Stories about Eastern & Central Europe
25 August 2017
Macedonian Citizen Fined 400 Euro For Insulting Turkish President Erdoğan on Facebook
A Macedonian court ordered a person to pay 400 euros for writing "ironical statements and insulted a leader of a foreign country."
24 August 2017
Diplomatic Row Between Serbia and Macedonia Thwarted, No War in Sight
As diplomatic tensions between Serbia and Macedonia defuse, citizens reaffirm their common goal to live normal lives without threats of war.
Blaming Social Media Comments, a Russian Tycoon Announces He's Done With Macedonian Sports
"All over the world fans insult and badmouth club presidents, yet no president has left a club because of that."
22 August 2017
Serbia and Macedonia at War? The Headlines Say So, But Citizens Disagree
While Serbian politicians and pro-government media step up war-mongering rhetoric against Macedonia, the common citizens on both sides of the border refuse to get drawn into the fray.
15 August 2017
A Viral Rap Battle Has Everyone in Russia—Including Business Journalists and Politicians—Talking
Even opposition leader Alexey Navalny weighed in, saying despite the profanity, the raps are "100 times more cultural than any comedy show or song contest you see on state television."
7 August 2017
Secular Voices in the Balkan States Oppose Religious Education in Public Schools
“Why do they call it ‘religious science’ when it’s not a science, but a subject about beliefs. So it needs to be called ‘religious beliefs’.”
5 August 2017
Think You've Mastered Tongue Twisters? Try Them in Lezgi!
While widely spoken in the Caucasus, Lezgi is an endangered language. But YouTube users are doing their best to save it.
3 August 2017
Bulgarian Wikipedia Announces National Entries for ‘Wiki Loves Earth’ Photo Contest
Wikipedia Bulgaria announced the top 10 photos that will represent Bulgaria in the "Wiki Loves Earth" international photo contest.
No More Jailed Journalists in Macedonia: Zoran Božinovski Free on Bail After 15-Month Detention
After spending around 3 years in jails in Serbia and Macedonia, the journalist Zoran Božinovski was released from detention on July 15.
31 July 2017
Why Are Russians Indifferent to the Syrian Conflict?
"At a minimum, the numerous problems with rights and freedoms in Russia suck up a lot of time...which doesn’t leave energy for problems taking place far from Russia."
27 July 2017
In Macedonia, Geeks Create Free Accommodation Platform In Reaction to Hotel Price Hike for Super Cup Fans
A bunch of geeks who call themselves 'WeTalkIT' offered Manchester United and Real Madrid fans the means to find a free place to stay during Skopje's UEFA Super Cup.
21 July 2017
Russia's Parliament Went on a Censorship Binge Today
The Kremlin is cracking down on online anonymity. Again.
Kyrgyzstan Blocks Archive.org on ‘Extremism’ Grounds
Russia also moved to block the website and its popular 'Wayback Machine' two years ago.
19 July 2017
Poles Rally to Defend the Independent Judiciary From Ruling Party's Reforms
"Warsaw rally for #democracy and #ruleoflaw in #Poland continues... Candles symbolise hope for freedom and a better future."
10 July 2017
Saying Goodbye to Anton Nossik, Godfather of the Russian Internet
RuNet pioneer Anton Nossik died in his sleep on June 9 at the age of 51.
28 June 2017
A Czech Nuclear Plant Held a Swimsuit Contest to Choose Its Next Female Intern
The move quickly faced accusations of sexism: "What a joke! Do we make men pose in swim suits to get hired as interns?"
27 June 2017
Satirical Cartoonists Take Aim at Bulgaria's Media Distribution ‘Monopoly’
"When holding this newspaper is a reason for jealousy. There is expression, but no freedom. #Prass-Press"
A Win for Citizen Activism After UNESCO Asks Macedonia to Stop All Construction Projects on Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is the oldest lake in the European continent but the previous Macedonian government wanted the natural heritage area to be converted into a mega resort.
26 June 2017
Is the End Near for Telegram in Russia?
Blocking Telegram in Russia would surely decrease its popularity, but there is no guarantee that it will help stifle communication among violent extremist groups.
25 June 2017
Romania Seeks to Draw Lines Around Notions of Family
But as shown by the increasing numbers of children with parents working abroad, the lines are already being redrawn by economic pressures.
About our Eastern & Central Europe coverage
Filip Stojanovski is the Eastern & Central Europe editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
