Vol 1, No 15, 4 October 1999
|
|
John Keane:
Re-examining myths |
I N T E R V I E W:
Pricking Havel's Bottom
Recently described as "one of Britain's leading political thinkers," John Keane has just completed an unauthorised biography of Vaclav Havel. In this interview for Central Europe Review, Keane explains how his book aims to demythologise the playwright turned president by looking behind Havel's mask of moralism.
Jan Culik
M E D I A:
Turning Yellow
Latvia's Irresponsible Press
Latvia has had no shortage of scandals since the restoration of independence in 1991, but the recent pedophile scandal - though barely two weeks old - is shaping up to be the most disturbing.
Steven C Johnson
S L O V E N I A:
A Not Entirely
Harmonious Success
Slovenia managed to establish independence with a surprisingly small amount of violence for a break-away Yugoslav state. Just as everyday life has continued smoothly for Slovenians, so has the development of contemporary music, with flourishing strands of avant-gardism, modernism and post-modernism.
Niall O'Loughlin
ENVIRONMENT:
Working with Russia (part 4)
John Massey Stewart
The investment into solving Russia's vast environmental problems has been notable. But has the money been spent wisely?
|
Theme of the Week
The Uses of History
|
HISTORY TODAY:
Reckoning and Reconciliation
Joanna Rohozinska
The problem of distinguishing history from historiography is certainly not unique to this region; however, it is here that the blurring of the lines between the two has spawned some of the most serious conflicts within living memory. |
HISTORY TODAY:
Making History
Andrew J Horton
Czech directors have often looked to the past for their subject matter. But historical reality has not always been a paramount consideration, and many films, such as Kolja, have glossed over painful truths to gain their popularity. |
CER's Regular Columns:
THE AMBER COAST:
It's Never Too Late
Mel Huang
Age should play no role in the prosecution of the Baltic States' war criminals. |
BALKAN ENCOUNTER:
The Doctor's Postbag
Sam Vaknin
with Emilija Geleva
Dr Vaknin defends his articles on the Balkans in correspondence with a friend who is also a government advisor in the region. |
KALEIDOSCOPE:
Living by Numbers
Vaclav Pinkava
In the Czech Republic, there are far too many people with letters after their names; the university degree has become a necessary prop without which you are a complete nobody. |
MIORITA:
Fishing for a Marshall Plan
Catherine Lovatt
In line with international recommendations, Romania has developed a programme which they hope will help bring stability and security to the Balkans.
|
A WESTERNER'S (SURVIVAL) GUIDE TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC, PART XI:
A Right to Fight
Tomas Pecina
If Czechs want a better life, they should stop complaining and raise merry hell every time a postal clerk keeps them waiting or a waiter brings them cold and tasteless soup. |
|
Kinoeye
Keeping an eye on Central and East European film.
|
HISTORY ON FILM:
Making History
Andrew J Horton
The Academy Awards are notorious for favouring rosy films which have comforting and unchallenging interpretations of life. Do the Czech Republic's Ocar-winning films - all historical dramas - fall into this category? |
THE KINOEYE ARCHIVE
Resources on Central and East European cinema.
|
Books and Literature
|
PROSE:
Eva
Czech-born writer Daniela Drazanova paints a bleak picture of one couple's emigre life in Cleveland.
Daniela Drazanova |
S U P P L E M E N T:
The CER Book Shop:
Books about Central and Eastern Europe
Have a look at CER's list of books on the region - all available from Amazon.com. The list is divided into five subject headings: cinema, literature, politics, history and economics.
M u s i c
S U P P L E M E N T:
The CER Music Shop
In co-operation with Amazon.com, Central Europe Review offers you this on-line shopping supplement.
O n D i s p l a y
EVENTS:
Coming Up in the UK
Details of selected Central and East European cultural events in the UK over the next few weeks.
Andrew J Horton
|
CULTURE ROUND-UP:
Poland's Week in Culture
Highlights of cultural events in Poland for the week starting 27 September 1999.
Wojtek Kosc
|
