By empty (4/1/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Authorities in Yerevan cancelled on 31 March a series of concerts of popular Russian singer Filip Kirkorov after significant pressure from Armenian youth groups, according to RFE/RL\'s Yerevan bureau and Yerkir. The furor over the planned concerts stems from allegations that the Russian singer is \"anti-Armenian\" and routinely sings Turkish songs in his concerts. The protesters also argued that the timing of his concerts in Yerevan coincide with the April commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and are, therefore, \"immoral and intolerable.
Authorities in Yerevan cancelled on 31 March a series of concerts of popular Russian singer Filip Kirkorov after significant pressure from Armenian youth groups, according to RFE/RL\'s Yerevan bureau and Yerkir. The furor over the planned concerts stems from allegations that the Russian singer is \"anti-Armenian\" and routinely sings Turkish songs in his concerts. The protesters also argued that the timing of his concerts in Yerevan coincide with the April commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and are, therefore, \"immoral and intolerable.\" The pressure to revoke the singer\'s invitation to Armenia was led by a student youth group affiliated with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, a junior member of the ruling, pro-government coalition. Kirkorov, whose father is of Armenian descent, was set to perform at two concerts in the Armenian capital on 8 and 9 April. (RFE/RL)