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Category Archives: History
German history follows me all the way to Bolivia
Zur deutschen Fassung dieses Artikels. A few days ago in Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia: The Orient Express on which I had come from San José de Chiquitos, even further in the east of the country, was delayed by an hour, so I had … Continue reading
Posted in Bolivia, German Law, Germany, History, Holocaust, Immigration Law, Law, Travel, World War II
Tagged Chulumani, German citizenship, German history, German passport, immigration, Jews, Nazis, Santa Cruz
16 Comments
When Brazil was without WhatsApp for a few hours
Crying teenagers, desperate mothers, impatience, despair, rage, destroyed relationships, suicides. All of that because a court in Brazil ordered that WhatsApp should be blocked for 48 hours. So people actually had to send e-mails to each other, to talk on … Continue reading
The allure of chess
In a civil registry office in the Soviet Union, some time in the 1960s: The men are immersed in a game of chess. The brides are bored, most of them have already fallen asleep. So, the long waits in government offices … Continue reading
Yugonostalgia
When enough years have passed since the end of a dictatorship, some people will become nostalgic. They will talk up the positive aspects of the dictatorship, forgetting about the labor camps, the political prisoners, the censorship. They will promote their … Continue reading
Posted in History, Montenegro, Photography, Politics, Travel
Tagged Cetinje, Tito, Yugoslavia
13 Comments
“Why We Lost” by Daniel Bolger
Maybe a book that promises “a general’s inside account of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and how it all went wrong” had to disappoint, but I didn’t expect it to disappoint so much. Lieutenant General Bolger sounds contrite in the introduction: … Continue reading
Berlin Wall in Lithuania
Visitors who come to Berlin often wonder: “What happened to the Berlin Wall?” I found a chunk of it in Lithuania, at Europos Parkas, an outdoor art museum. To address any suspicions about larceny: it was a gift by the Federal … Continue reading
Posted in Germany, History, Lithuania, Photography, Travel
Tagged Berlin Wall, Europos Parkas
2 Comments
How Romania got its flag
Romanians are really crazy about their flag. The blue-yellow-red banner hangs from every lamppost, in front of every building, in bakeries, doctor’s practices and in liquor stores. Because that is not enough, there is even a public holiday to celebrate … Continue reading
Belgrade and the signs of war
I have this talent to find traces of war wherever I go, but in Belgrade the task is made really easy. First of all, the city’s fortress in Kalemegdan Park houses a military museum. In addition to the permanent display of military hardware, … Continue reading
Posted in History, Military, Photography, Serbia, Travel, World War II
Tagged Belgrade, war
1 Comment
Film Review: “The Man from UNCLE”
In a summer full of yet more stupid vampire, dragon, animation, monster and trying-to-be-funny movies, you have to be thankful for any spy movie that makes waiting for the next James Bond film a bit easier. Even if it’s not a … Continue reading
The Ghetto of Venice
Venice has the dubious distinction of being home to the world’s original ghetto, the area where in 1516 all the city’s Jews were ordered to move to. This came on top of other economic and social restraints, although the oppression was still … Continue reading
Posted in History, Holocaust, Italy, Photography, Religion, Travel
Tagged ghetto, Jews, Venice
8 Comments
The Happy Hermit 