Gesellschaft
Vergessen auf dem Balkan - Ein Reisehandbuch führt zu jüdischen Orten zwischen Donau und Schwarzem Meer
Simone Böcker
Die Journalisten Dimana Trankova und Anthony Georgieff haben sich auf die Spuren jüdischen Lebens in Bulgarien begeben. Mit "A Guide to Jewish Bulgaria" ist ein Handbuch entstanden, das akribisch die Fundorte des jüdischen Erbes auflistet und die dazugehörige Geschichte erzählt.
Jüdische Allgemeine, 10.11.2011
"We save where we can" - New Poverty in Greece
Chrissi Wilkens
Because of the crisis, large parts of the greek population impoverished. The "new poor" move as homeless by the cities or loot homes.
Cicero Online, 9.11.2011
Der ganze Staat ein Abfallberg
Chrissi Wilkens
Streiks, Kapitalflucht, eskalierende Gewalt: Griechenland spart sich ins Elend.
Sonntagszeitung, 16.10.2011
"We have no time to wait for real democracy" - Five years after the independence of Montenegro
Simone Böcker
Five years ago Montenegro declared its independence from the State Union Serbia-Montenegro. Since 2010, the country is an EU candidate. But NGOs and journalists criticize that the EU is looking too little behind the pretty facade of the Adriatic country.
Deutschlandfunk, 3.6.2011
Violent incident in front of mosque in Sofia
Simone Böcker
Bulgaria is due to the largely peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims considered as a model of tolerance. But the ultra-nationalist Ataka party tries to disrupt the peace: with sticks Ataka supporters attacked Muslims at Friday prayers - to utilize it as political capital for the coming elections.
Deutschlandfunk, 31.5.2011
Religious life is returning
Simone Böcker
A new museum in Skopje is showing the long history of Jewish life in the Balkan region, to the almost complete obliteration of the Second World War. That this museum came about at all, is the merit of a small but very active community.
Deutschlandradio, 27.5.2011
Multimedia map of Staro Sajmište
The multimedia map on the website starosajmiste.info offers a current view on the history and the present of "Staro Sajmište", the old fairground of Belgrade where the German Gestapo established a concentration camp in the former fair pavilions after the occupation of Yugoslavia in 1941. The website is a result of many interviews with people who are linked to this place and its history in various ways. It was made after a group of young researchers from Serbia and Germany visited Staro Sajmište in summer 2010.
Back to Bulgaria
Simone Böcker
The brain drain of young and qualified people is a serious problem for Bulgaria. But lately more and more Bulgarians are returning back after graduation or their first experience of working abroad - with entrepreneurial spirit and ideas of how things could change also in their home country: They are involved in social projects, collect old clothes, offer free guided tours or soup shops and yoga studios opening.
Deutschlandradio, 17.4.2011
Gangster-Baroque: The architecture of Bulgaria's nouveau rich
Simone Böcker
The so-called "Mutro"-Barock belongs unmistakably to the Bulgarian transition period: kitschy palaces and estates, when the rich and famous in Bulgaria were still on taste search.
Deutschlandradio Kultur, 27.2.2011
Bulgaria's abandoned children
Simone Böcker
The number of institutionalized children in Bulgaria is high and the conditions in the homes are oft criticized. So far there are few alternatives. That should change. Foster care is the new concept. But that is hardly known in Bulgaria.
Aktion Mensch, 1/2011 (Pdf-Download)
Christmas in the shadow of crisis
Chrissi Wilkens
Many Greeks have experienced hard income cuts because of the financial crisis. Purchasing power has declined by more than 20 percent. Feodorou family is one of hundreds of thousands, where children will wait in vain for Christmas gifts this year.
Märkische Allgemeine, 22.12.2010
Allein gegen die Mafia
Simone Böcker
Die bulgarische Journalistin Lidia Pavlova hat trotz Drohungen und offener Gewalt durch ihre hartnäckige Berichterstattung zwei landesweit bekannte Mafiosi vor Gericht gebracht. Doch hat sie kaum Hoffnung, dass die Gangster auch wirklich im Gefängnis landen werden.
Dradio Wissen, 3.2.2010
Proteste gegen Überwachungsstaat
Simone Böcker
In Bulgarien wird über ein Gesetz zur Vorratsdatenspeicherung gestritten, das dem Innenministerium uneingeschränkte Befugnisse einräumen würde. Viele sehen die bürgerlichen Freiheitsrechte in Bulgarien in Gefahr.
Deutschlandfunk, 18.1.2010
In Skopje ensteht das zweitgrößte Holocaustmuseum Europas
Simone Böcker
Am Ufer des Flusses Vardar, direkt im Zentrum von Skopje, lag einst das jüdische Viertel der mazedonischen Hauptstadt. Hier ensteht nun ein Ort, der an die Geschichte der mazedonischen Juden erinnern soll.
Jüdische Allgemeine, 24.9.2009: Download
Der sabotierte Belgrad Pride
Stefan Tenner
Der Belgrade Pride wurde in letzter Minute abgesagt. Die Polizei sei nicht in der Lage, die Sicherheit der Teilnehmer zu garantieren, erklärte das Innenministerium. Rechtsextreme Gruppen hatten im Vorfeld mit Gewalt gegen Homosexuelle gedroht.
jungle world, 24.9.2009



An office in the Balkans – this is a virtual office with desks throughout Southeastern Europe. On our website, you’ll find information about our reports, features and projects in and about the region.












