Kadyrov's cancelled sabbatical & Starmus in Yerevan

In this week's episode of the Caucasus Digest, Anna Edgar talks to Luiza Mchedlishvili about Ramzan Kadyrov hinting at taking an 'indefinite break', and then changing his mind a few days later to continue fighting 'global satanism' in Eastern Ukraine.

Tata Shoshiashvili talks about the recent waves of dismissals from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs as part of Minister Tea Tsulukiani's 'reorganisation efforts'.

Read More:

• Georgian Culture Ministry loses wrongful dismissal lawsuits
• Georgian Culture Minister accused of purging critics from National Museum

Ani Avetisyan talks about the Starmus International Scientific Festival in Yerevan — a convention that brings together scientists and musicians — and Armenia's efforts to encourage young people to engage in science, research, and technology.

Read More:

• Armenia's ageing sciences: can the demographic decline be reversed?

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