Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from August, 2017
Macedonian ‘Moby-Dick’ Translator Ognen Čemerski, 42, Was a Meticulous Linguist and Engaged Educator
Čemerski passed away on August 25 of cancer. Beyond literature, he was remembered as someone who made thoughtful commentary about the tense state of affairs in Macedonia.
Russia's Blind Footballers Overcome Underfunding and Doping Scrutiny to Become European Champions
The victory comes a year after the team was disqualified from the Paralympic Games due to the ban levied as part of the wider doping scandal.
Macedonian Citizen Fined 400 Euro For Insulting Turkish President Erdoğan on Facebook
A Macedonian court ordered a person to pay 400 euros for writing "ironical statements and insulted a leader of a foreign country."
Diplomatic Row Between Serbia and Macedonia Thwarted, No War in Sight
As diplomatic tensions between Serbia and Macedonia defuse, citizens reaffirm their common goal to live normal lives without threats of war.
Blaming Social Media Comments, a Russian Tycoon Announces He's Done With Macedonian Sports
"All over the world fans insult and badmouth club presidents, yet no president has left a club because of that."
Serbia and Macedonia at War? The Headlines Say So, But Citizens Disagree
While Serbian politicians and pro-government media step up war-mongering rhetoric against Macedonia, the common citizens on both sides of the border refuse to get drawn into the fray.
A Viral Rap Battle Has Everyone in Russia—Including Business Journalists and Politicians—Talking
Even opposition leader Alexey Navalny weighed in, saying despite the profanity, the raps are "100 times more cultural than any comedy show or song contest you see on state television."
Secular Voices in the Balkan States Oppose Religious Education in Public Schools
“Why do they call it ‘religious science’ when it’s not a science, but a subject about beliefs. So it needs to be called ‘religious beliefs’.”
Think You've Mastered Tongue Twisters? Try Them in Lezgi!
While widely spoken in the Caucasus, Lezgi is an endangered language. But YouTube users are doing their best to save it.
Bulgarian Wikipedia Announces National Entries for ‘Wiki Loves Earth’ Photo Contest
Wikipedia Bulgaria announced the top 10 photos that will represent Bulgaria in the "Wiki Loves Earth" international photo contest.
No More Jailed Journalists in Macedonia: Zoran Božinovski Free on Bail After 15-Month Detention
After spending around 3 years in jails in Serbia and Macedonia, the journalist Zoran Božinovski was released from detention on July 15.
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