Stories about Montenegro
Marijeta Mojasevic's journey from stroke survivor to disability rights activist
"I want [young people] to change their viewpoint, and I want them to accept people with disabilities as members of their same society, as their friends, as their colleagues.”
Romani language edition of the Dikan comics published in Serbia
The latest two issues of popular Serbian magazine Politikin Zabavnik include inserts with the comics Dikan, for the first time in Serbian and Romani.
Serbian movie about Roma singer become a hit in several Balkan countries
Biographical movie dramatizing the life and career of Džej Ramadanovski, a Serbian singer of Romani ethnicity, has achieved commercial success in several neighboring Balkan countries.
The youth is a critical voice in addressing security challenges, Western Balkans expert says
"What is important in my view when discussing disinformation is addressing the structural problems, such as media literacy, because Western Balkans have some of the lowest media literacy rates in Europe."
Montenegrin resting contest ends with new record: 50 days of lying down
For the twelfth time, the annual competition in 'resting' poked fun at the widespread stereotype that Montenegrins are lazy.
Youth in the Balkans should be able to recognize disinformation with malign intent, Slovenian expert says
"We need to be able to communicate with the youth as effectively and as attractively as the adversaries are doing," said Petra Balažič, project manager at the Centеr of European Perspectives from Slovenia.
Decolonial perspective on race from the post-Yugoslav region
In the post-Yugoslav region, where racialized geopolitical cartography re-emerged after the Cold War, many people tend to deny the existence of racism when asked about it.
Suspectibility to conspiracy theories makes Western Balkans easy target for Russian disinformation, geopolitical analyst says
Although at first glance publishing disinformation seems accidental and sporadic, the occurrence is not at all random, but part of military doctrines of autocratic regimes intent of spreading geopolitical influence.
Barbie in the Balkans: From disinformation to Yugonostalgia
The news about the ban of Barbie movie in Vietnam was used as inspiration for disinformation in the Balkans, with false claims about censorship in Serbia.
Disinformation helps weaponize homophobia in the Balkans
After 2013, Moscow has emerged as major generator of homophobic narratives that exploit existing endemic intolerance in the Balkans region.
Pride marches challenge endemic homophobia in the Balkans
Pride marches in all Balkan capitals all came with similar demands: stopping hate speech and hate crimes fueled by widespread homophobia and transphobia.
Getting the Balkans wrong: The foreign coverage crisis
"Covering the Western Balkans requires more preparation than other parts of Europe. It’s not enough to know local politics. You need to appreciate the culture and society."
Shared narratives of the Yugoslav conflicts of the 1990s: An opportunity for reconciliation
Young people from former Yugoslavia have been left at the mercy of the dominant nationalist discourses and war-mongering rhetoric, used by the political elite as manipulation tools almost three decades after the wars.
Montenegro on the edge: Let down by the West
The new Montenegrin president, Jakov Milatović, promises EU membership within his five-year mandate, a revived economy, and to unite the country. It sounds good, but if you look behind the hype, a worrying picture emerges.
Wagner recruitment of volunteers in the Western Balkans region prompts debate
Politicians from neighboring countries have been warning of spreading of PMC Wagner group influence via Serbia, where recruitment advertisement scandal was hushed up.
Celebrating the ex-Yugoslav music scene, hall of fame style
Inspired by the Musicians Hall of Fame, American expat Will Richard set up the EX-Yugo Rock Center (EYRC) in Sarajevo, celebrating its legacy and impact during the last decades of the 20th century.
2022 was a bittersweet year for European comics
European comics creators and fans experienced some particular wins and losses during 2022. Some of them are presented in this non extensive listicle.
Another attack on LGBTQ+ center in Podgorica highlights the need to protect human rights in Montenegro
Six young thugs armed with metal bars attempted to break into an LGBTQ+ Drop In center in Podgorica. In previous days similar groups of young men issued threats to the staff.
What did the outside world in the 1930s know about the Soviet famine and the ‘Holodomor’ in Ukraine?
Many Ukrainians used social networks to raise awareness of the 1932-1933 Soviet famine as they see the ongoing Russian aggression against their country as a continuation of the same imperial repression.
Will Ukraine walk through EU's doorstep as “slow as a tortoise” like Albania and North Macedonia?
Ukraine at war with Russia, is now an official candidate country to join the EU. But will it have to wait for a long time, like Albania and North Macedonia?
Spreading misinformation about Kosovo was once again used as part of election strategy in Serbia
Since its declaration of independence in 2008, an unacceptable practice had been established in Kosovo that every Serbian election was held in Kosovo, as well. That changed this year.
