Latest posts by Filip Stojanovski
Serbian nationalists want to build an extravagant Triumphal Arch in a Belgrade park
The initiative drew comparisons with similar architectural shenanigans by other authoritarian regimes in the Balkans.
A 1990s Macedonian film set in 2019 foreshadows a xenophobic future
Like other sci-fi before it, it imagined the present year as a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Parody song remembers Eastern European fighters in WWII's Battle of Britain
Historians say that, without the help of Eastern European soldiers, Britain would not have beaten Nazi Germany.
Croatian president criticized for saying Yugoslavia was behind the Iron Curtain (it wasn't)
While most people from countries behind the Iron Courtain couldn't travel to the West, the Croatian president went to high school in the United States in the mid-80s.
Bosnian journalists demand justice in case of journalist threatened and assaulted by hooligans
The journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina are hoping that the judiciary in their country will finally start to systematically address the issue of journalists' safety.
Bulgarian prosecutor refuses far-right party's request to close down human rights NGO
On September 30, two VMRO-BND officials asked the prosecutor to dissolve the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee for “interfering with the judiciary” and engaging in "openly anti-Bulgarian activities."
Yugoslavia wasn't a Soviet ally—so why does that misconception persist in Western media?
The Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia's independence from both the Eastern and the Western blocs was a key feature of its national identity.
Twitter users from North Macedonia fight disappointment with EU non-decision with humor
The date for the long-anticipated start of negotiations for Albania and North Macedonia's membership in the EU didn't materialize, due in large part to a lack of support by France.
Serbian journalists expose a ruling party bot application used to manipulate readers’ comments on media websites
Investigative journalists discovered that a mobile application linked to their country's ruling party IP address was used for automatic voting on user comments on websites of popular media outlets.
Serbian member of pro-Kremlin biker club under investigation for assaulting a female journalist
Journalist Verica Marinčić was stalked and attacked by a member of the 'Night Wolves' biker group, after posting a photo of his car, parked illegally.
Human rights—and an actual rainbow—take center stage at Bosnia-Herzegovina's first Pride Parade
Concerns expressed during the build-up to the event about possible violence proved unfounded. As one Twitter user put it: "So much pride and happiness today in Sarajevo!"
Bosnia-Herzegovina to hold first ever Pride parade in Sarajevo on September 8
The parade is taking place in an atmosphere of threats of violence and homophobic rhetoric by traditional and social media, but organizers are determined that the show will go on.
Serbian journalists expose anonymous doxing site's ties to pro-government media coterie
Istraga became notorious for its smear attacks against voices critical of the Vučić regime, including journalists and non-governmental organisations.
A study of Bulgarian far-right proto-militias dismantles the theory of the lone-wolf extremist
Research shows that the members of far-right extremist groups don’t necessarily believe the narratives promoted by their networks about “migrant invasion” or “islamization,” but consider hate speech as useful weapon.
Here are some of Moldovan pop music's contributions to global meme culture
Few people remember this, but two popular memes known around the world are actually Moldovan in origin.
Poland's artistic and architectural contributions remembered in 2019 commemoration of the 1963 Skopje earthquake
This year's annual commemorations of the earthquake include an exhibition in Poland of artworks sent to the city of Skopje by Polish artists in a show of solidarity.
Media in North Macedonia claim a Russian band has plagiarized a song by Balkan superstar Toše Proeski
A series of online articles in North Macedonia have blamed the Russian rock group Zemlyane for plagiarizing a 2007 song made by authors from Croatia for the late Macedonian pop star Toše Proeski.
Death of a fighter: Post-Yugoslav civil society bids farewell to dissident playwright Borka Pavićević
"Lack of reading is lack of Eros. And then it translates into lack of freedom."
Racing down socialist memory lane: a classic Yugoslav cars video goes viral
The cars include three brands produced by Yugoslav factory Zastava from Kragujevac, Serbia, that were based off models by Italian manufacturer Fiat.
Looking back at Feral Tribune, Croatia's doomed but legendary satirical newspaper
Feral Tribune was known for its impartial coverage of war in the Balkans and caricatures that ridiculed the nationalist leaders in former Yugoslavia.
How the word ‘gender’ became a slur in Bulgaria
Homophobia and transphobia are widespread in Bulgaria, whose government has recently cozied up to the extreme right.