And In Other News

Exclusive report: Recently surfaced Cold War spy imagery taken by the US in the 1970s reveals covert destruction of Armenian-Christian heritage in Azerbaijan’s autonomous republic of Nakhichevan <https://t.co/bDFLxKMQt8>

-- The Art Newspaper (@TheArtNewspaper) June 1, 2021

While most news outlets have been afraid to report on the systematic destruction of Armenian cultural and historical sites in Azerbaijan, The Art Newspaper has joined Hyperallergic in detailing what is an assault on the architecture and art. Similar to how Caucasus Heritage Watch is using current satellite photos to monitor the losses happening in real time, Simon Maghakyan writes here about using spy satellites from the 1970s for an even wider view of the long-term destruction.

The ultimate form of erasure.

First, the people.

Then, their monuments.

Finally, history. pic.twitter.com/d3y0G1cg4N

-- Kevork Oskanian (@DrKevorkO) June 2, 2021

Perhaps the most shocking part of the article has been the quote by the Azerbaijani ambassador to the United Kingdom Tahir Taghizade, who denied that there has been any destruction of Armenian sites in Nakhichevan because Armenians have NEVER LIVED THERE. While the denial of destruction is to be expected, to deny Armenians ever lived there despite the undisputed historical fact that they did for centuries is a bizarre new level of shamelessness.

Seeking Permanence in Pixels: Digital Echoes of Cultural Genocide
<https://t.co/eLotUPw1oL>

-- Sophie M. (@skyurik_) June 3, 2021

This reflection by Roza Melkumyan on what it means to be the descendant of the Armenians of Nakhichevan serves as a perfect rebuttal to the Azerbaijani ambassador’s fake history. One has to wonder what he must think of it- certainly worth the read.

In full solidarity with @Mirzali_FR, and watching closely. Azerbaijan’s Aliyev regime must not be allowed to continue terrorising its critics at home or abroad - and the international community must stop turning a blind eye. There must be consequences before this gets any worse. <https://t.co/UTT8hozFqH>

-- Rebecca Vincent (@rebecca_vincent) June 2, 2021

Another disturbing development are reports of threats being made against the safety of exiled Azerbaijani activist Mahammad Mirzali, who as you might recall in March was savagely attacked by unknown forces he believed were sent by the Aliyev regime. These new threats came just a day after the publication of an interview he gave to CivilNet.

“You are Armenian, I am Azerbaijani. Maybe there will be people in our countries who call us traitors. But it doesn’t matter what they say…. Our dialogue [now] is the germination of the first seed [of peace].” ⁦@EmilioCricchio⁩ ⁦@RSF_inter⁩ <https://t.co/RoTL3ciLOY>

-- Mirzali Mahammad (@Mirzali_FR) June 4, 2021

Mirzali requires protection and part of that is making sure the threats against him are known. Noted organizations such as Reporters Without Borders have directly called out President Aliyev on the case.

Stabbed last March in #France for criticizing Azerbaijani authoritarian president and his family, blogger @Mirzali_FR continues to face alarming threats. @RSF_inter calls the @presidentaz to put an immediate stop to all threats and violence against him. <https://t.co/TBGWX6PjkE> pic.twitter.com/28SBN6QUdU

-- RSF in English (@RSF_en) June 4, 2021

June is Pride Month during which the issue of LGBTQ rights come into focus. The British Embassy in Baku had planned a workshop with Ukraine-based journalist and activist Maxim Eristavi:

happy to moderate this. azerbaijani dictatorship made sure that the country is the most dangerous place to be queer in europe. that's why uplifting voices of lgbtq+ azerbaijanis is extra important.

maximize solidarity with europe's equality frontlines — share and join
<https://t.co/dZtyBCgsHR>

-- maksym eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 24, 2021

This bit of inconvenient truth-telling however did not go unnoticed by the Aliyev regime, and unfortunately the British Embassy seemed happy to comply. It immediately expelled Eristavi from participating in the event, which resulted in at least one of the other speakers to drop out. The event in shambles, the UK Embassy “postponed” and removed all traces of it:

not only did the @ukinazerbaijan dropped @MaximEristavi as their moderator over a tweet but they have also now postponed the event while @azBritish deleted their original tweet announcing the event! way to go!
<https://t.co/LN1IcA8NHV> via @OCMediaorg <https://t.co/ao9tHFwxJC> pic.twitter.com/b9oHYn9Jr9

-- Arzu Geybulla (@arzugeybulla) June 1, 2021

It remains to be seen whether this important event- in a region where it is so needed- will indeed be rescheduled. One must ask what message the United Kingdom is sending when it abandons its long-touted values of protecting human rights in order to protect lucrative economic ties with a repressive dictator.

We’re closing out this wrap-up with two news items from different types of artists from the Armenian-American diaspora. First, the New York Times profiled a new show by artist Nina Katchadourian, best known for her legendary series “Lavatory Self-Portraits in the Flemish Style”. It which includes an installation about her Armenian heritage:

Wonderful review: Nina Katchadourian’s Eccentric Existentialism

In her first show at Pace, an artist driven by curiosity and a penchant for the absurd tries to understand the world. The results are touching and sometimes hilarious. <https://t.co/gxpxK5r9Zp>

-- Ani Wandaryan (@GoldenTent) June 1, 2021

Comedian James Adomian continues to slay audiences with his take on quixotic pillow CEO Mike Lindell. Vulture.com described Adomian’s appearance in April on Jimmy Kimmel Live as having “won late night [television] this week”, and he was back again last week. With Lindell continuing to be an outspoken character who is allegedly guiding former president Trump’s drive to reclaim the presidency, there will likely be many more chances for Adomian’s Lindell to frantically shout his way into our hearts.

MyPillow Mike reveals why he was thrown out of a Republican conference… @JAdomian pic.twitter.com/PLBeaZp8gJ

-- Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) May 28, 2021

The post And In Other News appeared first on CIVILNET.

#reportsinenglish #arzugeybulla #mirzalimahammad #nakhichevan #ninakatchadourian #rozamelkumyan #tahirtaghizade