Epress.am News from Armenia
A Trans Caucasus Exhibit by Armenian photographer Eric Stephanian about the “underground life of transsexuals in the Trans Caucasus region” will take place in Paris, France. The evening will also launch two books, Trans Caucasus I/Armenia and II/Georgia.
According to the artist’s website, the prologue reads as follows:
“In Western languages, the term Trans Caucasus is the translation from the Russian word ‘zakavkazie’ which means ‘the area beyond the Caucasus mountains,’ but the world changes its shapes and the words change their meaning.
[…]
“Here in the land of strong mountains and strong men the idea that a man can transform into a woman can be perceived as a miracle. The word ‘transsexual’ sounds mythical to the Caucasian ear, but the fact is that in Trans Caucasus region, the number of men willing to become a woman had increased during the past five years.
“Until 2002 in Armenia and until 2000 in Azerbaijan and Georgia, people could be imprisoned for any homosexual conduct. Today they ‘can’t lose their freedom’ for this miracle, but in order to avoid harassment they must hide away from society.”
The photography exhibit and book launch will take place for one evening only, on Dec. 4 at 7 pm at Boulogne Billancourt, 50 rue du Chemin Vert.