Stories about History from March, 2009
South Korea: Soju History
Korea Beat translated a local feature article on the 90 years of Soju evolution.
Serbia: Remembering NATO Bombing 10 Years Later
On March 24, 1999, NATO forces began attack on Serbia and Montenegro. The bombing went for 78 days. A few thousand people were killed, many buildings, bridges, railroads, roads and factories were destroyed. Also, many people still experience mental and psychic effects of the fear they had been through. Ten years later, Serbian bloggers are reminded of those terrible days. Below is a selection of some of their journal notes and recollections from the beginning of the war.
Liberia: Obama is not the first African-American president
In his post titled, Everything you ever wanted to know about Liberia (And more), David Sasaki points out that the first African-American president of any country was the Liberian president J.J Roberts who was born in Norfolk, Virginia.
India: Analyzing Past Elections
Kenney Jacob at Disruptive Technologies, Education and Some Social Issues blog publishes a series of analysis on India's past elections. Read parts I, II, III and IV.
Serbia: More on 10th Anniversary of NATO Bombing
More coverage of the 10th anniversary of NATO bombing of Serbia: Balkan File; Bill's Blog; Gray Falcon; and Nothing Against Serbia.
Qatar: The Museum of Islamic Art
Bint battuta in bahrain visits the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and offers her observations and photographs here. Dubai-based The Bohemians also visited the museum and posted this photograph.
Serbia: 10 Years Since NATO Bombings
A Yankee-in-Belgrade writes about the NATO bombings of Serbia that started ten years ago – and posts a picture from that time.
Pakistan Day And The Lawyers’ Movement
Pakistanis celebrated Pakistan day yesterday. Chapaty Mystery discussed the significance of the day and mentioned how the recent successful lawyers’ movement has provided “an opportunity for Pakistan to undertake a serious re-consideration of its self-conception.”
China: Taking Kimono Picture
Two Chinese women were driven away by around 10 Chinese onlookers when they were taking photos of cherry blossom with their Kimono outfit in Wuhan University. In a Sohu poll, more than half of the votes support the onlookers’ action. Fauna from ChinaSMACK has translated the discussion.
China: Filming Confucius
Joel Martinsen from Danwei puts together discussions on the filming of Confucius. Apart from the news that Chow Yun Fat will be starring the film, the transformation of “Confucius” as a new cultural icon by commercial force is a main concern.
Bolivia: Day of the Sea Remembrance
“One of the first things they teach you in school is that we lost the ocean on March 23, 1879. Well they don't they say we lost it, but they say the Chileans stole it,” writes Vania Balderrama of Capsula del Tiempo [es] about the reasons behind the Day of...
Israel: The Pomegranate
Hatam Kanaaneh, who blogs at A Doctor in Galilee, writes about the pomegranate: “Rumman – Arabic for pomegranate, originally the Pharonic name for the Iranian native fruit – has a special romantic ring to it in my heart.”
Trinidad & Tobago: The Savannah
From Trinidad and Tobago, Haveworld takes a stroll around the Queen's Park Savannah – and he has the photos to prove it.
Czechoslovakia: Tiresome narratives of Prague '68
Dr. Sean's Diary reviews the second episode of BBC 2's series The Lost World of Communism, dealing with communist Czechoslovakia, and finds it rather basic and tiresome.
Hong Kong: Vindication of June 4 in Question
2009 is the 20th anniversary of June 4 Tiananmen Massacre. If there were reincarnation, people who had been killed then would be twenty years old this year. Some of them would probably become university students, who are usually regarded as conscience of the society. Sadly this year, at least two...
Israel: New Book Celebrates Tel Aviv's 100th Anniversary
Tel Aviv Short Stories is a new book featuring the writings of Anglos-Israelis, Lisa Goldman reports. The publication celebrates Tel Aviv's 100th anniversary. You can see a promotional video of authors sharing excerpts from their stories here.
Azerbaijan: Novruz
Prohibited but celebrated discreetly during its years as a Soviet republic, Novruz is now one of the most anticipated holidays to be openly marked in Azerbaijan. Local and expat bloggers comment on the festival.
Ukraine: From Dnipropetrovsk to Odesa
From Dnipropetrovsk to Odesa, the last installment of the Touring Ukraine's Economy travelogue, at Petro's Jotter: “Despite the inept politicians, lack of leadership, and rampant corruption, I remain in awe of this country and its people.”
Ethiopia: Funeral of Princess Medeferiash Work Abebe
Arefe writes about the funeral of Princes Medeferiash Work Abebe in Ethiopia, “The funeral of Princess Medeferiash Work Abebe, the wife of Crown Prince Asfawosen Haile Sellasie, has taken place at the Trinity Cathedral Church this afternoon in the presence of patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abune Paulos, dignitaries,...
St. Lucia: Walcott's School
Repeating Islands’ Blog pays a visit to Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott's primary school in St. Lucia.
Martinique: Rhum Agricole
“In the history of Caribbean rums, Martinique has gained a place of its own…”: Repeating Islands’ Blog explains why.
