Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from November, 2021
With Ukraine's Kyiv Post shut down, journalists launch new independent media outlet
Ukraine's top English-language newspaper that has operated for over 25 years, suddenly stopped operations on November 8, 2021.
Making Turkish music in Hungary: Can this be a ‘Nasip Kısmet’ moment?
How fortunate is it to be able to play Turkish folk songs in Hungary, despite the anti-immigrant, Christian-values agenda of the prime minister, Victor Orbán.
Invisible scars result from patriarchal tolerance of gender-based violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Due to the deep-rooted patriarchal structure of society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, domestic violence is often perceived as a corrective measure of the strong over the weak family members.
Ukraine marks anniversary of Euromaidan protest on Day of Dignity and Freedom
Global Voices covered the Revolution of Dignity extensively in 2013 and 2014, featuring the multitude of citizen voices as captured by our volunteer authors.
An impossible task: Serbia on the European path, hand in hand with Russia and China
Serbia keeps touting the country’s progress in aligning itself with EU foreign policy, but real gains won’t happen with Kosovo on the agenda.
Empty Chair Day highlights plight of imprisoned Ukrainian journalists
This year's campaign focuses on Vladyslav Yesypenko, an independent journalist illegally imprisoned for reporting on the realities of life in Russia-occupied Crimea.
Poland reinforces border with Belarus as migrant crisis escalates
The EU had previously accused Belarus' Lukashenka of flying in migrants from the MENA region and South Asia and bringing them to the EU's borders to retaliate against sanctions.
Political and social crises to blame for the ‘COVID-19 disaster’ in Bulgaria
"Instead of creating a unified campaign to explain the situation and why it is important for people to be vaccinated, politicians ... are competing in their silence and dubious statements"
Belarus authorities block access to more independent media added to extremist list
The websites of Deutsche Welle, Current Time and the employees and readers of BelsatTV and NEXTA are the latest targets in Belarus' ongoing crackdown on independent media and free expression.
North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev resigns after defeat in local elections
Pro-ЕU Social Democrat Zaev had previously promised that he would resign if his party failed to retain the mayoralty of the capital Skopje.
What can we expect from Russia at COP26?
As COP26 continues, Open Democracy asks experts whether the Kremlin’s latest moves on climate, including its 2060 net-zero target, heralds genuine change or more greenwash.
After attack on LGBTI community center in Sofia, Bulgarian activists and mainstream politicians condemn right-wing extremist violence
A neo-Nazi affiliated paramilitary group ransacked the Rainbow Hub LGBTI support center in Sofia, assaulting female activist Gloria Filipova days after the Constitutional Court annulled the Istanbul Convention ratification.
About our Eastern & Central Europe coverage
Filip Stojanovski is the Central Europe editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
Daria Dergacheva is the Eastern Europe editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
