Inspired by recent developments in North Africa, Armenia’s largest opposition coalition is preparing for “large-scale rallies” in Yerevan’s Freedom Square starting on February 18.
They may differ sharply at times over language origins, territory, churches, viticulture and more, but, at last, Georgia and Armenia have found one point on which they can agree -- a passion for puri, as traditional Georgian, clay-baked bread is known in Yerevan.
A group of Armenian non-governmental organizations is planning to file a lawsuit against a recently opened Yerevan dolphinarium, asserting that the center’s seven marine mammals are subject to abuse. The dolphinarium’s management, which promotes the facility as a “world of water miracles,” denies abuse accusations.
Amid skyrocketing food prices and a precipitous drop in agricultural production, the Armenian government is promoting its new agriculture minister, Sergo Karapetian, as a solution to a cost-of-living crisis. But optimism among Yerevan shoppers – and voters – remains in short supply.
After the dismissals of two cabinet ministers and the resignation of the mayor of Yerevan, the Armenian capital is abuzz with speculation about how far President Serzh Sargsyan will go with what is billed as a get-down-and-get-gritty campaign to clean up government. Some opposition skeptics, however, counter that the reshuffles are more cosmetic than real.
Amid conflicting reports that Gagik Beglarian, the former mayor of the Armenian capital Yerevan, may face criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a presidential administration employee, the city is preparing for a snap mayoral election.
Days after introducing a 90-day fishing moratorium for Armenia’s Lake Sevan, officials in Yerevan are now pushing for a long-term ban in a bid to revive the alpine lake’s dwindling fish population. But enforcing any ban may prove problematic, experts say.
The recent resignation of Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglarian, followed by the dismissal of Justice Minister Gevorg Danielian, both apparently in connection with the beatings of lower-ranking government officials, is fueling hope among civil society activists that the Armenian government is no longer letting top officials act with impunity.
An estimated 700-percent increase in the number of Armenian Internet users since 2009 is changing the way Armenians lobby for social change and protest perceived abuses of power, some media observers say. Others contend, however, that the YouTube and Facebook revolution remains in its infancy, with state-controlled television still dominating the public discourse.
An attempt to screen Azerbaijani short films in the Armenian capital of Yerevan has failed, blocked in large part by a blitz of opposition spread by social networking websites. But the organizers say they are undaunted and will try to go ahead with the film festival at a later date.
