Your Namak for Friday, April 22
Pashinyan and Putin meet in Moscow, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities consider dealing directly with Russia and Armenia improves democracy score.
Hi there, here’s your weekly briefing of Armenian news in English, curated, reported and fact-checked by journalists Astrig Agopian and Maral Tavitian.
Pashinyan and Putin Meet in Moscow
On April 19, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Russia. Pashinyan and Putin agreed to create by the end of April a commission on the demarcation and delimitation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. The leaders also signed agreements concerning bilateral exchanges in the fields of energy, culture, education and security.
As Tensions Grow Between Yerevan and Stepanakert, A Taboo Option Reemerges
Some members of Nagorno-Karabakh leadership, including President Arayik Harutyunyan, have presented the option of negotiating directly with Russia instead of Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan’s speech before the National Assembly last week sparked fear among the Nagorno-Karabakh authorities that the Armenian Prime Minister would cede control of the region to Azerbaijan. That scare brought back to the table an option that has historically been dismissed by Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh: breaking from Armenia and joining Russia.
“To continue living here, having de facto independence, striving for further de jure changes, it can be independence, it can be a union with Armenia, which I consider unlikely, but it can also be some relations with Russia in a direct vertical framework,” Harutyunyan said during a meeting in Martakert. Sasun Barseghyan, former governor of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Askeran region, had suggested a referendum on joining Russia, to “avoid physical annihilation.” Pashinyan has denied allegations that he is preparing to give the land to Azerbaijan.
Armenia Improves Democracy Score
In the latest “Nations in Transit” report published this month by Freedom House, Armenia improved its democracy score by one point. According to the Washington-based NGO, Armenia moved “from authoritarian to hybrid form of governance,” which presents a “more promising picture.”
Talar Bilemjian: Meet a fashion designer bringing a modern touch to traditional Armenian influences
“I always loved fashion. I think from the day I was born probably.”
Talar Bilemjian wants every woman who wears her clothes to feel like a queen. The 30-year-old fashion designer exudes the confidence and effortless chic that she aims to translate into her brand, “Talar Nina.”
Born in Los Angeles, raised in London and educated in Dubai, Talar’s designs reflect the varied influences of the many places she has called home. But Armenian culture is the thread that binds her diverse portfolio, which ranges from sleek, jewel-toned blazers to relaxed track suits in neutral hues. Nearly every one of her pieces incorporates Armenian motifs, such as ornate embroidery found in traditional clothing or “taraz” and funky socks adorned with the Armenian eternity symbol.
“Our motto is ‘Inspired by tradition, created for today,’ so we try to tie that into everything that we make,” Talar says. “Because I think people want to buy things that have a story and that make them feel good and elevated.”
Making others look and feel their best was a natural calling for Talar, who comes from a family of fashion lovers. She spent summers as a child in Amman, where her grandfather owned a luxury clothing boutique and was one of the first people to bring Italian womenswear to the Jordanian capital.
“I always loved fashion. I think from the day I was born probably,” Talar says.
Talar went on to graduate from the Dubai campus of École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode (ESMOD) in 2014 with a degree in fashion design. Two years later, she launched her eponymous label with just one signature piece –– a unisex bomber jacket designed to transition seamlessly from day to night.
“We had three to four different style bomber jackets and they all sold out within the first month and I didn’t even have a website at that time, so it was just word of mouth,” Talar says. “Magazines and newspapers in Dubai started writing about the jackets and from that moment it just threw me into the fashion world.”
Guided by the quality construction and unique embellishments that motivated the success of her debut jacket, Talar expanded her repertoire to include a variety of closet staples designed for the modern woman. Creating a sense of ease with her pieces is central to her design ethos.
“Versatility is something that all our customers look for when they buy our pieces,” Talar says. “It’s something that can take them from the morning to the evening and they don’t have to think about it. They can go from wearing the basic set on a plane and change their shoes and wear it out to dinner.”
But as a solo founder in a crowded marketplace, her path has not always been easy. Talar is now based between Dubai and Yerevan, where she is preparing to launch her new line made entirely in Armenia.
“The journey has been crazy. We’ve tried making our clothes in so many different places and cities and there were many points when I just wanted to give up and say, ‘I can’t,’ but then all roads led back to Armenia,” Talar says. “I think that’s what actually gave me the strength and inspiration to keep going and keep making beautiful things.”
Dedicated to crisp tailoring and fresh takes on classic workwear, she describes her upcoming collection as both a “rebirth and renaissance” for the brand. One standout is the “taguhi” suit, a striking black ensemble which derives its name from the Armenian word for “queen.”
“We named it the taguhi suit because I think it’s fit for a queen. I think every woman should own this suit,” Talar says. “I just wanted to make a kick ass suit that would make any woman feel like an absolute boss.”
A lover of in-person shopping experiences, Talar’s eventual goal is to open a studio and boutique in Yerevan.
“I’m really inspired to show the world our craftsmanship that we have here and our culture and our stories but in a unique, modern way that can appeal to everyone, not just Armenians,” Talar says.
To read: The French Presidential Election and the Armenian Question, an article on how French politicians and the French-Armenian community consider the “Armenian question.” This analysis makes for worthwhile reading on the eve of the French presidential elections on April 24 –– a symbolic coincidence.
To visit: Proshyan Arts Project in Yerevan, a space “to make things happen.” From photography and podcast workshops to painting sessions and art exhibitions, you will find many options to develop your creativity among local and international artists.
To read: The Armenian Genocide Holds a Bitter Lesson for Those Who Weep for Ukraine, a look at the gap between what politicians around the world say and the actions they take, in times of terrible human suffering. From 1915 until today, little seems to have changed in the international community’s equation.
That’s it for today, see you next week!
Questions? Story ideas? An urge to say barev/parev? You can send us a secure email at namaknews@protonmail.com.