As the year is coming to its end and a new one is about to start it seems to be time for a short look back into the highlights of this blog's first year of existence. One thing that can... weiterlesen →
Robert Rigney explores the soul of Balkan music as he experiences a wild night on a Beograd splavka. The trip, fuelled by rakija and Gypsy music, also tells a tale of the complex relationship between Gypsies and Serbs. Here, racism, cliches... weiterlesen →
A message from people who know what it's like. I took the photograph in the center of Sarajevo on my last trip. I can't imagine that people there feel about it any different today. To be remembered today of all days... weiterlesen →
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, better known by her stage name Mother Teresa, is to be sanctified by the Catholic Church next year. Bojaxhiu's popularity even among non-Catholics makes this a highly political move. One that does not withstand scrutiny. The museum dedicated to... weiterlesen →
Christmas can be a tiresome if uniting affair if it's celebrated the traditional way: Shopping, exchanging gifts and family dinners. As soon as religion comes into play, it tends to highlight divisions rather than make them disappear. Catholic Christmas has... weiterlesen →
Journalist and writer Robert Rigney explores life in one of the most infamous neighborhoods of Istanbul. And finds it disappearing as the poor are driven out of their homes. Continue reading... Photo: (c) Luke Michael, reproduced here with the express permission... weiterlesen →
Weihnachten naht. Wenn man schon schenken will, bitte Sinnvolles. Balkan Stories Blog hat ein paar Empfehlungen für Balkan-Reisen im Kopf. "Kein Meer". Mit diesem Titel legt die Wiener Journalistin Olja Alvir ihr Romandebüt vor. Aus der Perspektive der jungen Lara... weiterlesen →
It's International Human Rights Day. A day not only to celebrate one of the most important documents of humanity. It's also a day to remind us what we all can do to protect each other's human rights and to remember those... weiterlesen →
The memories of war still haunt Bosnian society. Far too few responsible for the slaugther of 100.000 Bosnians have been convicted. This week a trial started in an Austrian court of law that may bring closure to at least a few survivors... weiterlesen →
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