Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from August, 2012
Russia: Pussy Riot's Closing Statement
The blog Chtodelat publishes an English translation of the closing statements of one of the defendants in the Pussy Riot trial. Three of the punk group members are charged with “hooliganism” after performing an anti-Putin prayer in the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow earlier this year. The prosecutors asked...
Russia: Pro-Kremlin YouTube Sensation Gets Own TV Show
Sometimes, a 90-second online video can change lives. Svetlana Kuritsyna was just nineteen last December, when she became an Internet sensation thanks to a laudatory and rambling interview celebrating the political records of Vladimir Putin and United Russia. Now she's been handed her own TV show, and Russian netizens are left wondering what it means.
Russia: Putin Refuses Controversial Kiss From Priest
"Father Mefodii has shown the way to all citizens, including Pussy [Riot]. In order to be forgiven, all must kiss Putin on the hand." While Putin was greeting local priests in Karelia, one of them suddenly lunged forward and tried to kiss his hand, the President instantly recoiled.
Russia: Pussy Riot Doomed by its own Supporters?
Recent online coverage of the Pussy Riot trial makes it seem as if all of Russia is mobilized in protest against the inordinately harsh treatment the three arrested band members have received. In fact, many well-wishing bloggers continue to aggravate Riot's predicament by advocating leniency, rather than arguing with the entire premise of punishment.
Russia: USA's Hammon Leads Russia to Basketball Semis
Twitter user @zhenya_jane wrote on the U.S. native Becky Hammon‘s contribution to #London2012: “She's 35 years old, 168 cm tall. Becky Hammon is in the starting lineup of the Russian national basketball team. Thought they wouldn't take her.” In 2008, Hammon faced ridicule from Americans when she gained Russian citizenship...
Macedonia: Devastation of Skopje Aqueduct Continues
On Facebook and on her blog, archeologist Vasilka Dimitrovska shared recent photos by Toni Mandzukovski, raising the alarm about the continuous destruction of the ancient Skopje Aqueduct, neglected by the authorities and used as a source of building material by the local population. The ironic title of her post [mk]...
Italy, Macedonia: Funny (and Inappropriate) Country Name Translation
Macedonian portal Press24 published [mk] a photo posted by a Facebook user who discovered that instead of Macedonia, a display with telephone country codes at Milan airport featured the words “Fruit Salad” – which is synonymous with “Macedonia” in Italian, Spanish and some other languages. According to Google Translate, the...
Ukraine: Andriy Shevchenko Retires From Football, Enters Politics
"By the standards of professional football, in which Shevchenko has [spent] his whole life, he has just transferred to another club that offered him a better contract, that's it."
Russia: Graffiti Festival in Kazan
Bloggers celebrate the recent conclusion of the “Like It. Art.” graffiti art festival in Kazan, which was co-financed by the local municipal government, along with funds from telecommunications company Beeline and other private sponsors. Blogger stan_one concludes [ru] that the European continent has never before hosted a better festival for street...
Russia: Political Ambitions for Most Influential Blogger?
Earlier this week, members of Aleksei Navalny's inner circle announced that they are forming a new political party called "People's Alliance." Navalny is expected to abstain from the party, but he is likely to take part in upcoming protest elections meant to institute aspects of "cloud democracy."
Russia: Pussy Riot & Russian Courts in Perspective
On August 2, four days into the Pussy Riot trial, another hearing began in Yekaterinburg, the regional center of the Urals. Unlike its more famous counterpart, this trial has failed to garner major attention both online and in the media, though it is in certain ways just as indicative of dysfunctional Russian approaches to law and order.
Macedonia: Decades-Old International Poetry Festival in Focus
Portugese filmmaker André Soares published a short video documentary about the Struga Poetry Evenings, an international poetry festival held in Macedonia since 1962.
Global: BRICS vs. NATO – Battlefield of Ideas on Interventions
China’s and Russia’s recent decision to veto the United Nations Security Council resolution against Syria -has reignited the debate over the relationship between 'new' powers Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - the BRICS - with 'old' powers - NATO - in international interventions.
Create UNAOC 2012: Apps and Games for Intercultural Dialogue
The recently launched Create UNAOC 2012 competition is an opportunity for developers across the world to produce innovative apps and mobile games to promote intercultural dialogue, in a bid to avoid global conflicts and tension. Find out how to submit your idea.
Russia: Politician Presents Handgun Ownership Proposal
"Given the most humble assessments, weapons barons stand to earn more than 746 billion within a decade.. bureaucrats will get their own cut from issuing licenses, carrying and purchase permits, and certificates" - a blogger reacts to the proposal.
Hungary: Olympic Social Media Content Remains Scarce
With the total of four Olympic medals so far, the Hungarian team is now #12 in the London 2012 medal count. Something to be proud of, for sure - but discussions of these results and other Olympic news are hard to find in the Hungarian social media.
UK: Empty Seats at London 2012?
As the games enter their 5th day, Olympic fans are struggling to find tickets to the various venues in London. Many were shocked to see empty seats during the early days; forcing the London Organising Committee of the Olympics & Paralympics (LOCOG) to defend themselves.
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