text:
Serbia: Guca and Exit Music Festivals · Global Voices
Ljubisa Bojic

Traditional Guca Trumpet Festival is held anually in Guca, a town hours south of Belgrade, near the city of Cacak, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. The event remains the main topic of the country’s bloggers these days. Their talk ranges from pure drivel about how it feels to have a piece of history turned into a mainstream event, to harmless remarks made by happy visitors who experienced the actual event in Guca, to criticism of the Serbian Prime Minister using this celebration for his premature political campaign, to a serious debate which depicts what some call a “Serbian sociological phenomenon.” What should be simple blogger chats turn vigorous and scathingly rich as online residents compare two national music festivals (traditional and localized Guca to modern and west-oriented Exit). By reading Serbian blog writers wrangle about what appear to be, at first glance, innocent issues, one could easily conclude how deeply the nation is divided. They show how troubled Serbian society is at the moment, healing after decades of madness throughout the region.
This year, there is also the premiere of a documentary showing how people invade the sleepy village of Guca for a week of music, drinking, dancing and utter madness:
[…] The film centres around the ambitions of two young trumpet players in their quest to win ‘The Golden Trumpet’. […]
Typical remarks are available for the reader to browse in the online Guca guestbook, which is filled with joy and tributes.
Bob from New York applauds the atmosphere he discovered in the small Serbian village:
This is the best summer music festival in Europe. The festival has great music and is very eventful. You won’t regret coming because you will also get to explore beautiful Serbia. The fantastic site, great people, excellent performers and cheap drinks make it the place to be! The Guca festival in Serbia is an absolute must for any music fan.
Vladimir is a Stockholm resident who is originally from the Balkans. He emphasizes Guca’s “celebration of life” atmosphere:
I listen to a totally different kind of music, I don't drink and I'm really not a person who would enjoy too many people crowded in one place. I don't feel overly patriotic about my country and (in a way) the traditional music of Serbia isn't important to me – but Guca! The atmosphere there in the crowd when the people around you are dancing, jumping, laughing and crying at the same time – celebrating life – it filled my heart so much that it made me proud it's happening in my motherland. […]
Kostas from Thessalonica writes:
[…] The festival is a must see for everyone, especially for people not familiar with [the] Balkans. There is no way to describe this to you, because you will have nothing to compare it with. I have been going to it for years now and every time it gets better. You should not be scared of not liking or knowing our traditional music and customs. There are thousands of foreign visitor[s] every year and they get accustomed to the atmosphere of the festival even [more so than] the locals. Everything is cheap and fun is guaranteed.
At Serbian journal Rodoyf, there is some of this year’s festival statistics:
[…] The majority of the 1,500 participants of the 46th festival in Guca, about 160 kilometers (about 96 miles) south of the Serbian capital Belgrade, are Roma from around the region. But as the word spreads further west, the festival has been attracting an increasing number of foreigners, boosting the attendance numbers to an estimated 400,000 this year.
[…] In Guca, [young spectators] jump onto tables to strut their stuff and show their appreciation for their favorite bands. Played by up to 50 or even 60 musicians at the same time, the melodies are transformed into a kind of deafening, higher sound.
[…] The trumpet festival, which offers visitors free entry, is well on the way to becoming a commercial event.
Serbian brewery MB, the main sponsor of this year's festival, reported beer sales of 4,000 hectoliters, or more than 700,000 British pints. The event has also become lucrative for various travel agencies [throughout Europe].
At Serbia Blog, Viktor depicts Guca's unique feel:
[…] tons of grilled meat, […] hectoliters of alcoholic drinks […] and thousands of cubic meters of festivals specialt[ies] – sauerkraut […] were devoured and hundreds of people still felt their ears buzzing because of the loud trumpet music. Hundreds of thousands of Euros remain in the pockets of entrepreneurs such as room and hotel owners, restaurant workers, musicians of all kinds. […]
He cites and comments on Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's words made while paying a visit to the festival:
“Guca represents in a best way what Serbia is today, what does its openness, belief in oneself, hospitality, party and music. [The] trumpet festival is a confirmation on our courage and joy both in good and bad times. It represents people's return to the roots, joy and meaning of life. It speaks about who we are, what we are, our urges. We express our joy and sadness with [the] trumpet, we are born with sounds of [the] trumpet, and also buried with sounds of [the] trumpet. Guca is [a] Serbian brand, it's a value that can represent Serbia in the world. Those that can’t understand and love Guca, can’t understand Serbia. If we are going to go in [the] EU without our melodies and colours, then we wouldn't know who we are.”
Now what is wrong with this speech, besides the fact that it's politically motivated (elections are coming) and completely unnecessary for such a festival? Well, it simply is a bit far from the truth. You don't have to love trumpet and Guca to understand Serbia. You don’t even have to know what Guca is to love Serbia, because Guca is far from being the only thing that can represent Serbia […]. Personally I think that Guca is a good brand because it does represent “the life as it once was”, but that's why I'm afraid that it shouldn't fall into trap of being the ONLY thing Serbia can give. And hopefully the plans of making it into an international festival and allowing foreign bands compete together with Serbian ones stop the nationalistic approach to the whole thing. But also it seems as though forbidding all kinds of political speeches is a must in the future. […]
Bg anon tries to explain why foreigners find Guca so attractive:
[…] They find things to do with history (like Guca) that are romantic and evoke a certain feeling – concerning their own countries to show that their ‘roots’ have long been cut. They like the idea of a traditional society. So Guca is a free pass for them. They don’t have to apologize for getting drunk, standing up and singing in public and in fact it's ‘in the name’ of a foreign culture – much ‘cooler’ to promote a foreign culture than to try to promote your own these days. […]
Our Serbian (middle class) mainstream may be seeking modernization, Europe and so on but the European mainstream have a different outlook now. They want it ‘real’ not sanitized. […]
Viktor replies:
Yes I agree that Guca should stay traditional, but not degrading and backwards, if you catch my point. And I’m afraid that the organizers are somehow letting this happen to it each year more and more. That's why I’m happy if they are really going to make it more international. After all, the trumpet is not only a Serbian, but a traditional instrument of the world. It's only that we somehow decided to celebrate it first and that's a good thing.
Bg anon writes:
[…] Serbia doesn’t have the monopoly on drinking culture, since the Germans or British are well known for it. You saw the way people behave on your travels. [Do] we in Serbia [have a bit of a complex] about not being quite ‘European’ enough to try to sanitize Guca? I don’t think we should […]
Things start to heat up even in blog entries that don’t have anything to do with music festivals. In his popular B92 blog, Mark Pullen continues to portray Serbian countries and people from a foreigner's perspective. He gets a reply from Jasmina, who informs him about the topics currently being discussed in Serbian chats and discussions:
Here in Serbia, nowadays, you can often hear the discussion about what the “real face of Serbia” is like. Is it the Exit Festival or Guca? Is Serbia urban and modern like Belgrade, […] or rural and traditional like the rest of our country?
In his B92 blog, Aleksandar Vasovic cites B92 news. It sparks polemics about which Serbian festival represents the nation better:
[…] Journalist Teofil Pancic stated that national gathering of trumpet players in Guca is parade of ebriety and inherently distasteful. It is being illustrated as original Serbian identity. He assessed the way Guca is presented in public as nothing less than promotion of Serb as good savage who makes Guca of his life and does nothing. According to Pancic’s words Exit Festival is the one which gives Serbia dignity, not Guca. Historian Branka Prpa said the Guca festival is a “cultural model of agrarian society which produces that sort of entertainment.” The festival is not problem by itself but in the way political elite and media present it as something essentially and originally indigenous. […]
Queeria posts a “no comment photo” by Predrag M. Azdejkovic, on which you can see Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica (on the left) and government minister of Capital Investments Velimir Ilic, who happens to have enough spare time to head the festival’s organizing board. They probably believe they are entitled to appear on Guca’s main stage as the government is sponsoring this year’s event.
Doctor Wu publishes his rather distinctive opinion on the matter:
I think Guca and Exit are more a class than a national phenomenon. Lower middle class and barely literate toothless Serbia whose supreme pleasure is to visit Guca annually (highlighting – just one afternoon and evening in a year) making the trip in more than fifth teen years-old car. I think the English way of calling them is ‘chavs’. The real middle class has its festivities as well. Those are the people with status emblems like prestigious schools, trips abroad, new Peugeot automobiles, Mars bars and its Exit jubilee. It is naive to expect that those two worlds would ever congregate. That’s nothing new for Serbian society. […]
Atomski mrav turns patriotic and emotional as he states:
[…] We need to condemn politicians who use those festivals for propaganda purposes, as well as any other political utilization [of traditional and popular events]. Serbia is lucky to have both Guca and its counterpart Exit as it is blessed to have its water polo team, Jelena Jankovic, Ana Ivanovic, Olivera Jevtic  and other successful sportsmen and sportswomen. In the end, I have to notice with regret, all of these Exit-Guca polemics are an indication of a distressful division of our people, as well as a reflection of an unexplainable need for that allotment. […]
In his personal blog entry called “Communication-Polarization,” the Serbian politician and former foreign affairs minister Goran Svilanovic states that polarization in the public dialogue is acceptable during crisis and thus electrifying people who are defending their stand in the normal daily Guca/Exit conversation isn't good. He gains a lot of readers’ opinions on this (SRP).
Sue:
[…] To put it all together both Guca and Exit are Serbia, as the LDP [Liberal Democratic Party] and the SRP [Serbian Radical Party] are, but despite that some people aren't able to fancy Guca’s parade of drunk people and naked female singers […]
Aris:
[…] It is not about choosing between Exit or Guca, Ceca or whoever else… It is not about loving another thing, it is about not spitting in advance at anything you don’t cherish. That’s fine, for the beginning.
Zoran:
[…] Both Guca and Exit are part of the greater good for this country. It would be nice to have more similar happenings. Exit provides a wide choice of tunes, as well as our national sounds mixed together among those of others, combined with different presentations conducted on site by NGOs. On the other hand, Guca represents a huge quantity of high quality foods as well as trumpet artists, to certain extent exclusive to this region. That increments our nation.
In his latest pessimistic inscription titled “Away, far away from here,” Goran Svilanovic depicts Serbian hardship as a “no-exit” situation. Among others, he accumulates this attention-grabbing thought from Dragan D, suitable to conclude this overview with:
[…] here it is, I am getting a live broadcast of Guca [aired by national TV], one could get an inkling that crowds are celebrating all around. Nobody mentions the proportion of deprived citizens or maybe some statistics on smokers among youth, etc. Where we are headed for, by whom and in which direction, it is a big question. […]

author: Ljubisa Bojic


text:
Singapore: Illegal Workers · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Moe Moe encounters illegal workers being chased by police in a busy Singapore street and remembers her own experience as a illegal worker in another country “When you work illegally, you are always kind of scared. I mean, you can't trust your colleagues, you are afraid you will be found out, you are scared you might piss someone off and they would report you. You go out of your house everyday, knowing that there was a 50-50 chance of being found out and thrown out. And then if you were thrown out – you can't come back, ever.”

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Preetam Rai


text:
South Africa: New Media Awards · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The Digital Citizen Indaba blog, The Blog, writes about the SABC Highway Africa Awards Ceremony. The winners for 2006 Highway Africa Awards for Innovative Use of New Media are…

author: Ndesanjo Macha


text:
South Korea: villages demolished for military base  · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Days in Daechuri reports that 22,000 riot police and 450 contracted construction workers and thugs invaded and occupied the villages of Daechuri and Doduri today (Sept 14 13) at dawn and demolished 68 farm houses. The operation is to clear the land for the construction of U.S military base.
Ohmynews also have detailed citizen report (kr) with photos showing how peace activists and artists defended the villages.

author: Oiwan Lam


text:
Sri Lanka: The insensitive Colombo Citizen · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Nirmal Jayasinghe outlines the ‘Insensitive Colombo Citizen’. “Why should I go out? Let them get all the bullets, suffering and whatever results. I don’t care, because I’m not concerned. I’m not involved. I’m the Insensitive Colombo Citizen.”

author: Neha Viswanathan


text:
Taiwan: media mobilization · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

In this depose President Chen movement, media mobilization has replaced political / organization mobilization, For ilya, this phenomena is new and it will have implication for the future development of depose Bien campaign (zh).


text:
Uganda: The Last King of Scotland · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

“Just when the world was about to forget all about Amin and Ugandans could travel around the world without having ignorant chaps asking if Amin was still the President, FoxSearchlight pictures has him well-packaged and ready to be unleashed onto the 21st century,” reports Jay's Idle Notes.


text:
Ukraine, Russia: Foreign Service Trainee · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Wu Wei cites a comment from a foreign service trainee preparing himself for Ukraine: “…In order to better to absorb the Russian language and culture (although I’m actually going to Ukraine), I plan on renting every Cold War action flick of the ’80s to get in the vibe. I already have Red Dawn and Rocky IV on my list. Any other suggestions?”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


text:
Zimbabwe: Labor protest · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The Bearded Man's bulletin of events related to a labor protest organized by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.


text:
African ready meals, sauces, and snacks · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Emeka Okafor introduces us to MaMaspot, manufacturers of authentic African ready meals and snacks.


text:
Argentina: Film: Opaco · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Now here's a clever idea. Roberto Dam describes the newest short film by Argentine photographer Martin Crespo, which was filmed, not with a video camera, but rather a Nikon D50 digital SLR. More than 15,000 rapidly shot photographs were taken to make what appears to be a “motion picture” titled Opaco. A preview of the film is available.

author: David Sasaki


text:
Bahrain: When Hollywood comes to the UN · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Amira is in UN as a journalist. In her 10 plus years of covering the United Nations, on and off, she have never ever seen so many journalists at the Security Council as she did today.

author: Haitham Sabbah


text:
Barbados: Authentic? · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

The Barbados Tourism Authority's new slogan prompts Eemanee to ask what is authentically Barbadian.

author: Georgia Popplewell


text:
Barbados: World Ozone Day · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Linda Thompkins reports that Barbados is one of the countries observing World Ozone Day on September 16.


text:
Bermuda: Hurricane lessons · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

A Limey in Bermuda cautions against making hasty development decisions in the aftermath of hurricane Florence: “. . . it's perhaps not surprising that some people are calling for power lines to be put underground, a more durable connection to the East End, and a curfew. But do any of these ideas make sense?“


text:
Brazilians Debate Media Regulation and Digital Convergence · Global Voices
Jose Murilo

On the trail of so much disruptive news arising in the Brazilian digital ecosystem — Youtube, empowered bloggers, Orkut's hegemony and digital TV transition to name few — a favorable renewed media regulatory framework has suddenly turned into the golden dream of the professionals and corporations involved. The big issue is how to favor all sides in an environment where almost all stakeholder factions are at war with each other over issues such as technology mandates, regulation/deregulation, ownership concentration, content copyright protection, fair use, and so on. In the middle of all that, blogs are playing a fundamental role in enlarging and clarifying a debate which otherwise would have beeen inevitably clouded.
Antecipando-se ao interesse dos parlamentares, o Conselho de Comunicação Social realiza sua primeira audiência pública para discutir um novo marco regulatório para a área das comunicações. Empresas, governo e sociedade possuem visões distintas sobre como atualizar a legislação. Só concordam sobre a necessidade de atualização. Durante a audiência pública do Conselho de Comunicação Social, realizado no dia 4/9, em Brasília, foram realizadas discussões em torno do marco regulatório do setor. O objetivo da discussão é a criação de um novo quadro legal para as comunicações no país.
CCS abre discussão do Legislativo sobre marco regulatório – Interesse Público – OI
A proposta de debate público colocada pelo integrante do governo, por enquanto, é uma boa intenção. O ambiente desta nova discussão promete ser altamente tenso. De um lado, os empresários de comunicação se armam para garantir sua proteção contra as multinacionais de telecom. Para isso têm a carta na manga de contar com um Congresso servil a seus interesses, sobretudo pelo fato de cerca de 1/5 dos parlamentares serem radiodifusores. Outro trunfo das emissoras é a própria relação com o governo, que melhorou sobremaneira com a entrada de Hélio Costa, um ex-funcionário da Rede Globo e dono de uma rádio em Minas Gerais, na pasta das Comunicações. Mas, apesar disso e de fatos como a resposta quase integral à pauta do empresariado promovida pelo governo no episódio da escolha do padrão tecnológico japonês para a TV Digital, há ainda um pouco de receio deste setor para com o governo, pelo próprio fato de o Executivo ter tomado a iniciativa do debate.
Rumos da reforma opõem empresariado e sociedade civil – Carta Maior
The Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), which was due to have an important balancing role in the debate as a neutral technical board, has seen its influence eroded by recent government decisions.
Algo não vai bem na relação entre o governo e a Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (Anatel). Os dois não se entendem, a agência muda suas decisões em função de pressões do governo, e este a critica abertamente. Para o advogado Azevedo Marques, a situação atual de indiferença do governo em relação à agência é tal que hoje seria possível até acabar com a Anatel. “Não ia fazer diferença nenhuma. Ela não tem mais autonomia de decisão. Os ministros mudam o que querem com base em uma matéria de jornal”. Ele diagnostica ainda a falta de clareza nas atribuições depois que o Minicom chamou para si, por meio de decreto (4.733/2003, que estabeleceu as políticas de telecomunicações), muitas das atribuições que caberiam à Anatel por lei. “A partir dali, a agência perdeu independência, parou de filtrar as vontades políticas”, avaliou.
Regulador em curto-circuito – Teletime
As a result of the flagrant social need for clarification on the complex issue, many seminars and workshops promoted by universities, third sector and independent groups are sprouting all over the country. Some of the initiatives are inviting foreign regulators in order to present different national approaches to the problem and compare the implemented solutions.
Em recente forum de debates, o advogado Floriano de Azevedo Marques apresentou matriz onde compara 8 diferentes abordagens nacionais à convergência digital, afirmando que o desafio regulatório enfrenta duas armadilhas. A primeira consiste em imaginar que a convergência tecnológica é mais tecnológica que convergência, resultado de certa confiança na perenidade dos paradigmas tradicionais. A segunda é o embate por hegemonia, que projeta uma situação de prevalência ao invés de convergência. Azevedo afirma que os modelos de telecom e radiodifusão não chegarão incólumes a um momento de convergência plena.
Apresentação de Azevedo Marques – 34º Fórum Projeto Brasil – Indústria da cultura e convergência digital: construção do modelo de negócios e dinamismo dos atores envolvidos
Segundo Gindre, não há em outros países um paradigma de sucesso a ser imitado, pois o cenário das comunicações é mutável e complexo e nenhum país resolveu a questão completamente. Porém os países que o fizeram precisaram fazer profundas modificações em sua legislação: “O Brasil tem a tarefa histórica de recuperar agendas perdidas. Não temos plena liberdade de imprensa. Os meios de comunicação são concentrados. A cultura regional é vista como problema e não como patrimônio. Não cumprimos a agenda de comunicação do século 19 e do século 20″, disse.
Código de Radiodifusão está defasado, diz representante do Comitê Gestor da Internet – Agência Senado
“Discutir a relação entre Estado e Comunicação, para os donos da mídia no Brasil, equivale a discutir estratégias e mecanismos de os governos controlarem a liberdade de imprensa. Afinal, nada serve melhor aos interesses do referido patronato do que apelar para o estereótipo, para o clichê, como modo de interditar um debate essencial para a sociedade”
Murilo César Ramos – Intercom.org.br
Indeed, media corporations have sent confusing signals about its position in relation to new regulation initiatives proposed by the Brazilian government. A recent attempt of creating a National Cinema and Audiovisual Agency (ANCINAV) promoted by Culture Minister Gilberto Gil faced a strong orchestrated reaction from almost all media companies. The campaign managed to label the project as ‘xenophobous, authoritarian, stalinist, chavist and sovietic’ for establishing some patterns of protection to locally produced content.
No setor audiovisual, o cenário econômico é de reordenamento e aumento da concentração. Grandes companhias, com tradição restrita na prestação de serviços de telecomunicação hoje fagocitam empresas de cinema, comunicação, jornalismo e entretenimento, formando conglomerados interessados em ocupar novos mercados nacionais. São megaempresas que se aliam a seus Estados ricos de origem, ou a seus Estados pobres de destino, e atuam politicamente para derrubar o que elas chamam de barreiras. Lutam, em seus países, para flexibilizar leis anti-verticalização. Faz todo sentido… E é preciso que se diga, isso é feito por intermédio de burocracias de Estado, altamente competentes e aguerridas, que utilizam para isso todos os recursos que dispõem.
Ancinav: omissão ou missão?, por Juca Ferreira – Jovens da Pátria
As a result of an open and dynamic conversation, blogs bring different perspectives to the issue:
E, no fundo do coração, todos sabemos que isso é censura sim. Você, burocrata, você, que se crê um iluminado e quer impor seu gosto às massas ignaras, você odeia as séries americanas a que as pessoas preferem assistir. Você odeia que as pessoas se divirtam despreocupadamente enquanto você rói as unhas esperando a revolução proletária. Você, sabendo que é o chato da turma, o nerd socialista, quer apenas atrapalhar a festa, e quer usar seus carimbos e seu poderzinho para isso. O mínimo que desejo é que você tenha que assistir a todos os curtas-metragens que um dia obrigou as pessoas a tentar ignorar.
A burocracia quer acabar com a alegria televisiva – O Insurgente
Na Europa, há política de cotas de conteúdo independente e regional, que as emissoras devem cumprir como forma de incentivar o setor audioviosual. “Precisamos ter muito cuidado com o que é regulação de conteúdo. Indústria da produção no Brasil é frágil”, rebateu Antônio Teles, da Rede Bandeirantes. “O desafio é superar senso comum de que regular conteúdo é censura, em vários locais a regulação é exatamente dar este incentivo, mas para abrir o setor audiovisual e não manter sua estrutura verticalizada como é no Brasil”, devolveu Gindre.
Rumos da reforma opõem empresariado e sociedade civil – Carta Maior
As many Brazilian are trying to look into the future in order to understand the complexities brought into the media space by digital technologies and connectivity, there are still some sectors which fail to understand what are the real opportunities and dangers ahead.
Para vocês verem. Termina o 6º Congresso Brasileiro de Jornais, que se propunha a discutir o futuro dos jornais. E qual é a grande conclusão a que eles chegam? Maior integração à WEB 2.0, parceria com blogs? Não, tentar cobrar dos sites de busca de notícias uma parte nos lucros e possivelmente processá-los por quebra de direitos autorais. Seria o mesmo que eu quisesse cobrar do Yahoo! porque, quando alguém faz uma busca, acaba encontrando meu blog. Não faz sentido em tempos de SEO, em que empresas e até sites de notícias tentam obter melhores colocações nos resultados das buscas.
Com um pé na cova? – Tiago Dória Weblog

author: Jose Murilo


text:
Brunei: Dealing With Stray Animals · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

There is a debate on in Brunei over what to do with stray animals after a boy was attacked by a stray dog. There were calls for setting up an animal shelter. The blogger at Daily Brunei Resources has further comments on the issue and a possible solution for setting up the shelter.
.


text:
Caribbean: Global Learn Day Ten · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Trinidad-based blogger Taran Rampersad, one of the keynoters at the upcoming Global Learn Day Ten, posts the outline for his presentation on Latin America and the Caribbean .


text:
Chile: Celebrating the First National Government Junta · Global Voices
Rosario Lizana

Photo by Ditto_ Chileno photos
On September 18, we will celebrate the First National junta that took place in 1810. As the Geographic Military Institute (ES) explains:
Independence day is not the real reason why we celebrate on September 18, but rather it corresponds to the fist decisive step that broke the yoke between Chile and the Spanish Crown. The real Chilean independence took place on February 12 of 1818”.
Why do we have to make this explanation?  Marcyflor (ES) posts an investigation that was published in a local newspaper. The survey was done in 4 cities, by telephoning 714 households, and revealed that 69% of those questioned don’t know what they are celebrating. The conclusions were:
“One of every 5 persons declared not knowing the answer, only 15% had the right answer as to why we commemorate the first national government junta. 16% gave general answers that could be considered correct, such as The Day of the Nation or The Chilean Anniversary, while 47% declared that we celebrate Chilean Independence.  The answers are striking when referring to the commemoration of the Chilean Foundation, the birth of [independence leader] Bernardo O'Higgins or the Iquique naval Combat.”
People celebrate anyway. Traditionally people used to attend fondas, or refreshment stands, that are decorated with the colours of the Chilean Flag; red, blue, and white. Traditional food items include “empanadas” (savory pastries) and barbecue. The traditional drink is chicha, made from grapes and it is very sweet. The traditional dance is Cueca, and like many traditional dances, is a courting ritual between couples. Manosylanas(ES) posts some photos of this dance, we regard the man “huaso” and the woman as ”china”. So, you can see both huaso and china dancing Cueca with the traditional costume.
Also this month spring begins here in Chile and September is well-known for its windy weather; so the sky is full of multicoloured kites. And you have to hang the Chilean Flag in every single house, if you don’t, it is illegal.
Lore (ES) writes in her blog about attending the university fondas. She missed the Cueca and she does not agree with having to hear Reggeton or hip hop instead of the traditional Cueca dance. Towards the botton of the post she offers some holiday advice that can be useful in understanding the celebration:
They put water into punch
Barbeque meat is probably cheap beef
The spicy pork sausage will not be Llanquihue (a well known trade brand of sausages)
Boo if you heard reggeton or Hip hop at a Fonda
To dance  Cueca is easy, so don’t say you don’t know how to dance it…at least invent it
Don’t use “hilo curado” ( reel of thread for kites with polish glass)
The bicarbonate or fruit salts are good for stomach ( hangover, hehe)
Know you’re going to get fat so don’t complain
And sleep a lot because you will need to be well rested to start celebrating the next day
Happy holidays… !!!!!
Some blogs are promoting Fondas, such as Disorder (ES) and Saborizante (ES), a blog that promotes the nightlife scene, which invites readers to a non-traditional Fonda:
Are you looking for a rock Fonda? Something without too much Cueca, chichi, and at the same time without the glam and techno? Then, for sure this is your best choice, because in this Fonda the best rock groups will be playing: Hielo Negro, Ramirez, Devil Presley, Matorral and Jiminelson; they promise to have the cheapest drinks, and after the amazing lineup of bands, the best DJ's will make the party non-stop.
We still have to wait until September 18, but because of the weekends, celebrating starts already.

author: Rosario Lizana


text:
China and Korea: territorial debate · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Peking Duck blogs a discussion about Korea has been China's territory since ancient time; Bingfeng shows another map saying that China has been Korea's territory since ancient time, the blogger feels that “it's a little silly to bring them to the level of diplomatic dispute”.


text:
China: cartoon withdrawn · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

One man band width reports that the cartoon on President Hu shedding tear had been withdrawn and the cartoonist was suspended.


text:
China: influencing foreign correspondents? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN blogs about his experience in interacting with foreign correspondents. Rule no.1: foreign correspondents are not stupid.


text:
China: new oriental education · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

A private education institute “new oriental” entered the U.S stock market. Xue yong analyses the reason for its success and its position in the global education market (zh).


text:
Bolivia: More Bad News for Morales · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Miguel Centallas sorts through the seemingly bottomless wealth of bad news for Bolivian President Evo Morales.


text:
DRC: Looking for Democracy After Post-Election Clashes · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

The blogosphere takes a look at violent clashes between two presidential candidates that last month gripped Kinshasa for 3 days.  Some analyze the causes of the violence, others assign blame.  Bloggers also discuss the upcoming presidential runoff andthe results of the legislative elections, while some try to devine the country's political future.
On August 20th, Congolese election officials declared that no candidate in the July 30th election had received the required majority, and that a runoff would be held between presidential candidates Joseph Kabila, the interim president, and Jean-Pierre Bemba, the interim vice-president.  The announcement sparked a violent confrontation between Kabila's presidential guard and Bemba's private security forces.
At The Salon, Ali M. has four entries on the post-election violence. In one, Ali M. tries to account for the motivations behind the violence, which “seems to be no advantage whatsoever, strategic or otherwise.”  He offers a number of internet links to others’ analyses of the violence, but finally concluding that it was, at its root, a matter of greed:
“there is a generalized lack of leadership at the helm of the country, and that petty personal interests continue to direct the actions of the various political movements that control the country. The armed “elites” are not ready to relinquish the quasi-totalitarian control they have over the life and death of the general population, their influence in the country, and more importantly, the hold on whatever portion of the country's wealth that they have garnered over the last 10 years or more. No one likes to give up their golden goose. Ultimately, this – IMHO – is a tale of unrestrained greed. But I am open to other views.”
Kim Gjerstad, a Canadian blogger who runs a small business in the Congo, writes, “Democracy is not a local fabric. The polls aren’t as much as who will win the presidency, but if the opponents will accept the results peacefully.”  Kim also has a photograph of the remains of Bemba's helicopter, destroyed by Kabila's Republican Guard.
Anthony Katombe, who blogs at Prince du Fleuve Congo, reposts an article by an independent journalist based in Washington that claims the CIA thinks Kabila is responsible, and that there was an “international plot” (Fr) against Bemba.
A number of The Salon‘s readers offer their own take.  Jonathan Edelstein, who blogs at The Head Heeb, comments that since many of Kabila's supporters expected to win the first time around, and since both allegations of elections irregularities and high support for Bemba were concentrated in Kinshasa, Kabila's forces may have thought Bemba was rigging the election.  Bill from Jewels in the Jungle thinks it possible that neither candidate is in full control of their militias.   Mvemba, however, does not believe that the presidential guard would have acted without Kabila's explicit consent.  Fred who blogs for Extra Extra is suprised that the violence only lasted for three days, and was relatively contained. The conversation also turns to a debate over MONUC – the United Nations Mission in the Congo – its funding, management, the problem of peacekeepers working in foreign cultures, and a sexual misconduct scandal.
In his analysis of the clashes, Katombe writes that both Kabila and Bemba have accused the other of instigating the attacks, and that while in the end, there was no “winner,” it is Kabila who suffered the biggest loss, namely, the confidence of the West:
Mais qui est le gagnant et qui est le perdant de ces affrontements ? Tous les camps ont perdu des hommes. Bemba a en plus perdu le matériel, dont un hélico. Mais Kabila semble avoir perdu le socle de son pouvoir : l’ouvert soutien occidental. Même si quelques médias belges continuent de faire du zèle de samouraïs défendant une forteresse tombée, la presse occidentale, dans sa majorité, s’est mise du côté des faits.
Mouélé Kibaya, another UDPS supporter and strong critic of Kabila who blogs at Le Pangolin, draws several “lessons” from the Kabila/Bemba clashes:
1/ Ni kabila, ni Bemba ne sont des démocrates convaincus, seul le pouvoir compte à leurs yeux
2/ que le peuple congolais ne compte que pour des chimères
3/ que le processus commence à échapper aux promoteurs occidentaux et qu’il est temps que le peuple reprenne davantage son pouvoir
4 / que les vrais démocrates congolais prennent position pour faire aboutir le retour réel de la souveraineté au peuple.
1/ Neither Kabila nor Bemba are convincing democrates; for them, power is the only thing that counts
2/ The Congolese people are, for them, just an illusion
3/ The process is beginning to falter in the eyes of its Western supporters and it is time that the people take back their power
4 / The Congo's real democrats are in a position to bring back true sovereignty to the people.
Ali also comments on Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba's meeting on Wednesday, the first since the August clash.  He is skeptical that “two…warlords meeting in it of itself, will actually improve the situation.”
Meanwhile FLK at DR Congo Election warns that “The confrontations that pitted that private guard of the vice president Jean Pierre Bemba against the Republic Guard are a fire that can reignite at any moment of the conditions that caused it continue.” (Fr)
Ali comments that the Congo's Supreme Court finding that the intial run-off date, October 29th, is unconstitutional is hardly “shocking,” as a BBC report suggests:
“…the Supreme Court had no other choice, as the constitution and the electoral law are both pretty clear – albeit unrealistic – about the fact that the second round of the presidential elections must be held 15 days after the official announcement by the Supreme Court, of the final results of the first round.”
The Electoral Commission has asked the Supreme Court to make an exception, he writes, as mounting a runoff poll so soon after the announcement would pose impossible logistical challenges.
The Union for Democracy and Social Progress  (UDPS) is a straunchly anti-Kabila opposition political party that supported the candidacy of its leader, Étienne Tshisekedi, for president.  Some pro-UDPS bloggers have been sizing up the remaining two candidates (of an election that had more than thirty) and ask how the UDPS should fit in in this new political climate.
Le Pangolin predicts several possible outcomes depending on whether Tshisekedi decides to publically support Bemba or continue his silence.
Katombe, in a comment at Le Pangolin offers strong support for Bemba over Kabila:
“je crois que bemba est le candidat qui est allé très loin dans les promesses relatives à la démocratie. il s'est liée concrètement avec le peuple en dénonçant les dérives des policiers, promis un procès équitable pour les cas kuthino, eddy kapend et cie,…
sur ce plan, il rejoint parfaitement le combat de l'udps et ne pourrait que bénéficier du soutien de ce parti.”
In this way, he links up perfectly with the UDPS's fight and can only benefit from the support of [the UDPS]”
While the presidential race received the most mainstream media attention, the July 30th election also saw polls for the National Assembly.
Of the legislative elections, Le Pangolin notes that no party received a majority, and offers a variety of coalition scenarios and their implications for balance of power under either a Kabila or a Bemba presidency. (Fr)
In light of the violence and polarization surrounding the presidential contest, FLK puts his hope for Congolese democracy in the National Assembly, a body which he says will enjoy much broader public support than whoever becomes the next president.
…l’Assemblée nationale doit devenir au moins le socle de la représentation nationale et jouer le rôle de catalyseur démocratique du pays en attendant les autres élections. Je souhaite qu'il emerge un groupe des membres de l'assemblee nationale qui pourait etre en mesure de prendre les choses en mains enfin de permettre le train electoral a arriver en douceur a son arret. Etant la seule institution nationale qui aurait le mandat populaire, ses membres doivent etre capables de parler au nom de celui-ci, revendiquer ses droits, et faire respecter son attente.”
Finally, on the topic of legislative elections, Rayne Vandunem writes about Jean-Pierre Chalupa, the Congo's only white candidate, noting that the fact that Chalupa (who won ultimately one the race in his district) is white barely raised so much as an eyebrow in the DRC while doubts about Kabila's “Congoness” (he was raised in Tanzania and speaks fluent English) sparked a major controversy in the presidential race.
Congolese bloggers and Congo-watchers constitute what may be the most active network of blogs in Africa.  Mabongo Kavueta, a reader of Le Blog du Congolais wonders why these words aren't being put into action.
Un bel article mais pourquoi nous pouvons pas nous organiser pour une véritable révolution globale dans notre pays? Une campagne de formation et d'information s'impose.Il nous faut une vraie méthode de lutte et nous reprendrons notre pays de mains des criminels et des assasins qu'on nous fait passer pour des démocrates.Que ceux qui sont à l'étranger mettent en place une véritable technostructure aynt comme but la mise en chantier de cercles des qualités pour une réflexinon et une action concrète pour sauver le Congo.Mettons tous nos moyens humains et matériels en jeu pour instaurer une véritable démocratie dans notre pays.N'attendons pas demain.

author: Jennifer Brea


text:
East Timor: Rock Fights · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Diligence in East Timor has updates from the capital city Dili, where international police have figured out a strategy to deal with gang fights, usually involving small rocks and stones as the weapon of choice. “I believe the foreign police have adopted a slightly different strategy now. Rather than hoe in and try to stop it, they are tending to let it run its course until ammunition is exhausted before moving in. I think this is proving a more effective approach for them.”


text:
Ecuador: Campaign Comparison · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Christian Espinosa has put together a useful comparison of the presidential candidates’ websites, profiles, and platforms (ES).


text:
Egypt: Pope Benedict · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Coming from a Byzantine or a neo Zionist, those words may pass, but from the Pontiff it is very harsh and cruel, speaking ill not about today's radicals (whom all we all are against), but about our beloved Prophet Mohamed is a grave matter and with repercussions, radicals on both sides of the fence will jump on this opportunity, and ignite an already volatile world, 1 Pissed Arab said.


text:
Fiji: Safe for Tourists? · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

South Pacific Travel blogger David Stanely, a frequent traveler to Fiji discusses a Australian government travel advisory on Fiji and concludes that the actual situation on the ground is not as bad as the site makes it appear.


text:
India: Model Minority · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sepia Mutiny on the ‘model minority’ argument when it comes to the US. “Another season, another self-congratulatory article about desis as a model minority. At least this piece – by “BusinessWeek.com columnist and accomplished businessman” Vivek Wadhwa – drops the M-bomb from the outset. It's titled “Are Indians the Model Immigrants?””


text:
India: The state of Srinagar · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Kashmir on the changing face of Srinagar. “Srinagar no longer deserves the title of “city.” It might have been one in the past, but now it qualifies at best to be called a slum and at worst a gutter. Do not fret. It only takes a couple of hours of rain to turn even the main city roads into dirty drains – or a gutter”


text:
Indonesia: Policewoman Chang · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Indonesia Matters introduces Yolla Bernanda. Yolla, whose chinese name is Chang Mei Xiang, is probably the first ethnic Chinese policewoman in Indonesia.


text:
Iran:Blogger was released · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to Hanif Mazroi, the jailed blogger, Mojtaba Samiinejad,was released after being 18 months in jail [Fa].

author: Fred Petrossian


text:
Jordan: The Pope Quotes · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

The Pope isn't saying the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) is “evil and inhumane” or what he preached and how he spread it was “evil and inhumane” he's just saying that Emperor Manual II Paleologos said it. But can you get away with saying something by saying someone else said it? Nassem wonders!


text:
Kenya/Uganda: wheelchairs for mobile phone booths · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Afromusing blogs at Afrigadget about Ruud Elmendoorp video, wwhich shows how wheelchairs are converted into mobile phone booths in Kenya and Uganda.


text:
Lebanon: Crisis in the Christian Community · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Charles Malik says that the primary political crisis since 1988 has been within the Christian community. This crisis is rarely mentioned because it's assumed that the Christians are already too powerful, and keeping them in their weakened state is better for other sectarian leaders. The same can be said about the Sunni.


text:
Literature: Ngugi’s radio interview · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Black Star Journal points us to a radio interview of the Kenyan author, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, on his new novel, Wizard of the Crow.


text:
Malaysia: Suggestions for the new IGP · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Popular Malaysian blogger Jeff Ooi and podcaster Oon Yeoh have some suggestion for the newly appointed inspector general of Malaysian police in their latest podcast. The new chief is taking over at a time when the rising crime rate and police heavy-handedness has all Malaysians worried.


text:
Mexico: Battle of the Gritos Part II · Global Voices
David Sasaki

What a confusing twist of events. What first had appeared to be a “battle of the gritos” in Mexico City's Zocalo Plaza will now be an event of silence. As both Ana Maria Salazar and Rodrigo Javier explain, President Vicente Fox will not be giving el grito of independence in the main Zocalo as per tradition, but rather in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. But then, Eduardo Arcos updates his post by announcing that presidential runner-up Lopez Obrador is also abandoning his plans to challenge Fox at the Zocalo. When will the soap opera end?


text:
Mexico, Spain: El Intermediario by Hernán Casciari · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Andrés Bianciotto, in a bilingual post, recommends a short story by Argentine-Spanish blogger Hernán Casciari.


text:
Nepal: American Ambassador · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

United We Blog! on international affairs and the “American ambassador is visiting Nepali Army’s sensitive barracks one after another as if he is the defense minister.”


text:
Pakistan: Osama Bin Laden art · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

chapati mystery has an interesting post about Osama Bin Laden art. How is the man represented, caricatured and portrayed? “This paucity of visual images of UbL has forced all cartoonists, photoshoppers and artists to rely on the same images over and over again, enhancing magnificently the iconic stature of their elusive subject.”


text:
Pakistan: Salt Range · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Shirazi on the Salt Range – that appears to have witnessed much history. “The Salt Range derives its name from extensive deposits of rock salt. It stands as remnant of forts with bastions and temples. “


text:
Peru: “Secret” Blogger Meetup · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Just from glancing at the comments, it looks like tomorrow night's “secret” blogger meetup in Lima (ES) is going to be lots of fun.


text:
Russia: Buran · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

English Russia writes about Buran, the unlucky Soviet-built space shuttle: “It could be a very successful project of Russian Space Exploration era in general, if the Soviet union lasted a little bit longer or if the modern Russian could find a way to fund it.”


text:
Russia: “Elitny Dress Code” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Copydude writes about “Elitny Dress Code” in Russia.


text:
Russia: “Kadyrov is a Human, Too” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

On October 5, Chechen prime minister Ramzan Kadyrov turns 30, the age at which it would be legal for him to become the republic's president. Although he denies striving for this highest post, some people believe he would get there soon.
Timur Aliev (LJ user timur_aliev), editor-in-chief of the print/online weekly Chechen Society, ruminates (RUS) on how it must feel to be as powerful as Kadyrov, in a country full of people in need. In the same entry, timur_aliev also shares his observations on the state of journalism in Chechnya.
I've spent half a day today at the Ramzan Hall in Gudermes, at the award ceremony for the journalists who sent their stories to the Golden Pen contest. The event was organized by the [Akhmad Kadyrov] Fund.
From what I saw, there are two themes to consider.
1. The [Best Journalist title] – the Grand Prix of the contest, so to say – was awarded to the guy who works in the [security forces], goes to various detentions and other operations, and periodically films this on camera.
So here's a question: when a policeman who films his own work is called the best journalist – is this the republic's peculiarity or does it reflect contemporary trends (journalist bloggers, etc.)?
2. When the ceremony was over, I was stopped by a woman outside: she asked me to help her talk to Ramzan Kadyrov. She spoke to me with much respect, addressed me as they usually address the elders, though she looked older than I am.
She was telling me about her disabled husband, her ailing child and no money for the most basic things.
We explained to her that we had nothing to do with Ramzan and that it'd be better if she talked to his press service – their people were not far away then. She left.
And it got me thinking – she is one of the many who besiege Ramzan with their requests. There's a constant line of “askers” waiting for him, and they aren't asking him to sign some not very important papers, they are waiting for decisions that would affect the rest of their lives.
How does this change the conscience and behavior of a person who is expected to change the destinies of hundreds of people?
Does he feel their pain, does he begin to suffer together with them? Or did he get used and treats any poor soul as just another beggar? Or does it make him feel almost all-powerful?
***
hippy55: If any policeman, not just a Chechen one, records on video what he does, he will sign a death verdict for himself. Or will lose his job, at least.
If Kadyrov begins to feel someone else's pain, he won't be Kadyrov anymore. […]
timur_aliev: This policeman received a car for his work…
Kadyrov is a human, too…
[…]
Anonymous: Incredulous… Kadyrov?! Feeling someone else's pain?! Are you sick?
timur_aliev: Kadyrov is a human, too…
[…]
jan_voskresensk: Maybe my question isn't tactful and most likely I've got no right to ask it… but – what is your personal attitude toward Ramzan Kadyrov? I myself live in Ukraine, am interested in Ichkeria's history, and both I and my friends, who share my interests and hobbies, have formed a not very good opinion about this person. So it's interesting to listen to someone who faces those problems and [is affected by] the decisions made by Ramzan.
timur_aliev: It's hard to respond unambiguously – I am, most likely, his opponent, but I can't ignore his achievements…
When I have more time, I'll definitely write about him – especially since the [decisive moment] is approaching – October 5…
jan_voskresensk: And what happens on October 5? I've no clue.
timur_aliev: Ramzan turns 30 years old.


text:
Russia: Kondopoga · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Russia Blog sums up the events in Kondopoga, Karelia.


text:
South Africa: The Africa Media Matrix · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Writing about the Africa Media Matrix at the Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, Mentalacrobatics says, “Yes even better than that wireless system and the historical pictures. The best thing about this building is the place where many of us do our best work, the toilets.  The tiles in the toilets are decorated with quotes on the media from various sources. It makes for very interesting reading.”


text:
Spain: 50 Years of Television · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Want to do something besides watching TV this weekend? Why not watch the history of TV … in Spain that is. (Click on each thumbnail to see the video on YouTube)


text:
Technology out of Africa · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

After being sidetracked for a few weeks, White African gets to sit down and write about innovative web technology coming out of Africa, “Newzbubble is a fun news application that allows you to see which subjects have the most news about them.”


text:
The world is talking – we’re listening · Global Voices
Rachel Rawlins

Global Voices has grown dramatically over the past year thanks to our fantastic community of authors, supporters, editors and readers. We're working hard to make sure that the site is arranged in the best way possible – what we cover, how we do it and you read it.
So please – help us by answering our quick survey. Just click on the badge abovel It shouldn't take more than about five minutes to complete and all the information will help steer our future direction. And if you don't have time right now come back when you do – the badge and link will be in the sidebar for some time to give as many people as possible a chance to respond.
Thanks very much indeed –
The Global Voices Team

author: Rachel Rawlins


text:
Trinidad & Tobago: Private jet · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

The Manicou is indignant that Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister has been “previewing” a private jet, apparently with a view to purchasing. A government minister says the report is untrue — but the Manicou's not convinced.


text:
Trinidad & Tobago: Snap election? · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

With the opposition party in a shambles and the newly formed Congress of the People still consolidating, will Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister call a snap election? Jeremy Taylor is taking bets.


text:
Ukraine: Kyiv Cafes and Restaurants · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Digenis starts a list of Kyiv cafes and restaurants he liked during a recent visit.


text:
Ukraine: Yanukovych in Brussels · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Michael Jaskiw of Harvard International Review and Vilhelm Konnander review the results of Ukrainian PM's visit to Brussels.


text:
Venezuela: Iria Puyosa · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Before Blog Day 2006 Rebecca MacKinnon elicited responses to a series of questions regarding how and why bloggers around the world devote so much time to an activity that pays little to nothing at all. Here is how Global Voices Venezuelan contributor Iria Puyosa responded (ES).
* I started my first blog because I needed a social space to share my ideas about fiction and about other topics that interested me, but which I didn't have time to formally develop.
* I still maintain my blog about fiction, Rulemanes para Telémaco (ES), where I mostly write about literature and film, but where I also get sidetracked by other topics from football to freedom of information and my travels.
Ten months ago now I opened another blog, Reste@dos (ES), in which I comment about citizen participation and Venezuelan politics.
And less than a month ago I started No suma cero (ES), which will hopefully be an incubator of collaborative projects related to knowledge management, environmental scanning for business intelligence, and social networks.
* I write in Spanish because it's the language I'm proficient at and it is the language of the people with whom I'm most interested in conversing. Occasionally I write in English – on Global Voices – because I'm interested in the role of serving as a bridge between different groups, in this case, separated by language.
* It is difficult to speak of personal motivations without resorting to clichés. I suppose that I like to foster conversations and I'm less timid when I write.
* It's hard for me to refer to those who read and comment on my blogs as “my audience”; it comes off to me as “one medium, many receptors” and that's not the idea. Also, the people that converse in Rulemanes para Telémaco come from different countries, Mexico and Spain being the principal ones; I've also observed that many (like me) live in a different country from where they were born. However, Reste@dos is a site that mostly attracts Venezuelans. No suma cero is still in diapers so I have no idea how cosmopolitan or local it might become; in its first three weeks, half of the visits have come from the USA.
* I have the impression that my family ignores the activity of my blogs even though I think I have invited them to get to know the blogs better when I launched them. Nor does the majority of my family read weblogs (mine aren't just the exception); I think that the few friends that read my weblogs consider it to be one of my several eccentricities (one more peculiarity, certainly not the weirdest).
* I don't really have a “boss” and so I don't know how to answer the question of whether or not my boss knows about my blog(s). Could the President of the Central University of Venezuela be an anonymous reader?
* The Venezuelan media seem to have recently discovered that blogs exist. I think they read about it in the Washington Post or in El Mundo de España, or maybe in Clarín. I still don't think they have discovered that there are nearly three thousand Venezuelan blogs, some with more than three thousand daily visits. One day they will find out I suppose.
* I guess my posts tend to be soliloquies; in order for them to be conversations they need impassioned interlocutors. Sometimes I find them and other times no. The definition [of a blog] is important like a goal in the game, not its final score.
* I don't think that Venezuelan blogs are having an significant impact on public opinion and political debate (ES); I've already said that the major media ignores us.


text:
Vietnam: The Newspaper Boy · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Vietnamese God introduces us to a newspaper boy in Hanoi. The boy is disabled and yet he has works from 6AM to 10AM. The blogger writes that this boy is an example for other youth who want to make easy money.


text:
Yemen: Progress within communities · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Mankind have enough problems and troubles facing humanity: poverty, hunger, modern slavery, the deadliest diseases of all kinds, wars, natural disasters – to name just a few. It's these that we have to confront and concentrate our energies on, not building up hatred and division among us, Omar Barsawad said.


text:
Zimbabwe: Labor protest · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

This Is Zimbabwe updates us on the mass protest organized by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.


text:
African album covers · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Benn Loxo asked its readers to submit their favorite African album covers:
“After yesterday’s post Benn loxo listener, Michael, was the first to send in his favourite African LP covers.”
“Several more Benn loxo listeners contributed their favourite African album covers this week.“
“Below are the last in a series of African album covers here on Benn loxo.”


text:
Iran:Attacking Etemad Meli Journal · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Madeh 19 reports Etemad Meli journal's office was attacked by Molotov cocktails. According to the blogger it is second time that Etemad Meli's office was attacked by Molotov cocktails [Fa]. Etemad Meli was founded by cleric Karoubi and is critical regarding Iranian government.


text:
Kenya: The president needs Swahili lessons · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kenyan Entrepreneur does not think the President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki, should speak Sheng, which is neither an official nor a national language: “I mean, seriously…he keeps corrupting what is supposed to be the national language!“


text:
Malawi: Software Freedom Day · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Soyapi Mumba on Software Freedom Day in Malawi, “In Malawi, the event is being organised by LinuxChix (Malawi) and Malawi Open Source Society (MOSS) and will include presentations on various Free and Open Source Software topics to be followed by an Install Party.“


text:
Malaysia: Reforming Education · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

The blogger at Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin analyses the statement on reforming the education by Malaysian Education Minister. The blogger, a parent of school going kids, outlines the real problems that the minister failed to mention.


text:
Mali: preservation of Timbuktu manuscripts · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Sociolingo posts a news article about efforts by the Malian government to preserve and expose one of the oldest manuscripts in Africa, Timbuktu manuscripts. It is estimated that there are 700,000 Timbuktu manuscripts.


text:
South Africa: The poorest of the poor are credit-worthy · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

“We believe that the poorest of the poor are credit-worthy, and that through mobilising savings they are able to build financial and social capital…” – the Kuyasa Fund, via Timbuktu Chronicles.


text:
Tanzania: will the media change the course of history? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Jaduong Mettys wonders whether the media in Tanzania will be able to change the course of history.


text:
The Maasai – Zulu battle of 2006 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

“One of the sessions covered this week was the controversial EASSy project which appears to have been now reduced to a Kenyan vs. South African affair,” writes Bankele, one of the Digital Citizen Indaba on Blogging participants.


text:
Togo: The EU’s Wait-and-See · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Flag of Togo, World Cup 2006. By Currybet.
Occasionally, daily links do not do important posts justice. Togo's blogosphere is not crowded enough to feature intense debate between bloggers but this well-articulated post  (Fr)  on the EU's latest set of conditions for Togo by Togolese blogger Don Ray is worth its own translation.
###
A propos du dossier togolais, Les membres de la Commission européenne sont devenus des Saint Thomas, ils veulent voir avant de croire! La tournée qu’effectue actuellement Monsieur Faure Gnassingbé, risque d’accoucher d’une souris. Et ce n’est pas sa rencontre avec le Président Français qui changera la donne à l’UE.
En effet les embrassades et l’autosatisfaction affichée par l’ensemble des acteurs de la classe politique au Togo après la signature de l’APG (Accord Politique, Global), n’ont pas été suffisants pour ramener l’UE revienne à de meilleurs sentiments à l’égard des autorités de Lomé. Echaudés par plus de 15 ans de tergiversations, de paroles manquées, d’engagements et de promesses non tenus, l’UE a fini par se dire que la seule condition pour que le Togo ait droit à ses subsides reste une totale démocratisation.
Louis Michel, le 4 avril n’a pas voulu être diplomatique quand il a posé les conditions du retour de l’UE au Togo, à savoir: communiquer la date des élections et mettre en place un nouveau gouvernement. Pour avoir piloté le dossier togolais et connaissant les membres de la commission et leurs opinions sur les autorités du Togo, il ne veut pas prendre des risques.
Si, un premier pas a été franchi avec la signature de l’APG, il faut dire que beaucoup reste à faire. Le voyage de Monsieur Faure Gnassingbé aurait dû attendre. Ce que la communauté internationale attend des autorités togolaises, c’est qu’elles mettent en oeuvre les termes de l’accord. Malheureusement, elles ont voulu se servir de la demie victoire de Ouaga pour forcer la main à l’UE. Chat échaudé craigant l’eau froide, celle-ci ne s’est pas faite prendre au piège.
Le Voyage de Monsieur Faure Gnassingbé aura eu le mérite de révéler tout le travail qui reste à faire au Togo: mettre en place un gouvernement, organiser des élections et doter le pays d’une nouvelle Assemblée nationale! bref engager de façon irréversible le Togo sur la voie d’un Etat de droit. Si les engagement pris à Ouaga sont sincères, cela ne doit tarder. Mais si les tâtonnements l’emportent sur la célérité, il y a alors anguille sous roche et l’UE aura raison de rappeler la classe politique togolaise à ses engagements.
L’avenir nous dira si l’accord de Ouaga n’est pas un accord de plus!
Time will tell if the Ouaga Agreement is not just one too many!
In the comments section to Don Ray's blog, K.A. had this to say:
Cher Don Ray,
il s’agit là vraiment, dans le cas des voyages du nouveau président du Togo, d’une opération de communication. Prouver sa volonté de devenir bâtisseur, voilà ce qu’il lui reste à prouver, et la nomination du premier Ministre devrait être le test cklef pour lui. Ne tournons pas autour du pot, prendre une nouvelle direction signifie savoir se débarraser de ses anciens alliés pour ouvrir la porte à d’autres partenaires. S’il le fait, oui, je serai de ceux-là qui crieront à la volonté de changement, sinon, quelle tristesse ce serait pour ce pays que les mêmes continuent de nous enfoncer dans les mêmes ornières. Wait and se!

author: Alice Backer


text:
Turkey is Typing:Best of Summer Edition · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

It has been quite a while since an update on the Turkish blogosphere has been done, and rather than trying to update you on every detail that I have failed to report, I thought that this post should focus on the most interesting posts of the summer.  Granted, the information given with be subjective to my own whims…but hopefully our interests will collide.
Idil from Ignore Me If You Can talks about the expectations of Turkish men for women to submit to them and the reasons why trying to date in Turkey can be very difficult if you have been raised in a more “western” background.
It seems that the womans importance is undermined and that the general perception that Turkish men have of women is that they own them and can decide of how they should act or what they can or can’t do. This is seen in all Turkish villages, submission has become part of the womens daily life, could we blame that on the lack of education? What about the men in the cities? I just think it’s some sort of virus. The boy sees it from his father who then applies it to his own wife and his own son keeps the tradition going. I certainly don’t think that there is equality in this country.
If I’m expected to serve my husband and be his slave then I’m certainly not about to marry a Turkish man anytime soon. God forbid. Everything should be mutual, love and respect, trying to please one another, I don’t believe in having the upper hand in relationships, it ends up destroying them.
Talk Turkey has an excellent piece asking what the next step is in the war against terrorism, is it in fact, a war against all Muslims, and what are in fact the implications of such action?
It's over everyone! The golden years of individual liberties are coming to a very sudden end. Every time a terrorist plot is uncovered, the odds makers are taking no bets on Muslims being the culprit. The secret is out; Islam is being dictated by fascists (sounds political and not religious, but who is paying attention,) according to not only Bush, but the ‘real’ policy makers as well. Furthermore, very very soon there won't be such a species as a ‘good’ or moderate Muslim. In fact, once a Muslim, you will automatically receive a lifelong ‘felony’ on your record, even if you haven't committed any acts deserving of a trial by your peers, and without any hopes for a presidential pardon. No pun intended when it comes to pardoning the current Prez who is no longer commanding the respect of even the terrorists.
I am often asked why Muslims in the US (meaning me) do not do anything to respond to the atrocities being committed by fellow Muslims. Somehow, this has become a ‘religious’ war between ‘Islam’ and everyone else. It is no longer a ‘political’ matter between ‘Israel’ and its supporters, mainly the US and Great Britain, and Arabs.
Two of the authors of Metroblogging:Istanbul, Erkan and Idil, relate their tale of getting trapped in a protest in Istanbul where the police used tear gas to dispell the crowd:
That's when all hell broke loose..
I'd like to remind you that Erkan and I were further down the road, watching the crowd from afar because we knew that at any time, it could all turn sour and that we'd have to run for cover, which didn't take long. The demonstration was held in an already very busy street and a lot of normal civilians were trapped on the wrong side of the police barricade and they were also watching from afar or trying to get away from the side streets.
The first thing I heard was a loud explosion and screams coming from the group. People started running towards us and gas started propagating from the gas bombs that were flying in the air. The propagation was way too fast and even though we were already running for cover, Erkan and I were choking on pepper spray and whatever it is that they were gazing us with. We found ourselves in a parking lot, surrounded by gas and looking for a place to hide. Everyone was locking their doors so there wasn't much hope there. We were lucky enough to find the parking lot guard who helped us into his little cabin and locked the door after us. We watched the people run by us while trying to get rid of the burning sensation which was taking over our faces and throats. I had a hard time not having an asthma attack and not rubbing my eyes. I only found later that rubbing your eyes, even an hour or two after, made things worse.
Glutton Cat mentions the health benefits of yogurt and gives tips on how to make your own home-made version:
Majority of people eat it, because they have been told it is good for them. Not many people know that daily use of yogurt ensures regular habits, the blood is purified and skin diseases cleared in a very short time. For feverish conditions it can be given safely when no other food is allowed; it induces sleep and calms the nerves and thus has a remarkable affect on hysterical subjects.
Erkan from Erkan's Field Diary gives us his opinion on the reactions of Turkish officials in response to a comment made by the Pope that many view as negative towards Islam:
Well, this is Turkish Islam. Turks deserve to be the most secular ones among the islamic countries, and they are probably less attentive of rituals then all others but when it comes “defend islam” they might be quite outspoken although Pope ‘meant no offence’ to Islam claims Vatican. I did not care much about his speech. Maybe I should have. Sorry for that. But I believe no religious leader should claim that the other religions are more violence-prone than his own. All religions have enough bad stuff in their histories. Man, how come the leader of Catholic Church can do that particularly? it is just laughable. Pope may not meant offence but he is already notarious of being less tolerant to Islam than his predecessor did. If he is really sincere, as a public figure he should more careful. But it seems that right wing (sometimes religious) European leaders have already chosen to be confrontative (i.e. Sarkozy)…
ZiddiBLOG writes about the search for the mysterious Ninki-Nanki and other supernatural creatures:
The ninki-nanka is a mysterious creature that lives in the swamps of West Africa. Witnesses are few and far between; only because they tend to die within a few weeks of seeing this monster, said to have a “horse-like face, a long body with mirror-like scales and a crest of skin on its head”.
I’m always fascinated by stories like these. The expedition’s official website looks extremely sketchy, the actual team itself looks even sketchier. It’s pretty damn obvious this whole thing is a big waste of resources but, nevertheless, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with believing in something greater than ourselves.
I don’t even remember how many hours I spent watching the Lochness webcam as a kid, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Lake monster. Like I said, I don’t think there’s any harm in believing in the superhuman; if anything it helps us keep our feet on the ground.. reasses the purpose of our existence.
Best sites to visit this week:
1.Joe's Ramblings, musings from an Australian living in Turkey.
2.Izmir Blog-travel-blog dedicated to the city of Izmir in Turkey.
3.Turkish Business-a blog site devoted to Turkish business news started by our friend at Turkish Torque.
4.Binnur's Turkish Cookbook- another wonderful Turkish foodblog!
5.Along with celebrating his 500th blog post, Amerikan Turk also celebrates the beginning of a new blog on cycling called the Union Velo Blog.

author: Deborah Ann Dilley


text:
· Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

A newly launched web site called trinivote.com and bearing the tag line “Elections May Be Sprung Upon US…Do You Know Where Your Vote Is Going”, is a typically Trinidadian mixture of humour and gravitas.


text:
A poem for Global Day for Darfur · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mshairi (a poet in Kiswahili) takes part in the Global Day for Darfur with a poem, Suffer the Little Children.


text:
Aruba: Political tidbits · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

ArubaGirl brings us up to speed on the goings-on on the political scene in Aruba, whose citizens will now be allowed to vote in European parliamentary elections, and some of whose goverment ministers were strangely absent from the ceremony marking the opening of the new parliamentary year.


text:
Hong Kong and Taiwan: Learning From The Hong Kong and Taiwan Demonstrations · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN compares the Hong Kong July 1 demonstration with Taiwan depose Bien demonstrations and generates three principles: (1) Focusing on the key issue(s); (2) Avoid inflaming the other side; and (3)  Counting your numbers.


text:
Iran:Reversible Reforms · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Aknoun says that he read in conservative Keyhan newspaper that male teachers won't be able to teach in girls high schools [Fa].The blogger adds during eight years of reformist government we heard several times that reforms are irreversible. Now we see everything can be changed and there is anymore no sign of reforms and reformists.


text:
Japan:Canon history · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Mutantfrog blogs about the history of Canon and the role of its American consultant, William R. Gorham, who became a naturalized Japanese citizen shortly before WWII.


text:
Kenyan military secrets revealed · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A Kenyan blogger's reaction to a new published biography of General Lazarus Sumbeiywo, who was the chief negotiator of the Sudan peace process, “It is rapidly emerging that the new biography released by General Lazarus Sumbeiywo last week (written by East African Standard journalist Waithaka Waihenya) has many inconsistencies that contradict earlier reports on some very important events in Kenya’s history. Secondly a lot of the information that is accurate in the book is a threat to the country’s national security.”


text:
Korea: history of foreign visits · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Gusts of popular feeling has two detailed posts with historical photos about the history of foreign visits to Chosun. The first visit record is 1582. The first western missionaries, two French Catholics, came to Korea in 1836. Since 1800s, more conflicts emerged.


text:
Lessons from the Digital Citizen Indaba on Blogging · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mike Stopforth learnt something at the Digital Citizen Indaba on Blogging: “You see, I was pretty self-absorbed. When I thought of blogging on the African content, I had a very South African-centric, business and or marketing-related view and to be quite honest had never really allowed my narrow mind to wander beyond SA borders.”


text:
Nigeria’s presidency 2007 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The candidacy for Nigeria's presidency 2007 is a hot topic in the Africa's most populous nation. Nigerian Politics writes, “Ambassador Babagana Kingibe’s declaration to vie for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last Thursday is yet another punt in the political game leading up to the 2007 Nigerian presidential election.“


text:
Pope, prophet, and violence · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Following the controversy resulting from a speech delivered by Pope Benedict XVI, Chipla asks, “Why is the Prophet Mohammed above public intellectual debate anywhere in the world. Why are Muslims so protective of Mohammed?”


text:
South Korea: former president attacks U.S neo-cons · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Kim Dang from Ohmynews writes a citizen report on former South Korean president Kim Dae Jung's criticism towards Amercian neo conservatives and Japanese right wing for exploiting the North Korea nurclear issue.


text:
Thailand: Bombings in the South · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Bangkok Pundit has the updates on the bombs that went of off in Hat Yai in Southern Thailand on Saturday night. The bombing left four people dead and several injured.


text:
Bangladesh: Vatican and Macaca · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Or how I Learned to Stop Worrying with a brief context to the Pope's remarks on Islam and how the Vatican handled the consequences. “His statement fell short of the apology demanded by Muslim leaders and in classic macaca-esque style he apologized for how his speech was perceived rather than the content of his speech.”


text:
Bangladesh: What was the Pope thinking? · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sadiq on debunking the Pope's statement on Islam. “His allegation is incorrect. Surah 2 is a Medinan surah revealed when Muhammad was already established as the leader of the city of Yathrib (later known as Medina or “the city” of the Prophet). The pope imagines that a young Muhammad in Mecca before 622 (lacking power) permitted freedom of conscience, but later in life ordered that his religion be spread by the sword.”


text:
Bolivia: Two Cochabamba Ironies · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Jim Schultz on the ironies of a reeking modern airport and coca-chewing DEA guards in Cochabamba.


text:
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Videos · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

YakimaGulagLiteraryGazett recommends videos that “show what it's like in BiH for ordinary people, it's very telling and it's real, I know this from my own experience.”


text:
Brazil: Digital Varjão – Cultural Hotspot in Action · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Jose Murilo Junior describes the “cultural hotspot” workshop of Digital Varjão, which encourages young people in Varjão do Torto – a low income informal settlement in the outskirts of Brasília – to use open source software to express themselves creatively and share their day to day experiences online. You can see a slideshow of the workshop and examples of works done by the children.


text:
Cambodia: Introducing Blogs on Cambodia · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Mythical Dude is missing Cambodia and he is staying in touch by reading blogs from Cambodia.


text:
Cambodia: Remembering Khmer Rouge’s Fall · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Chhay Vet at Khmer440 blog remembers the day in 1979 when as a child he witnessed Vietnamese soldiers chase away the Khmer Rouge. “I remember the Vietnamese soldiers as being small and thin but tough fighting men. They were well armed, wore French style helmets covered in camouflaged cloth and leaves and had their rations of cooked rice strapped around their uniforms This first wave of Vietnamese soldiers were experienced veterans from Hanoi and the North of Vietnam who has spent years fighting in the American War. They treated us well and later on fed us with cake plus in the coming weeks they allowed us to take rice from the vast stores that had been abandoned by the Khmer Rouge.”


text:
Central America: Indepedence Day · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Tim Muth describes the festivities in El Salvador as Central Americans celebrated 185 years of independence from Spain. In Costa Rica, apparently it is Independence Eve when the real parties get started. Uri Ridelman links to a YouTube video of the Patriotica Costarricense: “one of the most important songs of our country after the National Anthem.” From Guatemala, DesdeGuate.com asks why patriotism must be related to the military (ES).


text:
Ethiopia: who needs enemies? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

“With allies like this, who needs enemies?,” Weichegud asks, and continues to write: “The neighboring Ethiopian government, led by a rabid Marxist ethnicologist who got the Bill Clinton “Enlightened African leader” stamp of approval, was sanguine with the lawlessness in Somalia, even encouraging it, believing that a fractured Somalia was in the Meles government’s best interest. It postured itself as a fighter of terrorism, and an understandably skittish post-9/11 Bush Administration poured money and expertise into Prime Minister Meles’s “terror fighting” apparatus. (Sadly, US-made Humvees meant for this purpose were later used to gun down unarmed protestors. Awkward.)”


text:
Global Food Blog Report #32 · Global Voices
Melissa De León

#1: From Sri Lanka, Moju meditations on Hitler and Vegetarianism: "Hitler was a vegetarian"
As you can see below from the quotes of Hitler…he was a vegetarian and a teetotaler! How is it possible that a vegetarian and a teetotaler could kill millions of people? The reason I ask is because every full moon day we see monks on TV telling us the virtues of being a vegetarian and how meat eaters are more prone to violence than
vegetarians! Could some kind person out there, please give me an answer? Read the complete post…
#2: From Tanzania, MiRecipe shares a well kept secret recipe: Kashata.
There are quite a few sweet recipes from Tanzania, this is one of many.  The only problem is that, I can not tell you how and when kashata
was introduced in Tanzania. We can just guess it is a Persian influence just like many other recipes. Not to forget, Tanzania has many varieties of Kashata. This is very simple, and taste better with strong black coffee without sugar. Get the recipe now!
#3: From Mexico,  Saveurs Mexicaines (FR) reveals her recipe to prepare  "Sincronizadas," a quick and delicious solution for breakfast, a light lunch or afternoon snack. It is made with flour tortillas, ham and  cheese. I am guessing that you have all that in your fridge, right? So, head over THERE and get the step by step recipe now!
#4: From Guatemala, Guate360 writes about a traditionally tasty recipe to prepare Rompope (Eggnog).
#5:  From India, FoodMall.org cooks up  a tasty "Okra Chicken"
Okra in India is loved when gooey and with its gooe-goodness it can jazz-up almost any food ingredient. I would go for chicken and okra for my Saturday Night Dinner. Pay Esther a visit and start cooking now!
#6: From Denmark, Kristian Petersen on  "Salmon Carpaccio with Herbs and Pesto"
This is one of my favourites beacause not only is it easy to prepare, but is also tastes great and it´s a nice small starter, that won´t make
your stomach to full before the main course.
#7: From Australia, Benjamin Christie takes you through the road of success "Food Blog Secrets and How to Make yours Successful"
Although not one of the first in blogging, I have had a food blog for a couple of years now and in that time I have seen some really good food blogs appear over time and some have also disappeared too. Given what I have learnt and understanding what works for my food blog, I thought I would offer readers and future food bloggers my thoughts on how to not only create a successful food blog but retain a long term audience.
Here, you’ll find about 15 points which I’ll update from time to time. I would, however, appreciate other food bloggers’ opinions, questions,
comments and suggestions on my article. Read the complete post!
#8: From Spain, Lobstersquad creates "The most finger-likin’ chichen ever"
I entreat you, do this chicken. It is the platonic ideal of all roast chickens; crisp, glazed a deep golden brown, charred in parts, juicy and eye-poppingly flavourful. I think it would taste very good cold, but sadly, I don´t know, because it all went in one go. And did I mention, it practically cooks itself? Continue reading...
#9: From Canada, Sweet Pleasure creates the most delectable desserts with chocolate: "Chocolate for your inner child"
When making chocolate desserts, I usually go by the following guideline: use good chocolate! The types of chocolate that I prefer to use are Valrhona, Scharfenberg, Callebaut or Lindt. The quality of your chocolate will affect the quality of your desserts and baked goods -try not to compromise. For the brownies I used a dark bittersweet Callebaut and for the pudding, I used a dark semisweet Callebaut. The ginger in the brownies was a nice touch, it gave the brownies a rich and complex flavour, that was familiar and comforting, without being
too sweet or intense. The chocolate pudding was tasty, simple and satisfying. The flavour and consistency is exactly what a chocolate pudding should be. Both recipes are incredibly simple and comforting. Are you ready for some chocolate?
#10: From Peru, PeruFood asks the question "Can you eat Peruvian food without bread?"
When I lived with my grandparents in Peru, buying bread was a daily ritual. Twice a day, my grandfather would get his cloth bread bag from a drawer in the kitchen cabinet and head to the local bakery, just a block away.
The first time he would go was early in the morning, sometimes before I even woke up. Breakfast was always served with piping hot pan francés. On that same trip to the bakery, he would buy enough bread so we could have some at lunch as well.
Then in the afternoon, just before lonche, the Peruvian afternoon tea inspired by English influence during the late 1800s, he would go back to the bakery to get more freshly baked bread. A proper lonche requires fresh bread. Read the complete post now…
This is all for now, I'll be back next week with more!

author: Melissa De León


text:
Global Voices Online Wins Knight-Batten Innovations Award · Global Voices
David Sasaki

September 18, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Global Voices Online, a web site about how news affects daily life and conversations in more than 130 countries, is this year's $10,000 Grand Prize winner in the Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism.
The site uses skilled multilingual editors to find and publish thoughtful or entertaining bloggers who discuss what people are talking about in a given country. Blogs are organized by country and by topics. Global Voices Online also uses podcasts to inform readers and start conversations.
“It's an extraordinary site that allows for both editorial gatekeeping and wide access to news and information from underreported parts of the world,” said the panel of judges.
The judges also credited the project and its corps of bloggers with helping to elevate standards in the blogosphere. Global Voices is sponsored by Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society.
The awards were presented at a morning symposium at the National Press Club. Highlighting the event was a keynote address by Alberto Ibargüen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which funds the awards.
The Knight-Batten Awards spotlight the creative use of new information ideas and technologies to involve citizens in public issues. They are administered by J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism at the University of Maryland. View the winners as well as 37 other notable entries at www.j-lab.org.
The winners were selected from 109 entries, submitted by print, television and online news organizations and education and nonprofit institutions. TCDailyPlanet last year received some start-up funding under the Knight-funded New Voices program, which J-Lab also administers.
The Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism honor the late James K. Batten, former CEO of Knight Ridder newspapers and a pioneer in exploring ways journalism could better connect with audiences.
The winners were selected by an Advisory Board led by Bryan Monroe, vice president and editorial director of EBONY and JET magazines. They included Knight Foundation's Gary Kebbel; Jody Brannon, Senior Editor, MSN.com; Mark Hinojosa, Associate Managing Editor-Electronic News, The Chicago Tribune; Jim Brady, Executive Editor, WashingtonPost.com; Lee Rainie, Executive Director, Pew Internet & American Life Project; Rosental C. Alves, Director, Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas; Chris Harvey, Online Bureau Director & Lecturer, Philip Merrill College of Journalism; Tom Kunkel, Dean, Philip Merrill College of Journalism; and Jan Schaffer, J-Lab Executive Director.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of U.S. communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Since its creation in 1950, the foundation has invested nearly $290 million to advance journalism quality and freedom of expression. For more information on Knight's work, visit www.knightfdn.org.
J-Lab helps news organizations and citizens use new media technologies to create fresh ways for people to participate in public life.


text:
Honduras: HIV Workshops · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Melanie, a volunteer in Honduras describes the 3-day workshops on HIV that she gives to junior high students: “The only potential problem I had was with a 17-year-old 7th grader who took to preaching like the Evangelical preachers and didn’t want to stop talking.  He went on for at least an hour and probably would have kept preaching to those poor kids if the rest of us hadn’t left him to go eat lunch.”


text:
India: Homosexuality and the Law · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Homosexuality in India is illegal because of a law that is largely part of a British legacy. Vikram Seth, a prominent author has written an open letter to the Government on the issue, and this has found consent with quite a few other prominent people. Amardeep Singh on the law, the context and the issue at hand. “Who exactly defines what is “against the order of nature”? I believe the earlier versions of the Penal Code didn't include the “explanation,” so one obvious question is whether it includes, to be quite direct, everything but the heterosexual missionary position.”


text:
Jamaica: Recording artists — wise up! · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

A recent dispute between a songwriter/performer and a record label prompts Yardflex.com to say — in good Jamaican patois — that Jamaican recording artists need to get smart about the business side of entertainment.


text:
Kenya: ruling elite and younger generation · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kumekucha has an idea about what the President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki and his closest aides think of younger generation leaders, “My firm conviction is that the younger generation in this nation will confound critics and rise to the occasion, at this, the nation’s hour of need. It does not matter what newspaper surveys say about how ignorant they are.”


text:
Knight-Batten Awards: And the winner is….. · Global Voices
Rachel Rawlins

It was appropriate that, for an award given for innovations in journalism, overseen by J-Lab (the Institute of Interactive Journalism at the University of Maryland), the news came from my colleague Georgia Popplewell at the ceremony in Washington DC via instant message to London and from there out to the Global Voices community across the world via e-mail.
Global Voices Online is the winner of the Grand Prize at the 2006 Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism. These awards:
spotlight news and information that is more than multimedia journalism. They reward novel efforts to involve citizens actively in public issues, to invite their participation and create entry points that stir their imagination and engagement. Honored are pioneering approaches to journalism that spur non-traditional interactions and that have an impact on a community.
In the case of Global Voices I think it's fair to say that the project is the community.
The judges said Global Voices is “an extraordinary site that allows for both editorial gatekeeping and wide access to news and information from underreported parts of the world“, and they also credited the writers with helping to elevate standards in the blogosphere.
This is a huge tribute to every single person involved in the Global Voices project.
Congratulations!
We were represented at the ceremony by the “GV-3″ – (from left to right) Rebecca MacKinnon, Georgia Popplewell and Alice Backer.
For further information:


text:
Lagos Book and Art Festival · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Cora has news and photos from the 8th Lagos Book and Art Festival (September 15 -17, 2006).