Author Archives

• Artsakh: Personal reflections of 1 year on

  By Russell Pollard on September 26, 2021 • ( 1 )

  

  The 27th September 2020 was the beginning of the end … Nearly 50% of the population of Artsakh, on that fateful day, had only known life in an unrecognised state, bordering Azerbaijan, an enemy with transparent intentions of ethnic cleansing… Read More ›

• Derby City Council (England, UK) unanimously passes a resolution to formally recognise the Armenian Genocide

  By Russell Pollard on November 22, 2018 • ( 5 )

  

  In September 2009 I landed in Yerevan, as a tourist, for the first, and…I thought, last time My knowledge of Armenia was confined to the few pages of explanation in the Lonely Planet Guide.  It never occurred to me, that… Read More ›

• “Qirs” guest house: modern apartment-style hotel accommodation in Stepanakert (Karabakh/Artsakh)

  By Russell Pollard on June 26, 2018 • ( 0 )

  

  A new, modern, comfortable apartment-style hotel has recently opened in the very centre of Stepanakert (Karabakh/Artsakh). Situated within a few minutes walk of the bus station, it is convenient for all of the City’s amenities. Full details, including directions at… Read More ›

• Life carries on: reflections on a ‘post-4 day War’ Artsakh

  By Russell Pollard on August 17, 2016 • ( 0 )

  

  A soldier kisses the young girl’s hand, smiles, waves and moves on. A  potent image of why, in April, the majority of able men made their way to the front line to support the regular troops.  It was about defence,… Read More ›

• Nagorno-Karabakh was never part of an independent Azerbaijan

  By Russell Pollard on October 29, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  The view could be taken that, when Azerbaijan declared independence from the USSR in October 1991 they did so, illegally, in contravention of international norms, as their declared borders included a self-determined, independent state. An act of aggression!  

• 2 major agricultural festivals in Artsakh – October 2015

  By Russell Pollard on October 28, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  The 11th October was the Annual Harvest Festival which is held in the main square adjacent to the Presidential Palace in central Stepanakert. This event started only a few years ago – I was fortunate enough to attend when it… Read More ›

• Azerbaijan is like a perpetrator of domestic violence.

  By Russell Pollard on October 9, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

  In 1988 when Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) said “No!” to the “relationship”  with the Azerbaijan SSR there were no discussions, no understanding – just aggression, violence and war. Perpetrators of domestic violence do not like to be told “No”. When the violence… Read More ›

• Life and People of Artsakh Collection

  By Russell Pollard on September 7, 2015 • ( 0 )

  

    The reality of Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh is far-removed from the prejudicial propaganda that exists around this fascinating place, and its people. This growing collection of galleries ( taken since 2010) shows many aspects of the “Life and People of Artsakh”. Just… Read More ›

• Letter to UK MP : European Azerbaijan Society propaganda card

  By Russell Pollard on June 11, 2015 • ( 0 )

  Dear Mrs Wheeler   I understand that the European Azerbaijan Society (EAS) has issued a card to all MP’s presenting their perspective on the subject of “Internally Displaced Persons” from the Nagorno-Karabakh War ( see link below)  http://www.teas.eu/press-release-newly-elected-uk-parliament-reminded-azerbaijan%E2%80%99s-idp-tragedy  Whilst it… Read More ›

• Azerbaijani refugees: Exploiting the vulnerable for propaganda.

  By Russell Pollard on December 30, 2014 • ( 0 )

  

  In 2014 the European Azerbaijan Society (EAS) re-invigorated their propaganda campaign amongst the ill-advised politicians, sport stars and celebrities about the plight of the refugees/IDP’s in Azerbaijan. To elicit sympathy and support, this “marketing strategy” concentrates on clear, and over-simplified… Read More ›