Culture Policy Focus
Macedonia’s Costly Media Campaigns Raise Suspicions
While the government says the 20 million euro it spent in five years on various info-awareness campaigns has educated people, critics are deeply sceptical of their value.
Serbia Milks its Bloody Vampire Legends
While most Westerners associate vampires with Bram Stoker and Transylvania, Serbia has its own vampire traditions, which canny tour operators aim to capitalise on.
Battle for Serbian Arts Pensions Puts Selectors on Spot
The huge number of applications for culture pensions, the small number of winners, as well as unclear criteria for selection, are putting pressure on the commission tasked with the selection.
Serbian Culture Pays Price For ‘Fire Fighting’ Strategy
The government’s policy of tackling only the most urgent crises in the field of culture helps explain why the arts in general are steadily sinking into oblivion.
Sarajevo Festivals Opt for Quality Over Quantity
While Sarajevo audiences would clearly like more quality cultural festivals, organisers say staging any more would stretch tight funds available.
Serbia's Feuding Artists Take Fight to Ministry
Civil war is raging inside Serbia's oldest fine arts guild – but rebel hopes of ministerial action may be disappointed.
Serbian Progressives Train Sights on Democrat Media
The ruling Progressives are exerting growing pressure on media outlets long considered a preserve of the Democratic Party.
Kosovo Town Slated Over Old Bazaar's Stones
Plans to replace Gjakova’s iconic cobblestones have drawn ire among locals and have prompted ministerial intervention.
Bekim Fehmiu ‘Ended Life as He Lived it’
The widow of the Yugoslav-Albanian acting legend recalls her late husband’s film successes, love of tango, pride in his roots - and, finally, the resolve with which he took his own life.
Macedonia’s ‘Indiana Jones’ Scorns Retiring at 65
Pasko Kuzman, Macedonia’s excavator in chief, says he is not putting down his shovel until he finds the tomb of Alexander the Great – even if it takes him till he is 99.
Macedonian Culture Strategy: Milestone or Wish List?
While officials laud the new strategy for 2012 to 2017 as a breakthrough, many working in the field question whether it is much than a list of good intentions.
To Be Yugoslav Now Requires a Footnote
One of the loudest opponents of nationalism, Dubravka Ugresic spoke to Balkan Insight about identity, the media’s responsibility for the conflict and the criminalisation of former Yugoslav society.
Occupy the Military: Squatters Struggle for the Balkans’ Derelict Barracks
Activists and the Serbian authorities fail to find common ground in a battle of ideals and real estate – unlike in Croatia and Slovenia.
Developers Ravage Albania’s Historic Landmarks
Albania’s shrinking stock of historic buildings is in danger as owners, real estate developers and mayors conspire to get rid of them, and rebuild on the sites.
Kosovo Mulls Fate of Milosevic-era Cathedral
The outlook is unclear for the unfinished Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of the Christ the Saviour in Prishtina, a relic of the turbulent 1990s.
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