Leigh in Azerbaijan

Had a conversation with teacher assistant Esmira, from the Early Learning Centre.  She said that during the Soviet days they were restricted from listening to Western music, rather they only had classical and Soviet music.  Of course, everyone secretly listened to European music stations on shortwave and Esmira loved listening to the Beatles. More than [...]

[Read more]

“Azerbaijan introduces internet booths.”  Who knows what this means as internet cafes are a part of life here, frequented by many gamers yelling and cheering against each other.
On Dick Cheney’s visit.  “… Aliyev’s talks with the US vice president were likely to focus on issues regarding, not only the security of oil and gas pipelines, [...]

[Read more]

“Over 40% of entrepreneurs intend to expand their activity, 51.5% consider it impossible to engage in business without bypassing law in Azerbaijan, over 30% do not consider themselves secured from lawlessness of officials. By results of the poll, almost 50% of entrepreneurs are visited by a representative of state bodies, especially the Ministry of Taxes, [...]

[Read more]

In reference to the throwing of a hand grenade into the Abu Bekir mosque, the leader of Humanist Party of Azerbaijan, Oqtay Atakhan, said:
It is now possible to state that these terror acts were committed by Russian special services to further encourage the separatist movements inside our country, but this time under the flag [...]

[Read more]

“Two hand grenades exploded at a mosque in Baku on Sunday, killing three and injuring 10 others. The mosque serves, predominantly, followers of Wahhabism.” - AzerNews.az
We are reassured that there is no threat to ex-pats living in Baku, but this doesn’t make you feel comfortable. There was a briefing that came from the BP office [...]

[Read more]