Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from September, 2009
Ukraine: Kyiv Nightlife
Turkish Invasion writes about Kyiv nightlife.
Russia: Valery Shchekoldin Asylum Photos
Russian photographer Oleg Klimov reposts (RUS, ENG) three graphic and disturbing photos of mental asylum patients in Ulyanovsk region, taken by his colleague Valery Shchekoldin in 1998 for Stern.
Ukraine: Fundraising to Help Street Children
Scenes from the Sidewalk announces a “virtual fundraiser” to help “transform the lives of [Ukrainian] street and at risk children and reintegrate them back into families and society.”
Ukraine: Media on Ukraine-Russia Relations
Foreign Notes and Window on Eurasia review some of the coverage of the Ukraine-Russia-U.S.-Europe relations that have appeared in Ukrainian newspapers.
Turkey: Next Country to Recognize Abkhazia?
Window on Eurasia reports that “there appears to be a chance that Turkey, despite denials by its officials, might break the embargo against recognition [of Abkhazia] because of Ankara’s desire to play a greater role in the Caucasus region, its own long-standing experience as the only country to recognize the...
Russia: 2010 Census Postponed
Window on Eurasia and Russia Blog comment on the Russian State Statistical Service's decision to postpone the 2010 census until 2013 – “on budgetary grounds.”
Ukraine, Russia: “Operation Barbierossa”
Ukrainiana reviews “two fact-meets-fantasy scenarios [of the beginning of a Russo-Ukrainian war] outlined in a Russian television program.”
Macedonia: Freedom Not Fear 2009
Information Policy cites an item on privacy-related citizen education activities that took place in Macedonia during this year's Freedom Not Fear action. The item was published on the website of Metamorphosis Foundation, a Macedonian NGO that was one of the event's organizers.
The Egyptians Tweet Farouk Hosny's Defeat
Bulgarian candidate, Irina Bokova, 57, was elected the head of the UNESCO, defeating Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosny. Instead of mourning the loss, Egyptians celebrated his defeat on Twitter.
Russia: Broadband & Recession; Yahoo! & Russia
Svetlana Gladkova of Profy reports that “broadband access growth twice lower than expected due to recession in Russia.” In another post, she notes that after reading an interview with Marvin Liao, director for Yahoo!'s Sales Development, Emerging Markets Group, she got “a very strong feeling that we will see some...
Belarus: Internet Issues
Andrei Khrapavitski of Belarusan American Blog comments on Evgeny Morozov's TED talk on “the ways the Internet can actually help oppressive regimes stifle dissent.”
Hungary: Budapest Citizens Fight For Their Right To Party
On Sept. 1, a silence decree that requires bars and restaurants to close at 10 PM came into force in Budapest's District VI, an area well-known for its lively nightlife. Protests against the measure started right away.
Serbia: Tram Tour of Belgrade's Music History
Belgraded writes about a unique tram #2 tour through Belgrade’s music history, which was organized by famous rock journalist Peca Popovic.
Poland: Raphael Lemkin and the Katyń Massacre
Raf Uzar writes about Raphael Lemkin's life and work and the current discussion of the Katyń massacre in Poland.
Poland: Chopin's Birthplace
Polandian writes about a trip to Chopin’s birthplace at Żelazowa Wola.
Russia: Lebedyan Subway
On Aug. 11, LJ user victorprofessor posted a photo report (RUS) from a trip to the town of Lebedyan in Lipetsk region, where one man – Leonid Mulyarchik – has been trying to build a mini-subway since 1984, “the most unusual metro in the world.” Four TV stations have done...
Russia: Victor Pylyavsky's Paraglider Photos
Samara photographer Victor Pylyavsky flies a paraglider over the city and the region, taking pictures; his beautiful photos are currently part of an open air exhibit at one of the city's central squares. LJ user drugoi has photographed some of these photos and posted them on his blog (RUS).
EU: Russophone Bloggers React to Dairy Farmers’ Protest
LJ user drugoi hosts a discussion of the Belgian dairy farmers' protest over low milk prices.
Video: Call for submissions in Democracy Now Challenge
As the winners of the 2009 Democracy Now Challenge enjoy their reward in the USA, the submission period for the 2010 edition of the contest is opened to allow people from all over the world to complete the phrase "Democracy is..." in a video.
Czech Republic: Sidewalk Parking
Parking on sidewalks in the Czech Republic – at The Czech Daily Word.
Russia: Matryoshkas
Culture Blog writes about Sergiev Posad and matryoshkas, the Russian wooden dolls, that are made there.
About our Eastern & Central Europe coverage
Filip Stojanovski is the Central Europe editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.
Daria Dergacheva is the Eastern Europe editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
