[Latin = gaping, opening]
1. A physical break in continuity; a gaping chasm; an opening, an aperture. b Anat. Any of various natural openings and gaps.
2. A gap or break in continuity, esp. in a series or an account; a missing link in a chain of events; esp in Geol. (the time value of) a break or unconformity in the stratigraphic sequence. b Logic. A missing link in a chain of argument, a gap in reasoning or evidence.
3. Gram. & Pros. A break between two vowels which come together without an intervening consonant in successive words or syllables.
e.g. M. SARTON There has been a long hiatus in this journal because I have had no days here alone.
The hiatus at Extra Extra has now been resolved, thanks to Mark, who holds the keys to the dusty broom cupboard housing the server, and has kindly freed up some more space for me.
Not much to report, however. Send crayons, it’s all gone grey.
By way of contrast, here’s a picture taken outside a football game in Antanarivo, Madagascar.
The Iranian government is restoring the 18th century Blue Mosque in Yerevan, which was reinvented as a museum by the Soviets, later becoming a Russian Orthodox church.
This engraved memorial stone is at Gandzasar monastery, near Vank.
It is difficult not to feel like a war tourist when among the few visitors to a place in which bombed-out buildings abound. The discomfort becomes acute when invited to pose in front of an abandoned tank.
In Sarajevo they sell maps illustrating the worst features of the siege endured by the city.
…does it take to change a lightbulb?
I hope nobody is offended, but this sight made me chuckle.
Today we head East, for Karabakh.
Back to things Armenian, thanks to tips from an anonymous visitor to this site, I am pleased to announce the discovery of a new hero: film director and artist Sergei Parajanov.
He is famous for his films, but it’s his collages that grab my subconsciousness with both hands. He made them for his own pleasure, in lieu of sketching. (He produced a number as sketches for his films.) Some of the most, er, captivating pieces in the museum were made in prison.
More info on this exceptional individual via Wikipedia, Gregory and Maria Pearce’s somewhat cosmic film site, Armenian compendium Cilicia, Razbirat.
I wonder if he knew Hundertwasser?
