A lot has been happening in Armenia: war, immigration, shifting alliances, a rising economy, and so much more. Country of Dust tells the stories of the people who are living through this important, in-between moment in Armenia’s history. We capture the odd, inspiring and perplexing ways in which Armenia keeps going, despite the odds.
Armenia
The Country of Dust podcast is an exceptional listen that effortlessly combines thoughtful discourse with personal experiences, creating a refreshing and enlightening exploration of difficult topics. From the moment I started listening, it felt as though I was sitting with friends around a table, engaging in meaningful conversations about important issues. The podcast approaches divisive and painful subjects such as the Velvet Revolution and the 2020 War with sobriety, respect, love, and hope. It's evident that the creators have spent years grappling with these topics themselves, which adds a layer of authenticity to each episode.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to present emotionally-charged issues in a way that invites listeners from all backgrounds to engage. The production quality is top-notch, making it an incredibly compelling listen. Unlike many podcasts that devolve into shout matches or one-sided discussions, The Country of Dust provides diverse perspectives through personal stories. By grounding these divisive topics in the actual experiences of real people who live in Armenia, the podcast allows listeners to quietly take in different viewpoints and develop a deeper understanding.
Another aspect worth applauding is how well-produced and thought-provoking each episode is. The hosts tackle complex subjects with incisiveness and sensitivity, providing informative insights that leave a lasting impact on listeners. As someone who isn't typically drawn to podcasts, I found myself glued to this one. It offers exactly what we need to learn about contemporary Armenia today – well-researched information conveyed through an engaging storytelling format.
While it's challenging to find any drawbacks to this podcast, if there was one area for improvement, it would be the frequency of new episodes. As a listener who has become enamored with The Country of Dust, I eagerly await each new release and often find myself yearning for more content. However, considering the immense effort that goes into producing such high-quality episodes, it's understandable why they may not be able to release them more frequently.
In conclusion, The Country of Dust podcast is a remarkable achievement that fills a significant gap in the podcasting landscape. It fearlessly delves into divisive and painful topics, presenting them with grace, respect, and love. Through personal stories and exceptional production quality, it offers listeners an opportunity to engage with emotionally-charged issues in a thoughtful and introspective manner. I am grateful for this podcast's existence and eagerly look forward to future episodes that continue to educate and inspire.
Our podcast tells the stories of how Armenia is changing, but in this episode, we sat down to talk about how Armenia has changed each of us.Plus we have an announcement: We just launched a crowdfunding campaign for our second season! If you've enjoyed listening to our podcast so far, we'd really appreciate your support to keep making it happen. You can donate here: igg.me/at/countryofdustSupport the show
Gayane Milonyan, a mother of two, has just been forced to flee her home in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), along with over 100,000 people – the entire indigenous Armenian population left in the region after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. We spoke to Gayane a day after her arrival in Armenia about what she lost, what she survived, and how she survived it. Content warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.If you're looking for a place to donate to help alleviate the refugee crisis, here are some organizations that are working on the ground:All for Armeniahttps://allforarmenia.org/World Central Kitchenhttps://donate.wck.org/give/522197/Kooyrigshttps://kooyrigs.org/AGBUhttps://agbu.org/Support the show
Wine has been part of Armenia's story since the beginning, and it can be a bridge from its ancient history, to the Soviet era, to today. In our final episode of the season, we talk to Mariam Saghatelyan, co-owner of In Vino wine bar, about the resurgence of wine culture in Armenia. And we delve into the unexpected ways that uncorking a bottle of wine can connect you to the pulse of the country. Support the show
After the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, Armenia woke up with thousands of Russians moving here – escaping the draft, political crackdowns and economic uncertainty. Many of them were young creatives, a few dozen of whom ended up staying at an old Soviet factory in a small town in northern Armenia. We spoke to Arseniy Zykhowski and Lisa Khoreva, two artists living there, about their journey to Armenia, the unlikely corner of the country they ended up in, and how it's been going.Support the show
Ara Aslanyan designed one of the most iconic symbols of Armenia's 2018 revolution - the dukhov hat. But he says he never cared about the movement, that he only wanted to make a successful design. When we spoke in 2022 he said, “I'm really out of politics. But if you need some services, as a professional, I'm there.” How did someone so apolitical end up creating the emblem of a revolution?Support the show
Mane Gevorgyan was Nikol Pashinyan's press secretary during the most turbulent period of his premiership. She entered as part of a rockstar government, but after the war, she had to deal with all the frustration and anger directed at the administration. Mane's story offers a glimpse into the complexities of post-war Armenia.Support the show
The nation's hopes rose with the 2018 Velvet Revolution, then came crashing down during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. Ruben Malayan is a calligrapher who not only lived through these ups and downs but, through his art, helped shape them. Support the show
Ashot Gabrielyan moved to an isolated village in Artsakh to work as a teacher after the 2020 war. He has loved living there, but repeated aggressions from Azerbaijan have made everyday life in Artsakh more and more difficult. How can he plan for his future, when so much is uncertain?Support the show
In this episode, we delve deeper into Nikolay Stepanyan's personal journey during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, and hear his remarkable story of survival. If you missed part 1 of Kolya's story, go back and listen to the first episode before listening to this one. Support the show
In our first episode, we introduce Nikolay Stepanyan, a young Armenian from Russia. We learn about the circumstances that shaped his life and that ultimately led him to become a soldier. Support the show
Meet your hosts, listen to the poem that helped inspire our podcast, and hear why we think the best way to understand Armenia is by following the stories of the people who live here.Support the show
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