Emmy Award-winning actor and filmmaker Michael Goorjian spoke to CivilNet about Amerikatsi (American), a new film he directed, wrote for and produced. It tells the story of an Armenian Genocide survivor in the United States who moves to Soviet Armenia in the 1940s, only to end up in prison. From his cell he is able to communicate with an Armenian family in the next building, from whom he learns about the Armenian experience in the USSR. Goorjian talked to CivilNet about what it was like filming on location in Armenia, why his team casted Armenian talent and how people can watch his new film.
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‘Russia and the Middle East in a Changing Geopolitical Environment’
Hanna Notte, an expert on Russian foreign and security policy, gave a lecture on “Russia and the Middle East in a Changing Geopolitical Environment” at a symposium organized by the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. The lecture took place on July 2 in Yerevan. Hanna Notte is a Senior Research Associate at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation and a Senior Associate (non-resident) in the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. This year’s Monterey Summer Symposium on Russia took place […]
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Armenia’s seismic vulnerabilities
Civil engineer and Los Angeles city consultant Shahen Akelyan provides crucial insights into Armenia’s seismic vulnerabilities and the urgent need for improved earthquake preparedness. Drawing from his expertise and experiences in Los Angeles and Japan, Akelyan outlines practical solutions and strategies that Armenia can implement to enhance its earthquake-resistant infrastructure. He offers both scientific knowledge and practical advice, serving as a wake-up call for policymakers and citizens to prioritize seismic safety measures in Armenia’s urban development and construction practices.
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Targeting the opposition: A growing trend at Yerevan’s city hall
By Tigran Grigoryan and Karena Avedissian Local Level Political Suppression An opposition member of Yerevan’s city council Grigor Yeritsyan was relieved of his duties last week, with ruling “Civil Contract” party cited repeated absences from the meetings of the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs of the Council as the reason for his removal. Yeritsyan has dismissed the claims as false and politically motivated, saying that he and his colleagues plan to challenge the decision in court. This follows a similar incident eight months ago, when former Mayor Hayk Marutyan, now the leader of the opposition National Progress faction, was also […]
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Pursuing Justice for Armenian Victims
In this interview, Judge Gassia Apkarian, a prominent figure in the Superior Court of Orange County and leader of the Armenian Center for Truth and Justice, delves into the complex legal challenges facing Armenia and Karabakh Armenians. She addresses the critical issue of prosecuting Azerbaijani war crimes, exploring the tension between pursuing justice and negotiating peace. Judge Apkarian also offers invaluable insights on advocating for the rights of displaced Armenians, particularly the right of return, in the face of political obstacles and government inaction.
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Global scholars discuss the role of microhistory in Armenian academia
“From Menocchio to Manuzzi: Conversations on Microhistory and the Global” highlighted the significance of microhistory in Armenian scholarship. The special event, which took place as part of the Yerevan Dialogue 2024 at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Armenia, featuring insights from renowned historians like Sebouh David Aslanian, Giovanni Levi, Carlo Ginzburg and Sanjay Subrahmanyam. The conversation explored the potential of microhistory in uncovering broader narratives through intimate, detailed historical accounts. With new translations of key works into Western Armenian, this marks a milestone in making complex histories accessible to Armenian scholars and students.
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Garo Paylan on Armenia-Turkey’s Future
Former Turkish parliamentarian Garo Paylan sits down with CivilNet for a candid assessment of Turkey’s democratic decline and its implications for the region. Paylan, known for his advocacy of minority rights and cross-border dialogue, shares his insights on the potential opening of the Armenia-Turkey border and outlines a vision for meaningful reconciliation between the two nations. Drawing from his unique perspective as an ethnic Armenian politician in Turkey, Paylan discusses the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in fostering improved relations and strengthening democratic institutions in both countries.
