Azerbaijan that reacts against talk of compromise and peace. Interestingly, the Azeri press haven’t picked up the story of the protest yet.
Comment by Onnik — December 18, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
I hope, that this action have changed something.
First of all it is the first time that offline media (including TVs: H2 and Shant) mentioned bloggers.
Second: we have made our point loud.
Third: I’m really happy, that there was no mess, everything was clean, without flags, banners and shouts.
And of course I hope, that we made people think.
Do you know, Onnik, reconciliation is something, that we, as society, really need. But if the steps to reconciliation are made only by one side (in this case the armenian one) I reckon that one-sided reconciliation efforts is promotion of “loserhood”. Remember, Onnik all that story with soccer qualification games for EURO2008? Remember the heroization of Ramil Safarov. Remember the story of destroyed armenian cemeteries in Baku and in Jugha. Armenia cannot promote recociliation without having the same attitude from azeri side.
I really do not know how the fundraising process for this event was managed. G.Vanyan (the man with soap) mentions, that they have received $5000 for this event. Naira Sultanyan from British Embassy was present there. So I concluded that it is her project. The essence of this project was essay competition about Azerbaijan conducted in Bleyan’s school. And the judges were those azeris, invited there. So the choice of the school was done on early stage of the project implementation and, of course, was known by Mrs. Sultanyan.
Anyway it is a kind of nonsense for me that embassy of UK, country having big oil interests in Azerbaijan, gives money for promotion of reconciliation with Azerbaijan. This project stays in a row with all the cases of critisism, to UK embassy and it’s policy in Armenia.
Anyway - one of my “friends” in LJ shared his opinion about Tony Cantor, the Ambassador, and his hope, that after a few months we may have a better person representing UK in Armenia.
I, personally, reckon, that nothing will be changed. But let’s wait.
Comment by uzogh — December 18, 2007 @ 11:49 pm
Oh, one more point: someone have told me, that G.Vanyan helds some position in top-management of Bleyan’school. I didn’t re-checked this info, so I’m considering this info as a rumor, that must be checked.
And I’ve re-read you comment, and understood, that I’ve given wrong answer to one of your questions.
Event, held in Bleyan’s school, have changed nothing in terms of reconciliation.
PS Is it really required to fill the captcha image after posting a comment? I’m writing from my phone, and it creates some difficulties for me.
Comment by uzogh — December 19, 2007 @ 12:03 am
“Remember the heroization of Ramil Safarov. Remember the story of destroyed armenian cemeteries in Baku and in Jugha. Armenia cannot promote recociliation without having the same attitude from azeri side.”
Well those things have happened and Azeris only continue to seem to be set in such ways. The totally ridiculous anti-Armenian propaganda continues to churn. Azerbaijan is possibly one of the most immature nations I’ve ever seen, not to mention insecure. It actually goes to the extent, beyond all the typical cultural cleansing methods, to do everything from ripping the Armenian parts out of Caucasian travel guides for guests arriving in Azerbaijan (while meanwhile no Armenian, no matter what nationality, is ever allowed in) to continuously whining that Armenians culturally steal everything Azerbaijani and point out everything from songs allegedly by Azeri musicians which Armenians use to instruments like the duduk. Everything to them is Azeri (or Albanian, therefore by extension Azeri based on some sort of perverted logic) and therefore everything Armenians have must have been stolen from them. An American friend I know who studied in Turkey said his professor at the major Turkish university he studied said that there’s a (true) reputation for each Turkic people. For Azeris, he said they are the biggest BSers. Based on all the propaganda they churn out at a ridiculous rate I can’t argue with it.
All that aside- what are we to do then? The government continues its hateful policy and yet we are neighbors and will have to deal with them sooner or later- preferrably sooner. I think for all its faults Armenia has consistently taken the high road and has been much more rational towards Azeris than we receive in return- whether its allowed investigators in to monitor monuments in Armenia even though Azeris continuously refuse to allow them in to see Julfa to a generally more sane disposition towards these subjects. I really don’t think we have to worry about damaging these kids because of one week of trying to unilaterally understand Azeris. They aren’t all going to just defect to Azerbaijan over this and in the meantime Armenia shows unlike them it can be tolerant of talking “the enemy”.
I am disturbed by the ulterior motives the British embassy might have since clearly BP is an extremely interested party in stability in the region. I wonder what they’ve been trying to do in Azerbaijan since that’s where they really ened to do some work- there’s clearly no sign of it based on their behaviour.
Comment by Paul — December 19, 2007 @ 12:12 am
Um, sorry, not nonsense. That’s precisely why the Embassy does it although personally I think the European Union or the U.S. Embassy could do a better job. And yes, I already guessed Naira Sultanyan was behind the event.
Anyway, I can also believe that grant recipients were involved at the school although from past experience from examining the British Embassy I’m surprised none were related to anyone working int he Embassy.
Well, to conclude, I am not against the idea, but yes, believe two things. Firstly, Ashot Bleyan’s school was the last place this should have been held given how his position on Karabakh is perceived by many here.
Secondly, I agree. The initiative should have been held concurrently with something in Azerbaijan.
Better yet, an initiative to promote reconciliation and future regional integration/stability should have been held first of all properly in a neutral location.
Still, such gaffs from my Embassy do not surprise me and I’m sure we’ll see more especially related to the presidential election early next year.
Comment by Onnik — December 19, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Dear Paul,
I’ve got your points, and I can say, that I do not see enough difference in our views to debate.
But let me focus your attention on one point.
There was competition of essays. The judges were from Azerbaijan.
Do you remember your shool years?
Can you remember the value of any award received?
Just imagine - your obvious enemy is awarding pupils for essays about the essence of turning this enemy into a friend.
Just imagine: Al-Qaeda officials giving awards to US pupils’ essay competition about the reconciliation efforts towards Al-Qaeda. And financial sponsor of it is emabassy of Iran.
Just try to imagine this.
PS What is the BSers?
Comment by uzogh — December 19, 2007 @ 12:59 am
Dear Onnik,
Your comment on “nonsense” is exactly what I originally meant.
;)
Comment by uzogh — December 19, 2007 @ 1:10 am
BSers = bullsh*ters. Always making things up and lying.
Which is exactly what basically their entire press is, a bunch of BS being spewed with hopes that it sticks somewhere in the international mind. Luckily I don’t think anyone really pays attention to it but at the very least it gives Azeri minions (like the hilarious Adil Baguirov, anyone ever encounter him?) and the average run-of-the-mill random Azeri internet user stuff to fire at Armenians. Of course it all makes no sense and are complete fabrications but they believe that if they repeat it enough times and make it sound true eventually people will think it is.
Kind of like how they are Turkish propagandists make up quotes which they say prove the genocide is a lie which are even sourced with a book or newspaper title and page! Of course in the rare case someone bothers to research their BS they find that they are never able to find such a book in existence or that the newspaper referenced never even published on the date in question, but it doesn’t matter because if you give propagandists something which looks official they will take it and run without actually caring whether its real or not.
Comment by Paul — December 19, 2007 @ 1:17 am
The act of going about promoting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan by brainwashing people’s kids reflects a kind of thinking that is out of touch with reality.
On the other hand, protesting it through a public display referencing anal sex in front of a gathering of—school children—is not only out of touch with reality, but juvenile, vulgar, and irresponsible to boot. Did you guys stop to think that all the kids would be going home that day and asking their parents what the soap meant?
Comment by Armen Filadelfiatsi — December 19, 2007 @ 5:26 am
Good point, although I don’t think the act was overtly sexual, and actually, people I’ve asked here first thought it meant “to be clean” before I pointed out Ruben’s explanation above.
On the other hand, I think that another form of protest would have been better that one which was aimed to offend and insult. That’s my opinion, anyway.
Comment by Onnik — December 19, 2007 @ 9:21 am
Ha ha ha , lovad the soap . I think it was great, the fact that the guy receiving the soap didn’t get it ? I thought for a wile that he was going to say “ This is free do you have some more “ ha ha ha ha
Comment by Patrik — December 19, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
Patrik, considering it wasn’t just the guy in question who didn’t ‘get it’ but quite a few (many western) commenters and likely most of Armenian society of a whole… I think one should ask themself who the joke was really on?
Seriously, who sees a bar of soap and anal is the first thing they think of? Totally irresponsible in front of so many children like that as Armen said.
Comment by Paul — December 19, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
I must say that I welcome the free speech. Handing a soap as a lubricant for anal sex is not really a “speech”. However I want to ask protesters one simple question: Do you consider every and each Turk or Azeri an enemy? Do you realize that among them there are also good and peaceful people? Do you realize that they should have more guts to come to Armenia for such event than Ashot Bleyan has (and he sure has). Do you realize that sooner or later we should talk and establish NORMAL relations? It is not possible to live feuding with your neighbors on the West and East forever. You are not going to wipe them from the surface of Earth as they could not wipe us. We should find those people among them with who we can start improve or normalize our relations. May be if you able to ponder such a thought, soap action would not be necessary.
Comment by GT — December 20, 2007 @ 10:08 am
Comment by Onnik — December 20, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Right wingers… No matter what their nationality is, they piss me off.
Comment by nazarian — December 20, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
Comment by Onnik — December 24, 2007 @ 10:58 am