Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from April, 2009
Russia: Teen Curfew; Police Officer's Shooting Spree
President Dmitry Medvedev approved changes to children's rights law, allowing regional authorities to bar unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 from public places from 10 PM to 6 AM. Below are some reactions from the Russian blogosphere, including a few mentions of Denis Yevsyukov, a Moscow police officer who shot three people to death and wounded six at a supermarket on the day he turned 32.
Georgia: Alternative Eurovision
Following the scandal surrounding Georgia's aborted attempt to enter a song mocking the former Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Moscow, This is Tbilisi Calling says that the country will instead hold its own alternative international song contest.
Hungary, Bolivia: Eduardo Rózsa-Flores
Hungarian Spectrum writes about Eduardo Rózsa-Flores and the alleged plot to kill Bolivia's president – here, here, and here. (An earlier GV post on Rózsa-Flores, by Eduardo Avila, is here.)
Central & Eastern Europe: Racism Roundup
The beatroot writes about Poland's boycott of the UN conference on fighting racism; Hungarian Spectrum writes about the Hungarian Guard and Holocaust denial; coverage of Slovenia's neo-Nazis – here and here, by Sleeping With Pengovsky, as well as here, by Piran Cafe; Borut Peterlin posts photos from an anti-fascist rally...
Ukraine, Russia: Tymoshenko-Pugacheva Duet
Ukrainiana writes about a Yulia Tymoshenko-Alla Pugacheva duet.
Serbia: Belgrade Museum of Aviation
Bill's Blog writes about a visit to the Belgrade Museum of Aviation.
Russia: Sochi Election
Sean's Russia Blog writes about the results of the Sochi mayoral election.
Hungary: Critical Mass 2009
Budapest Guide posts pictures from this year's Critical Mass rally.
Hungary: NY Times’ Coverage
Pestiside.hu writes about the New York Times’ coverage of Hungary.
Hungary: Péter Esterházy
Hungarian Spectrum writes about Péter Esterházy, a Hungarian writer.
Czech Republic: Blog Roundup
A Czech roundup: Czechmatediary – on the new translation of the Bible into contemporary Czech and on Albert Einstein's Prague connection; CzechFolks.com – on xenophobia, job market, and the Brno Expats Forum online community; The Journeys of Captain Oddsocks – on bone churches and the liberation of Plzeň 64 years...
Ukraine: Art Exhibits; Kyiv Pics
IZO writes about some of Kyiv's current art exhibitions, and posts a few random pictures from the streets of the Ukrainian capital: “The place is rich in facture, people don't seem to mind your taking them, and you don't feel you're going to be asked to desist, or worse, by...
Russia, Ukraine: Swine Flu Prevention
Short updates on anti-swine flu measures taken in Russia and Ukraine – at IZO: here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Macedonia: Celebrating Sakura Becomes a Tradition
Sakura, the annual celebration of cherry blossoms through display of elements of Japanese culture, took place in Skopje, Macedonia, this weekend: somewhat later than last year, because the organizers did not want it to overlap with the Catholic and Orthodox Easter celebrations during the previous two weekends.
Sri Lanka: Provincial Council Election Results
Lanka Libertarian posts updates of the results of the elections of the Western Provincial Council in Sri Lanka.
Global Health: Swine Flu Threat Spreads Worldwide
Confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu, which was detected in Mexico earlier this month, have now been found in at least seven other countries around the world. The World Health Organization says that this outbreak constitutes a "public health emergency of international concern."
Ukraine: The Ruins and the Greed
LJ user sabeloff posts pictures of the ruined remains of a seaside young pioneer camp in Odesa and shares the recent history of the place - which, unfortunately, is a rather common sight in today's Ukraine.
Russia: Sochi Mayoral Election
James writes this about the mayoral election in Sochi at Robert Amsterdam's blog: “It can be tough work to continue coming up with new ways to fake the democratic process … after a while, the voters seem to wonder ‘why bother?'” Russia! reports on the detention of journalist Keith Gessen...
Russia: A Chechen Folk Tale
Just A Mon translates a Chechen folk tale about Beksolta who could catch three lions in one swoop and posts it at Sundry Translations and Other Tangentialia.
Ukraine: Saturday Cleanup in Kyiv
Ukrainiana posts photos and video from this past Saturday's cleanup in Kyiv, and writes: “IMHO, the effort lacked coordination and field resources. There weren’t enough bags for everyone. Some people were promoting corporate brands, some where loafing, and some couldn’t find those bags. I only found one bag. Bagless people...
Ukraine: Chernobyl
Ukrainiana‘s Chernobyl anniversary post is here: “We remember.”
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