Stories about History
Six films on Asia-Pacific communities addressing the climate crisis
These films feature stories of communities fighting against the adverse impact of climate change and inspiring hope in addressing the climate crisis through their efforts and solidarity.
How do Mandarin Chinese-speakers reference their own language in Mandarin Chinese?
Mandarin Chinese-speakers have about a dozen terms to describe the different spoken and written forms of the language, offer alluding to various cultural or political affiliations.
Burnt flags, border clashes, and prisoners: Tensions continue to escalate in Armenia and Azerbaijan
Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan soared when a man stormed the stage at the opening ceremony of the European Weightlifting Championship in Yerevan and set fire to the Azerbaijani flag.
State violence and the standardization of the Chinese language
After implementing compulsory education in 1986, Putonghua was promulgated as the primary language in schools, and recently it has replaced indigenous languages in autonomous regions, including Xinjiang, inner Mongolia and Tibet.
The wholesome power of rice and lentils in Nepal
Eaten at least twice daily, the steamed rice and a soup of lentils and cooked seasonal vegetables is not just a Nepali staple but something deeper and essential.
Sri Lanka's proposed anti-terrorism law aims to curb civil protests
There is growing dissent within Sri Lanka against the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which is intended to replace the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the accompanying bill.
Azerbaijan-Iran tensions escalate
The tensions have been simmering since January 2023, after a gunman stormed the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran, killing the security chief and wounding two guards in the embassy.
Reel: The remains of Trinidad's Brechin Castle, once ‘the largest sugar factory […] in the British Empire’
Former Minister of Agriculture Clarence Rambharat said that “sugar factories and the preservation of sugar history were two separate matters,” a position with which some social media users disagree.
Could Britain finally be ready to seriously discuss reparative justice with the Caribbean?
The ill effects of of slavery and colonialism still linger in a myriad of ways, including economics, systemic corruption, violence, public health, education, and issues of identity.
Legacy of a Palestinian educator: Honoring Saniya Nusseibeh's journey as a teacher on land day
Saniyeh's story embodies Palestinian society's century-long struggle to educate and uplift girls, highlighting women's vital role in education. Her legacy is celebrated as a symbol of Palestinian women's resilience.
Moldova refused to use language constructed by Soviet cultural policy
The Moldovan language was constructed during the early Soviet cultural policy. Now, the parliament changed its name to Romanian because they are practically identical languages.
Jamaican cultural commentator uses Twitter to draw attention to outstanding Caribbean accomplishments
Jamaican Twitter user and cultural commentator Wayne Chen often posts interesting tidbits about Caribbean personalities and pioneers on the social media platform.
One-hundred years later: Reflections on Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani's centenary
On the day making Nizar Qabbani's birthday we need to acknowledge that despite differing critical opinions on his poetry, his enduring popularity a quarter century after his passing is indisputable.
The South Caucasus: In pursuit of its lost identity
Many former Soviet countries are currently navigating their own process of decolonization.
Exploring a Kurdish quarter in Azerbaijan
The residents of the “gypsy quarter” in Yevlakh consider themselves part of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people. Despite this, they face a lack of resources, state support, and widespread discrimination.
For Ukrainians defending their country, words are important
Russia is trying to destroy Ukraine not only by weapons, forced deportations, and “re-education” of children in the occupied territories, but also by words.
How the war in Ukraine twisted my tongue
After Russia invaded for a second time on February 24, 2022, I found myself wondering what to do with the part of my brain that still speaks Russian every day.
Relations between Turkey and Armenia pivot from ‘football diplomacy’ to ‘earthquake diplomacy’
The gesture gained even more significance because in 1988 Turkey sent humanitarian aid to Armenia when the latter was hit with an earthquake that killed more than 25,000 people.
‘You'd better not wake up!': How Twitter users remember the day of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Global Voices translated some of the responses about the memories of the day of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 24th 2022
Not forgotten: The 450th anniversary of the ‘Great Peasant Revolt’ in Croatia and Slovenia
The memories of the failed Peasant Revolt of 1573 continued to serve as a beacon of hope, inspiring numerous pro-freedom actions in the Balkans and beyond.
How one Hindu devotee is using Trinidad & Tobago Carnival's ‘Jab Jab’ character to invoke sacred, feminine power
[S]he is bringing a diasporic consciousness of Jab Jab mas as descended from India [...] defying indenture-descended, male religious prerogative over when and how she can be Indian, woman and Hindu.
