· June, 2006

Stories about Belarus from June, 2006

Belarus: Chavez to Visit Minsk in July

  30 June 2006

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

  27 June 2006

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

  23 June 2006

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...

Ukraine: “The Cars” With Ukrainian Voiceover; Local TV

  20 June 2006

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

  13 June 2006

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: Iranian Car Production Deal

  13 June 2006

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: Homophobia

  9 June 2006

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

  6 June 2006

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

  5 June 2006

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: 2 Banned Films at Film Festival in NYC

  5 June 2006

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: Young Activists on Hunger Strike

  1 June 2006

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...