The Karabakh Movement: Armenia's Fight for Self-Determination

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Karabakh movement of 1988, a pivotal chapter in Armenia's modern history. They trace the origins of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict from the Soviet-era decision to place the predominantly Armenian enclave under Azerbaijani jurisdiction, through the peaceful demonstrations in Yerevan and Stepanakert, to the rise of the Karabakh Committee and the Sumgait pogroms that changed everything. The conversation covers key figures like Igor Muradyan, Zori Balayan, and Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and examines how perestroika and glasnost under Mikhail Gorbachev created a space for Armenian national expression. The episode highlights the February 1988 Supreme Soviet vote for unification, the Moscow March, and the early clashes that escalated into full war. Lucas and Luna discuss the role of the Matenadaran, the Armenian church, and the diaspora, and how the movement reshaped Armenian identity. The episode ends with a reflection on the legacy of the movement for Artsakh's defenders today, tying it to the ongoing struggle for self-determination. #KarabakhMovement #NagornoKarabakh #Artsakh #1988 #Perestroika #Glasnost #KarabakhCommittee #LevonTerPetrosyan #SumgaitPogroms #SovietUnion #ArmenianHistory #SelfDetermination #Stepanakert #YerevanRallies #MoscowMarch #Matenadaran #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo