Stories about Belarus from June, 2006
Belarus: Chavez to Visit Minsk in July
Hugo Chavez plans to visit Belarus at the end of July, reports TOL's Belarus Blog: “Finally, the two outspoken haters of U.S. will meet. I am sure they have a lot of things to discuss, and I assume some spicy joint anti-Washington statements will be made during the visit.”
Belarus: The Language Issue
In a perfect world, languages would be nothing but a way for people to communicate with each other – no language would be considered superior or inferior, children would be encouraged to study as many as possible. In the real world, however, languages are being used as political and ideological...
Belarus: Marking Three Years Without Vasil Bykau
Andrei Khrapavitski writes about the third anniversary of writer Vasil Bykau's death: “The famous writer was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, was one of the founders of the Belarusian Popular Front, and is one of the most respected Belarusian authors, a moral authority revered by both seniors and...
Belarus: Bracing For Gas War
“Volkswagen” reports on preparations in Belarus for possible natural gas price increases.
Belarus: Two Activists Awarded in Sweden
Vilhelm Konnander reports on two Belarusian human rights activists who have been awarded Swedish prizes for their work.
Belarus: Library Opening Security Measures
Ivan Lenin of Rush-Mush translates a note most likely posted by president Lukashenko's security on the eve of his appearance to take part in the opening of a new library.
Ukraine: “The Cars” With Ukrainian Voiceover; Local TV
LJ user didaio of Dnipropetrovsk writes about two recent viewing experiences: one good, another bad. The good one was The Cars with the long-awaited voiceover in Ukraine's national language – instead of (or in addition to) Russian; the bad one was the Ukrainian TV programming that all those who can't...
Belarus: Market Traders Disagree on Political Involvement
Tobias Ljungvall reports on a conflict between members of Perspektiva, an organization uniting Belarusian market traders: “This organisation was created on a wave of successfully organised strikes among market traders, in which tens of thousands or perhaps even more than a hundred thousand of them had temporarily closed down their...
Belarus: NGO Leaders on Trial
TOL's Belarus Blog reports on the case of four young NGO leaders who are facing from six months to three years in prison for running an unregistered organization.
Belarus: Iranian Car Production Deal
TOL's Belarus Blog reports on a “political deal between Belarus and no less controversial Iran”: a Belarusian car factory that used to assemble Fords will now make Samand, a brand of “Iran Khodro” company.
Belarus: Neglected Hunger Strike
Andrei Khrapavitski writes about young Belarusian opposition activists on a hunger strike that has gone practically unnoticed inside the country.
Belarus: Homophobia
TOL's Belarus Blog highlights homophobic attitudes that seem to be prevalent in the country and are even shared by the otherwise progressive politicians: [Artur Finkievich, a leading “Youth Front” activist] said that if his organization comes to power, they will treat those who has non-traditional sexual orientation as monsters. They...
Belarus: Memories of the Soviet Past
LJ user aneta_spb, a St. Petersburg journalist, is posting vignettes with her memories of the Soviet years (RUS). Here's why: As a result of heated discussions… … on whether life in the USSR was good or bad… I've decided to reminisce for myself. This will include memories about myself, my...
Belarus: Opposition's Use of Internet
Although the Belarusian opposition “is way ahead of their colleagues in pre-revolutionary Serbia, Georgia, or Ukraine” in using internet for outreach, it's neglecting more traditional ways of drawing publicity and support, writes TOL's Belarus Blog, citing the obscurity of the hunger strike in Salihorsk as an example.
Belarus: White-Red-White Flag at Roland Garros
TOL's Belarus Blog reports about the white-red-white flag of Belarus being used in Roland Garros tennis tournament broadcasts instead of the official flag.
Belarus: 2 Banned Films at Film Festival in NYC
Iryna of TOL's Belarus Blog recommends two films on Belarus now playing in New York City; both are banned in Belarus: “I am jealous that a New York audience can see these documentaries, described by one of the critics as “rough-hewn, hard-core, must-see, front-line filmmaking,” on the screen, but hope...
Belarus: Vitryssland or Not
Tobias Ljungvall writes about the difficulties one faces when not translating ‘Belarus’ into Swedish.
Belarus: Young Activists on Hunger Strike
More young Belarusian activists are hunger-striking now, TOL's Belarus Blog reports: “Twenty-two activists of the unregistered youth group Young Front are carrying out hunger strike to protest the harassment and persecution of their friends. It started with seven activists in Salihorsk, Minsk region, and was joined by the activists in...
