Analysis

Lessons from Slovakia: Elsewhere in emerging Europe

Our weekly digest of articles about emerging Europe published elsewhere this week, all of which caught our eye and all of which are well worth your time. Listing them here, however, does not necessarily mean that we agree with every word, nor do they necessarily reflect Emerging Europe’s editorial policy.

Lessons from Slovakia – Where leaders wear masks

When this pandemic ends, and when the reckoning over how the world responded invariably begins, Slovakia will likely be among those highlighted as a success story, whereas the United States—which was supposed to be the country best prepared for such a crisis—will be remembered as among those that suffered the worst.

Read the full story here.

How coronavirus is reshaping Europe in dangerous ways

From green backlash to reimposition of border controls, the pandemic is accelerating tensions that could unravel the EU.

Read the full story here.

Ancient bones found in Bulgarian cave are oldest evidence of modern humans in Europe

The oldest bones of Homo sapiens ever found in Europe have been discovered in a Bulgarian cave, providing the earliest known evidence of our species’ emergence in the European continent, according to new research.

Read the full story here.

Why Poland’s ‘ghost election’ sends a warning about its democracy

Coronavirus has had a chilling impact on the global economy and our social lives, but in many countries it has provoked political conflicts and intensified the struggle for power. This is the case in Poland, where last Sunday’s planned presidential contest became a strange “ghost election” with no votes cast.

Read the full story here.

Interned on Barren Island: A Montenegrin prisoner’s memoirs on screen

A new documentary about a young Montenegrin woman imprisoned on political charges at an island detention camp in socialist Yugoslavia aims to highlight a traumatic period in the country’s history.

Read the full story here.

Dispute over ‘political prisoners’ put Georgia’s electoral reforms in doubt

As anti-coronavirus measures in Georgia ease, a dispute over the release of opposition politicians and activists threatens to undermine a deal to reform the electoral system before October’s elections.

Read the full story here.

Europe’s oldest time capsule – dating back to 1797 – is discovered hidden in a Polish church spire

The oldest time capsule in Europe, and the second oldest in the world, has been found hidden inside a church spire. The capsule dating back to 1797 was found by workers during renovation work on the 18th century church in the small town of Ziebice in Poland.

Read the full story here.

Romanian filmmakers propose measures to prevent collapse of film industry

More than 230 Romanian film companies, 20 film associations and 35 filmmakers have come up with a plan for saving the local film industry from breakdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the full story here.

Time travel: A photographic journey through the Yugoslav capital Belgrade

From the mid-1950s through roughly the 1980s, the people of Yugoslavia, especially those in Belgrade, lived in a curious, almost surreal window in space and time. This collection of photos captures that unique period.

See the full gallery of photos here.

Unlike many news and information platforms, Emerging Europe is free to read, and always will be. There is no paywall here. We are independent, not affiliated with nor representing any political party or business organisation. We want the very best for emerging Europe, nothing more, nothing less. Your support will help us continue to spread the word about this amazing region.

You can contribute here. Thank you.

emerging europe support independent journalism