April 2004
Issue No. 366
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The Wild East
Richard Swift takes the pulse of post-communism and finds the patient in a weakened condition.

Armenian lives
Onnik Krikorian’s photo essay.

We expected better
The hopes of the post-communist young have been dashed on the shoals of transition realities. Irena Maryniak tells their story.

Revolution of roses
Voices – both optimistic and sceptical – from the frontlines of Georgia’s democracy movement.

Life after Communism: the facts

Hungarian soufflé
Alex Bandy draws up a balance sheet of winners and losers as Hungary knocks on the door of the European Union.

Re-inventing Russian socialism
An interview from Moscow with Boris Kagarlitsky.

Theatre of the absurd
Ioana Baetica’s survival guide for young theatregoers in Bucharest.

Democracy - beyond the market
Profiles in activism from the former Soviet Union.

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from
THIS MONTH'S EDITOR

USUALLY editorial trips are rather solitary affairs. The autumn darkness in the former Soviet Union promised more of the same. But this time I was travelling with NI designer Andrew Kokotka. It was good to have someone to bounce ideas and impressions off. But it was often more than just Andy. In Kiev we stayed with Andy’s relatives who smothered us in hospitality. They, like most Ukrainians, are under the impression that if you let foreigners wander around on their own no good will come of it. So Andy’s second cousin Vitali was assigned to keep us out of trouble. He ushered us around making sure we were on time and didn’t step in front of oncoming traffic. He kept us alert to the most unlikely dangers – including slamming the door on our train compartment once while pronouncing ‘drunk girls very dangerous’.

When we showed up for interviews there were often four or five of us (a translator, another cousin). Interview subjects showed great forbearance. It didn’t stop there. When in the Armenian capital of Yerevan we worked with Onnik Krikorian and his wife Gohar. They proved excellent hosts. Onnik would wander the streets in a state of constant outrage at the injustice of it all, muttering ‘can you believe this?’ about cabinet ministers building glitzy cafés in the middle of downtown parks or demanding ‘do you understand?’ when discussing the intricacies of Armenian Diaspora politics. Then there was Mia, our Georgian translator, who gave us the inside dope on everyday life in Georgia, such as how to drink and toast in the Georgian fashion – a venerable tradition she dismissed as so much male longwindedness. Thanks to them all for their patience and insight – for those living through post-communism, both are necessary attributes.

Richard Swift for the New Internationalist Co-operative rswift@web.ca

Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe

The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.

Raised Voices video:

Atossa Soltani from Brazil on the Climate Change

Desmond Desai from South Africa on Corporate Power

Iranian women speak out

3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.

Raised Voices audio:

Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power

Vinayan from India on agriculture