Raw & Unfiltered

There was a time when large charitable foundations held a monopoly on addressing issues beyond the state's capacity. However, with social media and the ability to raise substantial funds with a single post, the culture of giving in Armenia is evolving.

Harutyun Tonyan, a 16 year old from Artsakh, dreams of one day going to France, the perfume capital of the world to pursue his passion of becoming a perfumer. Until then, he is experimenting and trying to understand the true essence of the scents around him.

The proposed Academic City aspires to reform the higher education system and boost the quality and competitiveness of research in the country. However, the ambitious project has come under scrutiny not just for leaving the fate of existing universities and their buildings unclear, but also with respect to its conceptualization, planning as well as the cost and effectiveness of its realization.

This spring in Armash was not like any other the residents of the village had lived or even imagined, an international crew of six analog astronauts set up camp in the nearby rocky terrain. And though, to the disappointment of many, no one flew to Mars from the research station in Armash, the experimental mission did however leave a footprint in the life of the village. Ani Gevorgyan’s photo story is about the new found connection of one community with the universe.

Unemployment and financial hardship are pushing Armenian women to seek employment overseas, particularly to the United States and Turkey. Gayane Mkrtchyan addresses the feminization of labor migration, the vulnerability these women face, and the evolving dynamics of Armenian families.

Civilian reporting filled the information void left by the absence of international journalists during the blockade and ethnic cleansing in 2023 of the Armenians of Artsakh. Taline Oundjian looks at the benefits and ethical dilemmas, and the importance of local journalists in global reporting.

A crucial step in helping to prevent future genocides includes commemorating genocides and remembering their victims. The Armenian government recently designated August 3 as Yezidi Genocide Commemoration Day, becoming one of the first countries in the world to do so.

European stereotypes of the mercantile Armenians over the last 500 years persist in contemporary discourse among Armenia’s neighbors. Understanding the proliferation of these stereotypes and their origin is imperative for lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

Amidst a lively gathering, seniors engage in therapeutic activities and form connections at the Memory Café, an initiative by Alzheimer’s Care Armenia promoting healthy aging and social interaction. What is the state doing about the country’s aging population? Gohar Abrahamyan explains.

In the second installment of a series, Taline Oundjian examines the process of media information dissemination, offering insights into practical and theoretical aspects. This understanding sheds light on the challenges media encounters and its implications for coverage, especially in countries like Armenia.