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AKA: Fete Nationale du Quebec (Canada), Kupala Day (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland), Festa Junina (Brazil), Foguera de San Xuan (Brazil), Jaanilaupaev (Estonia), Saint Jonas' Festival (Lithuania), Jani (Latvia), Dia de Sao Joao (Portugal), ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Belarus
Better Know A Holiday: St. John's Day (And Eve)
f_jensen_at_sdr.vinge, Flickr
AKA: Fete Nationale du Quebec (Canada), Kupala Day (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland), Festa Junina (Brazil), Foguera de San Xuan (Brazil), Jaanilaupaev (Estonia), Saint Jonas' Festival (Lithuania), Jani (Latvia), Dia de Sao Joao (Portugal), ...Belarus internet ban targets foreign websites
A new internet ban in the former Soviet country Belarus will make the usage or browsing of many foreign websites illegal and punishable by a fine of up to $125. The Library of Congress reports that all Belarusian companies and entrepreneurs will be required to use only ...Get to know Belarus through the art of motion timelapse
This timelapse video, One Day in Life, was created by professional photographer and Minsk native, Artem Sergeevich. It shows the country of Belarus in a way that will put any negative eastern Europe stereotypes out of your head and have you booking a one-way plane ...
Minsk in late summer
Let's get one thing out of the way first. Minsk is not for everyone. It is, very likely, not for most. But for some visitors, it's a terribly interesting place. And Minsk in late summer, with just a hint of autumn in the air, is a very pleasant place to spend some time. ...Getting to Minsk
Getting to Minsk seemed like a complicated process from the very beginning. The Belarusian entrance requirements were one thing; as it turned out, there were delays, unexpected developments, and last-minute machinations on top of the basic visa application process.
...10 countries Americans need advance visas to visit
We live in an increasingly borderless world and we have access to many countries that were closed (or non-existent) 20 years ago. As reported earlier this week, Americans are especially lucky with access to 169 countries visa free. Still, there are still many countries that ...Five ways to get more European stamps in your passport
Lake Ohrid, Macedonia.
Yesterday, I wrote about the fact that European passport stamps have become harder and harder to get. The expansion of the Schengen zone has reduced the number of times tourists are compelled to show their passports to immigration officials. For ...Travel then and now: Travel to the USSR and GDR
This year is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union and 21 years since the reunification of Germany. While citizens of the USSR and GDR were unable to travel abroad and restricted in domestic travel, foreign travelers were permitted under a controlled ...Russia pushes visa-free Russia-EU travel
At the 25th European Union-Russia summit in Rostov-on-Don, Russia yesterday proposed that both parties mutually abolish visa requirements. Currently, the two entities impose reciprocal visa requirements upon each other's citizens.
In the name of improving business and ...North Korean departure leaves five detained in Thailand
A cargo plane loaded with heavy weapons left Pyongyang, North Korea and had not a care in the world ... until the crew needed to land for more fuel at Don Mueang airport in Thailand. This emergency stop, according to Thailand's deputy prime minister, Suthep Thaungsuban, led ...The Death Star in Minsk
Star Wars fans, put Minsk on your destination list. The Death Star has totally landed there. This is no ordinary poly-dimensional structure; it also lights up. This is the most disco-loving, pimped-out car imitating, Force using library ever. That's right. It's a library. ...Strange New Year's traditions around the world
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Unlike many holidays, where celebrants are bound by tradition or religion, New Year's is a holiday that allows each individual to choose his own method of celebration. Some revelers will soak themselves in alcohol, boozing it up with copious bottles of champagne. Others ...Movie Posters from Belarus
Have a look at this movie "poster" found in Belarus. Any idea what American movie this is? I'll give you a minute. (The answer is after the jump.) You can check out more posters at the wonderful English Russia site. I love these images because I think films can be a good ...Red Corner: Belarus Bison
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There aren't too many places left in this world where you can go back in time and observe how life was lived during the Soviet Union. Belarus, is one such place. Run by a strong-armed dictator in much the same manner as his Soviet predecessors, Belarus remains a window into ...Red Corner: Chernobyl Anniversary
Twenty years ago today, something so horrendous occurred in the Soviet Union that the swath of earth on which it happened, as well as thousands of miles in every direction, remains unlivable even today.
That tragedy was, of course, the Chernobyl disaster. Today marks the ...Red Corner: Last Dictatorship in Europe
Another fraudulent election has ensured that Europe's last dictatorship remains a dictatorship.
The country of Belarus is the last European regime left over from the Cold War that is still ruled by an iron-fisted despot. Thanks to this weekend's election-a farcical ...
