Stories about Western Europe from February, 2011
France: New Right-Leaning Website Enters the Fray
Atlantico.fr, a new right-leaning website in French modeled on several American web successes (including The Atlantic and Politico) is quickly earning notoriety in France in expectation of what role it...
France: Demonstration in Paris Against Gabon Dictatorship
Around 7,000 people gathered in the streets of French capital Paris to demonstrate against African dictators and the French government's alleged collusion with African dictatorial regimes on Saturday 26 February, 2011. Protestors chanted slogans outside Gabon President Ali Bongo's 140 million Euro mansion.
Mexico: Kidnapping Case Affects Diplomatic Relations with France
Relations between Mexico and France have been strained due to the kidnapping conviction of French national Florence Cassez in Mexico City. Cassez was arrested in 2006, accused of kidnapping charges and sentenced to 60 years in prison.
“We Are Not Ants”: New Book Promotes Educated Optimism
No Somos Hormigas (We Are Not Ants) is a book and online platform; a Spanish-language project devoted to "educated optimism." Global Voices is mentioned in the book and online as an example of a project of social innovation.
A declaration of love to the Portuguese language, in all its variations
On February 21 Global Voices in Portuguese commemorated International Mother Language Day with a tribute to the lusophony in all its linguistic and cultural diversity. Read the blogsphere's reflections on the first novel dedicated to the Portuguese language, Milagrário Pessoal - the most recent work by the Angolan author José Eduardo Agualusa.
Europe: EU and Social Media
Kosmopolito writes on the ways in which the “EU institutions [should] engage with bloggers” and on the need to have a bigger “euroblogosphere.”
Azerbaijan: Assimilation Disorder
Known for its caustic humor and sarcastic insight, London-based Azerbaijani blogger Scary Azeri touches upon the sensitive issue of cultural (in)compatibility noting how a traditional mindset of her countrymen may...
Portugal: Fight against prejudice on transgenderism
In her blog, Eduarda Santos – a portuguese advocate for transgender rights – points several examples [pt] of transphobic prejudice by the mainstream media. In January she had posted a...
Video: Learning a New Language Through Online Video
February 21st is the International Mother Language Day and this year's theme is Linguistic Diversity and New Technologies. With that in mind, we bring you a series of examples of how people are helping others to learn their mother languages using videos and websites.
Libya-Italy: online reactions to the “Berlusconi connection”
Given the recently close relationship between Gheddafi and the Italian government, materials and many varying opinions on this unusual bond are emerging. Here is an overview of what is being posted on the Internet in Italian (and other languages) in recent hours - including significant satirical comic strips.
Denmark: Taking Facebook to the Streets in 2010
Facebook came to life on Denmark's streets in 2010 through events and groups organised via the social networking site. Whether motives were addressing the country's homeless or immigration policy, it was creativity that characterised Facebook in 'real life'.
Goa: Liberation Day or Conquest Day?
Paulo Dias writes on the blog Niz Goenkar about the events of December 19, 1961 when the former Portuguese province of Goa was annexed by India. Dias takes this day,...
Colombia: British expat loves Bogotá
Vicki, a British journalist living in Colombia's capital, has posted her 101 reasons to love Bogotá, including “Streets are numbered, not named. You don’t need an A-Z,” “It is considered...
Global: Thoughts on interfaith harmony and world peace
In this, the first, World Interfaith Harmony Week, people from all faiths have been getting together to forget about differences and promote religious tolerance and dialogue based on the mantras "Love of God and love of one's neighbour" or "love of the good and love of one's neighbour". Worldwide bloggers share views on why this dialogue is so important – and why it is not impossible to achieve it.
Portugal: A journey blog to Antarctica
On the blog Permantar-2 [pt] you can follow Gonçalo Vieira's scientific journey to the Antarctic Peninsula. The Portuguese researcher – who is part of an international study about the permafrost...
Mexico: Reactions to “Racist” Remarks on BBC's Top Gear
Comments on the BBC's popular car show Top Gear calling Mexicans, "lazy, feckless, flatulent," and "overweight" have caused mixed reactions among Mexican bloggers.
Egypt: “The West Faces Another Bosnia Moment”
Greater Surbiton writes that “in the Egyptian crisis today, Western leaders face another Bosnia moment.”
Portugal: Reflections on Egypt
Portuguese bloggers react to the wave of revolts in Tunisia and Egypt in recent weeks, relating it to issues in their country. In this post we select some of reflections by Portuguese citizens on the scenario of change in comparative, and local and international perspectives.
