In the podcast chair this week is Fuad Akhundov, famed in Baku for his engagingly eccentric walking tours packed with human-interest stories and lavishly illustrated with archive photos from the early 20th-century oil boom era. Talking soon after March 8th, International Women’s Day, he focuses here on Azerbaijan’s early milestones in suffrage, looks at developments in education for girls before WWI, and concludes with a very personal take on feminism. As ever your comments are very much welcomed.

Episode 3 | Fuad Akhundov speaks on trailblazers, empowerment & education for girls in 1900s Baku.

This week Mark Elliott is joined by Matthew Bryza, former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan. Matthew reveals that, despite all the responsibilities, being ambassador was the 'most fun' job he ever had. He gives fascinating insights into his work with the (OSCE) Minsk group, and hints at how much behind-the-scenes work had gone into solving the Nagorno-Karabakh issue before the 'Madrid Principles' were rejected by Armenia. Regarding the post-war situation, he remains upbeat about possibilities of maintaining peace and for working towards greater Caucasian harmony in the future.

Episode 6 | Matthew Bryza - Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan

Today Mark is in conversation with Ian Peart - a UK-born writer and educator who's lived in Baku for over 20 years. With passion and insight, Ian talks about Saadet (Happiness),  how Mugam made sense after hearing Alim Gasimov, and how important it is to think about the victims and survivors of the 1992 Khojaly massacre - with humanity and hope.

Episode 6 | Matthew Bryza - Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan

Caspian Podcast

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