Cross-Border newsletter
Humane perspectives on international relations, changes from below, dreams of a better world
We come from three different countries in Central-Eastern Europe, a region-borderland or a region-bridge between West and East. Each of us has an own history of crossing the borders, international reporting and hoping to bring people closer to each other. In 2021, we decided to join hands. In 2022, we come to Substack, hoping for new inspirations and feedback.
Who do we understand by ‘we’? Basically, Cross-Border Talks is ran by three of us, with more regular contributors joining. Vladimir Mitev is a Bulgarian journalist specializing in Romanian affairs and based in Rousse, on the Bulgarian-Romanian border. Malgorzata Kulbaczewska-Figat, from Poland, has reported on political life and social changes in Central and Eastern Europe, with a particular focus on labour movements, for nearly a decade. Veronika Sušová-Salminen is a Czech historian, author of books on modern Russia, currently living in Finland.
The Bridge of Friendship between Bulgaria and Romania was one of our inspirations for launching the project.
We launched Cross-Border Talks, because we were often frustrated with how international relations were being reported in the media. We were – and still are! - fed up with stereotypes, geopolitical generalizations, 'expertise' that does not see changes on the ground and/or does not notice ordinary people's lives. We want to tell human stories and to give a voice to people who want to make a change. At the same time, we also want to put the individual stories in a valid context – and that is why we invite experts to discuss international questions with us. And it is quite natural that we keep a particular focus on our region: peripheral, yet fascinating and diverse.
Our project started with video interviews, published every two weeks. Then, we started publishing comments, analyses, reports and written interviews as well. And we want to do even more! Whatever the form, the Cross-Border spirit remains the same: our values are co-operation, positive change, self-organization, pro-human and pro-social approach. We believe that if we want to make the world a better place to live, then we need to work together – and look for common human dreams rather than focus on differences.
We will be happy to share our work with you and to get your feedback. Let there be life... beyond borders!