As the Managing Editor for Global Voices, I explore new ways, formats and technologies to tell stories grounded in local knowledge aimed at a global audience. I first started in GV in 2015 as a writer and translator, and now enjoy editing, training, and launching new projects.
Having worked and lived mostly in Central and Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, the Himalayan region and East Asia, I write about those regions with a particular focus on identity and historical memory, minority groups, arts and culture, language, and less known cross-regional cultural influences. I often teach on-line about media and culture-related issues, and have a passion for literary translation, also acting as Editor at Large for Central Asia at Asymptote Journal.
As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the end of the USSR, one of the places I grew up, I am focusing on reflecting on this life-changing event.
Latest posts by Filip Noubel
A 2019 Kazakh song about Nur-Sultan reads like news commentary in January 2022
A three-year old song describes in prophetic tones the violence that rocked Kazakhstan in January 2022 and speaks about the state of mind of many Kazakhs.
Global Voices seeks an editor to lead our Greater Central Asia coverage
Global Voices is seeking a Greater Central Asia editor with strong English-language editing skills and in-depth knowledge of the region. Knowledge of local languages and Russian would be an asset.
The myth of a stable Kazakhstan is shattered within a day as neighbours watch anxiously
In one day Kazakhstan dismissed its government, shut down the internet, and imposed a national curfew. People destroyed or took over key government buildings and even the airport in Almaty.
Afghan women: Finally a book that speaks from inside its society
A female Afghan writer has just released "The Mountains Have Witnessed: The Story of a Girl Who Dared for More.", a book that tells the story of Afghan women.
A literary landscape in flux: Fiston Mwanza Mujila's take on Congolese and diasporic literature
According to Congolese-Austrian author Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Francophone African authors face a number of challenges, the first being the nature of the French literary scene.
Decoding the ‘Saakashvili effect’ with two experts in Georgian politics
As Georgia prepares for municipal elections on October 30, and Saakashvili remains on hunger strike, stability seems but an empty dream in a country deeply divided over political and economic lines.
‘I wrote the book you all wish you had when you were 15,’ says Afroczech Obonete Ubam
Czech Nigerian activist and writer Obonete Ubam interviewed ten prominent Afroczechs in his latest book, to talk about discrimination, integration and role models for an emerging community in the Czech Republic.
‘Kazakh language is perfect for rap': Interview with cultural commentator Yevgeniya Plakhina
Sung in a mix of Kazakh and Russian, played with traditional nomadic and new musical instruments, contemporary alternative music from Kazakhstan offers an eclectic and rich environment.
Turkey’s Uyghur dilemma in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
As economic ties between Ankara and Beijing strengthened, Turkey's policies on the treatment of Uyghurs in China weakened.
The decline of Occitan: A failure of cultural initiatives, or abandonment by the state?
A setback for Occitan, spoken by more than half a million people in France, due to failed cultural initiatives or to the policy of the French State?
The French government’s U-turn on regional languages
A new law passed in May 2021 has reignited the debate around France's regional languages
Will an award-winning animated film about a Czech woman in Kabul change how Czechs perceive Afghanistan?
A Czech animation movie won a major award for depicting a love story between a Czech woman and an Afghan man. But can this movie change perceptions about Afghanistan?
Global Voices’ top stories on environmental destruction, as the planet just observed World Environment Day
Global Voices has covered environmental issues extensively, and one focus of our stories has been the way pollution, massive urbanization, development infrastructures, and human-caused accidents are destroying fragile ecosystems.
Global Voices’ top stories on the climate crisis, as the planet observes World Environment Day
On World Environment Day, a look at the Global Voices stories on climate change that have most captured our attention so far this year.
Global Voices’ top stories on biodiversity, as the planet observes World Environment Day
A selection of our best recent stories highlighting the importance of biodiversity and the achievements and challenges associated with these efforts around the world.
Global Voices is seeking an Associate Editor
Global Voices (GV) is seeking to hire an Associate Editor, who will support the Global Voices editorial team.
Using Clubhouse to counter Beijing-imposed amnesia: An interview with Ai Weiwei
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei continues to fight political censorship in China by using art, sound and social media to maintain the memory of the school victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Global Voices is seeking an Asia-Pacific-based English-language subeditor
Global Voices (GV) is seeking to hire an Asia-Pacific based subeditor who will be responsible for editing stories written in or translated into English by our contributors. GV stories focus on topics such as internet culture, freedom of speech online, technology and digital rights, human rights, civics and political movements, diversity...
Alternative Indian movies: Is Netflix at last embracing cultural diversity?
Netflix, which has become the entertainment go-to for millions during the pandemic's prolonged lockdowns, is exploring new Indian productions that stray away from the typical plotlines and visuals.
Czech-Russian relations hit new low after Prague accuses Moscow of ‘state-sponsored terrorism’
On April 17, the Czech government announced it would expel 18 Russian diplomats, following revelations by its intelligence agency that Russian agents played a role in the 2014 explosions at an arms depot.
Can the Eurovision Song Contest change Russia's views on migrants from Central Asia?
Russia has nominated Tajik-Russian singer Manizha as its representative for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. But many Russians reject her as the chosen face of their country at the international event.
