1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910460240103321

Titolo

Exploring the Caucasus in the 21st century : essays on culture, history and politics in a dynamic context / / edited by Françoise Companjen, László Marácz, Lia Versteegh [[electronic resource]]

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Amsterdam : , : Pallas Publications, , 2010

ISBN

1-282-98541-8

90-485-1162-3

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (254 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Collana

Amsterdam contributions

Disciplina

947.52

Soggetti

Caucasus History 21st century

Caucasus Civilization

Caucasus Politics and government 21st century

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Feb 2021).

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

1. Gábor Bálint de Szentkatolna (1844-1913) and the study of Kabardian / László Marácz -- 2. The ethnic-political arrangement of the peoples of the Caucasus / René Does -- 3. An island of classical Arabic in the Caucasus : Dagestan / Michael Kemper -- 4. Chechnya and Russia, between revolt and loyalty / Marc Jansen -- 5. Recent political history of the south Caucasus in the context of transition / Fran©ıcoise Campanjen -- 6. Authoritarianism and party politics in the south Caucasus / Max Bader -- 7. Between state and nation building : the debate about 'ethnicity' in Georgian citizens' ID cards / Oliver Reisner -- 8. The war in South Ossetia, August 2008 : four perspectives / Fran©ıcoise Companjen -- 9. The recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia : a new era in international law / Charlotte Hille -- 10. Freedom of speech in the Caucasus : watch-dog needed in Armenia and Azerbaijan / Lia Versteegh -- 11. Beyond frontiers : engagement and artistic freedom in south Caucasus modern culture (Armenia and Azerbaijan) / Evan Navarro Martínez.

Sommario/riassunto

Although the name Caucasus has been around for some 2000 years, and may suggest unity and coherence, the region these days is best known for the ethnic and religious divides resulting in recurrent bloody



conflicts between the various minorities and the post-Soviet independent states. Geographically, the Caucasus has traditionally been a buffer between Russia, Turkey and Iran. Part Russian Federation, part Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the area has a tradition of fast-shifting partnerships, of rich and varied cultural heritage, and fierce ethnic tensions going back centuries. This fascinating volume creates an illuminating perspective on the politics, history and culture of the Caucasus: it includes an account of how several 19th century Hungarian linguists fascinated by the region's famously difficult languages conducted field research still used by politicians to prove or disprove ethnic links; an analysis of the recurring forcible movements of the people; a study of the region's Russian Imperial past; an exploration of the Muslim North/Christian South division in the context of the recent conflicts and their international ramifications; the elite-driven nature of the region's politics; finally, the role of art as a medium of freedom in the war-torn zones of the region. Necessary reading for everyone with an interest in the history of one of the world's tinderboxes.