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.
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‘This is the golden age’: eastern Europe’s extraordinary 30-year revival
Central and Eastern Europe over the past 30 years has witnessed one of the most dramatic economic spurts of growth that any region of the world has ever experienced. People live longer, healthier lives. Air quality is better, and individuals are on average twice as wealthy.
Read the full story here.
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Estonia has a new way to stop speeding motorists
Drivers caught speeding along the road between Tallinn and the town of Rapla were stopped and given a choice. They could pay a fine, as normal, or take a “timeout” instead, waiting for 45 minutes or an hour, depending on how fast they were going when stopped.
Read the full story here.
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An Apple app showing an annexed Crimea satisfies Russia but leaves Ukraine anguished, angry
In Ukraine and other countries, the Apple apps do not mark Crimea as part of any country, showing no international border with Russia or Ukraine — mirroring action taken this year by Google Maps, when it moved to not identify Crimea as belonging to any country.
Read the full story here.
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The Latvian bar recreating the Soviet era
Latvia won its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and although it successfully made the transition from communism to capitalism, some people are still nostalgic for certain elements of the old days.
Listen to the podcast here.
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Two Hungarians on BBC List of 100 Greatest Films Directed by Women
Two Hungarian films are among the best films from female filmmaker: Márta Mészáros’ ‘Adoption’ from 1975 was listed 97th, while Ildikó Enyedi’s Oscar nominated film, ‘On Body and Soul’ is 73rd on the list.
Read the full story here.
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Long Overlooked, Bratislava Shines With Newfound Cool
More than just Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava has become the region’s capital of cool.
Read the full story here.
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New generation of hydroelectric dams ‘threaten Europe’s rivers’
More than a quarter (28 per cent) of new hydropower plants are to be constructed in nature reserves, with many planned in the Balkans, home to some of Europe’s last free-flowing rivers.
Read the full story here.
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Serbia sees China ties as way to catch up with Europe
Serbia is expanding its relations with China in various fields, despite its European perspective and political vision.
Read the full story here.
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Yerevan City In Armenia Is A Jewel For Travel, Food And Wine
Nicknamed the ‘pink city’ because of the colour of volcanic tufa rock from which many buildings are constructed, Yerevan is a city where strolling allows you to see plenty
Read the full story here.
