GeorgienSchätze aus dem Land des Goldenen Vlies
Katalog der Ausstellung des Deutschen BergbauMuseums Bochum
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
ARTICLE: The Kremlin’s Violent Underbelly (carnegieendowment.org)
Alexey Malashenko, The Moscow Times, July 29, 2009
The Kremlin has been caught off guard by a spike in violence in the North Caucasus over the past few months. One reason for this: The Kremlin had believed its policies in the region were successful. After canceling its anti-terrorist operations in Chechnya (largely at the insistence of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov), the authorities were convinced that the situation there had stabilized.
It is clear, however, that the picture is far less rosy. It has become obvious that the number of insurgents in the North Caucasus — primarily in Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan — is greater than official figures have stated and that they have deep reserves and the ability to operate at a fairly professional level. The militants have also formed, if not coalitions, then at least mutual understandings with other political forces, primarily those that have suffered from the government’s fight against corruption. The result is that the daily news coming from the Caucasus sounds more like war coverage, including attacks on well-known religious figures, government ministers and even Ingush President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov.
It is no longer possible to explain the spike in violence on the seasonal factor — that insurgents are most active in the spring and summer. In Ingushetia, the policies of Yevkurov have caused fear not only among militants, but also corrupt officials who had grown fat under the republic’s previous leader. In Chechnya, the reason for the troubles is the political and human costs associated with the policies of Kadyrov, who is hated as much as he is loved by the population. What started as the Kremlin’s attempt to “Chechenize” the conflict in the republic — that is, to convert it into a domestic struggle rather than one between Russian troops and local forces — has now turned into a “Kadyrovization” of the problem, with all of its numerous drawbacks. As a result, Moscow is becoming increasingly annoyed with Kadyrov’s absolutism and the way his strong loyalty to the Kremlin is coupled with attempts to transform Chechnya into something bordering on an independent state. Neither can Russia’s leaders be too happy about the murders in Moscow and Dubai of the Yamadayev brothers, who had connections with the siloviki, or the recent killing of human rights activist Natalya Estemirova in Chechnya. All of these murders have been linked in one way or another to Kadyrov.
full article >>>
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The Kremlin has been caught off guard by a spike in violence in the North Caucasus over the past few months. One reason for this: The Kremlin had believed its policies in the region were successful. After canceling its anti-terrorist operations in Chechnya (largely at the insistence of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov), the authorities were convinced that the situation there had stabilized.
It is clear, however, that the picture is far less rosy. It has become obvious that the number of insurgents in the North Caucasus — primarily in Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan — is greater than official figures have stated and that they have deep reserves and the ability to operate at a fairly professional level. The militants have also formed, if not coalitions, then at least mutual understandings with other political forces, primarily those that have suffered from the government’s fight against corruption. The result is that the daily news coming from the Caucasus sounds more like war coverage, including attacks on well-known religious figures, government ministers and even Ingush President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov.
It is no longer possible to explain the spike in violence on the seasonal factor — that insurgents are most active in the spring and summer. In Ingushetia, the policies of Yevkurov have caused fear not only among militants, but also corrupt officials who had grown fat under the republic’s previous leader. In Chechnya, the reason for the troubles is the political and human costs associated with the policies of Kadyrov, who is hated as much as he is loved by the population. What started as the Kremlin’s attempt to “Chechenize” the conflict in the republic — that is, to convert it into a domestic struggle rather than one between Russian troops and local forces — has now turned into a “Kadyrovization” of the problem, with all of its numerous drawbacks. As a result, Moscow is becoming increasingly annoyed with Kadyrov’s absolutism and the way his strong loyalty to the Kremlin is coupled with attempts to transform Chechnya into something bordering on an independent state. Neither can Russia’s leaders be too happy about the murders in Moscow and Dubai of the Yamadayev brothers, who had connections with the siloviki, or the recent killing of human rights activist Natalya Estemirova in Chechnya. All of these murders have been linked in one way or another to Kadyrov.
full article >>>
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
INTERNET: Wie Aserbaidschan die Vorratsdatenspeicherung nutzt (heise.de)
Personen, die beim Schlager-Grand-Prix für das benachbarte Armenien gestimmt hatten, erhielten Besuch von der Polizei
Mit Telefon- und Internetverbindungsdaten, wie sie seit der Umsetzung einer EU-Richtlinie auch in Deutschland gespeichert werden, lässt sich viel anfangen. Das führt nun die im südlichen Kaukasus gelegene ehemalige Sowjetrepublik Aserbaidschan vor Augen, in der Personen, die beim Schlager-Grand-Prix für das benachbarte Armenien stimmten, Besuch von der Polizei erhielten.
Einer der insgesamt 43 Anrufer aus Aserbaidschan, die sich für das vom Duo Inga & Anush gesungene Stück "Jan Jan" ausgesprochen hatten, sagte der BBC, dass man ihn aufgrund seines "unpatriotischen" Verhaltens als potentielles Sicherheitsrisiko ansehe. Die Behörden des Ölstaates leugneten die Polizeibesuche nicht, meinten aber, dass man lediglich nach Erklärungen für das Stimmverhalten gesucht habe.
Hintergrund ist ein bewaffneter Konflikt um die Region Bergkarabach, der bereits seit Ende der 1980er Jahre andauert und zur massenhaften Vertreibung von Armeniern aus Baku sowie von Aserbaidschanern aus einem Korridor zwischen Armenien und Bergkarabach führte. Zur Feindschaft zwischen den beiden Staaten trägt zudem bei, dass sich Aserbaidschaner vielfach als schiitische Türken verstehen und auch von Armeniern häufig als Angehörige jenes Volkes betrachtet werden, das die armenischen Siedlungsgebiete während des Ersten Weltkrieges durch gezielte ethnische Säuberungen und Massenmorde erheblich verkleinerte.
Quelle: Telepolis
Mit Telefon- und Internetverbindungsdaten, wie sie seit der Umsetzung einer EU-Richtlinie auch in Deutschland gespeichert werden, lässt sich viel anfangen. Das führt nun die im südlichen Kaukasus gelegene ehemalige Sowjetrepublik Aserbaidschan vor Augen, in der Personen, die beim Schlager-Grand-Prix für das benachbarte Armenien stimmten, Besuch von der Polizei erhielten.
Einer der insgesamt 43 Anrufer aus Aserbaidschan, die sich für das vom Duo Inga & Anush gesungene Stück "Jan Jan" ausgesprochen hatten, sagte der BBC, dass man ihn aufgrund seines "unpatriotischen" Verhaltens als potentielles Sicherheitsrisiko ansehe. Die Behörden des Ölstaates leugneten die Polizeibesuche nicht, meinten aber, dass man lediglich nach Erklärungen für das Stimmverhalten gesucht habe.
Hintergrund ist ein bewaffneter Konflikt um die Region Bergkarabach, der bereits seit Ende der 1980er Jahre andauert und zur massenhaften Vertreibung von Armeniern aus Baku sowie von Aserbaidschanern aus einem Korridor zwischen Armenien und Bergkarabach führte. Zur Feindschaft zwischen den beiden Staaten trägt zudem bei, dass sich Aserbaidschaner vielfach als schiitische Türken verstehen und auch von Armeniern häufig als Angehörige jenes Volkes betrachtet werden, das die armenischen Siedlungsgebiete während des Ersten Weltkrieges durch gezielte ethnische Säuberungen und Massenmorde erheblich verkleinerte.
Quelle: Telepolis
Monday, August 24, 2009
BUCH: Der Engel von Grosny: Tschetschenien und seine Kinder. Von Asne Seierstad
Gebundene Ausgabe: 407 Seiten
Verlag: Fischer (S.), Frankfurt; Auflage: 1 (13. Mai 2009)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 3100725247
ISBN-13: 978-3100725240
Originaltitel: De Krenkede
Nur vier Flugstunden von uns entfernt liegt eine vergessene Welt von Krieg und Terror: Tschetschenien. Jeder Zehnte wurde umgebracht, die überlebenden Männer verstecken sich oder leisten weiter Widerstand. Die Frauen kämpfen um das Überleben. Doch am härtesten trifft es die Kinder. Allein und auf sich gestellt, kämpfen sie völlig verwahrlost in den Ruinen Grosnys um ihre Existenz. Sie, die die Zukunft sein sollten, sind die größten Opfer. Wir treffen Abdul, einen Kriegswaisen, der seine Schwester der Ehre wegen töten muss. Oder den zwölfjährigen Shamil, der sich nur spüren kann, wenn er Hunden den Schädel einschlägt. An ihren Schicksalen wird deutlich, wie Krieg eine Gesellschaft brutalisiert und zerrüttet. Über den AutorÅsne Seierstad, geboren 1970 in Oslo, ist international eine der renommiertesten Kriegsberichterstatterinnen und Bestsellerautorin. Sie arbeitet als Korrespondentin für verschiedene skandinavische Zeitungen und das Fernsehen in Russland, China, auf dem Balkan, in Afghanistan und dem Irak. Die norwegische ELLE wählte sie zur Frau des Jahres.
AmazonShop: Books, Maps, Videos, Music & Gifts About The Caucasus
Verlag: Fischer (S.), Frankfurt; Auflage: 1 (13. Mai 2009)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 3100725247
ISBN-13: 978-3100725240
Originaltitel: De Krenkede
Nur vier Flugstunden von uns entfernt liegt eine vergessene Welt von Krieg und Terror: Tschetschenien. Jeder Zehnte wurde umgebracht, die überlebenden Männer verstecken sich oder leisten weiter Widerstand. Die Frauen kämpfen um das Überleben. Doch am härtesten trifft es die Kinder. Allein und auf sich gestellt, kämpfen sie völlig verwahrlost in den Ruinen Grosnys um ihre Existenz. Sie, die die Zukunft sein sollten, sind die größten Opfer. Wir treffen Abdul, einen Kriegswaisen, der seine Schwester der Ehre wegen töten muss. Oder den zwölfjährigen Shamil, der sich nur spüren kann, wenn er Hunden den Schädel einschlägt. An ihren Schicksalen wird deutlich, wie Krieg eine Gesellschaft brutalisiert und zerrüttet. Über den AutorÅsne Seierstad, geboren 1970 in Oslo, ist international eine der renommiertesten Kriegsberichterstatterinnen und Bestsellerautorin. Sie arbeitet als Korrespondentin für verschiedene skandinavische Zeitungen und das Fernsehen in Russland, China, auf dem Balkan, in Afghanistan und dem Irak. Die norwegische ELLE wählte sie zur Frau des Jahres.
AmazonShop: Books, Maps, Videos, Music & Gifts About The Caucasus
Sunday, August 23, 2009
PHOTOGRAPHY: Conflict in the Caucasus 1993-2007 By Stanley Greene (noorimages.com)
A Photographic Investigation of the Caucasus, a testimony of a photographer who has spent time working and living in the Caucasus, covering this explosive region. Chalk Lines is a story of Petrol, Refugees and conflicts, focusing on Nagorno-Karabakh. It tells the story of this conflict from 1993- to this day between Azerbaijan and Armenia, this deeply unstable and fast-changing region of the world. Where oil is king and people pawns, visual information that gives an account of a on going war, and the hatred that fuels it.
more interesting links to Stanley Greene:
http://fragments.nl/
Open Wound, Chechnya 1994 –2003 Stanley Greene talks about his experience of the Chechen resistance to Russian domination. Published by Trolley Books. Directed and Edited By Stephen J. Bell. Video - 3 Parts
Interview: On the road to war - Chechenya 1992 - 1996
An angry photographer in Chechnya (bbc.co.uk)
In pictures: Chechnya: Open Wound
OPEN WOUND a photo book by Stanley Greene
more interesting links to Stanley Greene:
http://fragments.nl/
Open Wound, Chechnya 1994 –2003 Stanley Greene talks about his experience of the Chechen resistance to Russian domination. Published by Trolley Books. Directed and Edited By Stephen J. Bell. Video - 3 Parts
Interview: On the road to war - Chechenya 1992 - 1996
An angry photographer in Chechnya (bbc.co.uk)
In pictures: Chechnya: Open Wound
OPEN WOUND a photo book by Stanley Greene
TERMIN: Ausstellung und Vortrag zum Tschetschenienkrieg, Hamburg, 28.8.2009
Eine Fotoausstellung an der Universität Hamburg, 3.8. - 28.8. 2009
Bereits am 3. August 2009 wurde die Fotoausstellung „Studieren im Krieg. Wenn Bildung warten muss“ in den Räumen der Universität Hamburg eröffnet. Zum Abschluss der Ausstellung lädt der Hamburger Ableger des Vereins „Studieren ohne Grenzen“ für den 28. August ab 17 Uhr zu einer Vortragsveranstaltung im Institut für Erziehungswissenschaften der Universität Hamburg ein.
Ekkehard Maaß, Vorsitzender der Deutsch-Kaukasischen Gesellschaft, wird zur Menschrechtssituation und Bildung in Tschetschenien referieren, Anzor Amaev, ein ehemaliger Student aus Tschetschenien, berichtet als Zeitzeuge über die Situation von Studierenden in Krisengebieten, Felix Weth, Gründer von Studieren ohne Grenzen, wird über die Arbeit des Vereins in Tschetschenien und im Kongo reden. Anschließend wird der Dokumentarfilm „Coca“ des Schweizer Regisseurs Eric Bergkraut gezeigt, der die Tschetschenienkriege behandelt.
Die Ausstellung, die den gesamten August im Foyer der Fakultät für Erziehungswissenschaft, auf dem Campus der Universität Hamburg zu sehen ist, zeigt Fotografien aus den beiden Tschetschenienkriegen von Stanley Greene. Greenes Arbeit wurde 2001 mit dem dritten Preis des World Press Photo Award ausgezeichnet.
Der Verein Studieren ohne Grenzen fördert junge Menschen, die sich für den Wiederaufbau ihres Landes einsetzen. Während ihres Studiums unterrichten die kongolesischen Stipendiaten Analphabeten in den umliegenden Dörfern, nach ihrem Studium planen sie Projekte wie ein medizinisches Zentrum in ihrem Heimatdorf zu errichten oder eine Hygiene- und Gesundheitsberatung szentrum für Frauen aufzubauen.
Unterstützt wird der Verein unter anderem von Vaclav Havel, Herta Däubler-Gmelin, Daniel Cohn-Bendit und Gernot Erler.
Ort der Vortragsveranstaltung: Seminarraum 05 in der Fakultät für Erziehungswissenschaft, von Melle Park 8 (Campus der Universität Hamburg). Der Raum schließt direkt an Foyer und Ausstellung an.
Datum: 28.08. ab 17 Uhr.
Ort und Datum der Ausstellung: 03. - 28. August, Foyer der Fakultät für Erziehungswissensch aft, vor der Melle Park 8.
Geöffnet Montags bis Freitags 9-20 Uhr, Samstags 10-14 Uhr. Eintritt frei.
Bereits am 3. August 2009 wurde die Fotoausstellung „Studieren im Krieg. Wenn Bildung warten muss“ in den Räumen der Universität Hamburg eröffnet. Zum Abschluss der Ausstellung lädt der Hamburger Ableger des Vereins „Studieren ohne Grenzen“ für den 28. August ab 17 Uhr zu einer Vortragsveranstaltung im Institut für Erziehungswissenschaften der Universität Hamburg ein.
Ekkehard Maaß, Vorsitzender der Deutsch-Kaukasischen Gesellschaft, wird zur Menschrechtssituation und Bildung in Tschetschenien referieren, Anzor Amaev, ein ehemaliger Student aus Tschetschenien, berichtet als Zeitzeuge über die Situation von Studierenden in Krisengebieten, Felix Weth, Gründer von Studieren ohne Grenzen, wird über die Arbeit des Vereins in Tschetschenien und im Kongo reden. Anschließend wird der Dokumentarfilm „Coca“ des Schweizer Regisseurs Eric Bergkraut gezeigt, der die Tschetschenienkriege behandelt.
Die Ausstellung, die den gesamten August im Foyer der Fakultät für Erziehungswissenschaft, auf dem Campus der Universität Hamburg zu sehen ist, zeigt Fotografien aus den beiden Tschetschenienkriegen von Stanley Greene. Greenes Arbeit wurde 2001 mit dem dritten Preis des World Press Photo Award ausgezeichnet.
Der Verein Studieren ohne Grenzen fördert junge Menschen, die sich für den Wiederaufbau ihres Landes einsetzen. Während ihres Studiums unterrichten die kongolesischen Stipendiaten Analphabeten in den umliegenden Dörfern, nach ihrem Studium planen sie Projekte wie ein medizinisches Zentrum in ihrem Heimatdorf zu errichten oder eine Hygiene- und Gesundheitsberatung szentrum für Frauen aufzubauen.
Unterstützt wird der Verein unter anderem von Vaclav Havel, Herta Däubler-Gmelin, Daniel Cohn-Bendit und Gernot Erler.
Ort der Vortragsveranstaltung: Seminarraum 05 in der Fakultät für Erziehungswissenschaft, von Melle Park 8 (Campus der Universität Hamburg). Der Raum schließt direkt an Foyer und Ausstellung an.
Datum: 28.08. ab 17 Uhr.
Ort und Datum der Ausstellung: 03. - 28. August, Foyer der Fakultät für Erziehungswissensch aft, vor der Melle Park 8.
Geöffnet Montags bis Freitags 9-20 Uhr, Samstags 10-14 Uhr. Eintritt frei.
ARTICLES: RFE/RL Caucasus Report
A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the countries of the South Caucasus and Russia's North Caucasus region. For more stories on the Caucasus, please visit and bookmark our Caucasus page .
Group's Claim Of Russian Power Plant Attack Dismissed Russian officials have dismissed apparent claims by the militant group Riyad-us Salihiin that it was behind this week's deadly explosion at a hydroelectric station in Siberia. But analysts say the group is developing the ability to strike deep inside Russia. More
Armenia Steps Up Security On Websites After Cyberattacks Armenian authorities are stepping up security after a wave of cyberattacks on government websites, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Medvedev Outlines Strategy To Contain North Caucasus Violence Russian President Dmitry Medvedev convened a session of the Security Council in Stavropol on August 19 to evaluate the security situation in the North Caucasus in light of the suicide bombing in Nazran two days earlier that claimed 25 lives. More
Early Ramadan Raises Health Concerns For the first time in decades, Muslims will be observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in what will be the peak of summer in the northern hemisphere. The timing has prompted concerns over how believers can deal with sunrise-to-sunset food and water abstention during the year's hottest days, while maintaining their health. More
Armenian Journalist Spurns 'Illegal' Amnesty An Armenian photojournalist who was penalized for contempt of court has successfully petitioned authorities in Yerevan to rule illegal the amnesty that was granted to him in July, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Eurovision Investigating Baku's Questioning Of Voters The head of the Eurovision Song Contest says the organization is investigating reports that Azerbaijani officials are interrogating Azerbaijanis who voted for the Armenian entry in the May contest, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports. More
Georgian Interior Ministry Makes First Concession To Opposition Ten Georgian opposition activists detained for their participation in the protest demonstrations launched in April to force President Mikheil Saakashvili to resign have been released from pretrial detention following a landmark meeting on August 12 between the leaders of several Georgian extraparliamentary opposition parties and Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili. More
Daghestan's Leaders Seek To Allay Public Panic In the four weeks since Daghestan Security Council Chairman Ali Magomedov was named to head the republic's Interior Ministry, 16 police officers have been killed in 10 separate militant attacks in five towns or regions. More
Is Russia Losing the North Caucasus? A wave of bloody attacks in Russia's North Caucasus region is fueling speculation that Moscow is losing control over its volatile southern region. Experts blame the Kremlin for failing to tackle endemic poverty and corruption. But some say the violence is evidence of an effective military crackdown against a handful of extremists, pushing them to commit desperate acts. More
Armenian President's Turkey Visit Called 'Irrelevant' The main Armenian opposition group says a possible visit by President Serzh Sarkisian to Turkey in October would be "irrelevant" to the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Armenian Activist Faces Jail After Citing Alleged Abuse A young civic activist is facing criminal proceedings and the possibility of two years’ imprisonment for helping to trigger a scandal about alleged sexual and other abuse at a Yerevan school for children with special needs, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reports. More
Surge In North Caucasus Violence Reflects Diversification Of Resistance Tactics The attacks on police in Daghestan on August 13, and Ingushetia on August 17 serve to highlight the extent to which resistance jamaats in different North Caucasus republics adapt and modify their tactics in light of local conditions and constraints, and their own growing numerical strength. More
Russia's U-Turn Toward Zakayev Russian rulers, courtiers, and bureaucrats have been anything but uncreative, inflexible and lacking in ideas. Even today, a Russian politician can perform U-turns and somersaults that would turn any acrobat green with envy. Witness the Kremlin's overtures to Akhmed Zakayev. More
Azerbaijani Authorities Interrogate Music Fan Over Armenia Vote Rovshan Nasirli, a resident of the Azerbaijani capital Baku, this week received a surprise summons to the National Security Ministry for questioning. His transgression? Voting for the Armenian contestants in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. More
Readers React To Kadyrov Interview More
Are Chechen Factions Headed Toward Unity? Officials from both the pro-independence Chechen government in exile and the Moscow-backed Chechen administration have announced plans to hold a World Congress of Chechens later this year. Will that gathering contribute to the hoped-for consolidation of the Chechen people? Or is it just intended primarily to enhance the image of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov? More
Likely New U.S. Diplomat For Eurasia 'Gets Things Done' The United States will soon have a new deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. The man who is vacating the post after four years, Matthew Bryza, has announced he will be replaced by Tina Kaidanow, a longtime diplomat with more than 10 years of experience in the Balkans, who most recently served as the first U.S. ambassador to Kosovo. More
Azerbaijan To Adopt New Law On Political Parties Azerbaijani parliamentarian Siyavush Novruzov, who is deputy executive secretary of the ruling Yeni Azerbaycan Party, told journalists in Baku on August 10 that when it reconvenes for the fall session, the parliament plans to adopt a new law regulating the activities of, and funding for, political parties. More
Life In Kadyrov's Grozny Permeated By Fear Chechens praise Ramzan Kadyrov for overseeing the republic's dramatic reconstruction after two wars. At least in public. Off the record, many call Kadyrov an autocratic thug who's imposed order through fear. RFE/RL correspondent Gregory Feifer traveled to Grozny for a behind-the-scenes look at life in the capital. More
Two More Rights Activists Murdered In Chechnya Zarema Sadulayeva, the head of a charity for Chechen war victims, was found shot dead today along with her husband, Alik Dzhabrailov. More
Freed Armenian Editor Pledges To Fight For Change As He Fights For His Life Arman Babajanian, the gravely ill newspaper editor released from prison last week, pledged to fight for leadership change in Armenia alongside the country’s main opposition force today as he prepared to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment. More
Russian Rights Groups Assails Kadyrov Over Estemirova Comments The Russian rights group Memorial has responded strongly to comments made to RFE/RL by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov about slain activist Natalya Estemirova. More
Is Ingushetia Heading For A New Political Standoff? Ingushetian President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was discharged from hospital in Moscow today, exactly seven weeks after sustaining serious injuries in a suicide-bomb attack. He is likely to resume his duties by the end of this month, by which time political tensions may be on the rise in the run-up to the municipal elections scheduled for October 11. More
NGOs Orchestrate Grandiose Show Of Suppport For KBR President NGOs in the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic (KBR) convened a meeting in Nalchik on August 6 under the slogan "For peace, for concord, for unity," at which speakers proceeded to demonize the republic's Balkar minority for allegedly seeking to destabilize the political situation. At the same time, participants praised KBR President Arsen Kanokov's success in galvanizing the republic's stagnating economy, and called on the republic's 900,000-plus population to close ranks in his support. More
Playing Billiards With Chechen Strongman Kadyrov RFE/RL's interview with Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov has sparked a good debate on our Russian site. More
Ramzan Kadyrov's Evolving Political Credo Ramzan Kadyrov's career trajectory, from the poorly educated son of a Muslim cleric to one of the most powerful men in Russia, epitomizes Mao Tse-Tung's classic pronouncement that "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." But Kadyrov's recent statements reflect a desire for a redefinition of the powers of federation subject heads that would strengthen his position even further. More
Chechen Leader Denies Blame For Killings When Russian rights activist Natalya Estemirova was abducted and brutally murdered last month, her colleagues blamed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. They accuse him of fostering an atmosphere of impunity in which the abductions and killings of his critics take place. But in an exclusive interview, Kadyrov denies the charges and accuses the West of spreading lies about him. More
Semneby: Don't Blow 'Virtual' Incidents Out Of Proportion Peter Semneby, the European Union's special representative to the South Caucasus, has been in the Georgia capital, Tbilisi, for meetings with government officials, opposition members and NGOs. Semneby also visited Sukhumi, the capital of the separatist region of Abkhazia. One year after the start of the war between Russia and Georgia, the ambassador sat down for an interview in Tbilisi on August 6 with Nino Gelashvili of RFE/RL's Georgian Service. More
Causes And Effects Of The Russia-Georgia War Ahead of the first anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war that erupted on August 7-8, 2008, RFE/RL's Georgian Service invited two intent Russia- and Georgia-watchers for a discussion of the actions that precipitated that conflict, what it taught both countries and the international community, and its effect on future relations in the region and farther afield. The participants were Edward Lucas, author of "The New Cold War: How The Kremlin Menaces Both Russia And The West," and Lincoln Mitchell, a Georgia scholar and assistant professor in the Practice of International Politics, Columbia University. The discussion was moderated by RFE/RL Georgian Service correspondent Salome Asatiani and director David Kakabadze. More
Group's Claim Of Russian Power Plant Attack Dismissed Russian officials have dismissed apparent claims by the militant group Riyad-us Salihiin that it was behind this week's deadly explosion at a hydroelectric station in Siberia. But analysts say the group is developing the ability to strike deep inside Russia. More
Armenia Steps Up Security On Websites After Cyberattacks Armenian authorities are stepping up security after a wave of cyberattacks on government websites, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Medvedev Outlines Strategy To Contain North Caucasus Violence Russian President Dmitry Medvedev convened a session of the Security Council in Stavropol on August 19 to evaluate the security situation in the North Caucasus in light of the suicide bombing in Nazran two days earlier that claimed 25 lives. More
Early Ramadan Raises Health Concerns For the first time in decades, Muslims will be observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in what will be the peak of summer in the northern hemisphere. The timing has prompted concerns over how believers can deal with sunrise-to-sunset food and water abstention during the year's hottest days, while maintaining their health. More
Armenian Journalist Spurns 'Illegal' Amnesty An Armenian photojournalist who was penalized for contempt of court has successfully petitioned authorities in Yerevan to rule illegal the amnesty that was granted to him in July, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Eurovision Investigating Baku's Questioning Of Voters The head of the Eurovision Song Contest says the organization is investigating reports that Azerbaijani officials are interrogating Azerbaijanis who voted for the Armenian entry in the May contest, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports. More
Georgian Interior Ministry Makes First Concession To Opposition Ten Georgian opposition activists detained for their participation in the protest demonstrations launched in April to force President Mikheil Saakashvili to resign have been released from pretrial detention following a landmark meeting on August 12 between the leaders of several Georgian extraparliamentary opposition parties and Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili. More
Daghestan's Leaders Seek To Allay Public Panic In the four weeks since Daghestan Security Council Chairman Ali Magomedov was named to head the republic's Interior Ministry, 16 police officers have been killed in 10 separate militant attacks in five towns or regions. More
Is Russia Losing the North Caucasus? A wave of bloody attacks in Russia's North Caucasus region is fueling speculation that Moscow is losing control over its volatile southern region. Experts blame the Kremlin for failing to tackle endemic poverty and corruption. But some say the violence is evidence of an effective military crackdown against a handful of extremists, pushing them to commit desperate acts. More
Armenian President's Turkey Visit Called 'Irrelevant' The main Armenian opposition group says a possible visit by President Serzh Sarkisian to Turkey in October would be "irrelevant" to the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. More
Armenian Activist Faces Jail After Citing Alleged Abuse A young civic activist is facing criminal proceedings and the possibility of two years’ imprisonment for helping to trigger a scandal about alleged sexual and other abuse at a Yerevan school for children with special needs, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reports. More
Surge In North Caucasus Violence Reflects Diversification Of Resistance Tactics The attacks on police in Daghestan on August 13, and Ingushetia on August 17 serve to highlight the extent to which resistance jamaats in different North Caucasus republics adapt and modify their tactics in light of local conditions and constraints, and their own growing numerical strength. More
Russia's U-Turn Toward Zakayev Russian rulers, courtiers, and bureaucrats have been anything but uncreative, inflexible and lacking in ideas. Even today, a Russian politician can perform U-turns and somersaults that would turn any acrobat green with envy. Witness the Kremlin's overtures to Akhmed Zakayev. More
Azerbaijani Authorities Interrogate Music Fan Over Armenia Vote Rovshan Nasirli, a resident of the Azerbaijani capital Baku, this week received a surprise summons to the National Security Ministry for questioning. His transgression? Voting for the Armenian contestants in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. More
Readers React To Kadyrov Interview More
Are Chechen Factions Headed Toward Unity? Officials from both the pro-independence Chechen government in exile and the Moscow-backed Chechen administration have announced plans to hold a World Congress of Chechens later this year. Will that gathering contribute to the hoped-for consolidation of the Chechen people? Or is it just intended primarily to enhance the image of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov? More
Likely New U.S. Diplomat For Eurasia 'Gets Things Done' The United States will soon have a new deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. The man who is vacating the post after four years, Matthew Bryza, has announced he will be replaced by Tina Kaidanow, a longtime diplomat with more than 10 years of experience in the Balkans, who most recently served as the first U.S. ambassador to Kosovo. More
Azerbaijan To Adopt New Law On Political Parties Azerbaijani parliamentarian Siyavush Novruzov, who is deputy executive secretary of the ruling Yeni Azerbaycan Party, told journalists in Baku on August 10 that when it reconvenes for the fall session, the parliament plans to adopt a new law regulating the activities of, and funding for, political parties. More
Life In Kadyrov's Grozny Permeated By Fear Chechens praise Ramzan Kadyrov for overseeing the republic's dramatic reconstruction after two wars. At least in public. Off the record, many call Kadyrov an autocratic thug who's imposed order through fear. RFE/RL correspondent Gregory Feifer traveled to Grozny for a behind-the-scenes look at life in the capital. More
Two More Rights Activists Murdered In Chechnya Zarema Sadulayeva, the head of a charity for Chechen war victims, was found shot dead today along with her husband, Alik Dzhabrailov. More
Freed Armenian Editor Pledges To Fight For Change As He Fights For His Life Arman Babajanian, the gravely ill newspaper editor released from prison last week, pledged to fight for leadership change in Armenia alongside the country’s main opposition force today as he prepared to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment. More
Russian Rights Groups Assails Kadyrov Over Estemirova Comments The Russian rights group Memorial has responded strongly to comments made to RFE/RL by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov about slain activist Natalya Estemirova. More
Is Ingushetia Heading For A New Political Standoff? Ingushetian President Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was discharged from hospital in Moscow today, exactly seven weeks after sustaining serious injuries in a suicide-bomb attack. He is likely to resume his duties by the end of this month, by which time political tensions may be on the rise in the run-up to the municipal elections scheduled for October 11. More
NGOs Orchestrate Grandiose Show Of Suppport For KBR President NGOs in the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic (KBR) convened a meeting in Nalchik on August 6 under the slogan "For peace, for concord, for unity," at which speakers proceeded to demonize the republic's Balkar minority for allegedly seeking to destabilize the political situation. At the same time, participants praised KBR President Arsen Kanokov's success in galvanizing the republic's stagnating economy, and called on the republic's 900,000-plus population to close ranks in his support. More
Playing Billiards With Chechen Strongman Kadyrov RFE/RL's interview with Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov has sparked a good debate on our Russian site. More
Ramzan Kadyrov's Evolving Political Credo Ramzan Kadyrov's career trajectory, from the poorly educated son of a Muslim cleric to one of the most powerful men in Russia, epitomizes Mao Tse-Tung's classic pronouncement that "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." But Kadyrov's recent statements reflect a desire for a redefinition of the powers of federation subject heads that would strengthen his position even further. More
Chechen Leader Denies Blame For Killings When Russian rights activist Natalya Estemirova was abducted and brutally murdered last month, her colleagues blamed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. They accuse him of fostering an atmosphere of impunity in which the abductions and killings of his critics take place. But in an exclusive interview, Kadyrov denies the charges and accuses the West of spreading lies about him. More
Semneby: Don't Blow 'Virtual' Incidents Out Of Proportion Peter Semneby, the European Union's special representative to the South Caucasus, has been in the Georgia capital, Tbilisi, for meetings with government officials, opposition members and NGOs. Semneby also visited Sukhumi, the capital of the separatist region of Abkhazia. One year after the start of the war between Russia and Georgia, the ambassador sat down for an interview in Tbilisi on August 6 with Nino Gelashvili of RFE/RL's Georgian Service. More
Causes And Effects Of The Russia-Georgia War Ahead of the first anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war that erupted on August 7-8, 2008, RFE/RL's Georgian Service invited two intent Russia- and Georgia-watchers for a discussion of the actions that precipitated that conflict, what it taught both countries and the international community, and its effect on future relations in the region and farther afield. The participants were Edward Lucas, author of "The New Cold War: How The Kremlin Menaces Both Russia And The West," and Lincoln Mitchell, a Georgia scholar and assistant professor in the Practice of International Politics, Columbia University. The discussion was moderated by RFE/RL Georgian Service correspondent Salome Asatiani and director David Kakabadze. More
JOURNAL: "Der Abschied von den Imperien im 20. und 21. Jahrhundert (The Parting from Empires in the 20th and 21st Centuries)"
"Der Abschied von den Imperien im 20. und 21. Jahrhundert (The Parting from Empires in the 20th and 21st Centuries)" - A special issue of the "Forum fuer osteuropaeische Ideen- und Zeitgeschichte"
Dear colleagues,
we would like to bring to your attention the just released special issue of our German-language printed journal "Forum fuer osteuropaeische Ideen- und Zeitgeschichte (Forum for Contemporary
East European Ideas and History)," vol. 13, no. 1, 2009, at http://www1.ku-eichstaett.de/ZIMOS/forum/index.htm. The first section of this issue is devoted to the decline of empires since the late 19th century. Our journal's next issue, to be released in early 2010, will focus on the same topic.
Please, find below the latest issue's list of contents:
-----------------
Leonid Luks
"Einfuehrung (Introduction)," p. 7
I. Der Abschied von den Imperien im 20. und 21. Jahrhundert: Mittel- und osteuropaeische Erinnerungen (The Parting from Empires in the 20th and 21st Centuries: Central and East European Memories)
Karsten Ruppert
"Der Untergang der Imperien im Ersten Weltkrieg und die Folgen fuer Europa (The Downfall of Empires During World War I and Its Repercussions for Europe)," p. 11
Vladimir Kantor
"Der kulturphilosophische Nationalismus als Ausloeser der russischen Reichskrise an der Wende des 19. zum 20. Jahrhundert
(Cultural-Philosophical Nationalism as a Trigger for the Russian Imperial Crisis at the Turn of the 19th Century to the 20th Century. Transl. from Russian by Dagmar Herrmann)," p.. 49
Aygul Ashirova
"Die politische Ideologie der Jungtuerken: Osmanismus oder Panturkismus? (The Political Ideology of the Young Turks: Osmanism or Pan-Turkism?)," p. 65
Heinz Huerten
"Die Sehnsucht nach dem 'Reich' in der Weimarer Republik (The Yearning for 'Empire' in the Weimar Republic)," p. 77
Alexei Rybakov
"Rom und Reich in der Dichtung von Osip Mandel’štam (Rome and Empire in the Poetry of Osip Mandelstam)," p. 91
II. Zeitgeschichte (Contemporary History)
Zaur Gasimov
"Demokraten oder Nationalisten? Zur Dissidentenbewegung im sowjetischen Suedkaukasus am Beispiel Georgiens und Aserbaidschans (Democrats or Nationalists? The Dissident Movement in the Soviet Southern Caucasus & the Cases of Georgia and Azerbaidshan)," p. 107
Andreas Umland
"Das Konzept der 'unzivilen Gesellschaft' als Instrument vergleichender und russlandbezogener Rechtsextremismusforschung (The Concept of 'Uncivil Society' as an Instrument of Comparative and
Russia-related Research into the Extreme Right)," p. 129
III. Memoiren (Memoirs)
Bernhard Schleissheimer
"Russland in meinem Leben: Aus den Erinnerungen eines alten Mannes. Teil II (Russia in My Life: Memories of an Old Man. Part II)," p. 149
IV. Buchbesprechungen (Book Reviews), p. 191
Erwin Oberlaender und Volker Keller (Hrsg.), Kurland â€" Vom polnisch-litauischen Lehensherzogtum zur russischen (Courland â€" From a Polish-Lithuanian to a Russian Duchy). Reviewed by G. Frhr. v.
Manteuffel-Szoege
Boris Chazanov: Vcherashniaia vechnost': Fragmenty XX stoletiia (Yesterday's Eternity: Fragments of the 20th Century); Ejtan Finkel'shtein: Labirint (Labyrinth). Reviewed by L. Luks
In Memoriam
Prof. Dr. Peter Krupnikow (19.03.1920-20.02.2009), p. 201
Dr. Albert Bruer (12.04.1946-16.04.2009), p. 205
----------------------------
The journal is published bei Boehlau Press and available at:
http://www.boehlau.de/newbuchliste.aspx?id=7 as well as via
Please, feel free to forward, publish or post the above information.
The Editors
Prof. Leonid Luks, Dr. Alexei Rybakov, Dr. Andreas Umland
Institute for Central and East European Studies
The Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Bavaria
http://www1.ku-eichstaett.de/ZIMOS/zimos.htm
Dear colleagues,
we would like to bring to your attention the just released special issue of our German-language printed journal "Forum fuer osteuropaeische Ideen- und Zeitgeschichte (Forum for Contemporary
East European Ideas and History)," vol. 13, no. 1, 2009, at http://www1.ku-eichstaett.de/ZIMOS/forum/index.htm. The first section of this issue is devoted to the decline of empires since the late 19th century. Our journal's next issue, to be released in early 2010, will focus on the same topic.
Please, find below the latest issue's list of contents:
-----------------
Leonid Luks
"Einfuehrung (Introduction)," p. 7
I. Der Abschied von den Imperien im 20. und 21. Jahrhundert: Mittel- und osteuropaeische Erinnerungen (The Parting from Empires in the 20th and 21st Centuries: Central and East European Memories)
Karsten Ruppert
"Der Untergang der Imperien im Ersten Weltkrieg und die Folgen fuer Europa (The Downfall of Empires During World War I and Its Repercussions for Europe)," p. 11
Vladimir Kantor
"Der kulturphilosophische Nationalismus als Ausloeser der russischen Reichskrise an der Wende des 19. zum 20. Jahrhundert
(Cultural-Philosophical Nationalism as a Trigger for the Russian Imperial Crisis at the Turn of the 19th Century to the 20th Century. Transl. from Russian by Dagmar Herrmann)," p.. 49
Aygul Ashirova
"Die politische Ideologie der Jungtuerken: Osmanismus oder Panturkismus? (The Political Ideology of the Young Turks: Osmanism or Pan-Turkism?)," p. 65
Heinz Huerten
"Die Sehnsucht nach dem 'Reich' in der Weimarer Republik (The Yearning for 'Empire' in the Weimar Republic)," p. 77
Alexei Rybakov
"Rom und Reich in der Dichtung von Osip Mandel’štam (Rome and Empire in the Poetry of Osip Mandelstam)," p. 91
II. Zeitgeschichte (Contemporary History)
Zaur Gasimov
"Demokraten oder Nationalisten? Zur Dissidentenbewegung im sowjetischen Suedkaukasus am Beispiel Georgiens und Aserbaidschans (Democrats or Nationalists? The Dissident Movement in the Soviet Southern Caucasus & the Cases of Georgia and Azerbaidshan)," p. 107
Andreas Umland
"Das Konzept der 'unzivilen Gesellschaft' als Instrument vergleichender und russlandbezogener Rechtsextremismusforschung (The Concept of 'Uncivil Society' as an Instrument of Comparative and
Russia-related Research into the Extreme Right)," p. 129
III. Memoiren (Memoirs)
Bernhard Schleissheimer
"Russland in meinem Leben: Aus den Erinnerungen eines alten Mannes. Teil II (Russia in My Life: Memories of an Old Man. Part II)," p. 149
IV. Buchbesprechungen (Book Reviews), p. 191
Erwin Oberlaender und Volker Keller (Hrsg.), Kurland â€" Vom polnisch-litauischen Lehensherzogtum zur russischen (Courland â€" From a Polish-Lithuanian to a Russian Duchy). Reviewed by G. Frhr. v.
Manteuffel-Szoege
Boris Chazanov: Vcherashniaia vechnost': Fragmenty XX stoletiia (Yesterday's Eternity: Fragments of the 20th Century); Ejtan Finkel'shtein: Labirint (Labyrinth). Reviewed by L. Luks
In Memoriam
Prof. Dr. Peter Krupnikow (19.03.1920-20.02.2009), p. 201
Dr. Albert Bruer (12.04.1946-16.04.2009), p. 205
----------------------------
The journal is published bei Boehlau Press and available at:
http://www.boehlau.de/newbuchliste.aspx?id=7 as well as via
Please, feel free to forward, publish or post the above information.
The Editors
Prof. Leonid Luks, Dr. Alexei Rybakov, Dr. Andreas Umland
Institute for Central and East European Studies
The Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Bavaria
http://www1.ku-eichstaett.de/ZIMOS/zimos.htm
DIA-VORTRAG: "Armenier im Libanon" - Von Ischchan Tschiftdschjan
Liebe Leute,
ich halte an diesem Donnerstag, den 27.08.2009
20:30 Uhr
einen Dia-Vortragüber die "Armenier im Libanon"
in der
Evangelisch-Lutherischen Auferstehungskirchgemeinde
Georg-Schumann-Straße 198
D-04159 Leipzig.
Hiermit sind Sie herzlich eingeladen!
Ischchan Tschiftdschjan
ich halte an diesem Donnerstag, den 27.08.2009
20:30 Uhr
einen Dia-Vortragüber die "Armenier im Libanon"
in der
Evangelisch-Lutherischen Auferstehungskirchgemeinde
Georg-Schumann-Straße 198
D-04159 Leipzig.
Hiermit sind Sie herzlich eingeladen!
Ischchan Tschiftdschjan
NEWS: 21 Aug 09 | Caucasus Reporting Service 507 (iwpr.net)
South Ossetians Puzzled by Leaders
Locals say officials were not ready for independence and may not even want it. By Alan Tskhurbaev in Tskhinval (CRS No. 507, 21-Aug-09)
Armenia’s Yezidis Bemoan Lowly Status
Long-marginalised community claims it faces systematic discrimination. By Aghavni Harutyunian in Zovuni and Arpi Makhsudian in Yerevan (CRS No. 507, 21-Aug-09)
Tea and Memories in the Caucasus
Tbilisi tea-house gives glimpse of lost ethnic harmony. By Seymur Kazimov in Tbilisi (CRS No. 507, 21-Aug-09)
Locals say officials were not ready for independence and may not even want it. By Alan Tskhurbaev in Tskhinval (CRS No. 507, 21-Aug-09)
Armenia’s Yezidis Bemoan Lowly Status
Long-marginalised community claims it faces systematic discrimination. By Aghavni Harutyunian in Zovuni and Arpi Makhsudian in Yerevan (CRS No. 507, 21-Aug-09)
Tea and Memories in the Caucasus
Tbilisi tea-house gives glimpse of lost ethnic harmony. By Seymur Kazimov in Tbilisi (CRS No. 507, 21-Aug-09)
Friday, August 21, 2009
ARTICLE: Independent Abkhazia one year on (opendemocracy.net)
By Inal Khashig, 18 - 08 - 2009
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's one-day visit to Sukhumi on 13 August effectively marked the end of Abkhazia's first year as an independent state. Inal Khashig looks back over the year and considers the state of Abkhaz-Russian relations.
It need hardly be said that little remains of the boundless euphoria experienced by Abkhaz people on 26 August 2008, the day President Dmitry Medvedev announced the recognition of independence for Abkhazia and South Ossetia. At that time everyone believed that no fewer than 10 countries would soon follow suit, but this turned out to be a vain hope. At the moment of writing no one, apart from Nicaragua, has offered support to Abkhazia, and this has clearly affected the official rhetoric emanating from Sukhumi.
A year ago, before the August events in the Caucasus, President Bagapsh and foreign minister Sergei Shamba often put forward the idea of a multi-vector foreign policy, which clearly did not suit Moscow at all. Several months before Russia's recognition of Abkhazia, Mr Shamba had spelt out this policy, which was to involve Russia, the European Union and Turkey (where there is a population of up to 500,000 Abkhaz, who were forced to migrate there after the Caucasian war in the 19th century). However, these signals received no support from the West, and after the European Union and the USA had reacted extremely negatively to Russia's recognition of Abkhazia's independence, the "multi-vector" thesis quietly disappeared from the vocabulary of official Sukhumi altogether.
Nevertheless, the fact of recognition and Moscow's acceptance of responsibility for security in Abkhazia was sufficient for the issue of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict to take a back seat for the Abkhaz themselves a year later.
full text >>>
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's one-day visit to Sukhumi on 13 August effectively marked the end of Abkhazia's first year as an independent state. Inal Khashig looks back over the year and considers the state of Abkhaz-Russian relations.
It need hardly be said that little remains of the boundless euphoria experienced by Abkhaz people on 26 August 2008, the day President Dmitry Medvedev announced the recognition of independence for Abkhazia and South Ossetia. At that time everyone believed that no fewer than 10 countries would soon follow suit, but this turned out to be a vain hope. At the moment of writing no one, apart from Nicaragua, has offered support to Abkhazia, and this has clearly affected the official rhetoric emanating from Sukhumi.
A year ago, before the August events in the Caucasus, President Bagapsh and foreign minister Sergei Shamba often put forward the idea of a multi-vector foreign policy, which clearly did not suit Moscow at all. Several months before Russia's recognition of Abkhazia, Mr Shamba had spelt out this policy, which was to involve Russia, the European Union and Turkey (where there is a population of up to 500,000 Abkhaz, who were forced to migrate there after the Caucasian war in the 19th century). However, these signals received no support from the West, and after the European Union and the USA had reacted extremely negatively to Russia's recognition of Abkhazia's independence, the "multi-vector" thesis quietly disappeared from the vocabulary of official Sukhumi altogether.
Nevertheless, the fact of recognition and Moscow's acceptance of responsibility for security in Abkhazia was sufficient for the issue of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict to take a back seat for the Abkhaz themselves a year later.
full text >>>
ARTICLE: Russia and Georgia and the Caucasian Calculus (marketoracle.co.uk)
Politics / GeoPolitics Aug 19, 2009 - 01:15 AM
By: Global_Research
Eric Walberg writes: Georgia is to Russia as Colombia is to Venezuela, and Kaidanow spells troubleWar clouds refuse to disperse a year after Georgia waged war against Russia. On the anniversary of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's ill-fated invasion of South Ossetia 8 August, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev warned: "Georgia does not stop threatening to restore its 'territorial integrity' by force. Armed forces are concentrated at the borders near Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and provocations are committed," including renewed Georgian shelling of the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali.
full text >>>
Eric Walberg writes for Al-Ahram Weekly http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/. You can reach him at http://ericwalberg.com/
By: Global_Research
Eric Walberg writes: Georgia is to Russia as Colombia is to Venezuela, and Kaidanow spells troubleWar clouds refuse to disperse a year after Georgia waged war against Russia. On the anniversary of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's ill-fated invasion of South Ossetia 8 August, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev warned: "Georgia does not stop threatening to restore its 'territorial integrity' by force. Armed forces are concentrated at the borders near Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and provocations are committed," including renewed Georgian shelling of the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali.
full text >>>
Eric Walberg writes for Al-Ahram Weekly http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/. You can reach him at http://ericwalberg.com/
ARTIKEL: Nach dem Austritt Georgiens aus der GUS: Hat der Staatenbund eine Zukunft? (dw-world.de)
Mit dem Vollzug des Austritts Georgiens aus der GUS zum 18. August 2009 stellt sich die Frage nach der Relevanz des Staatenbundes. Die Antworten fallen niederschmetternd aus.
Der ganze Artikel >>>
Der ganze Artikel >>>
ARTIKEL: Cyberwar gegen Georgien war exemplarisch für kommende Kriege (golem.de)
Zivile Hacker mit Kontakten zur Armee und zur organisierten Kriminalität waren für den russischen Cyberwar gegen Georgien im vergangenen Jahr verantwortlich. Das ist das Ergebnis einer Studie, deren Autor sagt, dass solche Cyberangriffe künftig viele Konflikte begleiten werden.
Als im Sommer 2008 russische und georgische Truppen um die abtrünnige georgische Provinz Südossetien kämpften, legten Distributed-Denial-of-Service-Angriffe (DDoS) die Server der Regierung Georgiens lahm, Webseiten wurden gehackt und verändert. Für die Regierung von Präsident Michail Saakaschwili war klar, dass nur Russland hinter den Cyberangriffen stecken könne. Die russische Regierung hingegen bestritt jegliche Beteiligung daran.
Zivile Angreifer
Ein jetzt veröffentlichter Bericht der US Cyber Consequences Unit (US-CCU) macht zivile russische Hacker für die Cyberattacken verantwortlich.
Der ganze Artikel >>>
Als im Sommer 2008 russische und georgische Truppen um die abtrünnige georgische Provinz Südossetien kämpften, legten Distributed-Denial-of-Service-Angriffe (DDoS) die Server der Regierung Georgiens lahm, Webseiten wurden gehackt und verändert. Für die Regierung von Präsident Michail Saakaschwili war klar, dass nur Russland hinter den Cyberangriffen stecken könne. Die russische Regierung hingegen bestritt jegliche Beteiligung daran.
Zivile Angreifer
Ein jetzt veröffentlichter Bericht der US Cyber Consequences Unit (US-CCU) macht zivile russische Hacker für die Cyberattacken verantwortlich.
Der ganze Artikel >>>
BLOG: The Cyber Attack Report on Georgia (robertamsterdam.com)
Registan.net has posted up a nine-page executive summary of a long report compiled by John Bumgarner of the U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit. Steve LeVine at Oil and Glory talked with and analyzed the results... which show that complicity with the government in the cyber attack on Georgia was highly likely, and, in fact, it could have been much, much worse (just as the Russian air strikes purposely bombed all around the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline without hitting it to prove the point.
more >>>
more >>>
CALL: Tbilisi International Film Festival (nmartproject.net)
Call for entriesDeadline:
20.09.2009
Tbilisi International Film Festival
20th TBILISI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
December 1-6, 2009 - Tbilisi, Georgia
Call for submissions >>>
Entry Form >>>
The film festival aims to promote new films, familiarize filmgoers and professionals with world cinema news and support development of Georgian film industry by holding of workshops, master classes, panel discussions and pitching sessions.
Program
- International Competition – First and Second Full-length Feature Films from Europe
- International Competition – Short Films (up to 35’) from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Iran
- Forum of European Cinema- Horizons- Made in Germany
- French Showcase
- Forum of European Cinema
- Film School- Retrospectives
- Homage- Director in Focus
- Georgian Panorama
- Documentaries
- Special Screenings
- Special Events - “Pitch-Point” (Documentary Projects Market - 22 projects from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine)
- Exhibitions
International Competition (Full-length Features)
The first or second films of directors will take part in the international competition this year. No more than 10 films will be selected. The contestant films are to be shot on 35 mm film, of no less than 60 minutes running time and produced not earlier than 1 January of 2008.
The Festival will cover travel and accommodation expenses of the contestant film director.
International Competition (Shorts)
Short Feature Films up to 35 minutes from Caucasus Region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran and Turkey) will compete for the Sergej Parajanov Award.
The Festival will cover travel and accommodation expenses of the contestant film director.
Rules of Submitting
ApplicationsThose who wish to participate in the festival are requested to submit filled in application forms and a copy of the film on DVD or VHS format with subtitles in English.
Films will be selected by a selection commission.
After film makers receive notification that their film was admitted for participation in the festival programs they must submit to the festival office the following documents:
text of subtitles (text of dialogues) in English; materials for catalogue (synopsis, film shot, credits, photograph of director, his/her biography and filmography); advertising materials, press accounts.
Prizes
Golden Prometheus (for the best film in the main competition)
Silver Prometheus (for the best direction in the main competition)
Sergej Parajanov Award (for the best film in the short film competition)
Transportation and Insurance of the CopiesCost of forwarding the contestant film shall be paid by the sender, while the Festival assumes responsibility for its sending back.
A copy of the selected film shall be delivered to the festival office by 25 November 2009.
The festival assumes responsibility for the film from the moment of its delivery to the moment of its sending back. In case the film is damaged or lost the festival responsibility is limited only to the cost indicated in the application form.
If an applicant fails to send the application form before 1 November 2009 the Insurance Company will evaluate the film at 2000 USD.
Application form
Deadline: 20/09/09
Contact:
Tbilisi International Film Festival
164, David Agmashenebeli av.
0112 Tbilisi
Georgia phone: (+995 32) 35 67 60
office@tbilisifilmfestival.ge
www.tbilisifilmfestival.ge
BUSINESS: WHAT IS GOING ON? INSIGHTS FROM CRRC SURVEY DATA IN GEORGIA AND THE CAUCASUS (investor.ge)
By Julia Hon and Tamuna Khoshtaria
Politicians and pundits are happy to tell us what they think is going on in the Caucasus. We may try to draw our own conclusions as well, based on our own observations, what we read, or anecdotes we hear from friends or coworkers. These personal insights are valuable, but they don’t allow us to generalize in any reliable fashion. In more extreme cases, people in discussions can end up talking at cross-purposes, unable to agree on any of the facts. How, then, can we really find out who people in the Caucasus are, what they do, and how they think? Survey data from the Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC) offer a window into the lives of people in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. CRRC’s yearly Data Initiative (DI) is the largest annual coordinated data-gathering effort in the Caucasus – and one of the few surveys providing quality data on a wide range of political, economic, social and cultural issues.For the DI 2008, nearly 6000 face-to-face interviews were conducted using nationally representative samples from the three countries to collect data; the Politics and Protest survey was carried out across Georgia with a total of over 1800 respondents. This article presents some snapshots from the 2008 DI, as well as the CRRC’s May 2009 survey on politics and protests in Georgia. Both, however, are broader instruments than is reflected here.
[...]
Looking forward
Despite these sobering numbers, Georgians have hope in the future of their country. When respondents were asked whether they thought their children would be better or worse off than they are, many respondents were uncertain, but only 2% thought that their children would be worse off, and 50% saw a brighter economic future for their children. Although the data cannot predict exactly what the future will hold, it can tell us that, when it comes to the long term, many Georgians have a positive outlook.
The future of the region also depends on the attitudes and behaviors of its citizens; CRRC’s data-gathering efforts endeavor to gauge them accurately. The data presented in this article is just the tip of the iceberg. Our respondents have told us about everything from what they think about the media, to whether they pray, to how often they smoke cigarettes, to what they think about their country’s foreign policy. Much of our data is publicly available at http://www.crrccenters.org/ – and we offer trainings on how to analyze data. Moreover, CRRC will soon have a web interface that allows you to check data online. You have a question about social, political, or economic developments? Explore the dataset (if you already know how), or get in touch with us at nana@crrccenters.org to find out more about the data and how to use it.
Julia Hon and Tamuna Khoshtaria are Research Fellows at the Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC). CRRC is a joint program of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and has worked with many major international organizations on various research projects, ranging from surveys and focus groups to complex mapping projects. CRRC data is regularly presented to members of AmCham at luncheons and other events. More information online at www.crrccenters.org.
full text >>>
Politicians and pundits are happy to tell us what they think is going on in the Caucasus. We may try to draw our own conclusions as well, based on our own observations, what we read, or anecdotes we hear from friends or coworkers. These personal insights are valuable, but they don’t allow us to generalize in any reliable fashion. In more extreme cases, people in discussions can end up talking at cross-purposes, unable to agree on any of the facts. How, then, can we really find out who people in the Caucasus are, what they do, and how they think? Survey data from the Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC) offer a window into the lives of people in Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. CRRC’s yearly Data Initiative (DI) is the largest annual coordinated data-gathering effort in the Caucasus – and one of the few surveys providing quality data on a wide range of political, economic, social and cultural issues.For the DI 2008, nearly 6000 face-to-face interviews were conducted using nationally representative samples from the three countries to collect data; the Politics and Protest survey was carried out across Georgia with a total of over 1800 respondents. This article presents some snapshots from the 2008 DI, as well as the CRRC’s May 2009 survey on politics and protests in Georgia. Both, however, are broader instruments than is reflected here.
[...]
Looking forward
Despite these sobering numbers, Georgians have hope in the future of their country. When respondents were asked whether they thought their children would be better or worse off than they are, many respondents were uncertain, but only 2% thought that their children would be worse off, and 50% saw a brighter economic future for their children. Although the data cannot predict exactly what the future will hold, it can tell us that, when it comes to the long term, many Georgians have a positive outlook.
The future of the region also depends on the attitudes and behaviors of its citizens; CRRC’s data-gathering efforts endeavor to gauge them accurately. The data presented in this article is just the tip of the iceberg. Our respondents have told us about everything from what they think about the media, to whether they pray, to how often they smoke cigarettes, to what they think about their country’s foreign policy. Much of our data is publicly available at http://www.crrccenters.org/ – and we offer trainings on how to analyze data. Moreover, CRRC will soon have a web interface that allows you to check data online. You have a question about social, political, or economic developments? Explore the dataset (if you already know how), or get in touch with us at nana@crrccenters.org to find out more about the data and how to use it.
Julia Hon and Tamuna Khoshtaria are Research Fellows at the Caucasus Research Resource Centers (CRRC). CRRC is a joint program of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and has worked with many major international organizations on various research projects, ranging from surveys and focus groups to complex mapping projects. CRRC data is regularly presented to members of AmCham at luncheons and other events. More information online at www.crrccenters.org.
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PHOTOGRAPHY: Сухуми, май 2009 г (cyxymu.livejournal.com)
Сухуми cyxymu is one of the well-known blogger from the sout caucasian area. On his blog there was a hacker attack weeks ago. But for me ... very often I visited his blog. The photographies in this blog are very amazing. Differents moods and facts of realty from Abkhasia you can watch there.
ARTIKEL: Bündnis der Teufel - Hitler-Stalin-Pakt (welt.de)
Von Gregor Schöllgen
Vor 70 Jahren wurde der Hitler-Stalin-Pakt geschlossen. Russland profitierte davon am meisten
Der ganze Text >>>
Ähnliche Artikel
J. W. Stalin
Kampfplatz Deutschland: Stalins Angriffspläne für den Westen
In Norman Mailers neuem Roman ist Hitler ein Werkzeug des Teufels. Entlassen aus ihrer Schuld will der amerikanische Schriftsteller die Deutschen aber damit nicht. Mailer über das Altern, den Tod und wie man sein Zahlengedächtnis verliert: "Hitler war eine Heulsuse"
Karikaturen: Stalin ließ die Genossen "an den Eiern aufhängen"
Norman Mailer im O-Ton: "Hitler war eine Heulsuse"
Vor 70 Jahren wurde der Hitler-Stalin-Pakt geschlossen. Russland profitierte davon am meisten
Der ganze Text >>>
Ähnliche Artikel
J. W. Stalin
Kampfplatz Deutschland: Stalins Angriffspläne für den Westen
In Norman Mailers neuem Roman ist Hitler ein Werkzeug des Teufels. Entlassen aus ihrer Schuld will der amerikanische Schriftsteller die Deutschen aber damit nicht. Mailer über das Altern, den Tod und wie man sein Zahlengedächtnis verliert: "Hitler war eine Heulsuse"
Karikaturen: Stalin ließ die Genossen "an den Eiern aufhängen"
Norman Mailer im O-Ton: "Hitler war eine Heulsuse"
BOOK: “The men and women. Uninvented stories” presented in Yerevan (panarmenian.net)
Presentation of the book "The men and women. Uninvented stories" held on August 19 in Yerevan. The book, prepared by the Association of Journalists “GenderMediaKavkaz" is a collection of short stories describing the lives of ordinary people in Armenia, Artsakh, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The publication of short stories collections was a result of the BBC project. The project of “Radio Diaries” in the South Caucasus was carried out within 2002 and 2006 in Georgia and Abkhazia, and in 2003-2007 in Armenia, Artsakh and Azerbaijan. “Radio Diaries” were broadcast by the public radio and Radio Van in Armenia.
”Within the first year of project implementation Armenian stories were not broadcast in Azerbaijan and it took a year to transfer records from the Armenian to Azeri language,” the representative of the project from Nagorno Karabakh Karine Ohanyan said.
source: panarmenian.net
AmazonShop: Books, Maps, Videos, Music & Gifts About The Caucasus
The publication of short stories collections was a result of the BBC project. The project of “Radio Diaries” in the South Caucasus was carried out within 2002 and 2006 in Georgia and Abkhazia, and in 2003-2007 in Armenia, Artsakh and Azerbaijan. “Radio Diaries” were broadcast by the public radio and Radio Van in Armenia.
”Within the first year of project implementation Armenian stories were not broadcast in Azerbaijan and it took a year to transfer records from the Armenian to Azeri language,” the representative of the project from Nagorno Karabakh Karine Ohanyan said.
source: panarmenian.net
AmazonShop: Books, Maps, Videos, Music & Gifts About The Caucasus
ARTICLE: U.S. maintains its agenda of Global and Outer Space Military Domination despite economic problems on the home front. By Rick Rozoff
A change in the American White House, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s and the mounting costs in both dollars and lives of the war in Afghanistan have not slowed down the U.S.'s plans for military domination of the planet and in outer space; nor have they lessened the threat of an unprecedented catastrophe resulting from the designs by the United States and its allies in Europe and Asia to establish an impenetrable international missile shield that would leave two of the world's nuclear powers, Russia and China, targets for coercion and first strike conventional and nuclear attacks.
full article >>>
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ARTICLE: Russia’s statelets game (sofiaecho.com)
Leading Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev, in a brilliantly perceptive balance sheet on the political fallout of the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war published on the openDemocracy website, said that the Kremlin’s revisionism is the outcome of Moscow’s growing insecurity.
"The Russia of Vladimir Putin fears at the same time territorial disintegration and the loss of global relevance. Both of these fears are legitimate," Krastev said."
The ultimate objective of the Kremlin’s current foreign policy is that if it cannot be strong, Russia should not look weak. In Putin’s words, ‘Russia will either be a great power or it will not be at all’," according to Krastev.
Full article >>>
"The Russia of Vladimir Putin fears at the same time territorial disintegration and the loss of global relevance. Both of these fears are legitimate," Krastev said."
The ultimate objective of the Kremlin’s current foreign policy is that if it cannot be strong, Russia should not look weak. In Putin’s words, ‘Russia will either be a great power or it will not be at all’," according to Krastev.
Full article >>>
VIDEO: Georgian Bakery in Brooklyn, NY (youtube.com)
Badri makes Georgian (not in British, nor American sense) bread called "shotispuri", or "shoti", or just "khleb" ("bread" in Russian, but with a guttural "kh" - think Scottish "ch"). I think it's the best bread available to me. It's not organic or anything - just hot and delicious, and kicks ass, especially of those who profiteer by these treasonous pseudo-Uzbeki flatbreads that seem to be so ubiquitous these days. Badri also makes khachapuri, I thought you'd like to know. Google them, Wikipedia them, then come and have a taste ($5 khachapuri, $2 shoti/"khleb" as shown).
Shot with a PHOTOCAMERA impromptu, edited/processed/"upgraded" to HD in iMovie.
Soundtrack is a Georgian folk song "Kakhuri Mravalzhamieri" sung by Rustavi choir.
AUSSTELLUNG: Tiflis Transfer: Patricia London Ante Paris und georgische KünstlerInnen in Saarbrücken. (tiflistransfer.blogspot.com)
26.8. - 26. 9. 2009
Eröffnung: 26. August 19 Uhr
SAARLÄNDISCHES KÜNSTLERHAUS SAARBRÜCKEN
TIFLIS TRANSFER
Einführung: Maja Sokolova
Patricia London Ante Paris und georgische KünstlerInnen
Saarländisches Künstlerhaus
Vernissage Mittwoch, 26. August 2009, 19 Uhr
Aus der Ausstellung „New Medea theater collectif in a digital-metafisikal state ofemergency“, die Patricia London im Juli 2009 in Tiflis im New Art kuratierte, sind inSaarbrücken die Videos „Landerror“ von Koka Ramishvili und „Georgian Sexual Revolution“ von Nadia Tzulukidze zu sehen sowie Papierarbeiten von 7 georgischenKünstlerInnen.
Jeden Nachmittag um 16 Uhr zeigt das Künstlerhaus Saarbrücken drei Dokumentarfilme der georgischen Regisseurin Natia Arabuli:
Hotel, GE, 2000, Ramsan und seine Brüder, D, 2006, und Fatimas Erwachen, D ,2009, der am 6. September 2009 um 18:00 in 3SAT ausgestrahlt wird.
Biografien aller beteiligten KünstlerInnen befinden sich in der jeweiligen Ausgabe des Magazins DEEPART in der Ausstellung.
Um die Alle bewegende Frage „Wie kann ich die Welt sehen, wenn ich kein Visum erhalte?“ kreisen die Tifliser Architekturzeichnungen von Patricia London, denn für GeorgierInnen gibt es keine selbstverständliche Reisefreiheit.
Für das Künstlerhaus Saarbrücken hat Patricia London die limitierte Edition "Pygmalion" geschaffen, sie ist im Künstlerhaus erhältlich (siehe Rückseite Katalog).
Mit Beginn der Ausstellung startet der täglich aktualisierte Blog TIFLIS TRANSFER http://tiflistransfer.blogspot.com/
Patricia London Ante Paris, geb. 1959 in München, 1983-88 Studium der Malerei bei Daniel Spoerri, Akademie der Bildenden Künste München (Diplom) lebt inMünchen
Stipendien/Preise (Auswahl): 1990 Förderpreis der Stadt München; 1991 DAAD Stipendium Großbritannien; 1993 Stipendium des Kunstfonds Bonn; 1999 artist in residence, Silpakorn University Bangkok; artist in residence La Alberca (Spanien)
Der Eintritt ist frei. Öffnungszeiten Di-So 10-18 Uhr
New Medea theater collectif in a digital-metafisikal state of emergency
Im April 2009 bat Patricia LondonAnte Paris in Tiflis Künstler-Innen, sich mit einer Arbeitauf den “New Medea...” Text zubeziehen, der ambivalent aktuelleund vergangene Situationender georgischen Künstler beschreibt,um dann gemeinsameine Ausstellung im NEW ART inTiflis zu machen.
Mit Sofi Babluani, Nino Biniashvili, Mamuka Japaridze, Shalva Calagon, Nino Chiliashvili, Archil Turmanidze, Iliko Zautashvili
Obwohl die Kunstszene groß (und großartig) ist, gibt es inTiflis weder einen Markt für zeitgenössischeKunst, noch öffentlicheoder privaten Ausstellungsräume,außer kurzfristig vonKünstlern selbst organisierte.Im Ausland auszustellen ist fürKünstler aus den post-sowjetischenStaaten ebenfalls nichteinfach, das liegt weniger anden bspw. georgischen Behörden,als an den strengenVisabestimmungen der Eurozone.
Das NEW ART von Rusiko Oat, die u.a. als Kuratorin für Georgien all & now im Centre for Contemporary Art, Warschau, 2009, organisierte, ist der einzige untergrund space für aktuelle Kunst in Tiflis.
Soulakademi ist ein Song über dieStadt Tiflis und ihre Bewohner. Die Kreisbewegung der Kamera und der Titel zitieren die Tifliser Avantgardebewegungder 20er Jahre.
soulakademi, patricia london ante paris
2008, dvd, 5 min.
music videos by tbilisi artists:
1. Hotel, Natia Arabuli, 2000 Ausschnitt aus dem Film “Hotel”, der das Lebenvon abchasischen Flüchtlingsfrauen zeigt, diein leerstehenden Hotels in Tiflis einquartiertwurden.
2. Sevani Biennale, Magda Guruli, 2006Guruli filmt eine armenische Sängerin, diefrüher sehr bekannt war und heute in Schulenauf dem Land auftritt.
3. Mantra, Iliko Zautashvili, 2008Eine minimalistische Reflektion über die Zeit
4. Eye-Tree, Mamuka Japhardize, 2004Japhardizes Videocollage spielt mit dem animistischenKontext von Natur.
5. Black Soul Sea Song, P. London Ante Paris, 2008 Eine Fahrt mit Zug und Taxi nach Batumi und von dort durch das Schwarze Meer nach Varna.
6. Khorumi, Natia Sartania (sTia), 2007 Eine elektronische Version eines traditionellengeorgischen Liedes von der Komponistin NatiaSartania, gefilmt von Marika Asatiani.
7. équilibre, Koka Ramishvili, 2005 Der Künstler übt das Gleichgewicht zur Musikvon Keith Jarrett.
8. peppermint twist, New Art Union, 2009 Performance der drei Künstler Misha Shengelia,Vakho Bughadze und Oleg Timtschenko.
music videos by tbilisi artists
compiled by plap, edite d by K. Ramishvili,
Titelmusik: Dima Dadiani 2008, dvd, 25 min.
landerror
koka ramishvili
2006, dvd, 4 min.
Landerror ist ein abstraktes Video mit found footage aus einer Strassenüberwachungskamera.
Die Musik komponierte Nika Machaidze.
georgian sexual revolution
NADIA TZULUKIDZE
2009, dvd, 11 min.
Georgian Sexual Revolution ist ein Aufklärungsfilm einer georgischen Hausfrau und eines homosexuellen Australiers über die Befriedigung männlicher Bedürfnisse.
Natia Tzulukidze: “The video “Georgian sexual revolution” is connected to Georgian
Rose revolution, which happened in 2003 and was a bloodless revolution that displaced President Eduard Shevardnadze, who is mainly well known in Germany. A sigificant source of funding for the Rose revolution was the network of foundations and NGOs associated
with American billionaire George Soros, who spent 42 million $ for the overthrow
of Shevardnadze.
In January 2004 the leader of the Rose revolution Michael Saakashvili won the presidential elections and took course towards West. He was educated in the United States and became internationally known after the war with Russia in august 2008.
Georgian Rose revolution was an inspiration for Ukrainian Orange revolution in 2004 and Kyrgyzstan Pink or so called Tulip revolution in 2005.
My work is a first investigation into Georgian Sexual revolution, that didn’t happen yet in Georgia, mainly because of the lack of time.
tender transitory transport
PATRICIA LO NDON ANTE PARIS Text, NIKA MACHAIDZE,
Musik, KOK A RAMISHVILI, Video, 2008, dvd, 10 min.
2008 war Patricia London Ante Paris eingeladen zum 850. Geburtstag der Stadt München unter dem Motto “Brücken bauen” ein Werk in Kooperation mit georgischen Künstlern zu schaffen.
“Das video tender transitory transport ist ein filmisches Umherschweifen in der georgischen Hauptstadt Tiflis. Die grafische Bearbeitung der Bilder korreliert mit dem gesprochenen Text und der unterlegten Musik. Die Erkundung der Stadt als Architektur, als politischer
Raum und als Klimazone hat poetische Wurzeln. Es entsteht eine suggestive, psychosoziale Stadtlandschaft.”
Christian Gögger, zk-max münchen
tender transitory transport war zusehen: Goethe-Institut Tiflis, 850 Jahre München, Wittelsbacher Pl., zk-max München, Bristol short film festival, Kobra Museum Amsterdam, Oberhausener Kurzfilmtage, New Art, Tiflis,
Hotel, GE, 2000, 15 min.
Regie: Natia Arabuli
Erstaufführung: Goethe-Institut Tiflis
Ein Tag im Leben von abchasischen Flüchtlingen, die vorübergehend in einem Hotel am Bazaar von Tiflis untergebracht sind.
Ramsan und seine Brüder, D, 06, 29 min
Regie: Natia Arabuli
Erstausstrahlung: 9. Nov. 2006, 3SAT
Ramsan und seine Brüder leben als Flüchtlinge im Pankissi-Tal in Georgien. Ein Tag aus seinem Leben schildert, wie der 12-jährige Ramsan sich um seine kleinen Brüder kümmert, während seine Mutter arbeiten geht.
Fatimas Erwachen, D, 2009, 30 min
Regie: Natia Arabuli
Erstausstrahlung: 6. Sept. 2009,18:00, 3SAT
Die 17-jährige Tschetschenin Fatima lebt seit 10 Jahren mit ihrer Familie im Nordosten Georgiens. Nun hat Fatima Abitur gemacht und verliebt sich in einen jungen Georgier aus der Nachbarschaft.
arkitekturis
Patricia London Ante Paris, ARKITEKTURIS, 4 von 8 Zeichnungen, 2007, Acryl und Contéstift auf Papier, je 44 x 34 cm
The drawings of buildings, which cought her eye, Patricia London made in the first days wandering around in Tbilisi. She had focused exclusively on Soviet and Investment architecture, but this was made clear to her only later by her georgian art friends. All 8 drawings are interconnected by the „man in the moon“, representing the 8 moon phases and 8 portraits
of famous males, which you can as well interpret as a boy‘s most favorites, tatooed on his belly. Arkitekturis was made during the state of emergency for the whole of Georgia from 7th to 15th nov 07, when it was forbidden to go out.
the digital magazine Tbilisideepart was founded by patricia london ante paris in april
2008. Each number presents an artist, writer, musician, filmer.
with: sofi babluani, natia sartania, magda guruli, koka ramishvili, mamuka japardize, tamuna gurchiani, nina chubinishvili, iliko zautashvili, natia arabuli, dima dadiani, lia shvelidze, pirosmani,
galaktion, misha shengelia, rusiko oat, sophia tabatadze, nino biniashvili, nini palavandishvili,
murtaz shvelidze, oleg timchenko, illegal kosmonautika, gio sumbadze, nika machaidze, keti jakeli, vato tsereteli, nino chubinishvili
Eröffnung: 26. August 19 Uhr
SAARLÄNDISCHES KÜNSTLERHAUS SAARBRÜCKEN
TIFLIS TRANSFER
Einführung: Maja Sokolova
Patricia London Ante Paris und georgische KünstlerInnen
Saarländisches Künstlerhaus
Vernissage Mittwoch, 26. August 2009, 19 Uhr
Saarländisches Künstlerhaus, Karlstrasse 1, 66111 Saarbrücken
Telefon: +49 (0)681/ 372485
Internet: www.kuenstlerhaus-saar.de
Das Projekt „TIFLIS TRANSFER“ wurde konzipiert von der Münchener Künstlerin Patricia London Ante Paris, die sich von Oktober 2007 bis Juli 2009 in Tiflis aufhielt.
In dieser Zeit entstanden die „music videos by tbilisi artists“, mit Beiträgen von 8 georgischen Künstlern, das von Patricia London edierte digitale MagazinDEEPART sowie das Video „tender transitory transport“, eine Kooperation mit NikaMachaidze und Koka Ramishvili.Aus der Ausstellung „New Medea theater collectif in a digital-metafisikal state ofemergency“, die Patricia London im Juli 2009 in Tiflis im New Art kuratierte, sind inSaarbrücken die Videos „Landerror“ von Koka Ramishvili und „Georgian Sexual Revolution“ von Nadia Tzulukidze zu sehen sowie Papierarbeiten von 7 georgischenKünstlerInnen.
Jeden Nachmittag um 16 Uhr zeigt das Künstlerhaus Saarbrücken drei Dokumentarfilme der georgischen Regisseurin Natia Arabuli:
Hotel, GE, 2000, Ramsan und seine Brüder, D, 2006, und Fatimas Erwachen, D ,2009, der am 6. September 2009 um 18:00 in 3SAT ausgestrahlt wird.
Biografien aller beteiligten KünstlerInnen befinden sich in der jeweiligen Ausgabe des Magazins DEEPART in der Ausstellung.
Um die Alle bewegende Frage „Wie kann ich die Welt sehen, wenn ich kein Visum erhalte?“ kreisen die Tifliser Architekturzeichnungen von Patricia London, denn für GeorgierInnen gibt es keine selbstverständliche Reisefreiheit.
Für das Künstlerhaus Saarbrücken hat Patricia London die limitierte Edition "Pygmalion" geschaffen, sie ist im Künstlerhaus erhältlich (siehe Rückseite Katalog).
Mit Beginn der Ausstellung startet der täglich aktualisierte Blog TIFLIS TRANSFER http://tiflistransfer.blogspot.com/
Patricia London Ante Paris, geb. 1959 in München, 1983-88 Studium der Malerei bei Daniel Spoerri, Akademie der Bildenden Künste München (Diplom) lebt inMünchen
Stipendien/Preise (Auswahl): 1990 Förderpreis der Stadt München; 1991 DAAD Stipendium Großbritannien; 1993 Stipendium des Kunstfonds Bonn; 1999 artist in residence, Silpakorn University Bangkok; artist in residence La Alberca (Spanien)
Der Eintritt ist frei. Öffnungszeiten Di-So 10-18 Uhr
New Medea theater collectif in a digital-metafisikal state of emergency
Im April 2009 bat Patricia LondonAnte Paris in Tiflis Künstler-Innen, sich mit einer Arbeitauf den “New Medea...” Text zubeziehen, der ambivalent aktuelleund vergangene Situationender georgischen Künstler beschreibt,um dann gemeinsameine Ausstellung im NEW ART inTiflis zu machen.
Mit Sofi Babluani, Nino Biniashvili, Mamuka Japaridze, Shalva Calagon, Nino Chiliashvili, Archil Turmanidze, Iliko Zautashvili
Obwohl die Kunstszene groß (und großartig) ist, gibt es inTiflis weder einen Markt für zeitgenössischeKunst, noch öffentlicheoder privaten Ausstellungsräume,außer kurzfristig vonKünstlern selbst organisierte.Im Ausland auszustellen ist fürKünstler aus den post-sowjetischenStaaten ebenfalls nichteinfach, das liegt weniger anden bspw. georgischen Behörden,als an den strengenVisabestimmungen der Eurozone.
Das NEW ART von Rusiko Oat, die u.a. als Kuratorin für Georgien all & now im Centre for Contemporary Art, Warschau, 2009, organisierte, ist der einzige untergrund space für aktuelle Kunst in Tiflis.
Soulakademi ist ein Song über dieStadt Tiflis und ihre Bewohner. Die Kreisbewegung der Kamera und der Titel zitieren die Tifliser Avantgardebewegungder 20er Jahre.
soulakademi, patricia london ante paris
2008, dvd, 5 min.
music videos by tbilisi artists:
1. Hotel, Natia Arabuli, 2000 Ausschnitt aus dem Film “Hotel”, der das Lebenvon abchasischen Flüchtlingsfrauen zeigt, diein leerstehenden Hotels in Tiflis einquartiertwurden.
2. Sevani Biennale, Magda Guruli, 2006Guruli filmt eine armenische Sängerin, diefrüher sehr bekannt war und heute in Schulenauf dem Land auftritt.
3. Mantra, Iliko Zautashvili, 2008Eine minimalistische Reflektion über die Zeit
4. Eye-Tree, Mamuka Japhardize, 2004Japhardizes Videocollage spielt mit dem animistischenKontext von Natur.
5. Black Soul Sea Song, P. London Ante Paris, 2008 Eine Fahrt mit Zug und Taxi nach Batumi und von dort durch das Schwarze Meer nach Varna.
6. Khorumi, Natia Sartania (sTia), 2007 Eine elektronische Version eines traditionellengeorgischen Liedes von der Komponistin NatiaSartania, gefilmt von Marika Asatiani.
7. équilibre, Koka Ramishvili, 2005 Der Künstler übt das Gleichgewicht zur Musikvon Keith Jarrett.
8. peppermint twist, New Art Union, 2009 Performance der drei Künstler Misha Shengelia,Vakho Bughadze und Oleg Timtschenko.
music videos by tbilisi artists
compiled by plap, edite d by K. Ramishvili,
Titelmusik: Dima Dadiani 2008, dvd, 25 min.
landerror
koka ramishvili
2006, dvd, 4 min.
Landerror ist ein abstraktes Video mit found footage aus einer Strassenüberwachungskamera.
Die Musik komponierte Nika Machaidze.
georgian sexual revolution
NADIA TZULUKIDZE
2009, dvd, 11 min.
Georgian Sexual Revolution ist ein Aufklärungsfilm einer georgischen Hausfrau und eines homosexuellen Australiers über die Befriedigung männlicher Bedürfnisse.
Natia Tzulukidze: “The video “Georgian sexual revolution” is connected to Georgian
Rose revolution, which happened in 2003 and was a bloodless revolution that displaced President Eduard Shevardnadze, who is mainly well known in Germany. A sigificant source of funding for the Rose revolution was the network of foundations and NGOs associated
with American billionaire George Soros, who spent 42 million $ for the overthrow
of Shevardnadze.
In January 2004 the leader of the Rose revolution Michael Saakashvili won the presidential elections and took course towards West. He was educated in the United States and became internationally known after the war with Russia in august 2008.
Georgian Rose revolution was an inspiration for Ukrainian Orange revolution in 2004 and Kyrgyzstan Pink or so called Tulip revolution in 2005.
My work is a first investigation into Georgian Sexual revolution, that didn’t happen yet in Georgia, mainly because of the lack of time.
tender transitory transport
PATRICIA LO NDON ANTE PARIS Text, NIKA MACHAIDZE,
Musik, KOK A RAMISHVILI, Video, 2008, dvd, 10 min.
2008 war Patricia London Ante Paris eingeladen zum 850. Geburtstag der Stadt München unter dem Motto “Brücken bauen” ein Werk in Kooperation mit georgischen Künstlern zu schaffen.
“Das video tender transitory transport ist ein filmisches Umherschweifen in der georgischen Hauptstadt Tiflis. Die grafische Bearbeitung der Bilder korreliert mit dem gesprochenen Text und der unterlegten Musik. Die Erkundung der Stadt als Architektur, als politischer
Raum und als Klimazone hat poetische Wurzeln. Es entsteht eine suggestive, psychosoziale Stadtlandschaft.”
Christian Gögger, zk-max münchen
tender transitory transport war zusehen: Goethe-Institut Tiflis, 850 Jahre München, Wittelsbacher Pl., zk-max München, Bristol short film festival, Kobra Museum Amsterdam, Oberhausener Kurzfilmtage, New Art, Tiflis,
Hotel, GE, 2000, 15 min.
Regie: Natia Arabuli
Erstaufführung: Goethe-Institut Tiflis
Ein Tag im Leben von abchasischen Flüchtlingen, die vorübergehend in einem Hotel am Bazaar von Tiflis untergebracht sind.
Ramsan und seine Brüder, D, 06, 29 min
Regie: Natia Arabuli
Erstausstrahlung: 9. Nov. 2006, 3SAT
Ramsan und seine Brüder leben als Flüchtlinge im Pankissi-Tal in Georgien. Ein Tag aus seinem Leben schildert, wie der 12-jährige Ramsan sich um seine kleinen Brüder kümmert, während seine Mutter arbeiten geht.
Fatimas Erwachen, D, 2009, 30 min
Regie: Natia Arabuli
Erstausstrahlung: 6. Sept. 2009,18:00, 3SAT
Die 17-jährige Tschetschenin Fatima lebt seit 10 Jahren mit ihrer Familie im Nordosten Georgiens. Nun hat Fatima Abitur gemacht und verliebt sich in einen jungen Georgier aus der Nachbarschaft.
arkitekturis
Patricia London Ante Paris, ARKITEKTURIS, 4 von 8 Zeichnungen, 2007, Acryl und Contéstift auf Papier, je 44 x 34 cm
The drawings of buildings, which cought her eye, Patricia London made in the first days wandering around in Tbilisi. She had focused exclusively on Soviet and Investment architecture, but this was made clear to her only later by her georgian art friends. All 8 drawings are interconnected by the „man in the moon“, representing the 8 moon phases and 8 portraits
of famous males, which you can as well interpret as a boy‘s most favorites, tatooed on his belly. Arkitekturis was made during the state of emergency for the whole of Georgia from 7th to 15th nov 07, when it was forbidden to go out.
the digital magazine Tbilisideepart was founded by patricia london ante paris in april
2008. Each number presents an artist, writer, musician, filmer.
with: sofi babluani, natia sartania, magda guruli, koka ramishvili, mamuka japardize, tamuna gurchiani, nina chubinishvili, iliko zautashvili, natia arabuli, dima dadiani, lia shvelidze, pirosmani,
galaktion, misha shengelia, rusiko oat, sophia tabatadze, nino biniashvili, nini palavandishvili,
murtaz shvelidze, oleg timchenko, illegal kosmonautika, gio sumbadze, nika machaidze, keti jakeli, vato tsereteli, nino chubinishvili
Thursday, August 20, 2009
EXHIBITION: Georgischer Frühling : 10 Magnum Fotografen bereisten Georgien - Reisetagebuch im Kehrer Verlag und Ausstellung in Berlin
Ausstellung "Georgischer Frühling"5. – 13. September 2009
Uferhallen, Berlin
Uferstrasse 8-11, 13357 Berlin
Öffnungszeiten: 11.00 bis 19.00
www.uferhallen.de
Auf Einladung des Georgischen Kulturministeriums sind zehn Magnum-Fotografen - Jonas Bendiksen, Antoine D’Agata, Thomas Dworzak, Martine Franck, Alex Majoli, Martin Parr, Paolo Pellegrin, Gueorgui Pinkhassov, MarkPower und Alec Soth aufgebrochen, um das Land zu beschreiben. Jeder der Fotografen ging seinem eigenen Thema nach und brachte ein Tagebuch in Worten und Bildern von seiner Reise mit, dem jeweils 20 Seiten im Buch gewidmet sind.
20 Jahre nach der Unabhängigkeit von der Sowjetunion und nach einer von Krieg und gescheiterter Souveränität bestimmten Dekade startet Georgien ein lebhaftes Comeback. Zwischen der Türkei und Russland am östlichen Rand von Europa gelegen und als eine Hochkultur, die sich bis zu ihrer Besiedlung durch die alten Griechen zurückdatieren lässt, wurde Georgien 1922 der Sowjetunion einverleibt.
Im Jahr 1991 wurde die Unabhängigkeit des Landes wiedererlangt, es folgten jedoch Bürgerkrieg und wirtschaftlicher Zusammenbruch.Trotz anhaltender Spannungen mit Russland hat Georgien im 21. Jahrhundert einen mutigen Neuanfang gewagt und wandelt sich in beachtlichem Tempo zu einem modernen europäischen Staat.
Pinkhassov bereiste die georgische Schwarzmeerküste – einst das Mekka für erholungssuchende Sowjetkader – für seine einzigartigen Aufnahmen von Licht und Texturen und Paolo Pellegrin suchte nach Georgiens Spiritualität.
Mark Power reiste mit seiner 5 x 4 Großformatkamera durch Georgien, fasziniert von den Reibungspunkten zwischen Altem und Neuem. Bendiksen verbrachte die überwiegende Zeit seiner Reise in der Hauptstadt Georgiens: “Ich wollte der neuen Generation von jungen Georgiern begegnen: Diejenigen, die keine Erinnerung an das Leben unter dem sowjetischen System haben, die völlig in der neuen Ära aufgewachsen sind. In Tbilisi sind sie überall zu sehen – man kann sie kaum von ihresgleichen in London, Oslo oder Berlin unterscheiden.
“Thomas Dworzak portraitierte Micheil Saakaschwili, den jüngsten Präsidenten der Welt, der sich gegen Rußland auflehnte und sich dem Westen aufgeschlossen zeigte Martin Parr begegnet auf seiner Georgien-Reise seinen Lieblingsthemen Freizeit und Konsum, fotografiert quietschbunte Spielautomaten am Rande der Stadt. Und natürlich kommt der Fotobuchliebhaber nicht an den Antiquariaten vonTbilisis vorbei, in denen ihm vor allem die Propaganda-Bücher antun.
Den Tagebüchern vorangestellt sind ein Vorwort von Thomas Dworzak, ein Abriss der Geschichte Georgiens und ein Essay von Wendell Steavenson. Ein Kapitel mit den besten Georgien-Fotos aus dem Magnum-Archiv erinnert auch an die Gründungsjahre der Fotoagentur – unter anderem mit Robert Capas Fotoessay von 1947, das entstand, als er mit John Steinbeck die Sowjetunion besuchte. Das Buch beginnt und endet mit einer Serie von Originalpostkarten mit Hauptsehenswürdigkeiten Georgiens.
Georgischer Frühling – Ein Magnum Tagebuch
Autoren: Wendell Steavenson
Kehrer Verlagca. 25 x 29 cm, 256 Seiten
ca. 240 Farbabb., ca. 36 Euro
ISBN 978-3-86828-086-9
Magnum Photos online hat eine Online-Dokumentation produziert, die ab September 2009 zu sehen ist unter www.georgianspring.com.
Quelle: http://www.gosee.de/
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