Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from September, 2015
Macedonian Activists ‘Fence Out’ Government in Protest
Activists also carried messages featuring quotes from the several illegal wiretap recordings leaked by opposition leaders in recent months, colloquially called "bombs" in Macedonia.
Russia Bans Footage of Opposition Leader's Fiery Courtroom Speech
Russian censors have banned a series of political videos on YouTube featuring calls to anti-Putin activism. Notably, officials have banned clips from opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s courtroom closing statement.
Apple Caves To Data Localization Demands, Rents Out Space in Russian Data Center
Apple has decided to comply with the Russian data localization law and is renting out storage space at a data center on Russian soil, according to local media.
Serbian Police Officer and Smiling Syrian Boy Show Europe How Welcoming Refugees Is Done
An image of a Serbian police officer cradling a Syrian toddler has many social media users praising the officer and hoping other police will follow suit.
Film The Fog of Srebrenica Shows Us The People Who Survived One of Europe's Worst Massacres
A new film focusing on survivors of the Srebrenica genocide premiered at the 21s Sarajevo Film Festival on August 17. Alessandra Goio and Marta Vidal report.
Young Stalinist Defaces New Monument to ‘Traitor’ Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
A young Stalinist living in Vladivostok has defaced a new statue of Nobel-prize-winning writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, hanging a sign reading “JUDAS” around Solzhenitsyn’s neck.
Russian Activists Fight Municipal Corruption with ‘Mortal Kombat’-Style Website
Russian anti-corruption activists are pitching battles in courts and online against corrupt municipal officials, 'Mortal Kombat'-style.
Grand Theft Auto and More: The Grim Reality of Life in ‘Donetsk People's Republic’
Documents leaked this summer by 'Anonymous International' depict a living hell for civilians in the separatist-controlled territories of eastern Ukraine.
Sharing This Oscar-Winning ‘Donald Duck’ Cartoon Is Illegal in Russia
Two men found out the hard way that it is illegal in Russia to share this Oscar-winning anti-fascist Disney cartoon from 1942, "Der Fuehrer’s Face."
GV Face: How Volunteers in Europe Are Opening Their Hearts and Homes to Refugees
As governments are struggling to address the growing refugee crisis in Europe, ordinary citizens in Greece, Germany, and Hungary are organizing and even offering their homes to help refugees.
You’re in the Army Now: How Drafted Ukrainian Journalists Cover the War in Their Online Diaries
Ukrainian journalists drafted for military service in eastern Ukraine have turned their social media accounts into personal military diaries, documenting their training, their combat, and their daily life.
How You Can Help Syrian (and Other) Refugees
The refugee crisis in Europe has many asking how they can direct their funds and attention to Syrian and other refugees.
Hundreds of Austrians and Germans Turn Out to Welcome Refugees Arriving From Hungary
Refugees travelling through Austria to Germany were greeted with applause at train stations by Austrians and Germans bearing not only good will, but food, water sanitary products and toys.
Russian Rock Legend Boris Grebenshikov Crowdfunds New Record
Boris Grebenshikov, often called the "Grandfather of Russian rock," has appealed to his fans online to crowdfund his new album, which looks set to be fully funded, despite the critics.
On the Ground in Russia's Only Free Election This September
Olga Borisova, a volunteer for the democratic opposition in Russia's only open regional contest this fall, talks about working in Russian elections today.