Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from July, 2007
Russia: Cyclical History
From Russia With Blog looks at Putin's Russia from a “cyclical history” perspective – and also highlights “the apathy of the Russian masses” by describing the annual no-hot-water season.
Russia: Polonium 210 Coffee Mugs
The Accidental Russophile considers buying a Polonium 210 coffee mug, available at CafePress for $10.99.
Russia: Grozny at Google Earth
The world zooms in on Chechnya's capital Grozny via Google Earth and doesn't see much reconstruction going on, A Step At A Time reports.
Ukraine: Kyiv Galleries
Olechko posts photos from a few Kyiv galleries – and shares her own artwork, too.
Russia: Sochi Mosque and Other Non-Olympic Issues
Among other things, Window on Eurasia reports that media attention to Sochi might “force the local officials to allow for the construction of a mosque for the city's 20,000 Muslims” – at last, after 13 years of trying to get the permission.
Russia: Counterterrorism (Mis)guidance
A flawed textbook on how to identify and counter extremist groups is on the reading list of the Russian police, writes Window on Eurasia.
Ukraine: Big Houses and Big Macs
Ukraine's big houses and the Big Mac Index data – at Ukrainiana.
Czech Republic: Ukrainian Kids Abandoned
Scenes from the Sidewalk writes about Ukrainian babies abandoned in the Czech Republic.
Ukraine: Party of the Regions Problems
Foreign Notes on the problems withing prime minister Victor Yanukovych's Party of the Regions – here, here, and here.
Slovenia: Sausages, Sex and More
Best of the Slobs roundup, a post on Slovenian-American sausages, and the Slovenes’ attitudes toward sex – at The Glory of Carniola.
Serbia: Borders
Anegdote writes on the visa regime liberalization with the EU members for Serbia.
Russia: Lenin Photos
Darkness at Noon shares his 7-year-old collection of Lenin photos.
Russia: Corrupt Russian Media
A translation of a piece on the Russian media – at La Russophobe.
Hungary, Romania: Mihaly Munkacsy
Csikszereda Musings writes about an exhibition of the paintings of Mihaly Munkacsy, “Hungary's most famous painter.”
Romania, Hungary: “The World's Most Refreshing Drink”
From Csikszereda Musings‘s “fizzy-watered paradise,” a recipe of “the most delicious and refreshing beverage known to humanity.”
Poland: Posts on Politics
The beatroot writes about a homophobic gay icon, alcohol consumption data, an “unbelievable new alliance” of two Polish politicians, President Lech Kaczynski's meeting with George W. Bush, and one politician's anti-German rhetoric.
Macedonia: Macedonian Orthodox Church
The Macedonian Tendency writes about the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
Czech Rebublic: “7 Bullets as in Sarajevo”
Bosnia Blog writes about Sarajevo coincidences in Prague.
Latvia: Real Estate and Economy
Latvian Abroad writes about Latvian real estate and economy – here and here.
Latvia: Latvians in Ireland
Latvian Abroad writes about Latvians living and working in Ireland and the UK.