Stories about History from June, 2012
Trinidad & Tobago: The Architect of our Public Spaces
Lisa Allen-Agostini and toomucheyes blog about a new exhibition that honours the work of architect Colin Laird, who designed many of the country's most beloved public spaces.
Korean ‘Comfort Women’ Photo Exhibit Sabotaged in Japan
A South Korean photographer explains his ordeal in holding an exhibition in Japan that documents aging 'Comfort Women', the term used for Koreans drafted as sex slaves by the Japanese during World War II. Many South Koreans and fans of the photographer online, accused Japanese extremist right-wing groups of refusing to admit their war crimes and attempting to sabotage the art exhibition.
Russia: The War Over World War II
Last Friday, NTV broadcast a controversial film titled, "I Serve the Soviet Union," a film about political prisoners fighting the Nazis only to be murdered by Soviet secret police. The screening lead to a scandal that involved patriotic bloggers, the Minister of Culture, and others. Kevin Rothrock reports.
Bhutan: Wangdue Dzong Fire Images
Passu Diary witnessed the recent devastating fire at the Wangdue Dzong which stood for nearly 400 years and posts some pictures.
Morocco: Kissing the King's Hands
Moroccan Jamal Elabiad shares his views on the custom of kissing the King's hands.
St. Lucia: Flower Festival
At “I and Iyanola”, Nkrumah Lucien completed a two-part blog post exploring the origins of Saint Lucia's flower festivals: “It is not that La Wòz and La Magwit cannot be made into an app…but that those practicing these traditions were not allowed the space and material conditions to allow them...
Rediscovering Africa's ‘Forgotten’ History
Contrary to what former French President Sarkozy said in a speech in Dakar, the history of the African continent is full of rich civilisations and iconic characters. But this history is too often overlooked or ignored. Here you will find some reasons to rediscover Africa's history.
South Korea: Former Dictator's Cadet Review Sparks Public Anger
In South Korea, a former president notorious for directing a massacre and oppressing democratic activists during his term (1980-88), has been criticized for participating in a cadet review at the Korea Military Academy and enjoying perks as a former head of the state, despite his criminal records.
Singapore: Alternatives to Minimum Wage
Kumaran Pillai, editor of The Online Citizen, identifies alternatives to the proposed minimum wage system in Singapore
Understanding the Violence in Western Myanmar
Dozens dead, more than two thousand houses burned down, and thirty thousand residents have been displaced by the communal violence in Rakhine State, west of Myanmar. Who are responsible for these deaths? How was the internet used to spread hate and racism? What are the views of ordinary citizens on this very complicated issue?
India: The Fact About Two Birthdays For One Person
A huge population in the Indian sub-continent celebrate their birthdays on two different days – one the official one, and one on the day they were actually born. Binayak Ghosh explains why.
Development Model for Myanmar
Myat Thu Pan discusses the possible development model for Myanmar by studying the development histories of Singapore and Thailand. The author advises Myanmar to learn from the mistakes of its neighbors in the region
Afghanistan's First Computer-Animated Movie
Leaving the three decades of war and destruction behind, Afghans make use of modern technology and media to rebuild the country and raise new generations with a brighter vision for the future. ‘Buz-e-Chini‘ (Goat) is the country's first ever 3D computer-animated short film.
Brazil: Online Impressions of Brazilian Identity
Since the declaration of Brazil as an independent nation in 1822, Brazilian identity has gone through several changes spurred by economic, social and cultural transformations. But is there a common Brazilian identity for every citizen? Fernando Sapelli reports some online impressions of what it means to be Brazilian.
Vietnam: Mysterious Disease Caused by Mining?
Adam Bray visits the Ba To District, Quang Ngai Province in central Vietnam to investigate a mysterious disease which has spread in the area. The author asks if the disease is linked to mining activities in the province.
Myanmar: Department of Historical Research Website
Myanmar's Department of Historical Research has a new website which provides access to documents and studies about the history of the country
Poland: Obama's “Polish Death Camp” Gaffe Causes Controversy
In the last days of May, a storm of controversy struck the Polish public opinion when the US President Barack Obama used the expression "a Polish death camp" rather than stating clearly that what he meant was a Nazi Germany-operated death camp on the Polish territory. Anna Gotowska reports.
India: The Colonial Bungalows Project
Kiruba Shankar has started a photography project titled Colonial Bungalows, in which century old residential bungalows (British, French and Portuguese) in India will be photographed and documented.
Nepal: The Kathmandu Project
Lex Limbu highlights a photography project of Surendra Lawoti, which will try to record the landscape of the Kathmandu valley in transformation.
Greece: Inspiration Behind the Shocking ‘Modern Maenad’ Photo
A photo showing a young naked woman, a modern Maenad (a mythological female follower of Dionysus) bleeding from her navel and holding in her hands like a newborn baby, the Greek flag, has travelled around the world. For the photographer, it underlines the current psychological situation of Greek people, their lost pride and anger, while experiencing the crisis.
China: Tiananmen Political Prisoner Li Wangyang Found Dead
Li Wangyang, a Chinese political prisoner who spent most of his life in detention, was found dead on the morning of Wednesday 6 June, after being interviewed by overseas media about the June 4 (Tiananmen Square) Massacre of 1989 and the life of political prisoners in China. His death has provoked suspicions of foul play.
