Caucasus: Society, sex and the dating game

I recommend reading this roundup of selected blog posts from the South Caucasus related to societal attitudes to sex, gender, sexuality...

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, hopes that new freedoms would quickly replace the old have often been dashed by the re-emergence of patriarchal, conservative and traditional practices. Largely kept suppressed by the communist system, and exaggerated by the exodus of many who might have formed the middle classes during the economic collapse of the 1990s, gender and issues of sexuality were particularly affected.

True, homosexuality has been decriminalized, although homophobia remains a significant problem, and new freedoms might have “liberated” a minority of citizens in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, but sexuality remains a contentious issue for society as a whole. [...]

Read more on Global Voices Online

Must see: Zara - “Karmir Khndzor” (‘Red Apple’)

I saw the preview of this clip by Zara “Karmir Khndzor” (‘Red Apple’) while in Yerevan. Now it’s released. Love it. Well done, Zara. 



And what an influence the action by Women’s Resource Centre and activists is having. Pay attention to the ending of this clip - ‘burial of Red Apple’. And now read the story of 8 March 2009 in Yerevan:  International Women’s Day in Armenia: small. It may have been small, but its impact and influence are evident. (more about this tradition and meaning of the ‘funeral’ – here)

*photos - by Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009 (+ The Caucasian Knot - Oneworld Multimedia Facebook Group)

Thousands of Iranians celebrate Novruz in Armenia due to "liberties"

Thousands of Iranians choose to celebrate Novruz in Armenia. Referring to the Public Radio of Armenia, Huliq says that "close to 20,000 vacationers from neighboring Iran have traveled to Armenia to celebrate Novruz, the Iranian New Year in Armenia due to liberties, affordability and warm weather."

The young people from Iran travel to Armenia with large groups to be able to celebrate Novruz while they can attend Yerevan's numerous nightclubs and can drink in public. Whereas in Iran you can only drink inside your house and there is no such a thing as public drinking.

The reporter of the Armenia radio interviewed a young lady who is staying in front of Yerevan hotel saying "look I can have my beer here and don't have to carry a scarf, which is an obligation in Iran." [...]

"We went to night clubs, danced and were able to have good time with our friends. Yerevan is near to Iran, full of good people and provides good opportunities for fun and celebration," says 25 years old Amir from Iran while shopping in Yerevan and who thinks the traditions are too strict in his country Iran.

As the report pointed out further, "It is estimated that an average vacationer spends $1000 U.S. dollars in Armenia per week, which includes most of the expenses, including hotel and meal. Therefore, 20,000 Iranian tourists leaving $20 Million dollars in the Armenian economy is a good investment in the country of 3.5 million people."

As far as I know from various sources, for the same reasons many Azeris tend to spend their Novruz holiday in Georgia.

As posted on this blog, Iranian artists and gays seek freedom in Armenia too. This is VERY relative, of course, from a local Armenian perspectives, but pretty significant for Iranians.

Here is the morale of this story. Under current economic conditions, focus on tourism should become one of the priorities. And as this report suggests, more social liberties will attract more tourists, and subsequently more money to Armenian state budget and local businesses. Even if for practical reasons, it's time to think of pink pound (or euro/dollar, if you wish).

Women's march and burial of the Red Apple in Yerevan, Armenia (video)

Here is a video of women's march and burial of the Red Apple in Yerevan, Armenia. (thanks to journalist Romella Stepanyan, MenkenKidsTV)

Armenia: Sex in the closet

"Armenian Women in Turkey Are Doubly Discriminated Against"

Writer Karin Karakaşlı spoke at a panel on “The other’s other: Armenian women”, saying that every identity requires labour and has a price. Kayuş Çalıkman Gavrilof spoke of the need for women to organise.

Bıanet
9 March 2009

Semir YORULMAZ

“We are ostracised for being Armenian, and then, as if that was not enough, we are ostracised again for being women."

Writer Karin Karakaşlı spoke at a panel organised by an association of Turkish-Armenian women. The panel was entitled “The other’s other: Armenian women.”

She was joined by Kayuş Çalıkman Gavrilof, a member of the Armenian Sayat Nova choir.

The panel was preceded by a short film of interviews on “Namus”, sexual honour, shot by the Filmmor Women’s Cooperative.

Difficulties make us question our identities

Karakaşlı spoke about the concept of identity, saying, “Our most beautiful identity is that of a human being. In second place, we need to experience the beauty of a woman’s identity.”

“When everything is fine, we do not question our identity. But when there are difficulties, we begin to question our identity, or even identities.”

Multiple discrimination

Gavrilof said, “When I am asked about being a woman, I don’t know what to say. But when the Armenian identity is concerned, I cannot stop.”

She added that women in Turkey faced ethnic, class and gender discrimination, mentioning the pressures women faced on the hands of men, society, the system and also other women.

Gavrilof continued, “When I do something, when I try to experience freedom as a woman, my husband tries to take credit for it, saying what a good husband he is. However, it is me who is trying to use my rights as an individual. I do not want this, I want to struggle against this.”

She ended her talk by emphasising the need for women to organise.

Women protests in Turkey to mark 8 March

Women Protesters "Will Not Leave the Streets"
Bianet

Housewives, students, sex workers, journalists, politicians, transsexuals, teachers, homosexuals, unemployed were yesterday united in a march along Istiklal street, the pedestrian precinct in Beyoğlu, central Istanbul.

Women’s Day had been marked by protests and marches during the day, but yesterday women also walked under the slogan “We will not leave the streets.” More...

*source of pictures - Bianet

Thousands of Women Marked 8 March in Kadıköy
Bianet

Around 6,000 women walked through Kadkköy, a district on the Asian side of Istanbul, and congregated at Kadıköy square yesterday (8 March) to mark International Women’s Day.

The 8 March Women’s Platform carried placards and shouted slogans, saying “We will resist the patriarchal capitalist system. We insist, we are decided.” More...

International Women’s Day in Armenia: small women’s march, riot police van, 'private burial' of “Red Apple”, business as usual

It was business as usual in Armenia marking International Women’s Day. Still, overwhelmingly, it was “flowers and chocolates” for women. Only few, very few in fact, tried to make it somehow relevant.

Women’s Resource Centre , along with some other NGOs and supporters marched via downtown Yerevan, calling for equal rights, and held a ‘private burial’ of “Red Apple” (more about this tradition and meaning of the ‘funeral’ – here)

Onnik Krikorian posts photographs and an account of how these civil society groups marked International Women's Day in Armenia on the Frontline Club blog.

There were attempts at disrupting the event by some. Some of those ‘defenders of traditions’ were discussing the other day on their blogs the option (among others) of bribing religious women at Yerevan churches (!!) so that they will come and disrupt the action. No surprises here.

Twice the marchers were stopped by police, which was a clear violation of the Armenian Constitution and laws allowing any march of less than 100 people to pass without a prior authorisation. To see a riot police van accompanying a small women’s march, that’s something. How frightened are they with any display of rights movement...

Overall, machismo was on full display in Armenia on International Women’s Day.

Sadly, I have to agree with Onnik Krikorian that “...the day illustrated how tradition and patriarchal attitudes are slow to die out in countries such as Armenia. Basically, if anyone is expecting a female liberation movement, let alone a sexual revolution, to occur anytime soon, well, don’t hold your breath.”

On the other hand, thanks to that small group of activists, the hope for changes in our country stays at least alive. Well done to Women’s Resource Centre and supporters for making International Women’s Day in Armenia somehow relevant to its real meaning.

*all photos - by Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia 2009 (+ The Caucasian Knot - Oneworld Multimedia Facebook Group)

Lectures on “Georgian sexual revolution”: Lesson 1 – Blow job

Nadia Tsulukidze is Georgian performing artist. (here is link to her blog) She explores many topics like masculinity, women issues etc.

This time she started a series of lectures on “Georgian sexual revolution”. 1st class is about blow job. Hilarious!

"Don’t touch the penis with your teeth!"

Part 1


Part 2


*Thanks to Paata for the info!

“Be Free”: Armenian pop star Shprot delivers the most original gender bending performance during Eurovision show on Public TV

Well done, Shprot!!!

The best show of the evening during the national selection for Eurovision 2009 in Armenia came from the most original, scandalous, always unique Shprot. She is a kind of singer who I’d always prefer to watch, instead of listening to via my ipod or cd. Her voice is not her strongest feature. But her performance, her shows became the most talked about in Yerevan. Her last show was not an exception. It was the first of its kind in Armenia. Everyone whom I discussed with the national Eurovision selection on Public TV of Armenia mentioned Shprot’s performance as something which stands out. Not her voice or song per se, but performance (!).

Watch Shprot’s gender bending, Victor/Victoria style, ‘half man / half woman’ performance (along with her dancers) below. You won’t regret it.




One of her most popular recent songs is Positive with Aram MP3.

I would highly recommend watching her song Be Free (see below). It contains so much needed message to Armenians to be free, to liberate themselves, to quit being scared of desires and dreams.



As one of the comments to the video states: “Her song is about being free regardless of who you are, your gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, etc...whatever you are don't be afraid of it but rather embrace it that's her message..”

I propose this song as a hymn to sexual and social liberation in Armenia. Well, until someone else propose the better one.

I love you, Shprot!

“Lesbi dance” among more expensive (and sought for?) in Yerevan striptease clubs

As I mentioned in my Armenia Gay Guide, in Armenia, when people say "nightclub", they most commonly refer to “striptease club”. To avoid possible confusions, if you intend to go to “dance clubs”, I would advise using the word “discotheque”.

Aravot daily reports on prices you may expect for a trip to the “nightclub”, aka striptease club. You have to have at least $ 300 to go out there. If you expect some special treatment, you have to put more money. For a private, completely naked dance, a client pays 20 000 drams ($ 66-67); for a semi-private dance, when dancer reveals only breasts, it’s 10 000 ($ 33). Table dance is relatively cheap – 5 000 ($ 16-17). For admirers of “lesbi dance” (two women strip dancing together) – it’s 20 000 ($ 66-67). Apparently, you may ask dancer for a “private chat” too which costs 6 000 ($ 20).

Full article (in Armenian) which contains interviews with few dancers and some interesting insight into the macho men mentality and in general as perceived by strip dancers is available here.

There are also male strip dancers in Yerevan, though male strip shows are not as regular or frequent as women ones. Anecdotal evidence suggests, however, that they are becoming more popular lately. Someone once hinted that male strip shows for Armenian women would be key for their sexual liberation and eventual sexual revolution. Do not know about that but that we need sexual liberation in our society is without doubts for me. I would suggest starting with the sexual education.