By: Onnik Krikorian

Onnik Krikorian — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:53:24 +0000

Have just come back from the Matenadaran to check up on whether the boat has been removed and it has. Instead there was a pre-election campaign rally by the Orinats Yerkir party, a member of the ruling government coalition. Stumbled upon that by accident, and I’ll be posting something a little later, but for now some thoughts on the boat.
Firstly, the concert it was moved for didn’t strike me as a genuine one. For a start, when I got there at the end Shushan Petrosyan, one of Armenia’s most famous singers, was performing. However, there were only about 100 people in attendance which means there was no advertising or publicity for the event.
Secondly, it is normal for concerts to be held either in Liberty or Republic Square. However, the first has been closed off because of the opposition rallies last year, and questions have to be asked about why the other night’s show wasn’t in Republic Square.
Indeed, there have NEVER been concerts held at the Matenadaran in the 10 years I’ve been living in Armenia and the last time the Kilikia ship was seen in public it was in Republic Square. Therefore, I can not but think this concert was connected somehow to the election.
Basically, a precedent for concerts has been set at only other main venue left which the opposition stages its rallies at, and usually without authorization. We shall see if the ship or any other events are similarly suddenly staged at the Matenadaran following election day.
Of course, this also depends on how the vote on Sunday goes. On that, I’m not sure as it’s hard to get a feeling on the situation. All seems calm at present, apart from a few isolated incidents between activists from rival parties, and interest in the vote seems low.
Still, let’s see.

Comments on: All hands on deck: Yerevan sails into election week

By: Onnik Krikorian