The memory of the 2020 war in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia


The military success of Azerbaijan and Turkey in the 2020 war allowed these countries to promote antagonistic memory politics, and this may have a long-term impact on regional stability. Nevertheless, the Armenian case seems to inspire some hope that memory politics in the region is not completely doomed to eternal antagonism, but the question of what their new specific direction will be - cosmopolitan or agonistic - remains open. Anna Sargsyan spoke with ethnographer Arsen Hakobyan.

The myths and realities of economic growth


How does Armenia's economy survive? How does the average Armenian live? What do Yerevan's crowded cafes say and what do professional analyses say? Anna Sargsyan spoke with economist and head of the Tvyal.com organization Aghasi Tavadyan.

The "emigration program" of Artsakh residents


The Council for the Protection of the Rights of Artsakh Citizens is raising the alarm that the state governance system in Armenia is applying double standards towards forcibly displaced Artsakh Armenians, indirectly encouraging emigration. Anna Sargsyan spoke with Council member Apres Margaryan.

The art and law of politics


Why is our society so irreconcilable? Is this a national character or political technology? Who is involved in politics? Can a church member engage in politics? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Artur Atanesyan.

Who does religious law apply to, and what does canon law apply to?


What is religious law and what is canon law? What restrictions are considered legitimate and by whom can they be imposed? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Vahe Torosyan, a candidate of legal sciences and a specialist in spiritual law.

The right of collective return of Artsakh residents is at risk


The "Union for the Protection of the Interests and Rights of the People of Artsakh" public organization calls for joint protection of the rights, safe return, and dignified future of the genocided people of Artsakh. Anna Sargsyan spoke with the President of the Union of Artsakh, former State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, and former Human Rights Defender Artak Beglaryan.

Nation-state or refugee camp?


What is intra-societal division? Are special efforts needed to implement it? Where can this process lead in the life of the state? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Vahe Hovhannisyan, co-founder of the Alternative Projects group.

Why was Turkey the first to recognize Armenia's independence in 1918?


Who were the Armenians fighting in Sardarapat? Why do the Soviet propaganda machine and some circles today spread the myth that Armenians defeated the regular Turkish army in 1918 “with a shovel and a shovel?” What historical facts refute the thesis that Turkey granted independence to Eastern Armenians? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Mikael Malkhasyan, a candidate of historical sciences and a specialist in historical demography.

Who are we really negotiating peace with?


What do we know about modern Azerbaijan? After all, we have been at war with this state for more than 30 years, and today we are negotiating peace with this state. Is it worth recognizing who we are negotiating with? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Artyom Tonoyan, an orientalist and host of the Caspian Frontiers Telegram channel.

Armenian Women and "State Feminism" in Silent Cinema


Cinema entered Armenian reality during a difficult and hard period: genocide, the fall of the First Republic, imposed Soviet ideology with a complete rejection of the past. Who was the Armenian woman in Soviet-Armenian silent cinema? Anna Sargsyan spoke with Ruzanna Bagratunyan, author of the documentary collection “Talking Women of Silent Cinema.”

How to celebrate victory when we still feel defeated


After the defeat in 2020 and, especially, after the Armenian exodus from Artsakh in 2023, we do not know how to celebrate the holiday of the liberation of Shushi. There is no state support to society in this matter, which would help in any way to regulate conflicting emotions. There is no public demand that would force the state to develop a policy and attitude. Nevertheless, May 9 is both in the state holiday calendar and in the collective memory of Armenians. Anna Sargsyan talked about the transformation of the Victory Day with ethnographer Mkhitar Gabrielyan.

The Armenian Genocide Issue and the Karabakh Movement


With what slogans and posters did the Armenian people climb the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in 1988-1990? How was the struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide expressed during the years of the Karabakh movement and then the demand for independence? With what parallels and in what spirit was the struggle for the collective rights of the Armenian people conducted? Anna Sargsyan hosted Doctor of Historical Sciences Harutyun Marutyan.