Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from June, 2022
The Republic of Buryatia: invasion of Ukraine is an extension of Russia’s domestic dominance over the country's ethnic minorities
Despite constituting a small portion of the Russian population, ethnic Buryats have become scapegoats during the war in Ukraine. Political solidarity is vital, to move past Russian historical abuses.
Bulgarian culinary traditions as a way to restore cultural memory: Granny's forgotten dishes in the village of Antimovo
Local cuisine in a Bulgarian village near Danube river blends Vlahian and Bulgarian traditions, providing attractions for domestic tourists as well as those coming from neighboring Romania and Serbia.
Bulgarian culinary traditions as a way to restore cultural memory: Grandma's unforgettable tarhana
Eastern influences are evident in the cuisine of South East Bulgaria, near the borders of Turkey and Greece. Temenuzhka Mateva promotes tarhana pastry based on recreated recipe of her grandma.
Bulgarian culinary traditions as a way to restore cultural memory: wild herbs
Three women from different corners of Bulgaria have something in common: they believe their vocation is to preserve the local heritage of culinary traditions as part of a collective identity.
Understanding the damaging effects of Russian propaganda against NATO and Kosovo
"Particularly harmful and dangerous is the spread of this misinformation in countries where there is not much knowledge about the case of Kosovo."
Undertones: Is there a perversion of decolonial narratives in Mali?
With the military junta and Russia's increasing presence in the region, Mali is undergoing an information warfare
New national park in North Macedonia plagued by continued development projects
One year after officials announced they would establish a new national park in North Macedonia, the land is under siege as developers push to construct hydro plants in the park.
Equality for transgender Ukrainians: A long way to go, now complicated by the war
Russia's invasion has affected the life of the Ukrainian transgender community: many have lost jobs, access to safe medical care. They are also exposed to humiliating gender questioning.
China's wavering position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens its legacy at home and abroad
As Beijing struggles on policy in Eastern Europe, its ambiguous support of the Russian invasion is threatening peace advocates in Ukraine and China.
Croatian LGBTQ+ college student association normalizes differences at Zagreb Law Faculty
In less than two years, Croatian gay–straight alliance student association ZA-Pravo has gained the attention of LGBTQ+ students and the general public by creating a safe space for all.
Woman journalists are the most common target of anti-press attacks in North Macedonia, journalist association warns
Three verbal attacks on women journalists in 2021 come from politicians, which indicates that holders of public office are easily encouraged to make threats against women journalists in North Macedonia.
Analysis of comments on popular Serbian news portals shows the reach of pro-Russian narratives
News reproduced "several narratives that coincided with the Russian interpretation of events, but the ratio of positively and negatively assessed comments was strongly in favour of those who supported Russia."
‘We’re also taking part in this war,’ says Ukraine's LGBTQ+ community
Though sexual diversity in Ukraine is not outlawed (it's legal since independence in 1991), the LGBTQ+ community has long been stigmatized. Now they are sacrificing their lives for their homeland.
Podcast: Central Asia adjusts to the effects of geopolitical turmoil
Central Asia Editor Zhar Zardykhan explains how the turmoil in Afghanistan and Ukraine are both affecting Central Asian countries.
Ukrainian government attempts to pass necessary but unpopular labor reforms under martial law
A labor reform bill currently going through Ukraine's parliament would remove many of the protections guaranteed to workers on paper. Some say they are long needed reforms; others spot opportunism.
Central Asia celebrates Victory Day amid Russian pressure
In Putin's Russia, the victory over Nazi Germany became instrumental in legitimizing the regime, suppressing political dissent, and pursuing an aggressive foreign policy, including the war in Ukraine.
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