Stories about History from March, 2011
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Towards Partition
At OpenDemocracy.net, Bedrudin Brljavac writes about the situation in Bosnia & Herzegovina: “Fifteen years since the end of the war, ethno-nationalist leaders continue to pursue political agendas leading to the partitioning of Bosnia rather than membership of a united Europe. And yet, without the prospect of the EU, it is...
Cuba: Meeting Carter
The Cuban Triangle summarizes former President Jimmy Carter's visit to Cuba, while Generation Y blogs about their meeting and the symbolic gift she gave him “in the name of several bloggers and other Cubans.”
Brazil: On Opening the Archives of the Dictatorship
A collective blogging was called to demand the opening of the archives of the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964-1985), responsible for torturing of thousands and for killing 380 Brazilians. Of these, 147 remain missing and nothing is known about the fate of their bodies. Until now their families are suffering without knowing their stories.
Macedonia, Bulgaria: Facing Hate Speech
Two NGOs, from Macedonia and from Bulgaria, have published an analysis of the Macedonian-Bulgarian hate speech in the traditional and new media.
Serbia: Gaddafi's Cyber Army Oppose Rebels and NATO
A Facebook page entitled "Support for Muammar al-Gaddafi from the people of Serbia" has become a show of support for the controversial Libyan leader, with over 62,500 members. Libyan opposition activists have also reported cyber attacks on opposition websites coming from Serbia. Sasa Milosevic reports on the online support for Muammar al-Gaddafi in Serbia.
Poland, Lithuania: “The End of the Romance”
Polandian offers “a quick review” of the Polish-Lithuanian relationship over the centuries and notes on the recent changes.
Ukraine: “A War of Monuments”
Back in February, Uilleam Blacker of Memory at War: Blog wrote about “a war of monuments” in Ukraine.
Cuba: Carter's Visit
Cuban bloggers weigh in on former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's visit to the island.
Panama: Saying Goodbye to Guillermo Ford
Politician and businessman Guillermo "Billy" Ford died on March 19. Panamanians said goodbye with respect, remembering his role in the search for democracy during the eighties. This was an opportunity to reflect on the current state of values in the country and the legacy we leave behind.
Russia, Japan: Sakhalin Residents’ and Chernobyl Survivors’ Reactions to Fukushima
Ksenya Semenova writes on OpenDemocracy.net about the reactions of Sakhalin residents to the situation in Japan: “I have some friends in Japan […]. From their relations and from the internet they have discovered what's going on in the Russian Far East at the moment. They sigh deeply and smile ruefully,...
Hungary: Childhood Memories of the Holocaust in Pécs
Eva S. Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum shares her memories of the summer of 1944 in Pécs, when the city's Jewish population – and most of her neighbors and kindergarten classmates – lost their lives: “I heard that just last year the Jewish community in Pécs erected a memorial specifically for...
Russia: BBC Russian Service's Last Broadcast
Christya Riedel writes on Foreign Policy Association's Russia blog that on March 26, “the BBC Russian Service ceased its radio broadcasts after 65 years on the air because of drastic budget cuts implemented by the British government.”
Why Bangladesh?
Jyoti Rahman at Kafila discusses the idea, nationalism and the events that led to the independence of Bangladesh 40 years ago.
Ukraine: Reasons for Targeting Ex-President Kuchma
LEvko of Foreign Notes explains possible reasons – here and here – for targeting Ukraine's ex-president Leonid Kuchma, against whom a criminal investigation has recently been opened on suspicion of his involvement in the 2000 murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze.
Russia: Heroin Epidemic; Attitude to Sex
Posts about heroin epidemic and attitudes to sex in Russia – at OpenDemocracy.net.
Argentina: 35 Years After the Coup d'état
35 years after the coup d'état in Argentina, on March 24, 1976, various activities took place across the country. Argentinean bloggers reacted to the fact that the day is now a national holiday, and shared their thoughts and feelings about what the day means for the country.
Bangladesh: Supporting Pakistan Cricket Team
Although many Bangladeshi spectators at a quarter-final match of the Cricket world Cup 2011 in Dhaka cheered for Pakistan during their encounter with West Indies, Mezba asks “can a Bangladeshi support the Pakistan cricket team”? Find out why.
Ukraine: Myroslava Gongadze on Media Freedom
Viktor Kovalenko writes about the views of Myroslava Gongadze – who is the widow of the slain Ukrainian journalist Georgiy Gongadze – on the freedom of the press and other issues in Ukraine.
El Salvador: 31 Years Since the Death of Archbishop Oscar Romero
“On March 24, 1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero was shot and killed while saying Mass at the chapel of the Divina Providencia. Romero had spent the last two-plus years of his life as Archbishop working tirelessly to prevent the country from falling into open civil war,” Mike explains at Central American...
Pakistan Day Celebrations: A Victory And A Sign Of Hope
Today marks the 71st anniversary of the Pakistan Resolution. Although the nation is struggling with insurgency and plethora of issues there is still a lot to celebrate - like today Pakistan made it to the Cricket World Cup Semifinals beating West-indies.
Cuba: Curating Clandestinity
“In my neighbor city of Holguin, they are about to inaugurate the Museum of Clandestinity”: Crossing the Barbed Wire explains why, to him, it is a “museum of violence.”
