Stories about History from August, 2011
Hungary: New Law on Churches and Scientology
Eva S. Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum writes about Hungary's new law on churches – according to which the legal status of a church is to be decided by the parliament – and the alleged role of the Church of Scientology in the adoption of this law.
The Balkans, Norway: Anders Breivik and Srđa Trifković
Eric Gordy of East Ethnia writes about the Balkan dimension of the July 22 terrorist attacks in Norway: “[…] [Anders Breivik] has the revelation that his path to violent idiocy began with his shock at the Kosovo bombing campaign in 1999. So to the other sets of concerns he understands...
U.S.: The Soviet Arts Experience in Chicago
Poemless posts an overview of some of the current exhibitions taking place in Chicago as part of The Soviet Arts Experience, “a 16-month-long showcase of works by artists who created under (and in response to) the Politburo of the Soviet Union.”
Pakistan: Celebrating Independence Day
This year, on August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day was celebrated with jubilation not only in the streets but also in the blogosphere. Netizens posted about Pakistan, praying for its prosperity and success.
El Salvador: Reopening Wounds or Paving the Way for Reconciliation?
Mike in Central American Politics comments on the implications of the news of the nine former soldiers who “turned themselves into authorities one week ago. The men are wanted by a Spanish court for the killing of six Jesuits and their housekeeper and her daughter at the University of Central...
Google Logos Celebrate Indian and Korean Independence Days
BuzzInTech posted about Google's celebrations of South Korean and Indian independence days on August 15 by using its special logos in their countries’ Google main search page.
Pakistan: Google Doodle Celebrating Independence Day
Spring Of Autumn celebrates the fact that Google had put up a special doodle for its search page on Pakistan's Independence day.
Malaysia: Islamization of Education
Bakri Musa notes that the rapid Islamization of Malaysian education started in the 1980s. The author cites the negative impact of excessive Islamization on the quality of education in the country.
Sri Lanka: Invasion Of The Grease Devils
In some Sri Lankan rural areas panic spread that Grease Yaka, a mythical character is on the loose and two youths were mob lynched on suspicion. These grease devils are mythical robbers that grease themselves up and break into homes to either steal or rape/kill women. Indi.ca opines that “it’s...
Ukraine: The 1975 ‘Ukrainian Cuisine’ Book
The Pickle Project reviews the English-language ‘Ukrainian Cuisine’ book, published in Kyiv in 1975.
Trinidad & Tobago: Remembering Professor Julian Kenny
On August 9, Trinidad and Tobago lost a patriot. Julian Kenny, retired Professor of Zoology at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, naturalist, former independent senator, author, columnist, photographer and holder of the prestigious Chaconia Medal for environmental conservation, died at the age of 81. The sad news immediately spread through social media, with former students posting fond tributes about his legacy.
Germany: 50th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall
Kelly Hignett at The View East writes about the Berlin wall, and its historical significance as a divide between East and West, as it is now 50 years since the wall – demolished in 1989 – was constructed.
Sao Tome and Principe: Life and Work of the Naïve Artist Canarim
Portuguese teacher MJ Falcão, from the blog O Falcao de Jade, writes [pt] about the life and work of Pascoal Viegas, “one of the greatest Naïve painters of Sao Tome and Principe”. Pascoal Viegas, known as Canarim or Sum Canalim, lived during the colonial times, in the 19th century.
Russia: Soviet Sources to Middle East Actions
Vladimir Kara-Murza of World Affairs blog discusses a recently published book – Behind the Desert Storm – by Russian emigré Pavel Stroilov, which is based on secret soviet archives concerning policies towards the Middle East.
Poland-Russia: Haunting Memories of Afghanistan
Leoš Tomíček of Austere Insomniac reports that Russian ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, is asking whether Polish Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, killed soviet soldiers in Afghanistan during the 1980s, when working as a journalist there with Afghan guerilla fighters.
Cuba: Nyad's Failed Attempt
As athlete Diana Nyad gives up her attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida, Generation Y says: “Her laudable intention was to highlight the closeness between the Island and its neighbor to the north, to help reconcile both shores. But the Straits of Florida is also part of our national...
Slovenia: A Comment on the U.K. Riots
Sleeping With Pengovsky comments on the riots and looting in the U.K.: “But I must say I got the heebie-jeebies when I heard on the BBC that some people were thinking of bringing in the army. Please, don’t. […] I come from the part of the world where there was...
The Balkans: History, Politics and Ethnic Identities
At OpenDemocracy.net, Milan Marinkovic writes about history, politics and ethnic identities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At Balkan Anarchist, Alan Jakšić writes about his own Croatian Serb identity and some of the political issues related to it.
Jamaica: Art Supporter Dies
National Gallery of Jamaica Blog pays tribute to art collector and dealer Guy McIntosh, who passed away yesterday.
The Balkans: Travel Blogs
At Balkan Travellers, Sarah Hucal writes about Yugo Yoga performance that took place on a makeshift stage at Belgrade's Museum of Yugoslav History in July 2011; more of Hucal's Balkan travel writing and photos are at her blog, Solo in the Balkans. Jana Orsolic's Istria Week travel photos and journal...
Cameroon: Alcohol consumption, a cultural phenomenon
On Africavox, Jean-Baptiste Ketchateng interviewed [fr] Paul Abouna, an anthropologist at the University of Yaoundé, about binge drinking in Cameroon. He reminds us that “alcohol consumption [in Cameroon] is a cultural phenomenon. It existed before colonization. Alcohol was made with barks and roots.”
