TOL Blogs

TOL blogs roundup #15

September 12th, 2007 by kb

 FASCISM IN HUNGARY?

With less than one week to go until the first anniversary of Budapest’s Autumnal riots, which will most probably be marked with a minor riotous rumble, those with a zest for protest may be wondering what sartorial choices to make this time around. 

Last year’s choice was the symbol of 1956 (the Hungarian tricolour with a hole cut in the middle) worn as an armband or lapel pin, or a black jacket-balaclava combo for those with a passion for riot fashion.  This year, it looks like inspiration might be taken from further back into Hungary’s history, namely its Nazi past.  The 2006 protests calling for extensive political reform fizzled out to be replaced by something far more unsavoury, in the shape of such far-right movements as the Hungarian Guards and the National Guardian Army. 

Variously racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic, the visibility of these groups as well as their inroads to public institutions (e.g. ambivalent support from main opposition party FIDESZ) have provoked questions about the presence of fascism in Hungary.  Not fascist, but containing a number of fascists, is the verdict on one blog.  Another blogger ponders whether the displays of intolerance (such as violence at July’s gay pride march) might provoke the population into positive action to define what they do and don’t want.  Yet another post  highlights a theory that a decent Hungarian football team would make the hooligans (largely responsible for last year’s violence) less full of vitriol.  If that’s the case, let’s hope Hungary can maintain its unexpected performance on the pitch.

KEEPING IT TOGETHER?

A translation of a thoughtful response run recently in a Bosnian daily, to the question of why should Bosnia stay together - rather than a final division (i.e. RS’s secession).  Startling, perhaps, that this question should even be posed without even a blink from the authors of Dayton.

BELARUS BLOG

According to one of our bloggers, October’s European march will be a resounding failure - for no simpler reason than the fact that Belarusians don’t care whether the country fulfils the 12 demands of the EU or not.

The other side of the coin: a lament from a young Belarusian to his erstwhile comrades who have emigrated to study in Poland.

And…details from the trial of the alleged Belarusian spy-ring; Belarus’ economy awash with Russian money; national holidays, Belarusian style.

STEADY STATE

Abkhazia: a youth camp run for children on both sides of the Georgian-Abkhaz divide is a great success, throwing a shadow on Georgia’s own lacklustre (and divisive) efforts at peace-building.

Russians: “It’s not our cosmic junk!”.  No one wants to claim responsibilty for the UFOs flying and landing over Georgian territory.  But give it a few years and ordinary Georgians might be able to work it out, with the aid of a new state-funded military TV channel.  Gulp.

South Ossetia: the summer holidays have been making de facto leader Kokoity sweat, specifically the free summer holidays to glossy Black Sea destinations handed out to certain families by the pro-Georgian Ossetian administration.  Kokoity has barred certain children who have been on these holidays from going to school, apparently fearing tales of much higher living standards spreading around the playground.  Also, a detailed look at the dangers of staging the “Kokoity, Fandarast!” (Kokoity, goodbye!) campaign in the conflict zone of South Ossetia.

ALSO: summer surfing in Armenia; a return to multiculturalism in the Czech Republic; the international dynamics of the Kosovo precedent.

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