Global Voices Online

The Armenian Odar Reads takes a second look at Penelope by Goar Markosyan-Kasper. The literary blog based in Armenia says that on first reading the book in Dutch it wasn't impressed, but that since living in the country it makes a lot more sense. Although it concludes that the book is let down by the writing and the characters, it still provides a good image of what life was like in the country in the mid-1990s and, to a lesser extent, today.

Recent Links also in Central Asia & Caucasus

KZBlog's post is about some good news about the cycling team Astana after losing two premier cyclists and a long period of doubt over funding.

Aravanski reports that the Kyrgyz government sharply increased the prices for electricity and heating, making those barely affordable by most citizens.