Stories about Bulgaria from August, 2007
Bulgaria: “Foreigner Tax”
The Balkan Yankee writes on the ways in which the so-called “foreigner tax” is applied in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria: A Wedding
Petya of Bighead writes about her Bulgarian Orthodox church wedding – and “the ability of people to reach across cultural and language barriers.”
Bulgaria: “Roma Vendetta”
Eternal Remont writes about Roma violence in Sofia: “Two Words I NEVER Wanted to See in a Headline Together […] Roma Vendetta.”
Libya, Bulgaria: Torture of the Tripoli Six
The Balkan Yankee awaits the world's reaction to Libya's acknowledgment of torture of the recently-released Bulgarian medics.
Bulgaria, Czech Republic: Flat Tax
More on flat tax in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic – at Dr. Sean's Diary.
Eastern Europe: Flat Tax
Transatlantic Politics reports: “The Eastern European countries are engaging in what seems to be a race to the bottom in the implementation of a flat tax policy & rate.”
Bulgaria: “Something Cultural”
A wonderful story of an attempt to experience “something cultural” in the middle of “a mostly peasant summer” in Sofia – from Petya of Bighead: “Nothing can make a falafel taste better than a little bit of violin in the background.”
Part Two: Defending online free speech and environmental rights in Bulgaria
In Part One of this article, I outlined recent threats to the Bulgarian environment and the vibrant web-led protest movement that developed in response. In this article I speak to Milena Bokova, BlueLink Information Network executive director, who talks about the intimidation against her colleague, blogger Michel Bozgounov, the threats to the freedom of online expression in her country, and the Bluelink Freenet Campaign.
Part One: Defending online free speech and environmental rights in Bulgaria
The June 29, 2007 decision of the Bulgarian Administrative Court (VAS) to remove the protected status of the National Park Strandzha, has evoked a strong reaction from the Bulgarian blogsphere and also from the country's vibrant environmental movement. The two groups have united to defend the country's largest protected area, which is located on the South Black Sea coast, with its unique eco-systems, biodiversity, cultural and historical heritage.
Bulgaria: Corrupted, But Not Toxic
The Balkan Yankee argues with a reader on what Bulgaria is and what it isn't.
Bulgaria: More on the Tripoli Six Release
Petya of bighead notes the overwhelming difference between reactions of Bulgarian and non-Bulgarian media on the release of the Tripoli Six. Declan Bultler guestblogs on “Liberty, Justice, HIV and Libya” over at Charkin Blog, and posts a Nature editorial “calling for Libya to go beyond the welcome political solution found...
