Русская поэзия как феномен чешского перевода

Author(s): Oldřich Richterek / Language(s): Issue: 1/2009

The study presents a general survey of the development of modern Czech translations of Russian poetry, emphasizing several accompanying relevant topics (differences in the two prosodic systems, development of translation theory, in particular a growing emphasis on semantic and stylistic equivalence of the final translated text, and the role of a different cultural and time context of the receiving literature). Using several illustrative samples of Czech interpretations of the poetry of A. S. Pushkin, A. Akhmatova and N. Gumilyov, the author documents a phenomenal position of translations of poetry in the modern Russian-Czech cultural dialogue.

Кризис семиотики на фоне гуманитарных и естественных наук: аспект «поэтической транскрипции»

Author(s): Vladimír Franta / Language(s): Issue: 1/2009

The following article concludes some thoughts on contemporary semiotics especially after the tendency of semioticians to see their own scientific branch still being in crisis has been repeatedly noticed. Having declared it to be a universal science, semioticians paradoxically keep distance from a broader look on basic principles of communication. This is why semiotics today resembles more religion or art than a pure science. It deepens into some strange sort of self apologetic instead of developing new methods of grasping the objects of its study. Even a persistent fear that semiotics will loose its ground and will dissimilate into other disciplines is observed too. The paper suggests to some extend what axioms might be reconsidered at least if not abandoned to improve the situation about semiotics.

Символика Петербурга/Ленинграда в поэзии Анны Ахматовой

Author(s): Soňa Pašteková / Language(s): Issue: 1/2009

Topos of a city (Petersburg-Leningrad) that is becoming a lyrical object as well as a lyrical subject, a starting point in her spiritual world and an aesthetical model of poetry gains a great significance in the ontology of Anna Akhmanova’s poetic text. Thus, after Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoyevsky, Bely or Blok, Akhmatova significantly broadens the so-called Petersburg text in Russian literature. She enters into a dialogue with the cultural tradition of the city that assumes a pars pro toto role of the whole Russia. The poetess becomes part of Petersburg’s mythology, an icon of cultural independence of the country (also in connection with the Zoshchenko – Akhmatova cause when after the party intervention in 1946 both authors were put out of the official literary scene). Akhmatova’s poetry is a complex autobiographical reflection of a woman, a lover and a mother during significant periods in Russian history. Problems of the epoch dictate new themes and poetics to her; questions related to cultural memory of the nation get to the foreground as well as the destinies of the generation and the view in the historical perspective, Biblical motives as an analogy with the destiny of the nation (poems called Requiem and Poem without a Hero). On the semantic level the base of Akhmatova’s text is time-space of the city: Petersburg-Leningrad as a historical-geographical space as well as time-space of the existence of a lyrical subject and its self-realization. Projection of Christian symbolism to the historical space of the city is realized in two layers, a real and a mythological one, in the process of which the city functions in a new context of meaning (as a space of cultural memory, as a mysterious illusion, a city of the dead, New Jerusalem, and the like).

Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej and Romania’s Eastern Neighbourhood∗

Author(s): Florin Abraham / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

The study analyses the issue of Romania’s eastern neighbourhood in the period between 1945 and 1965 from the perspective of Gheorghiu-Dej’s power interests. The research follows three main directions: the way in which neighbourhood is conceived from the perspective of the communist ideology; the geopolitical consequences of the neighbourhood relation between Romania and the USSR; aspects of the diplomatic relations. From a methodological point of view the research brings into discussion elements of psycho-history. The main conclusion of the research is that Gheorghiu-Dej manifested a total obedience, often excessive, towards the Soviet Union until the moment when he removed all his opponents from the communist party and Soviet troops were withdrawn from Romania (1958). The Soviet Union’s wish to increase its control and integration degree over the communist bloc economies determined the emergence of divergences between Bucharest and Moscow. That is the context of diplomatic disputes and the Romanian communist leadership establishes its position within the so-called “April 1964 Declaration”. Gheorghiu-Dej was an adept of realpolitik, of prudence, in order to avoid any situation that could endanger his political position.

An Emerging Border of an Emerging State? The Case of the IEBL and the Republika Srpska of Bosnia-Herzegovina

Author(s): Péter Reményi / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

This article examines the geopolitical changes in the Balkan region that led to the emergence and evolution of Republika Srpska (RS), which now operates as a semi-autonomous state. During the Bosnian war, the corridors linking the historical Serb-inhabited areas, where the target of ethnic cleansing that fundamentally changed the area’s ethnic composition. In the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA), those very corridors became the boundaries of the newly recognized Republika Srpska. Throughout postwar Bosnia, ethnicity affects nearly all aspects of daily life. Serbs are highly disadvantaged and Bosniaks are moving toward a majority. In the 15 years since DPA, Republika Srpska has sought to administratively control these ethnic divisions by enforcing DPA and Inter-Entity Boundary Line (IEBL) provisions and obstructing attempt to reduce decentralization. The IEBL, an informal border separating two ethnic communities, is one of the most contested divisions in the Western Balkans. Because of its roots in ethnic cleansing, the boundary line is a symbol of violent secessionism. In recent years, the IEBL has obstructed ethnic “re-mixing” as local RS authorities try to prevent internally displaced persons (IDPs) from relocating there.

Modernisation envers secularisme ? La transformation de la Turquie ante portas

Author(s): Carp Radu / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

Turkey adopted from its very beginning an original project of modernity seen an alternative both to Westernization and Islam. It seems that this “third way” does not help enough in order to achieve the democratic standards of a European country. This paper analyses not all Turkey modernity aspects, but only secularism, mainly because this was considered for a long time the most successful one. In order to see what is right now the meaning of secularism in Turkey, this paper address the historical background of political parties in Turkey, starting with Refah Party and ending with the latest developments of AK Party of the current Prime Minister Erdoğan. This paper discuss also many issues related to the role of religion in society, either Islam (“the muslim veil” interpreted by ECHR in Leyla Sahin v. Turkey – 2005, the Alevi community, Imam Hatip schools), or Christian (the new 2008 legal framework on associations acknowledging the right of property of the religious associations, mainly Christian, the ECHR decision on Ecumenical Patriarchate v. Turkey – 2008, the status of the Theological School of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from the island of Halki). The question of Turkey belonging to the European Union is addressed in this paper also from the perspective of different types of Europe borders – geographical, institutional, cultural and transactional (formal). No matter the type of border considered, Turkey is still a problematic case. Turkey’ European aspirations accelerated the debate on what is and what should be the European Union: a construction based on Western civilization and Christianity or a polity based on democratic values without reference to history or even geography. The paper conclusion is that is in the very interest of the European Union to accept Turkey and it has to act in such a way that at a certain moment Turkey will transform itself into a country with a similar approach to religious freedom as all other existing Member States.

Moving Borders

Author(s): Erhardt Busek / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

Moving Borders was in every century a characteristic of politics. Moving borders in the 20th century happened from the time of the downfall of great empires like Austria-Hungary, Czarist Russia and Ottoman Empires connected with creating a multitude of new borders, which happened again after the Second World War and even moreso in Europe since 1989. After the changes in former Yugoslavia and in the Soviet Union we have laso whitnessed a development in that most borders are losing importance, partly due to the process of European integration. The most visible sign is the Schengen area. You are not anymore waiting at border stations, because within this zone they ceased to exist. So far we have even tougher borders to enter the Schengen zone and it has created a lot of changes especially for the countries of former Yugoslavia; before 1991 its citizens could easily relocate to Austria and to other European countries, but now they had a lot of difficulties due to visa regulations. Only Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina are left. Visa-regime is a tough issue in the relations EU-Russia.

Europe’s Gordian Knot. Germany

Author(s): Andreea Crina Horea / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

The present paper proposes an analysis of the European enlargement process, from the point of view of one of its major actors, a founding member state, Germany, and its involvement in shaping the policies of the European Communities, regarding economy, security, unique market and Eastern enlargement. Germany represents a special case, a state with an outstanding character and a surprising historical evolution, worth being studied. The following pages shall reveal the binomial Germany – Europe in its evolution post reunification period, stressing the farther involvements of the German unity, the attitude of its neighbors, determined by interests and the geographic position, a mixture of sympathy, neutrality or hostility towards the German state.

Tito, Yugoslavia, and the „Third Way”: Understanding Physical and Symbolic Borders

Author(s): Torlak Nada ,Nataša Simenunović-Bajić,Ljiljana Manić / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

Viewed with an understanding of Josip Broz Tito’s personality and leadership, Yugoslavia’s position during the Cold War is not difficult to comprehend, The political separation from Stalin in 1948, determined a course for Yugoslav development that was different from that of other socialist countries. This separation also caused Yugoslavia to seek allies outside of Europe. That is how the Non-Aligned Movement was founded, as a unity of nations designed to ease the tension between the Eastern and the Western blocs. Tito’s image as a liberator, statesman and a party leader was the reason the Yugoslav people saw him as the stalwart of the Republic. It is also what led him to be named president for life in 1974. The best Yugoslavian factories, schools, military facilities and main streets of all the cities, were named after him. Even now, thirty years after his death, Josip Broz Tito’s personality and leadership are still often discussed. Many of his followers continue to glorify his successes, but there are also a growing number of young people who are infected by “titostalgia”. They gather on various Internet web-sites or in lines waiting to get in the Museum of Yugoslav History (formerly called “Museum 25 May”, after his birth date). This paper will explore Yugoslavia’s political, economic, and cultural position during the Cold War. The relationship between youth, born after Tito’s death, and his personality will be specifically explained.

Regionalism in a Europe without Borders.Some Approaches on Bihor County

Author(s): Adriana Popescu,Ludovic Nica / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

Regionalism nowadays is definitely in focus. Establishments of various regional organizations are seen in almost every part of the world. Therefore, this paper aims at focusing on regionalism developed especially at European level. Considering this, one of the purposes is to outline the main characteristics of regionalism, its capacities of tackling with regional issues and its implications when is brought to stand face to face with regionalization. In order to understand better the features of regionalism network we resorted to its approaches on the Bihor County. Different raising questions – To which degree can we talk about regionalism in this case? What type of regionalism? How it is developing and what are its outcomes? – are undoubtedly challenging and deserve a special attention. The appealing to the case of Bihor County accounts on the region’s peculiarity as a “micro-Europe”, greatly allowing us to point out regionalism’s implications from political, economic, social and cultural point of views. Additionally, since the ‘new’ regionalism is foreshadowing we endeavor to notice if there takes place a nascent of this in a relatively malleable region.

Slobodan Milosevic and the Violent Transformation

Author(s): Monica Oproiu / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

The dissolution of former Yugoslavia was seen “not just as a misfortune for the Balkans, but as a disaster for Europe as a whole” because it triggered a fierce bloodshed just as the old continent was trying to adapt to the new realities of post-Cold War politics. The label of “ethnic wars” was soon attached to the violence occurring in several former entities of Yugoslavia, raising speculations about the reigniting of ancestral hatreds and the powerful return of nationalism in Europe. Slobodan Milosevic’s firm grip of power in Serbia coincided with the transformation of borders in the former Yugoslavia by means of war and this paper is aimed at assessing his role in the process and the quality of his leadership. From the 1987 speech in Kosovo which gave him the aura of a charismatic leader to the subsequent label of “the Beast of the Balkans”, Milosevic led the Serbs on a path of violence and ethnic strife, capitalizing on their uncertainties and fears in order to gain and maintain power. By selectively drawing on history in order to portray conflict within Yugoslavia as inevitable and by breaking the taboo of ethnic nationalism, Milosevic attempted to transform borders as to accommodate a “Greater Serbia”, a political agenda which attested a toxic component of his leadership and opened Pandora’s box for the future sufferings of the peoples in the region.

Quelles frontières pour le Trentin-Haut Adige/Südtirol?

Author(s): Licia Bagini / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

Federalism is highly developed in Italy and the High-Adige/South Tyrol region provides an example of wide independence provided for by devolution. This independence was obtained through a long process of negotiation which took place between the Italian government, local independence parties and the Austrian government, from the end of the Second World War to the beginning of the 21st century. The High-Adige/South Tyrol thus provides an interesting illustration of the links between “territory and identity” among various linguistic communities, the largest of which are the German speaking and Ladino populations. How then does the notion of borders apply to the High-Adige/ South Tyrol? Are these borders internal or external; geographical, cultural or economic? In this context should we then leave aside the notion of the borders of the Nation State and approach the High-Adige/South Tyrol rather from a “Euroregions” perspective?

The Role of the “DebOra” Cross-Border Eurometropolis in the Hungarian-Romanian CBC Relations A Case Study of Shopping Tourism in Debrecen and Oradea

Author(s): Mihály Tömöri / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

The role of borders among the member states of the European Union, including Hungary and Romania, has considerably changed in recent years. Euroregional institutions, such as euroregions and eurometropolises, have successfully transformed dividing borders into connective borders. Cross-border cooperation has become one of the major goals of neighbouring borderlands. One of the most important cross-border activities, shopping tourism, can serve as a significant driving force behind the cooperation of regions or cities. Using an empirical case study approach, this paper introduces the significance of cross-border shopping tourism in creating the eurometropolis of two neighbouring cities, Debrecen and Oradea, along the Hungarian-Romanian border. The paper concludes that the majority of foreign customers in Debrecen and Oradea come from neighbouring areas, so the cooperation of the two cities should be deepened further, in order to better exploit the mutual benefits.

Leaders, Borders and Changes

Author(s): Tibor Tőkés,Cristina Dogot,Philippe Perchoc / Language(s): Issue: 11/2011

Odavanje poslovnih tajni

Author(s): Aleksandar Fatić / Language(s): Issue: 05-06/2004

The article is discussing disclosure of business secrets and regulations in Serbia. Contemporary Serbian legislation does not provide for sufficiently clear differentiation what constitute a business secret is lacking lacks and what is to be considered to be a state secret, nor what is the difference between business and official secret.

Olimpijski duh i korupcija

Author(s): Srđan T. Korać / Language(s): Issue: 05-06/2004

The article is discussing the extent of influence corruption had in preparing the Olympic Games.

Politika sprečavanja pranja novca u susednim zemljama

Author(s): Srđan T. Korać / Language(s): Issue: 05-06/2004

The basis of anti money-laundering policy in the neighbouring countries is the identification of the sources of illegally obtained benefits. Part of the illegal income is generated typically on the domestic territory through the organisation of chains of prostitution, kidnapping, fraud, abuses of the privatisation process and the so-called “grey economy”. Significant illegal gains derive also from the “joint venture” actions by local and international organised crime groups in the narcotics, arms, stolen vehicles, cultural treasures and human trade, and to a lesser extent from tobacco-smuggling and illegal trafficking in alcohol, coffee and fuel. An important money-laundering control mechanism in all neighbouring countries consists of legal obligations being imposed on the financial institutions with a view of establishing the identities clients, making suspictions transactions reports to the police, keeping of records on the transactions and the implementation of strict internal control rules over the employees of financial institutions. Special norms relating to organised crime allow the police and the prosecution to seize temporarily the documents of financial institutions that are relevant for their investigations. Special investigative techniques are also authorised, including surveillance, observation, interception of telecommunications, recording of telephone conversations and access to protected computer systems. The processing of money-laundering cases requires the confiscation of illegal profits in a short time span. This is why the national legislation of the neighbouring countries contain provisions on the confiscation regime that relate to both direct and indirect illegal gains of capital and profits generated through the ownership rights over capital. The iimplementation of these measures relating to the prevention, detection and repression of money-laundering is within the competencies of special government agencies or directorates that are either independent under the umbrella of Ministries of Finance, or are completely organisationally independent. Their competencies include also the collection, processing and analysis of data from the suspicious transactions reports filed by financial institutions. If any of the transactions contains elements of the crime of money-laundering, the documents are then forwarded to the police and the prosecution and formal investigation is initiated.

Afera oko šumskog poseda manastira Dečani

Author(s): Goran Antonić / Language(s): Issue: 05-06/2004

The article is presenting one of the most bizarre cases of corruption in the history past of modern Serbian state. In 1924, by approved local court decision and decision of the Ministry of Forest and Mining, illegal transfer occurred related to Dečani Monastery forest estate, a medieval legacy of King Stefan Dečanski. Directly involved in this affair had been the radical party national representative in the parliament of Yugoslavia, Puniša Račić.

Posebna ovlašćenja državnih organa u krivičnom postupku za suzbijanje organizovanog kriminala

Author(s): Miroslav Simić / Language(s): Issue: 05-06/2004

One of the key features of organised crime is its ability to adapt to changing circumstances flexibly, and this has clear repercussions for anti-organised crime policy, which must be equally flexible. This fact motivated the enactment of the 2003 Law on the Amendments of the Law on the Organisation and Jurisdiction of State Institutions in Fighting Organised crime, which contained special authorisations not usually present in the policy of controlling “ordinary” crime. Certain crime control techniques, such as general oversight, recording, optical observation and collection of data from bank accounts, belong to the general techniques applied in the pre-criminal procedure phase of controlling any type of crime. In addition to these techniques, there are other methods, such as the use of provocateurs (witnesses who are allowed to commit a criminal offence in order to induce the suspect to commit another, more serious, crime), provision of simulated services in order to detect propensity to corruption and other types of crime, engagement of undercover interrogators and a controlled delivery of forbidden goods. These methods have proven effective in many parts of the world, as well as in Serbia, and they are typically used only to control organised crime, although they are partly problematic from the point of view of protection of civil and human rights. The judicial process is greatly assisted by a liberal application of seizure of objects and funds, as well as by a liberal policy of police detention of persons suspected of being involved in organised crime. These methods are particularly controversial from the point of view of constitutionality and legality, because some of them are contrary both to domestic constitutional law and the international documents that oblige Serbia. Despite the morally and legally controversial trade-off between traditional norms of constitutionality and human rights and the techniques and methods for fighting organised crime envisaged in the new law, the characteristics of organised crime and the results that have been achieved by the application of these special methods seem to suggest that such methods are necessary.

Antikorupcijska politika Svetske banke

Author(s): Srđan T. Korać / Language(s): Issue: 05-06/2004

The article is presenting the effort of the World Bank to exert influence on reducing the presence of corruption in the public sector of poor countries in order to carry out the projects of financial and technical help of this international organisation. The presence of corruption in poor countries rejects potential investors, drains budget funds to the private accounts and deepens the gaps between very rich minority and majority of the citizens from the edge of existence.