Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from November, 2018
Russian rapper arrested and unexpectedly released after alleged Kremlin intervention
Husky is no liberal minstrel, but fellow rappers rushed to his support when he was arrested. Then a state TV executive bragged about the Kremlin's efforts to release him.
On contemporary art in the Balkans: An interview with Jon Blackwood
"When so many citizens have to focus so much of their effort on just survival, it’s little surprise that people have lost the habit of going to art galleries..."
After a bloody attack on an opposition leader, critics of the Serbian regime express fears of a descent into fascism
"We will fight to ensure that Serbia doesn't remain a country of bloody shirts, and a country where the blood of those who think differently from the regime is spilled."
Students rally for academic freedom on the eve of the final call for Central European University to stay in Hungary
Students of threatened academic institutions occupied the square in front of the Parliament to defend academic freedom in Hungary.
Civil society organizations decry new legislation that reduces legal rights in Bulgaria
Many fear that changes to Bulgaria’s Administrative-Procedural Code (APC) are a threat to justice.
Netizens reflect on 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia
Slovakia and the Czech Republic mark 100 years since the establishment of Czechoslovakia.
Former Macedonian strongman's escape to Hungary triggers a flood of disinformation
If the claims circulating in the Balkans media space are to be believed, Nikola Grueski escaped to Hungary on a flight operated by an airline that closed in 2012.
From prime minister to escaped convict: Macedonia's ex-leader Nikola Gruevski flees to Hungary
"While Gruevski's escape was unprecedented in Macedonian history, his choice of destination wasn’t too surprising."
Activists in Macedonia win fight for clean water despite years of dismissal by former government
"Clear drinking water without arsenic is a present for the people of Gevgelija on 7th of November"
Russia’s most progressive media outlet finds itself on the wrong side of #MeToo
Kolpakov is the first-ever man to publicly resign over sexual assault accusations in Russia. And he's a #metoo supporter.
Suicide attack against Russia's domestic intelligence agency spells more trouble for activists
A suicide bomber's attack against a local intelligence agency's office in Russia, allegedly an extreme reaction to violent persecution of leftist activists, generates yet more trouble for the latter.
Indian ambassador's farewell gift paintings create a media stir in Croatia
Indian Ambassador Sandeep Kumar bids farewell to Croatia's government officials by giving away some of the paintings he made during his three-year term in the country.
Sarajevo awards honorary citizenship to UK heavy metal star Bruce Dickinson
Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickenson is granted honorary citizenship for the moral support he gave the people of Sarajevo during a 1994 visit to the besieged city.