Kazakhstan: from the Silk Road to modern Shymkent
Beata Bruggeman-SekowskaKazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world and the ninth-largest country by area. Covering a...
Uzbekistan: a journey through history, culture and modern Central Asia
Beata Bruggeman-SekowskaUzbekistan is one of the most interesting destinations I have visited. It is extremely safe, surprisingly d...
1 September 1992: Slovakia Adopts Its Constitution
On 1 September 1992, the Slovak National Council adopted the Constitution of the Slovak Republic. This date is now remembered in Slovak...
Remembering the Victims: Inside Kazakhstan’s Museum of Political Repression
Beata Bruggeman-SękowskaIn May 2026, I visited the Museum of Victims of Political Repression in the city of Shymkent, Kazakhstan. A...
The State Museum of Memory of Victims of Repression in Tashkent: Commemorating the Victims of Political Repression
In June 2026, I had the opportunity to visit a fascinating museum in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, dedicated to the victims of T...
When in Warsaw, Don’t Miss the Spectacular Viewing Platform at Varso Tower: the Tallest Building in the European Union
Text and photos: Beata Bruggeman-SękowskaIf you're visiting Warsaw, one attraction deserves a place at the very top of your itinera...
International Women’s Day: from socialist ideals to somber memories
Beata Bruggeman-SekowskaEvery year, International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide, often seen as a positive day for women’s rig...
Diana Abgar: The First Officially Appointed Female Diplomat in Modern History
By Beata Bruggeman-SekowskaAt a time when women around the world were still fighting for basic political rights, Diana Abgar emerge...
Estonia’s Struggle for Independence and Freedom
Photo taken at Patarei Memorial Museum for Victims of Communism ©Beata Bruggeman-SekowskaBy Beata Bruggeman-SekowskaThe Estonia...
Lecture ‘The Liberal Struggle for Women’s Suffrage’
Lecture by Patrick van Schie, Vice President of the European Institute on Communist Oppression (EIOCO) and co-author of the book ‘The L...