From here (sorry for the imperfect translation):
http://hasid.livejournal.com/986075.html
"...It is easy to predict what will happen to Russian LiveJournal in 3 years – by year 20012. Russian LJ will consist of 4 segments, with almost no overlapping.
The first segment will consist of public officers and their teams (everything as at Mironov’s who is a brave man who publicly disclosed the mechanism of this activity). Some will have smaller teams, anothers will have at their disposal larger teams, depending on the rank (the “young” President Medvedev’s LJ team, for example, consists of 12 persons). But all the officials from the mayor of the town and above will be obliged to do blogging.
That is, in this segment there will be a total of tens of thousands of accounts (and respectively, 3-4 times more "blogging Negroes” who will actually manually type phrase and comments of what officials would say and "to monitor the blogosphere". Perhaps in this case Russia will invent a new kind of welfare in the world and employ here tens of thousands of clerks). It is clear that these people are not used to and will never get used to speak on equal terms with the nation - in this case with us, ordinary people-bloggers. So, here we shall see tightening the screws. i.e. to censor LJ somehow, to use the Article 282th of the Criminal Code, etc.
(Russian LiveJournal businessmen - from the top: medium to large can be included into the same segment; a person like Chemezov via hands of his PR deparmtent will tell everybody how to live and work).
The second segment - is "ours Petrosyan-like” (Russian-Armenian public low-level humourous artist), what is now called "blogs for hamsters". The examples are the LJs of Lebedev, Tinkov and others like they. It can be compared with today's Russian TV programs like Comedy Club","Dom-2"and other serials like" Ranetki " and in the printed media - the Russian newspapers "Life", ”KP” and other yellow newspapers. Practically, it is cyberpunk.
The third segment - is a "platypus". This corresponds to approaches of small and medium businesses in the real Russia-2009: "to steal the idea in the West and adapt it to Russia," or “to capture the old Soviet enterprise and squeeze everything out of it without reserves" etc. But this segment may have high quality Russian LiveJournal blogs (with an adjustment that the network audience still qualitatively higher than in the corresponding auidience of Russia-2009). Someone, indeed, will exploit "platypus" in the following manner: 1 ad per 1-2 interesting and "working" blog post. Someone starts blogging as clippings (like the current blogger Drugoi) and will post not just "hot" photos, but something found in the archives, to complement their own research. Another will buy antique books and post their scans, etc. But overall, I think the ratio of “working bloggers” and “add to the friend list for food” be 1:1000 or even more (the same ratio as the ratio between “quality” and "junk" mass media in Russia-2009 or between innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and the typical Russian “sucking money” business).
Finally, there will be marginalized "honest men" niche of bloggers - this is the fourth segment. These will be blogs of those persons who are neither officials, nor cyberpunks, and nor businessmen. And every month their share will diminish – some shall crawl over to Verbitsky’s blog, or to any other community (in Russia-2009 it corresponds to "emigrate"), others shall go to work as "blogging Negro" for an official (who has gone into the power - to lift Russia from the knees"), or shall become a "platypus" ("it-is-necessary-to- get-money-for-life!"). Those who ill stay in ghetto shall squabble with each other, receiving "from experience" stomach ulcer, stroke, and finally the coffin. Just a small portion shall go to the extreme escapism (from crafting kids toys to other unusual habits).
All of this does already exist here and now, but while these segments are still connected by some thin threads, illusions "about the future" are alive.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Journalists talk their differences and search for dialogue
Published 09 December, 2009, 13:22
http://rt.com/Top_News/2009-12-09/european-asian-media-forum.html?fullstory
A major forum of European and Asian media has started in Moscow.
The annual event is organized by RIA Novosti news agency, which has brought it to the Russian capital for the first time. The gathering joins around 150 top media managers from the former Soviet and Baltic states. “There is a long-felt need for open and professional dialogue,” RIA Novosti Editor-in-Chief Svetlana Mironyuk said ahead of the conference.
The forum’s moderator, deputy chief of Rossiya TV channel Sergey Brilev agrees:
“Despite having been brothers, we are not just different mentally and politically now, we are different professionally,” he told RT. “It is of paramount importance to actually start exchanging things. We haven’t been exchanging our news agenda in the past several years.”
President Medvedev arrived at midday. After delivering a short welcoming speech, he then answered a series of questions from foreign journalists.
“Modern, up-to-date media, staffed with qualified personnel are, in my opinion, the main characteristic of an independent and strong state. I am absolutely sure of that,” Dmitry Medvedev said.
Questions came from the representatives of the former Soviet states, namely Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Lithuania, Moldova, as well as Israel.
The forum has also provided common ground for Russian-speaking people, former member of the European parliament and journalist Guilietto Chiesa told RT.
“The question is very important not only because it is a great heritage from the Soviet times, but it is also a reality. The Russian language is a common language for millions of people not only in Russia, but outside also,” Chiesa observed.
The issue of journalists being killed in Russia hasn’t been raised at the Media Forum, but the situation is alarming, Jim Boumelha, president of the International Federation of Journalists, told RT.
Over 1,000 journalists have been killed all over the world, the Federation has estimated. That means two journalists die every week.
The death toll of people involved in media in Russia is grim, Boumelha said. “There is a huge crisis of impunity,” he said. “Only a small fraction of the killers are ever brought to justice and I would have thought that with these kinds of facts it would be a very hot issue being discussed by the media leaders.”
(P.S. Medvedev's speach at the forum is here:
http://rt.com/Politics/2009-12-09/medvedev-media-forum-address.html)
Published 09 December, 2009, 13:22
http://rt.com/Top_News/2009-12-09/european-asian-media-forum.html?fullstory
A major forum of European and Asian media has started in Moscow.
The annual event is organized by RIA Novosti news agency, which has brought it to the Russian capital for the first time. The gathering joins around 150 top media managers from the former Soviet and Baltic states. “There is a long-felt need for open and professional dialogue,” RIA Novosti Editor-in-Chief Svetlana Mironyuk said ahead of the conference.
The forum’s moderator, deputy chief of Rossiya TV channel Sergey Brilev agrees:
“Despite having been brothers, we are not just different mentally and politically now, we are different professionally,” he told RT. “It is of paramount importance to actually start exchanging things. We haven’t been exchanging our news agenda in the past several years.”
President Medvedev arrived at midday. After delivering a short welcoming speech, he then answered a series of questions from foreign journalists.
“Modern, up-to-date media, staffed with qualified personnel are, in my opinion, the main characteristic of an independent and strong state. I am absolutely sure of that,” Dmitry Medvedev said.
Questions came from the representatives of the former Soviet states, namely Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Lithuania, Moldova, as well as Israel.
The forum has also provided common ground for Russian-speaking people, former member of the European parliament and journalist Guilietto Chiesa told RT.
“The question is very important not only because it is a great heritage from the Soviet times, but it is also a reality. The Russian language is a common language for millions of people not only in Russia, but outside also,” Chiesa observed.
The issue of journalists being killed in Russia hasn’t been raised at the Media Forum, but the situation is alarming, Jim Boumelha, president of the International Federation of Journalists, told RT.
Over 1,000 journalists have been killed all over the world, the Federation has estimated. That means two journalists die every week.
The death toll of people involved in media in Russia is grim, Boumelha said. “There is a huge crisis of impunity,” he said. “Only a small fraction of the killers are ever brought to justice and I would have thought that with these kinds of facts it would be a very hot issue being discussed by the media leaders.”
(P.S. Medvedev's speach at the forum is here:
http://rt.com/Politics/2009-12-09/medvedev-media-forum-address.html)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
...we did not help them formulate their questions
from here:
Putin: Yes, I May Run Again. Thanks for Asking
By Simon Shuster Wednesday, Dec. 09, 2009
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946505,00.html
... As with many high-profile political campaigns in the West, little is left to chance at the upper echelons of Russia's leadership, especially when the Prime Minister's image makers want to send a message to the public. Which is why, says Andrei Kryukov, a student who asked Putin about his plans for the 2012 elections, he had been steered by Putin's press service and coached for two days before the live show went on the air. Putin's answer to Kryukov's question and one other was clear and direct. Yes, he told the millions of viewers watching the show, he would think about running for President again. And no, nobody should hold their breath for his giving up power.
If the Q&A session is anything to go by, Russia's democracy will probably stay tightly choreographed. "It was very well organized," says Kryukov of the rehearsals for the show. "They gathered together people from various institutes across the country, and one of those was our institute," he says, referring to the St. Petersburg State Mining Institute, which he has studied at since 2005.
Kryukov, a graduate student in open pit mine development, says he and four classmates caught a train to Moscow and were housed at a resort outside the capital that is owned by the Russian State Technology University. "That's where all the students were taken. They treated us really well. We didn't pay for any of it," he says. Rehearsals for the program lasted two days and were organized by Putin's press service and producers from the state-owned Vesti television channel. "We had other questions, ones that were more relevant to us, about mining, about the education system and so on," Kryukov says. "Then it was decided that the question should be more general, more significant. So that's how it came out."
In a statement to TIME, Putin's press service said it had helped state TV producers organize the event and rehearsals but had not helped select questions. "Of course we did not help them formulate their questions. People asked their questions on their own and chose what questions they would ask," the statement said...
Putin: Yes, I May Run Again. Thanks for Asking
By Simon Shuster Wednesday, Dec. 09, 2009
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946505,00.html
... As with many high-profile political campaigns in the West, little is left to chance at the upper echelons of Russia's leadership, especially when the Prime Minister's image makers want to send a message to the public. Which is why, says Andrei Kryukov, a student who asked Putin about his plans for the 2012 elections, he had been steered by Putin's press service and coached for two days before the live show went on the air. Putin's answer to Kryukov's question and one other was clear and direct. Yes, he told the millions of viewers watching the show, he would think about running for President again. And no, nobody should hold their breath for his giving up power.
If the Q&A session is anything to go by, Russia's democracy will probably stay tightly choreographed. "It was very well organized," says Kryukov of the rehearsals for the show. "They gathered together people from various institutes across the country, and one of those was our institute," he says, referring to the St. Petersburg State Mining Institute, which he has studied at since 2005.
Kryukov, a graduate student in open pit mine development, says he and four classmates caught a train to Moscow and were housed at a resort outside the capital that is owned by the Russian State Technology University. "That's where all the students were taken. They treated us really well. We didn't pay for any of it," he says. Rehearsals for the program lasted two days and were organized by Putin's press service and producers from the state-owned Vesti television channel. "We had other questions, ones that were more relevant to us, about mining, about the education system and so on," Kryukov says. "Then it was decided that the question should be more general, more significant. So that's how it came out."
In a statement to TIME, Putin's press service said it had helped state TV producers organize the event and rehearsals but had not helped select questions. "Of course we did not help them formulate their questions. People asked their questions on their own and chose what questions they would ask," the statement said...
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Former NHL and Olympic star Slava Fetisov is coming out of retirement at age 51 to play for CSKA Moscow
December 10, 2009, 12:09 PM ET
Fetisov to play for CSKA Moscow
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4730664
MOSCOW -- Former NHL and Olympic star Slava Fetisov is coming out of retirement at age 51 to play for CSKA Moscow in a competitive game in the Continental Hockey League on Friday.
Fetisov ended his professional career in 1998 at age 40, and went on to become a lawmaker with Federation Council and president of CSKA.
When the club needed another defender after Denis Kulyash was injured, coach Sergei Nemchinov turned to the front office for help. Rather than finding a short-term replacement, though, one of the best defensemen Russia ever produced agreed to fill in.
"We urgently need one more defender," Nemchinov said. "Fetisov practices constantly and has agreed to help the team. We just need to settle some legal procedures."
It won't be the first time that Fetisov played for the Russian club. He began his career with CSKA in 1978 and played through the 1988-89 season, when he signed with the New Jersey Devils. Fetisov went on to win Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.
Fetisov is one of the most decorated players in international hockey, helping his country win gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo and the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. He was also on the team that won silver in 1980 at Lake Placid, when the United States shocked the USSR in the game dubbed the "Miracle on Ice."
Fetisov also won seven gold medals, one silver and two bronzes at the World Championships, and served as head coach of the Russian national team that won bronze at the 2002 Olympics.
Fetisov will be the first Russian ice hockey player to play at age 51, although playing at that age is not unprecedented. Gordie Howe played the entire season for the Hartford Whalers at 51, scoring 15 goals and making 26 assists during the 1979-80 NHL season.
Fetisov to play for CSKA Moscow
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4730664
MOSCOW -- Former NHL and Olympic star Slava Fetisov is coming out of retirement at age 51 to play for CSKA Moscow in a competitive game in the Continental Hockey League on Friday.
Fetisov ended his professional career in 1998 at age 40, and went on to become a lawmaker with Federation Council and president of CSKA.
When the club needed another defender after Denis Kulyash was injured, coach Sergei Nemchinov turned to the front office for help. Rather than finding a short-term replacement, though, one of the best defensemen Russia ever produced agreed to fill in.
"We urgently need one more defender," Nemchinov said. "Fetisov practices constantly and has agreed to help the team. We just need to settle some legal procedures."
It won't be the first time that Fetisov played for the Russian club. He began his career with CSKA in 1978 and played through the 1988-89 season, when he signed with the New Jersey Devils. Fetisov went on to win Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.
Fetisov is one of the most decorated players in international hockey, helping his country win gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo and the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. He was also on the team that won silver in 1980 at Lake Placid, when the United States shocked the USSR in the game dubbed the "Miracle on Ice."
Fetisov also won seven gold medals, one silver and two bronzes at the World Championships, and served as head coach of the Russian national team that won bronze at the 2002 Olympics.
Fetisov will be the first Russian ice hockey player to play at age 51, although playing at that age is not unprecedented. Gordie Howe played the entire season for the Hartford Whalers at 51, scoring 15 goals and making 26 assists during the 1979-80 NHL season.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Sky News about Ohta Tower in St. Petersburg: Russian Skyscraper Will Ruin Historic City
Russian Skyscraper 'Will Ruin Historic City'
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Row-Breaks-Out-In-Russia-As-Work-Begins-On-Worlds-Tallest-Skyscraper-In-St-Peterburg-Gazprom-Tower/Article/200911415466049?lpos=World_News_Third_Home_Page_Feature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15466049_Row_Breaks_Out_In_Russia_As_Work_Begins_On_Worlds_Tallest_Skyscraper_In_St_Peterburg%2C_Gazprom_Tower
6:37pm UK, Wednesday November 25, 2009
Amanda Walker, Moscow correspondent
A row's broken out in St Petersburg as work has begun on what is set to be Europe's tallest skyscraper.
The Gazprom Tower has sparked violent opposition among those who say it will ruin the city's architecture. Few places in the world take heritage more seriously than St Petersburg. Its architecture is its very essence.
Now looming over the elegant grandeur is a threat that could shatter the baroque vista and steal the city's UNESCO world heritage status. At 102m the golden-domed St Isaac's Cathedral is one of the highest buildings in the city. It would be dwarfed by the tower which would stand four times higher and provide a stark contrast to the city's almost uninterrupted architectural style.
The project's chief architect Filipp Nikandrov says the city cannot be a museum: "Each century left its monument: the Peter and Paul Cathedral was about religion, the TV tower was about mass media. "This is about energy, this is a new symbol of the city. Its all about energy."
Violent scenes erupted at a public hearing where residents voiced their anger at what they say is sheer arrogance. Russia's most powerful state owned company forging ahead with a plan that will benefit nothing but itself.
Director of the Hermitage Gallery Mikhail Piotrovsky told Sky News: "The Gazprom sky scraper is not an idea, it's a big symbol - a symbol of the terrible things that are happening around the world when money dictates the taste of architecture and destroys historical cities."
Critics claim the tower will loom over inhabitants and visitors on every street corner. The architects say this is a misrepresentation and at 5km from the centre the view will be far less prominent.
The construction site sits on an ancient fort. Archaeologists have discovered valuable artefacts but there is little question that this will hamper the project.
In a country where the state still rules, it's unclear whether any opposition or argument, no matter how strong, can actually win through.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Row-Breaks-Out-In-Russia-As-Work-Begins-On-Worlds-Tallest-Skyscraper-In-St-Peterburg-Gazprom-Tower/Article/200911415466049?lpos=World_News_Third_Home_Page_Feature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15466049_Row_Breaks_Out_In_Russia_As_Work_Begins_On_Worlds_Tallest_Skyscraper_In_St_Peterburg%2C_Gazprom_Tower
6:37pm UK, Wednesday November 25, 2009
Amanda Walker, Moscow correspondent
A row's broken out in St Petersburg as work has begun on what is set to be Europe's tallest skyscraper.
The Gazprom Tower has sparked violent opposition among those who say it will ruin the city's architecture. Few places in the world take heritage more seriously than St Petersburg. Its architecture is its very essence.
Now looming over the elegant grandeur is a threat that could shatter the baroque vista and steal the city's UNESCO world heritage status. At 102m the golden-domed St Isaac's Cathedral is one of the highest buildings in the city. It would be dwarfed by the tower which would stand four times higher and provide a stark contrast to the city's almost uninterrupted architectural style.
The project's chief architect Filipp Nikandrov says the city cannot be a museum: "Each century left its monument: the Peter and Paul Cathedral was about religion, the TV tower was about mass media. "This is about energy, this is a new symbol of the city. Its all about energy."
Violent scenes erupted at a public hearing where residents voiced their anger at what they say is sheer arrogance. Russia's most powerful state owned company forging ahead with a plan that will benefit nothing but itself.
Director of the Hermitage Gallery Mikhail Piotrovsky told Sky News: "The Gazprom sky scraper is not an idea, it's a big symbol - a symbol of the terrible things that are happening around the world when money dictates the taste of architecture and destroys historical cities."
Critics claim the tower will loom over inhabitants and visitors on every street corner. The architects say this is a misrepresentation and at 5km from the centre the view will be far less prominent.
The construction site sits on an ancient fort. Archaeologists have discovered valuable artefacts but there is little question that this will hamper the project.
In a country where the state still rules, it's unclear whether any opposition or argument, no matter how strong, can actually win through.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Minarets: a debate that could affect the France
Minarets: a debate that could affect the France
Cécilia Gabizon
30/11/2009
France has this day ten minarets of mosques which cap "cathedrals".
The Swiss referendum could bounce back in France. The secretary general of the UMP, Xavier Bertrand said Sunday he was "not sure we necessarily need to have minarets" to practice Islam. In turn, Marine Le Pen called the "elites to deny the aspirations and fears of European peoples."
To date, France has less than ten minarets. All adorns mosques called "cathedrals". So far, this tower, which serves to initiate the call to prayer in Muslim lands, did not debate. The minaret, silent here, seemed perceived as an ornament, but a banner. The tower whitewashed the Great Mosque of Paris climbs to 30 feet, without causing the commotion. While in Creteil, it reaches 25 meters. In Strasbourg, the minaret is forgotten for the moment, lack of resources. But "if the community wants, it will have its minaret, is committed Roland Ries, the deputy mayor PS, November 27. While the future mosque in Marseille has provided his.
Light ray
So far, the sling antimosquée focused instead on "distortions of secularism." In Montreuil Marseille as some have accused the municipality to finance projects unduly mosque "through the system of long leases. The judges have generally upheld a rent too low could amount to the grant of a cult.
More recently, groups of "identity" that fear "Islamization" entered the battle. But the lawsuit is complex. Some mayors opposed to the presence of a mosque in their city have had their arguments retoques. The State Council has held that such "construction of a mosque in a residential area" did not impair his peace. In Bordeaux, the block was pulled down identity on media activities to challenge the project supported by the UMP mayor Alain Juppé. In January, they have awakened the residents of the district's registered a muezzin. "Here, in a few months, every day, week, Sundays and holidays, the sweet song of the muezzin sounded the hour of waking up ..." could be read on their leaflets. The imam of Bordeaux, Tareq Oubrou, was then corrected: "In France this call is not inside the building. The minaret is not a religious obligation and the mosque project in Bordeaux do not provide. "Indeed, this invention does not date back to Muhammad but the end of the first century of the Hegira. Marseilles, it has provided a ray of light to indicate the hours of prayer.
"Nobody calls the muezzin," assured we at Ministry of Interior. It would in any way "subject to the power of the mayor, like bells." The aedile must "assess the noise and take the necessary measures to ensure the peace of his town," according to the Code of communities. Finally, cathedrals, mosques are the exception, said the office of worship. Who prefers to stress "the new trend: some 200 mosques communal projects, like the flag, without minaret. A model considered "pragmatic". Financially and politically.
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\Original text is here:
http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2009/11/30/01016-20091130ARTFIG00387-minarets-un-debat-qui-pourrait-concerner-la-france-.php
Minarets : un débat qui pourrait concerner la France
Cécilia Gabizon
30/11/2009
La France compte à ce jour dix minarets qui coiffent des mosquées «cathédrales».
Le référendum suisse pourrait bien rebondir en France. Le secrétaire général de l'UMP, Xavier Bertrand, a estimé dimanche, qu'il n'était «pas certain que l'on ait forcément besoin de minarets» pour pratiquer l'islam. De son côté, Marine Le Pen a demandé aux «élites de cesser de nier les aspirations et les craintes des peuples européens».
À ce jour, la France compte moins de dix minarets. Tous coiffent des mosquées dites «cathédrales». Jusqu'à présent, cette tour, qui sert à lancer l'appel à la prière en terre musulmane, ne faisait guère débat. Le minaret, muet ici, semblait perçu comme un ornement, plus qu'une bannière. La tour blanchie à la chaux de la grande mosquée de Paris grimpe à 30 mètres, sans susciter l'émoi. Tandis qu'à Créteil, elle atteint 25 mètres. À Strasbourg, le minaret est oublié pour l'instant, faute de moyens. Mais «si la communauté le souhaite, elle aura son minaret», s'est engagé Roland Ries, le député maire PS, le 27 novembre. Tandis que la future grande mosquée de Marseille a prévu le sien.
Rayon lumineux
Jusqu'à présent, la fronde antimosquée portait plutôt sur les «entorses à la laïcité». À Montreuil comme à Marseille, certains ont accusé la municipalité de financer indûment les projets de mosquée «à travers le système de baux emphytéotique». Les juges ont généralement confirmé qu'un loyer trop peu élevé pouvait s'apparenter à la subvention d'un culte.
Plus récemment, des groupes «identitaires» qui redoutent «l'islamisation» sont entrés dans la bataille. Mais l'action en justice est complexe. Certains maires hostiles à la présence d'une mosquée dans leur ville ont vu leurs arguments retoqués. Le Conseil d'État a par exemple jugé que «la construction d'une mosquée dans une zone résidentielle» ne portait pas atteinte à sa tranquillité. À Bordeaux, le bloc identitaire s'est rabattu sur des actions médiatiques pour contester le projet soutenu par le maire UMP Alain Juppé. En janvier dernier, ils ont réveillé les habitants du quartier au son d'un muezzin enregistré. «Ici, dans quelques mois, tous les matins, semaine, dimanche et jours fériés, le doux chant du muezzin sonnera l'heure de se réveiller…», pouvait-on lire sur leurs tracts. L'imam de Bordeaux, Tareq Oubrou, avait alors rectifié : «En France cet appel ne se fait qu'à l'intérieur du bâtiment. Le minaret n'est pas une obligation religieuse et le projet de mosquée à Bordeaux n'en prévoit pas.» De fait, cette invention ne date pas de Mahomet mais remonte de la fin du premier siècle de l'Hégire. Marseille, elle, a prévu un rayon lumineux pour signaler les heures de prières.
«Personne ne réclame le muezzin», assure-t-on au ministère de l'Intérieur. Il serait de toute façon «soumis au pouvoir du maire, comme pour les cloches». L'édile doit «apprécier la nuisance sonore et prendre les mesures nécessaires pour assurer la tranquillité publique de sa commune», selon le Code des collectivités . Enfin, les mosquées cathédrales restent l'exception, rappelle le bureau des cultes. Qui préfère insister sur «la nouvelle tendance : les quelque 200 projets de mosquées communales, de type pavillon, sans minaret». Un modèle jugé «plus pragmatique». Financièrement, comme politiquement.
LIRE AUSSI
Cécilia Gabizon
30/11/2009
France has this day ten minarets of mosques which cap "cathedrals".
The Swiss referendum could bounce back in France. The secretary general of the UMP, Xavier Bertrand said Sunday he was "not sure we necessarily need to have minarets" to practice Islam. In turn, Marine Le Pen called the "elites to deny the aspirations and fears of European peoples."
To date, France has less than ten minarets. All adorns mosques called "cathedrals". So far, this tower, which serves to initiate the call to prayer in Muslim lands, did not debate. The minaret, silent here, seemed perceived as an ornament, but a banner. The tower whitewashed the Great Mosque of Paris climbs to 30 feet, without causing the commotion. While in Creteil, it reaches 25 meters. In Strasbourg, the minaret is forgotten for the moment, lack of resources. But "if the community wants, it will have its minaret, is committed Roland Ries, the deputy mayor PS, November 27. While the future mosque in Marseille has provided his.
Light ray
So far, the sling antimosquée focused instead on "distortions of secularism." In Montreuil Marseille as some have accused the municipality to finance projects unduly mosque "through the system of long leases. The judges have generally upheld a rent too low could amount to the grant of a cult.
More recently, groups of "identity" that fear "Islamization" entered the battle. But the lawsuit is complex. Some mayors opposed to the presence of a mosque in their city have had their arguments retoques. The State Council has held that such "construction of a mosque in a residential area" did not impair his peace. In Bordeaux, the block was pulled down identity on media activities to challenge the project supported by the UMP mayor Alain Juppé. In January, they have awakened the residents of the district's registered a muezzin. "Here, in a few months, every day, week, Sundays and holidays, the sweet song of the muezzin sounded the hour of waking up ..." could be read on their leaflets. The imam of Bordeaux, Tareq Oubrou, was then corrected: "In France this call is not inside the building. The minaret is not a religious obligation and the mosque project in Bordeaux do not provide. "Indeed, this invention does not date back to Muhammad but the end of the first century of the Hegira. Marseilles, it has provided a ray of light to indicate the hours of prayer.
"Nobody calls the muezzin," assured we at Ministry of Interior. It would in any way "subject to the power of the mayor, like bells." The aedile must "assess the noise and take the necessary measures to ensure the peace of his town," according to the Code of communities. Finally, cathedrals, mosques are the exception, said the office of worship. Who prefers to stress "the new trend: some 200 mosques communal projects, like the flag, without minaret. A model considered "pragmatic". Financially and politically.
------------
\Original text is here:
http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2009/11/30/01016-20091130ARTFIG00387-minarets-un-debat-qui-pourrait-concerner-la-france-.php
Minarets : un débat qui pourrait concerner la France
Cécilia Gabizon
30/11/2009
La France compte à ce jour dix minarets qui coiffent des mosquées «cathédrales».
Le référendum suisse pourrait bien rebondir en France. Le secrétaire général de l'UMP, Xavier Bertrand, a estimé dimanche, qu'il n'était «pas certain que l'on ait forcément besoin de minarets» pour pratiquer l'islam. De son côté, Marine Le Pen a demandé aux «élites de cesser de nier les aspirations et les craintes des peuples européens».
À ce jour, la France compte moins de dix minarets. Tous coiffent des mosquées dites «cathédrales». Jusqu'à présent, cette tour, qui sert à lancer l'appel à la prière en terre musulmane, ne faisait guère débat. Le minaret, muet ici, semblait perçu comme un ornement, plus qu'une bannière. La tour blanchie à la chaux de la grande mosquée de Paris grimpe à 30 mètres, sans susciter l'émoi. Tandis qu'à Créteil, elle atteint 25 mètres. À Strasbourg, le minaret est oublié pour l'instant, faute de moyens. Mais «si la communauté le souhaite, elle aura son minaret», s'est engagé Roland Ries, le député maire PS, le 27 novembre. Tandis que la future grande mosquée de Marseille a prévu le sien.
Rayon lumineux
Jusqu'à présent, la fronde antimosquée portait plutôt sur les «entorses à la laïcité». À Montreuil comme à Marseille, certains ont accusé la municipalité de financer indûment les projets de mosquée «à travers le système de baux emphytéotique». Les juges ont généralement confirmé qu'un loyer trop peu élevé pouvait s'apparenter à la subvention d'un culte.
Plus récemment, des groupes «identitaires» qui redoutent «l'islamisation» sont entrés dans la bataille. Mais l'action en justice est complexe. Certains maires hostiles à la présence d'une mosquée dans leur ville ont vu leurs arguments retoqués. Le Conseil d'État a par exemple jugé que «la construction d'une mosquée dans une zone résidentielle» ne portait pas atteinte à sa tranquillité. À Bordeaux, le bloc identitaire s'est rabattu sur des actions médiatiques pour contester le projet soutenu par le maire UMP Alain Juppé. En janvier dernier, ils ont réveillé les habitants du quartier au son d'un muezzin enregistré. «Ici, dans quelques mois, tous les matins, semaine, dimanche et jours fériés, le doux chant du muezzin sonnera l'heure de se réveiller…», pouvait-on lire sur leurs tracts. L'imam de Bordeaux, Tareq Oubrou, avait alors rectifié : «En France cet appel ne se fait qu'à l'intérieur du bâtiment. Le minaret n'est pas une obligation religieuse et le projet de mosquée à Bordeaux n'en prévoit pas.» De fait, cette invention ne date pas de Mahomet mais remonte de la fin du premier siècle de l'Hégire. Marseille, elle, a prévu un rayon lumineux pour signaler les heures de prières.
«Personne ne réclame le muezzin», assure-t-on au ministère de l'Intérieur. Il serait de toute façon «soumis au pouvoir du maire, comme pour les cloches». L'édile doit «apprécier la nuisance sonore et prendre les mesures nécessaires pour assurer la tranquillité publique de sa commune», selon le Code des collectivités . Enfin, les mosquées cathédrales restent l'exception, rappelle le bureau des cultes. Qui préfère insister sur «la nouvelle tendance : les quelque 200 projets de mosquées communales, de type pavillon, sans minaret». Un modèle jugé «plus pragmatique». Financièrement, comme politiquement.
LIRE AUSSI
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Who Runs Russia, Anyway?
Who Runs Russia, Anyway?
http://trudolyubov.livejournal.com/47159.html
Published by the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times online, November 19-20. Maxim Trudolyubov, editorial page editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti, is currently a world fellow at Yale University.
"I’ve been in America for several months on a fellowship, and I’m often asked about Russia. Only the question is always the same: What is the relationship between Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev?..
... The key difference between Mr. Putin and Mr. Medvedev is that they work with different audiences.Mr. Putin’s audience is mostly people with a low to middle income who are dependent on the government for their salaries and pensions. Middle-aged and senior citizens — people who lived a large part of their lives as citizens of a great power — are well represented. Most of them watch television regularly.Mr. Medvedev’s base consists of people of middle and higher income. They live in cities, travel abroad and do not depend on the government for their income. People in their 20s and 30s are well represented. They cannot imagine a life without a market economy or modern technology. Many of them do not watch TV, but they do use the Internet extensively.Another important part of Mr. Medvedev’s audience is the international community. President Medvedev works “for export”; Prime Minister Putin, even when he speaks abroad, is talking for domestic consumption.This is a crude division. The two groups overlap. There are older people in Mr. Medvedev’s audience and younger people in Mr. Putin’s. But the groups are distinct. Hence the divergence between Mr. Medvedev’s and Mr. Putin’s comments on many issues — a difference that may seem political but is in fact tactical...
... Mr. Putin’s and Mr. Medvedev’s views may sound opposing because the two politicians are working to appease two different social groups. Power politics, pride in Russia’s entire history, taking a hard-line on foreigners — these are all winning points for Mr. Putin. Awareness of the country’s problems and a critical stance toward the role of the state in the economy are winning points for Mr. Medvedev.Mr. Putin’s audience is larger, as is his resource base. This is why Mr. Putin is doing more than he is saying, while Mr. Medvedev is saying more than he is doing. Mr. Medvedev’s role is to soothe the middle class and successful people who are frustrated with the government’s inefficiency and corruption. But this does not mean that he is allowed to act on his agenda. He is only allowed to voice it and publicize it, which does sometimes amount to criticizing policies of Mr. Putin’s presidency (no small feat in itself).Why? Mr. Medvedev’s audience is growing. More and more people are frustrated with corruption and inadequate public services. At the same time, Internet penetration of Russia is growing at 18 percent to 20 percent a year.Mr. Putin is well aware of this and encourages Mr. Medvedev to raise issues that are constantly debated in the blogosphere and across social networks. But Mr. Putin knows that his audience is much larger, and that most of it relies on television as its main source of information and opinion. This is why very little of what Mr. Medvedev says has any chance of being implemented. He is entrusted with control over discussion, not action. Mr. Medvedev’s comments resonate well with me. But after so many years of state-sponsored P.R. it is difficult to tell whether he sincerely believes what he is saying. If he is for real, Mr. Medvedev still has to prove that he means what he says.
http://trudolyubov.livejournal.com/47159.html
Published by the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times online, November 19-20. Maxim Trudolyubov, editorial page editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti, is currently a world fellow at Yale University.
"I’ve been in America for several months on a fellowship, and I’m often asked about Russia. Only the question is always the same: What is the relationship between Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev?..
... The key difference between Mr. Putin and Mr. Medvedev is that they work with different audiences.Mr. Putin’s audience is mostly people with a low to middle income who are dependent on the government for their salaries and pensions. Middle-aged and senior citizens — people who lived a large part of their lives as citizens of a great power — are well represented. Most of them watch television regularly.Mr. Medvedev’s base consists of people of middle and higher income. They live in cities, travel abroad and do not depend on the government for their income. People in their 20s and 30s are well represented. They cannot imagine a life without a market economy or modern technology. Many of them do not watch TV, but they do use the Internet extensively.Another important part of Mr. Medvedev’s audience is the international community. President Medvedev works “for export”; Prime Minister Putin, even when he speaks abroad, is talking for domestic consumption.This is a crude division. The two groups overlap. There are older people in Mr. Medvedev’s audience and younger people in Mr. Putin’s. But the groups are distinct. Hence the divergence between Mr. Medvedev’s and Mr. Putin’s comments on many issues — a difference that may seem political but is in fact tactical...
... Mr. Putin’s and Mr. Medvedev’s views may sound opposing because the two politicians are working to appease two different social groups. Power politics, pride in Russia’s entire history, taking a hard-line on foreigners — these are all winning points for Mr. Putin. Awareness of the country’s problems and a critical stance toward the role of the state in the economy are winning points for Mr. Medvedev.Mr. Putin’s audience is larger, as is his resource base. This is why Mr. Putin is doing more than he is saying, while Mr. Medvedev is saying more than he is doing. Mr. Medvedev’s role is to soothe the middle class and successful people who are frustrated with the government’s inefficiency and corruption. But this does not mean that he is allowed to act on his agenda. He is only allowed to voice it and publicize it, which does sometimes amount to criticizing policies of Mr. Putin’s presidency (no small feat in itself).Why? Mr. Medvedev’s audience is growing. More and more people are frustrated with corruption and inadequate public services. At the same time, Internet penetration of Russia is growing at 18 percent to 20 percent a year.Mr. Putin is well aware of this and encourages Mr. Medvedev to raise issues that are constantly debated in the blogosphere and across social networks. But Mr. Putin knows that his audience is much larger, and that most of it relies on television as its main source of information and opinion. This is why very little of what Mr. Medvedev says has any chance of being implemented. He is entrusted with control over discussion, not action. Mr. Medvedev’s comments resonate well with me. But after so many years of state-sponsored P.R. it is difficult to tell whether he sincerely believes what he is saying. If he is for real, Mr. Medvedev still has to prove that he means what he says.
NY Times about censorship at (Russian) St. Petersburg State University
Russian Professors Chafe at Scholarly Screening
Published: October 27, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/world/europe/28petersburg.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Word spread this month among the faculty members of St. Petersburg State University: According to a document signed on Oct. 1, they have to submit their work to administrators for permission before publishing it abroad or presenting it at overseas conferences.
The order, which was circulated internally and made its way onto a popular Internet forum, says professors must provide their academic department with copies of texts to be made public outside Russia, so that they can be reviewed for violation of intellectual property laws or potential danger to national security.
Administrators say they are simply bringing the university into line with Russia’s 1999 law on export control, passed after a decade in which some impoverished scientists sold strategic technology to foreign customers. But some professors are protesting, saying such a system is unheard of in Russian universities — and could be a step toward broader academic censorship...
Follow-up:
Major University in Russia Eases Fears on Rules
Published: November 1, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/world/europe/02russia.html?_r=2&hpw
MOSCOW — The authorities at St. Petersburg State University issued a statement last week announcing that researchers in the humanities and social sciences would not be required to submit to an export-control screening before publishing their work overseas, easing fears that new procedures would constrain academic freedom.
Professors at the prestigious Russian university raised objections in early October, when an internal university document was posted on a popular Internet forum. The document called for faculty members to provide copies of texts to be published abroad so that they could be reviewed for violations of intellectual property law or danger to national security.
Some professors responded with alarm, warning that bureaucratic barriers could hamper their efforts to publish and travel abroad, and fearing the requirement was a step toward greater academic censorship.
A statement released by the university on Friday explained that the export-control procedures applied only to research involving “dual-use technology,” nonmilitary techniques that could have military applications. Russia’s export-control law, passed in 1999, was intended to stem the flow of strategic research out of the country during the chaotic decade after the fall of Communism...
Published: October 27, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/world/europe/28petersburg.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Word spread this month among the faculty members of St. Petersburg State University: According to a document signed on Oct. 1, they have to submit their work to administrators for permission before publishing it abroad or presenting it at overseas conferences.
The order, which was circulated internally and made its way onto a popular Internet forum, says professors must provide their academic department with copies of texts to be made public outside Russia, so that they can be reviewed for violation of intellectual property laws or potential danger to national security.
Administrators say they are simply bringing the university into line with Russia’s 1999 law on export control, passed after a decade in which some impoverished scientists sold strategic technology to foreign customers. But some professors are protesting, saying such a system is unheard of in Russian universities — and could be a step toward broader academic censorship...
Follow-up:
Major University in Russia Eases Fears on Rules
Published: November 1, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/world/europe/02russia.html?_r=2&hpw
MOSCOW — The authorities at St. Petersburg State University issued a statement last week announcing that researchers in the humanities and social sciences would not be required to submit to an export-control screening before publishing their work overseas, easing fears that new procedures would constrain academic freedom.
Professors at the prestigious Russian university raised objections in early October, when an internal university document was posted on a popular Internet forum. The document called for faculty members to provide copies of texts to be published abroad so that they could be reviewed for violations of intellectual property law or danger to national security.
Some professors responded with alarm, warning that bureaucratic barriers could hamper their efforts to publish and travel abroad, and fearing the requirement was a step toward greater academic censorship.
A statement released by the university on Friday explained that the export-control procedures applied only to research involving “dual-use technology,” nonmilitary techniques that could have military applications. Russia’s export-control law, passed in 1999, was intended to stem the flow of strategic research out of the country during the chaotic decade after the fall of Communism...
Friday, November 20, 2009
From RGE Monitor, edited by Nouriel Rubini - 10 statements written by Boetcker
William J. H. Boetcker, a Presbyterian minister, released a pamphlet titled "Lincoln On Limitations" (which did include a Lincoln quote) but also added 10 statements written by Boetcker himself:
1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong
3. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
4. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
5. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
6. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
7. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
8. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
9. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
10 You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.
1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong
3. You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
4. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
5. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
6. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
7. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
8. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
9. You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
10 You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.
Let ’s do something interesting with the OJB Facebook Group
Proposal of Paul Bradshaw:
Let’s do something interesting with the OJB Facebook Group
Posted using ShareThis
Let’s do something interesting with the OJB Facebook Group
Posted using ShareThis
Monday, November 16, 2009
US diplomat (Vice-consul Robert Bond) organized an illegal demonstration in Moscow
Taken from here:
http://russiatoday.com/Politics/2009-11-02/us-diplomat-illegal-rally.html
US diplomat spotted at illegal rally in Moscow – report
Published 02 November, 2009, 13:17 Edited 06 November, 2009, 20:02
http://russiatoday.com/Politics/2009-11-02/us-diplomat-illegal-rally.html
US diplomat spotted at illegal rally in Moscow – report
Published 02 November, 2009, 13:17 Edited 06 November, 2009, 20:02
Sunday, November 15, 2009
APTEA 2009 Congress in Belgrade newsletter by Garry Watts
Garry Watts wrote at APTEA Australian Program of Training for Eurasia) his
"Welcome to the APTEA 2009 Congress in Belgrade Newsletter"
http://www.aptea.info/newsletter-no-3-2009-congress-edition/
My photos from the Congress of 01-10 October are here
http://picasaweb.google.com/sergebrovko/APTEACongress2009BelgradeBySergeBrovko
Some my comments about the Congress will be on this blog a bit later.
"Welcome to the APTEA 2009 Congress in Belgrade Newsletter"
http://www.aptea.info/newsletter-no-3-2009-congress-edition/
My photos from the Congress of 01-10 October are here
http://picasaweb.google.com/sergebrovko/APTEACongress2009BelgradeBySergeBrovko
Some my comments about the Congress will be on this blog a bit later.
So here is what Garry wrote:
Newsletter APTEA Congress 2009
A successful congress depends on the hard work of individuals and the support of good sponsors. The Congress in Belgrade had all of these things.
When Marija Sipcic first took on the job of organising the Congress in Belgrade by herself, she knew she had a lot of work to do. And, in typical fashion, she worked very hard and had everything more or less organised by the end of August. It was just as well because on August 25, after visiting the University in Bled, Slovenia, Marija and her partner, Tony, were involved in a serious car accident in which Tony lost his life and Maria was badly injured. She was taken to the Veterans Hospital in Belgrade where she had a number of operations and was only released temporarily on the day before the Congress was due to begin.
Despite Marija's initial inclination to postpone the Congress, it was really too late to do so and the decision was made to go ahead with the Congress. Marija is strong, mentally and physically, probably as a result of her mountain climbing experience, and she had very valuable help from her colleague, Kosta Ilic; her family Aleksandra and Jovana and Sandra's friend, Marko; plus there was help from Mateja and Mitja Kregar and Zdravko Cuk, all from Slovenia. I was able to help from Melbourne, thanks to the internet and to the enthusiastic support of Ros Smith. Finally, the management and staff of the Continental Hotel did all they could to assist us.
So despite all the difficulties everything was more or less ready for the Congress to start on time. Meanwhile, unbeknown to us, Marija's family had prepared name tags and Congress welcome packages containing T-shirt, decorative key holder and fridge magnet, both with the APTEA logo; plus there were lots of maps and other useful information. They also collected Congress participant fees on the first night, as many of the attendees had not been able to deposit their participation fee before the opening night. So we owe Marija's family a great vote of thanks.
SPONSORS
Fortunately, there was a surplus left over from the very successful Melbourne Congress and part of this surplus was used as seeding money for the Belgrade Congress. Therefore the sponsors of the Melbourne Congress were indrectly also sponsors of the Belgrade Congress.
We were fortunate to have as a major sponsor of the Belgrade Congress Halewood Wines, of which Val Resteman (Group 7, 1993) holds the position of Managing Director of Halewood Estates. Halewood supplied all the wine for the final night closing dinner and everyone agreed that the standard of wine supplied was excellent. Halewood Estates (Domenile Halewood) is part of the Halewood Romania Group, along with Halewood Wine Cellars (Cramele Halewood) and Halewood International Romania. Whilst Halewood Wine Cellars is processing grapes and is producing wine and Halewood Int Romania is dealing with the wine distribution and import -export operations, Halewood Estates, established in 2002, develops vineyard farms and manages the premium wine grapes production for Halewood winemaking.
THE CONGRESS - DAY 1
A you can see from the photo, we had a very good turn up with more than 70 participants attending at various times. The Congress opened on the Thursday evening with drinks and finger food in the New York Lounge at the Continental Hotel, Belgrade.
Unfortunately, Marija was not well enough to to get to the start of the Opening Ceremony so I had to take her place. It was my pleasure to introduce the Australian Ambassador to Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia, Her Excellency Clare Birgin, who welcomed us all on behalf of the Australian government and officially opened the 9th APTEA Congress, Belgrade. She spoke glowingly of APTEA and its fine reputation in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and wished us all well for the Congress.
For the rest of the evening, Fellows and guests mixed freely and re-newed friendships and acquaintances. Towards the end of the evening, Marija was well enough to appear briefly in her wheelchair.
DAY 2
Proceedings were opened for the day by the chairperson, Ros Smith of Swinburne University. Ros introduced three guest speakers from the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, who introduced us to the Serbian economy and spoke of the enormous changes taking place there. The speakers were:
ALEKSANDAR MILOSEVIC, Secretary of the Center for SMEE Development
JOVANA NINKOVIC, Coordinator for EU Integration
JELENA CUPIN, Deputy Secretary of the Center for International Economic Relations
All speakers illustrated their points on overhead slides and we hope to get copies to send out before the next Newsletter.
Following a brief break for morning tea, the next speaker was Zoran Kostovski (APTEA Group 12 1994). Zoran is Australia's Honorary Consul for Macedonia. He delighted us all with his memories of his first awareness of and application for APTEA and his experiences since completing the APTEA Program. He ended his session by involving everyone in a hilarious 'Management Game'.
In the afternoon, Leon Zimmerman took over the role of chair of proceedings. Five presenters were each given the task at the presenting a topic of their choice to the group. The rules allowed for 20 minutes of presentation and ten minutes for questions. One of Leon's tasks as chair was to make sure that nobody went beyond their allowed time.
Presenters were:
Mihai Tudor - Management in economic downturn
Valery Gorokhov - What APTEA did for me
Roman Przybyl - Elektromontaz: a company turnaround case study
Serge Brovko - Inside an economic turbulence: preparing to live in a de-globalized world
Lena Theodoulides - The concept of trust in business relationships
After the presentations, all of which were excellent, members of the audience were asked to vote for the best presentation and votes were collected.
The next input for the day was the much-awaited address by Leon Zimmerman, continuing his theme of past Congresses of personal development and understanding. To read his address, open the attached file 'Thoughts and Beliefs'. (on APTEA web-site)
CHOOSING THE SITE FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS
The next item on the agenda was the very important discussion and vote for the location of the next Congress to be run in 2011. The group from Macedonia led by Zoran Kostovski put forward a very strong case to run the next Congress, probably at Lake Ochrid. Caught up in the enthusiasm generated, the Fellows in the audience voted strongly in favour of the next Congress being held in Macedonia. Over the life of the APTEA program there have been 10 fellows from Macedonia and four of them were at the Congress (Verica Hadzi Vasileva Markovska; Slobodanka Ristovska; Dragan Andrijevic; Zoran Kostovski). All have agreed to be a part of the Congress Organising Committee.
The Fellows from Russia would also have liked to run the Congress in 2011 but very graciously withdrew their nomination and indicated that they would like to run the following Congress in 2013. This nomination was also very warmly accepted by the audience. Further lobbying will need to take place in Russia as to whether the Congress will be held in Moscow, St Petersburg, the Crimea, the Far East, Siberia, etc., all of which would be desirable and exciting destinations.
A WALK AROUND BELGRADE
This Congress was not good for anyone wanting some rest! After a short break, Fellows gathered together for a one hour guided walking tour of Belgrade, starting at Knez Monument followed by a walk along the main promenade, also called Knez Mihailo, up to Kalemegdan (the Victory Monument).
The evening concluded with a dinner at "Putujuci Gliumci" (Traveling actors) on Skadarlija. This was a typical Serbian restaurant in the beautiful old part of Belgrade, famous for its beauty and restaurants. Fellows and guests were met at the door of the restaurant and offered a large glass of the Serbian equivalent of slivovic or plum brandy. Whatever it was, it was very strong and challenged even the hardiest of spirit drinkers. We were then served wine and a great variety of Serbian dishes - meats, breads, salads, etc. All in all a very satisfying meal! To spice up the night a group of musicians went from table to table, playing songs requested from them. Several Serbian and Russian songs managed to get the audience singing loudly and emotionally and generally a great time was had by all.
The stayers were back at the Continental Hotel well after midnight.
DAY 3 - EXCURSION DAY
If we thought Day 2 was a busy day, it was only a warm-up for Day 3.
After breakfast at the Continental hotel, Fellows were shepherded into a bus for a day-long excursion. First they drove through the new town of Belgrade and finally got off the bus in the area below Kalemegdan. Because I can no longer handle the steep steps required to get into tourist buses, Ninka and I were fortunate to be driven around by Blaz Udovic (Group 15, 1995), who had been at our official driver at the Congress in Slovenia.
On board the bus was an official guide who was able to point out the main sights and supply interesting information. The bus went past the following areas of Belgrade:
Dedinje Park
Terazije main street
St. Sava Church (second biggest Orthodox church)
Football stadium Patizan and Crvena Zvezda (Red star)
Ruins of Yugoslav army headquarters
Town Hall
Embassy Avenue
London Square
Finally the bus stopped at the bottom of the large hill which is the site of the Kalemegdan (Victory Fortress) and here we had the group photographs taken in front of Victory Monument.
From there, the bus drove to the Hotel Dunav on the bank of the River Danube, about 70 kms from Belgrade. Lunch was at the hotel, located in the wine producing region of Fruska Gora (National park). Once again we were treated to a Serbian feast with wine and music supplied. We sat at large tables with room for ten per table. As on the previous night, the musicians were able to involve the audience when they played popular, rousing Serbian and Russian songs.
After a hearty lunch, we strolled through the baroque town of Sremski Karlovci. This is a beautiful 17th-century town with the original houses, churches, shops, buildings etc and extremely beautiful. On the far side of the town we were welcomed for a wine tasting in the 350 year old wine cellar 'Zivkovic'. This was a very memorable experience and was followed by visit to a bee keeping museum, after which we strolled back to the waiting bus.
Then, on the way back to Belgrade through the very pretty Serbian countryside, we stopped to visit the capital of the autonomous region Vojvodina, called Novi Sad, where we walked around the open pedestrian precinct and had coffee in the beautiful surroundings there before setting off on the long trip home to Belgrade.
Back home in Belgrade at the Continental Hotel, it was time for the Closing Dinner. it was during the dinner that Marija made the farewell speech, thanking everyone for coming and thanking the sponsors for their fantastic efforts.
I then thanked Marija and all her helpers and the sponsors and in particular thanked Val Resteman for the wonderful wines that he and Carmen had brought all the way from Romania. It was generally agreed that the quality of the wine was outstanding. (See link to tasting notes below). I was also able to announce that Lena Vincencova had been judged, by a narrow margin, as the best presenter on the previous day. I also took the opportunity to thank Ambassador Birgin and the Australian Embassy for their generous support and contribution of the bottle of Australian wine to each of the presenters. I also thanked Swinburne University, Ros and Trevor Smith and Leon and Etti Zimmerman for their generous support.
The party finally finished well after midnight with the hotel staff maintaining their friendly and professional approach all the way to the end.
DAY 4 THE DEPARTURE
Because Belgrade is such a central location, several Fellows had driven their own cars, while others made their way to the local airport. That evening, after a nice long chat with Marija, Ninka, Vlasta and I had dinner at a most delightful fish restaurant called Saran (Carp). It was right on the bank of the Danube and gave us a delightful last experience of Belgrade.
PHOTOGRAPHS
I would like to thank all those intrepid photographers listed below for their contributions to this Newsletter which are greatly appreciated. And, finally, Marija and I would like to thank all those who came Belgrade and made the Congress such a great success.
When Marija Sipcic first took on the job of organising the Congress in Belgrade by herself, she knew she had a lot of work to do. And, in typical fashion, she worked very hard and had everything more or less organised by the end of August. It was just as well because on August 25, after visiting the University in Bled, Slovenia, Marija and her partner, Tony, were involved in a serious car accident in which Tony lost his life and Maria was badly injured. She was taken to the Veterans Hospital in Belgrade where she had a number of operations and was only released temporarily on the day before the Congress was due to begin.
Despite Marija's initial inclination to postpone the Congress, it was really too late to do so and the decision was made to go ahead with the Congress. Marija is strong, mentally and physically, probably as a result of her mountain climbing experience, and she had very valuable help from her colleague, Kosta Ilic; her family Aleksandra and Jovana and Sandra's friend, Marko; plus there was help from Mateja and Mitja Kregar and Zdravko Cuk, all from Slovenia. I was able to help from Melbourne, thanks to the internet and to the enthusiastic support of Ros Smith. Finally, the management and staff of the Continental Hotel did all they could to assist us.
So despite all the difficulties everything was more or less ready for the Congress to start on time. Meanwhile, unbeknown to us, Marija's family had prepared name tags and Congress welcome packages containing T-shirt, decorative key holder and fridge magnet, both with the APTEA logo; plus there were lots of maps and other useful information. They also collected Congress participant fees on the first night, as many of the attendees had not been able to deposit their participation fee before the opening night. So we owe Marija's family a great vote of thanks.
SPONSORS
Fortunately, there was a surplus left over from the very successful Melbourne Congress and part of this surplus was used as seeding money for the Belgrade Congress. Therefore the sponsors of the Melbourne Congress were indrectly also sponsors of the Belgrade Congress.
We were fortunate to have as a major sponsor of the Belgrade Congress Halewood Wines, of which Val Resteman (Group 7, 1993) holds the position of Managing Director of Halewood Estates. Halewood supplied all the wine for the final night closing dinner and everyone agreed that the standard of wine supplied was excellent. Halewood Estates (Domenile Halewood) is part of the Halewood Romania Group, along with Halewood Wine Cellars (Cramele Halewood) and Halewood International Romania. Whilst Halewood Wine Cellars is processing grapes and is producing wine and Halewood Int Romania is dealing with the wine distribution and import -export operations, Halewood Estates, established in 2002, develops vineyard farms and manages the premium wine grapes production for Halewood winemaking.
THE CONGRESS - DAY 1
A you can see from the photo, we had a very good turn up with more than 70 participants attending at various times. The Congress opened on the Thursday evening with drinks and finger food in the New York Lounge at the Continental Hotel, Belgrade.
Unfortunately, Marija was not well enough to to get to the start of the Opening Ceremony so I had to take her place. It was my pleasure to introduce the Australian Ambassador to Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia, Her Excellency Clare Birgin, who welcomed us all on behalf of the Australian government and officially opened the 9th APTEA Congress, Belgrade. She spoke glowingly of APTEA and its fine reputation in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and wished us all well for the Congress.
For the rest of the evening, Fellows and guests mixed freely and re-newed friendships and acquaintances. Towards the end of the evening, Marija was well enough to appear briefly in her wheelchair.
DAY 2
Proceedings were opened for the day by the chairperson, Ros Smith of Swinburne University. Ros introduced three guest speakers from the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, who introduced us to the Serbian economy and spoke of the enormous changes taking place there. The speakers were:
ALEKSANDAR MILOSEVIC, Secretary of the Center for SMEE Development
JOVANA NINKOVIC, Coordinator for EU Integration
JELENA CUPIN, Deputy Secretary of the Center for International Economic Relations
All speakers illustrated their points on overhead slides and we hope to get copies to send out before the next Newsletter.
Following a brief break for morning tea, the next speaker was Zoran Kostovski (APTEA Group 12 1994). Zoran is Australia's Honorary Consul for Macedonia. He delighted us all with his memories of his first awareness of and application for APTEA and his experiences since completing the APTEA Program. He ended his session by involving everyone in a hilarious 'Management Game'.
In the afternoon, Leon Zimmerman took over the role of chair of proceedings. Five presenters were each given the task at the presenting a topic of their choice to the group. The rules allowed for 20 minutes of presentation and ten minutes for questions. One of Leon's tasks as chair was to make sure that nobody went beyond their allowed time.
Presenters were:
Mihai Tudor - Management in economic downturn
Valery Gorokhov - What APTEA did for me
Roman Przybyl - Elektromontaz: a company turnaround case study
Serge Brovko - Inside an economic turbulence: preparing to live in a de-globalized world
Lena Theodoulides - The concept of trust in business relationships
After the presentations, all of which were excellent, members of the audience were asked to vote for the best presentation and votes were collected.
The next input for the day was the much-awaited address by Leon Zimmerman, continuing his theme of past Congresses of personal development and understanding. To read his address, open the attached file 'Thoughts and Beliefs'. (on APTEA web-site)
CHOOSING THE SITE FOR THE NEXT CONGRESS
The next item on the agenda was the very important discussion and vote for the location of the next Congress to be run in 2011. The group from Macedonia led by Zoran Kostovski put forward a very strong case to run the next Congress, probably at Lake Ochrid. Caught up in the enthusiasm generated, the Fellows in the audience voted strongly in favour of the next Congress being held in Macedonia. Over the life of the APTEA program there have been 10 fellows from Macedonia and four of them were at the Congress (Verica Hadzi Vasileva Markovska; Slobodanka Ristovska; Dragan Andrijevic; Zoran Kostovski). All have agreed to be a part of the Congress Organising Committee.
The Fellows from Russia would also have liked to run the Congress in 2011 but very graciously withdrew their nomination and indicated that they would like to run the following Congress in 2013. This nomination was also very warmly accepted by the audience. Further lobbying will need to take place in Russia as to whether the Congress will be held in Moscow, St Petersburg, the Crimea, the Far East, Siberia, etc., all of which would be desirable and exciting destinations.
A WALK AROUND BELGRADE
This Congress was not good for anyone wanting some rest! After a short break, Fellows gathered together for a one hour guided walking tour of Belgrade, starting at Knez Monument followed by a walk along the main promenade, also called Knez Mihailo, up to Kalemegdan (the Victory Monument).
The evening concluded with a dinner at "Putujuci Gliumci" (Traveling actors) on Skadarlija. This was a typical Serbian restaurant in the beautiful old part of Belgrade, famous for its beauty and restaurants. Fellows and guests were met at the door of the restaurant and offered a large glass of the Serbian equivalent of slivovic or plum brandy. Whatever it was, it was very strong and challenged even the hardiest of spirit drinkers. We were then served wine and a great variety of Serbian dishes - meats, breads, salads, etc. All in all a very satisfying meal! To spice up the night a group of musicians went from table to table, playing songs requested from them. Several Serbian and Russian songs managed to get the audience singing loudly and emotionally and generally a great time was had by all.
The stayers were back at the Continental Hotel well after midnight.
DAY 3 - EXCURSION DAY
If we thought Day 2 was a busy day, it was only a warm-up for Day 3.
After breakfast at the Continental hotel, Fellows were shepherded into a bus for a day-long excursion. First they drove through the new town of Belgrade and finally got off the bus in the area below Kalemegdan. Because I can no longer handle the steep steps required to get into tourist buses, Ninka and I were fortunate to be driven around by Blaz Udovic (Group 15, 1995), who had been at our official driver at the Congress in Slovenia.
On board the bus was an official guide who was able to point out the main sights and supply interesting information. The bus went past the following areas of Belgrade:
Dedinje Park
Terazije main street
St. Sava Church (second biggest Orthodox church)
Football stadium Patizan and Crvena Zvezda (Red star)
Ruins of Yugoslav army headquarters
Town Hall
Embassy Avenue
London Square
Finally the bus stopped at the bottom of the large hill which is the site of the Kalemegdan (Victory Fortress) and here we had the group photographs taken in front of Victory Monument.
From there, the bus drove to the Hotel Dunav on the bank of the River Danube, about 70 kms from Belgrade. Lunch was at the hotel, located in the wine producing region of Fruska Gora (National park). Once again we were treated to a Serbian feast with wine and music supplied. We sat at large tables with room for ten per table. As on the previous night, the musicians were able to involve the audience when they played popular, rousing Serbian and Russian songs.
After a hearty lunch, we strolled through the baroque town of Sremski Karlovci. This is a beautiful 17th-century town with the original houses, churches, shops, buildings etc and extremely beautiful. On the far side of the town we were welcomed for a wine tasting in the 350 year old wine cellar 'Zivkovic'. This was a very memorable experience and was followed by visit to a bee keeping museum, after which we strolled back to the waiting bus.
Then, on the way back to Belgrade through the very pretty Serbian countryside, we stopped to visit the capital of the autonomous region Vojvodina, called Novi Sad, where we walked around the open pedestrian precinct and had coffee in the beautiful surroundings there before setting off on the long trip home to Belgrade.
Back home in Belgrade at the Continental Hotel, it was time for the Closing Dinner. it was during the dinner that Marija made the farewell speech, thanking everyone for coming and thanking the sponsors for their fantastic efforts.
I then thanked Marija and all her helpers and the sponsors and in particular thanked Val Resteman for the wonderful wines that he and Carmen had brought all the way from Romania. It was generally agreed that the quality of the wine was outstanding. (See link to tasting notes below). I was also able to announce that Lena Vincencova had been judged, by a narrow margin, as the best presenter on the previous day. I also took the opportunity to thank Ambassador Birgin and the Australian Embassy for their generous support and contribution of the bottle of Australian wine to each of the presenters. I also thanked Swinburne University, Ros and Trevor Smith and Leon and Etti Zimmerman for their generous support.
The party finally finished well after midnight with the hotel staff maintaining their friendly and professional approach all the way to the end.
DAY 4 THE DEPARTURE
Because Belgrade is such a central location, several Fellows had driven their own cars, while others made their way to the local airport. That evening, after a nice long chat with Marija, Ninka, Vlasta and I had dinner at a most delightful fish restaurant called Saran (Carp). It was right on the bank of the Danube and gave us a delightful last experience of Belgrade.
PHOTOGRAPHS
I would like to thank all those intrepid photographers listed below for their contributions to this Newsletter which are greatly appreciated. And, finally, Marija and I would like to thank all those who came Belgrade and made the Congress such a great success.
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