Analysis

Rediscovering Prague: 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.


Rediscover Prague, one brutalist building at a time

Ask most people about Prague’s rich architecture, and they’ll imagine the charming silhouette of Prague Castle. Few people conjure an image of Prague’s brutalist Žižkov TV tower.

Read the full story here


Péter Márki-Zay could represent the last chance for Hungarian democracy

A united opposition with a credible candidate offers hope of an end to Viktor Orbán’s illiberal dominance.

Read the full story here


The Western Balkans leaving the EU dream behind

Despite the positive noises made at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Slovenia, the EU enlargement process is still in crisis.

Read the full story here


After seven years, a rare trial for EU-funded Kosovo war crimes court

On the scale of the charges levelled by Kosovo’s war crimes court against former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj’s alleged crimes appear to be minor.

Read the full story here


Azerbaijan prepares for Karabakh resettlement in ‘smart villages’

As Azerbaijan prepares to resettle hundreds of thousands of its citizens in the territory it retook during last year’s war, it has embraced a new development concept: “smart villages”.

Read the full story here

Central and Eastern European start-ups are raking in the money

Money is pouring into the region’s start-ups, with 2021 likely to be their most lucrative year yet, according to a new report.

Read the full story here


East European designers sashay onto the catwalks of high fashion

With celebrities such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Billie Eilish wearing its designs, Hungarian fashion house Nanushka has stardust many designers can only dream of.

Read the full story here


Serbia’s jailed medical-marijuana users seize on double standard for reputed kingpin

Advocates of medical and recreational marijuana use are accusing President Aleksandar Vučić and other Serbian officials of a double standard after he defended house arrest for an alleged drug baron accused of cultivating the banned weed on an industrial scale.

Read the full story here


Poland: A year on, abortion ruling harms women

Women, girls, and all pregnant people have faced extreme barriers to accessing legal abortions in the year since a Constitutional Tribunal ruling virtually banned legal abortion in Poland.

Read the full story here


Polish refugees in Africa

During World War II, close to 20,000 Polish people found refuge in Africa. They arrived after surviving imprisonment in Soviet labour camps and a harrowing journey across the Soviet Union to freedom.

Listen to the podcast 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