Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from November, 2008
Romania: A Quick Primer on Nov. 30 Election
Csíkszereda Musings writes about the upcoming Nov. 30 parliamentary election and “the shifting allegiances in Romanian politics”: “The other two major parties were allies four years ago, but now seem to hate each other's guts.”
Slovenia: New Government
Posts on Slovenia's new government – at Sleeping With Pengovsky, Kosmopolito, and Borut Peterlin's blog.
Czech Republic: Milan Kundera Controversy
Belatedly, a link to the post on Milan Kundera controversy – at Balkans via Bohemia.
Ukraine: “orange revolution” vs “Orange Revolution”
A note on the difference between “orange revolution” and “Orange Revolution” in Ukraine – at Leopolis: “The former represents the current state of politics: disappointment, disillusionment, distrust, financial crisis, brawls in parliament, corruption, broken promises. There is no reason to celebrate the ‘orange revolution.’ But the latter recalls an amorphous...
Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan: Calling Attention to Tragedy
Window on Eurasia writes: “Kyiv’s efforts to call attention to Stalin’s terror famine on the 75th anniversary of that tragedy and especially its moves to gain international recognition of it as a genocide against the Ukrainian people has generated much criticism by Russian officials from President Dmitry Medvedev on down...
Russia: The Crisis and Constitutional Changes
Robert Amsterdam writes about “the uses and expediency” of Beslan in 2004 and the current financial crisis for Russia's leaders: “[…] an opportunity to pass measures to further consolidate authority.”
Latvia: The Crisis and Freedom of Speech
Free Speech Emergency in Latvia wrote on Nov. 22: “A university lecturer was arrested for two days for making comments at a public discussion of the economy, while a musician was questioned for joking about taking money out of a bank during a concert.” More coverage of the situation –...
Bulgaria: Inadequate Media Coverage
Veni Markovski writes about a recent case of misrepresenting Bulgaria in the International Herald Tribune and posts his letter to the editors. He also writes about the European Commission's decision to cut funding to Bulgaria (and so does The 8th Circle), and about Sofia mayor's explanation for a recent earthquake...
Central Europe: Relations With the U.S.
Belatedly, a link to Antal Dániel's post at Central Europe Activ on “Central European expectations from the new American president.”
Ukraine: Daily Posts on Street Children
A whole month of posts and photos featuring street children in Ukraine – at Scenes From the Sidewalk. Some highlights: a photo report on a visit to a Ukrainian jail; photos of Ukrainian street kids from six years ago – here and here; the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures from the...
Russia, Ukraine: “Pindostanis at the Gate”
A definition of a derogatory Russian word for “Americans” – at Eternal Remont; a usage context example – at Russian Navy Blog.
Russia: More on Mikhail Beketov's Case
At Robert Amsterdam's blog, Grigory Pasko writes about the attack on Mikhail Beketov.
Poland, Georgia: The Shooting Incident
A discussion of the shooting incident near the disputed Akhalgori area, which involved the presidents of Georgia and Poland – at the beatroot, here and here.
Ukraine: Maidan Four Years On
Ukrainiana posts photos from the empty Maidan on the fourth anniversary of the Orange Revolution.
Ukraine: 75th Anniversary of Holodomor
Taras of Ukrainiana posts photos and video from the commemoration of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Holodomor – here, here, and here. Tetyana Vysotska of What's Up, Ukraine? explains why she chose not to take part in any of the official commemoration events: “We, Ukrainians, have respect for...
Russia: Circassian case for self-determination
Paul Goble of WindowonEurasia brings attention to demands of a Circassian youth group to found a Circassian Republic in the North Caucasus, thus increasing the risks of further ethnic tension in the region.
Russia: Moscow plans of financial glory
LJ user romanemo comments on [RUS] Russia's plans to turn Moscow into an international financial centre.
Russia: Murder of Vladikavkaz Mayor
LJ user Zhurnal Cheloveka reports on [RUS] the murder of Vitaly Karaev, mayor of the North Ossetian capital Vladikavkaz.
Russia: In the wake of financial crisis
Streetwise Professor discusses how the Russian economy is coping with its challenges in the wake of the global financial crisis.
Russia-Ukraine: Denying the Great Famine
Finrosforum accounts for President Medvedev's view of Holodomor – the great famine in Ukraine 1932-33 – accusing those who speak about the “so-called Holodomor” of creating a rift between the two Slavic nations.
Russia: Fast Track Constitutional Changes
Robert Amsterdam discusses the quick changes to the Russian Constitution in favour of prolonging the presidential term to seven years.
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