Journey 2025 - Articles

Daiana Pagava: The Democratic Backslide in GeorgiaTBILISI, September 3 —Once seen as a democratic leader in the post-Soviet space, Georgia now faces a political crisis as the ruling Georgian Dream party delays EU accession talks and passes laws critics say threaten democratic governance. For months now, hundreds of protesters have been gathering

Stanislav Hodina: Czech citizenship for Russian ResidentsWhen Russia's war in Ukraine pushed the Czech government to tighten its security laws, many cheered the move as a necessary defense. But for Russians who built their lives in the country long before the invasion, the amendment known as Lex Ukraine VII has turned into a trap—freezing their paths to

Benjámin Áron Vida: Orbán's political weaponThree months after the controversial Voks2025 opinion poll, analysts say Orbán used it to divide voters ahead of Hungary’s national elections.

Clara Marie Berens: Fighting to Stay ThinNearly one in five teen gymnasts show signs of disordered eating, according to a new study in the journal Nutrients. The findings concluded that young gymnasts, especially those competing at high levels, often feel pressure to stay thin, leading to unhealthy eating habits. It also revealed that

Ema Čorbadžić: Coffee, Culture & Empty Wallets The abundant coffee culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing hardship during an economic crisis sweeping through the country.

Emma Zahurancová: Single fathers in SlovakiaThe forest guards a clearing filled with kids happily running around until whispers start to spread: “Why is there a woman here?” For six years now, Camp Otcovia deťom has been taking place in a quiet valley near the village of Lipovce in eastern Slovakia. For one whole week, fathers and their

Lucia Farkašová: Brain Drain Under FicoSource of image: Freepik.com

Magdalena Stajkovic: Serbia's Startup RevivalFor years, Serbia’s top engineers left for Silicon Valley, London and Berlin to forge their careers. Now, a growing diaspora is returning with capital, experience and networks to turn the Balkan nation into a regional startup hub. Leading the shift is Tihomir Bajić, a former software engineer

Mikołaj Gniadzik: Religion remains a powerful card in Polish electionsIn spite of being the fastest secularizing country in Central Eastern Europe, Poland’s recent presidential election has shown that religion still plays a significant role in society and continues to shape political choices. WARSAW — On August 6, Karol Nawrocki appeared in front of the National

Valeriia Muskharina: Displaced Ukrainian Paralympic swimmersA swimmer performs the freestyle stroke during training, photo by Valeriia Muskharina

Sona Hovsepyan: Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace AgreementIn October 2020, amid the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Hrant Papikyan, a military doctor, rushed to the battlefield to treat injured soldiers. But he came under Azerbaijani siege and has not been heard from since, Papikyan’s niece, Tatevik Soghoyan, said. Five years

Annamari Dezső: Hungary's media blacklistHungary is often seen as a test case for democratic backsliding in the EU. The new law proposal restricting press freedom may seem abstract to outsiders — but it has already altered the daily practice of journalism in the country. At midnight on 13th of May 2025, a relatively unknown Hungarian

Katarzyna Tarczyńska: New Health Education Program Tests Polish Schools and SocietyAn updated health education program, set to launch in schools across Poland this September, has ignited a controversy over sexual education, as teachers prepare to navigate complex lessons amid political, moral, and parental tensions. Replacing the long-standing Family Life Education curriculum,

Veronika Kotmanová: Rapping BackIn Central and Eastern Europe, the Hip-Hop scene is undergoing a quiet revolution, led by young women who are reclaiming rap as a space for vulnerability, protest, and healing. According to cultural observers and local music journalists, from Prague to Kyiv, female artists are pushing back against

Ani Hovhannisyan: Caged, Conflicted, Forgotten For years, Bolik lived in a rusty cage near an auto repair shop in one of Yerevan's neighborhoods. Cage had a concrete floor that destroyed his paws, and because of poor nutrition, his teeth were severely damaged. Besides having physical wounds, Bolik was also traumatized

Amina Likar: Memory in MotionAmidst the dozens of visitors to the Sense cafe in Kyiv's heart, one table remains vacant for the whole day, waiting for guests who will never arrive. A card sits in the center. “Reserved for the bravest of us,” it reads. Next to it, there is a long list of names — those who gave their lives

Grace Laidler: Menopause, Money and MisinformationWritten by Grace Laidler Health experts report that women with symptoms of menopause living in North East England struggle with lengthy wait times, economic pressures and increasing misinformation due to the lack of access to treatment in the region. The most commonly prescribed treatment for

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