2022 Global Peace Index

The Global Peace Index ranks the level of peacefulness and this year was the 16th edition.  Iceland continues to come in first place which it has been since 2008.  New Zealand came in second place again.   

1. Iceland 
2. New Zealand
3. Ireland +3
4. Denmark -1
5. Austria +2
6. Portugal -1
7. Slovenia -3
8. Czechland +1
9. Singapore +1
10. Japan +1

Europe continues to be the most peaceful area with seven of the top ten spots and 14 of the top 20.

No surprise that Russia and Ukraine are two of the five countries with the biggest drop in peacefulness.

The USA dropped one spot to #129, behind Azerbaijan and ahead of Brazil.

The Middle East and North Africa are the least peaceful regions.

For the fifth year in a row, Afghanistan came in last place, ahead of Yemen, Syria, Russia, and South Sudan.

Я за Україну. Я за Україною. Слава Україні  Stojím za Ukrajinou!  I stand with Ukraine. 

Brno City Break in 2022

A couple of weeks ago, Time Out magazine published their list of "The 16 best city breaks in Europe for 2022."  Brno came in second place.  While it's great for Brno to get the recognition I kind of hope that it retains its status as a hidden gem.  They even mentioned my favourite cafe for breakfast.

Here's what the article said about Brno.

Although sandwiched between Prague and Vienna, self-confident Brno is no middle Child.  Once a powerhouse dubbed the "Moravian Manchester", the laidback Czech second city has repositioned itself as a post-industrial science and tech hub.  But you'll find plenty of clues to Brno's layered past at a clutch of offbeat underground attractions, including the mysterious brick cisterns at. Žlutý Kopec, communist-era nuclear bunker 10-Z, and the "Denis" bomb shelter under the cathedral.  The food and drink scene is reinventing itself to, from contemporary international at Element to Výčep na Stojáka, a modern take on a trad pub.

The perfect day:  After breakfast at Café Momenta, head up to Špilberk Castle and grab lunch at Cafe Placzek.  Explore the historical centre before dinner at Atelier Bar &Bistro and a nightcap at Rotor Bar.

Plan your trip:  The Industrial project celebrates Brno's manufacturing tradition, with several former industrial buildings opening to the public for the first time in 2022.  Káznice, a Habsburg-era prison, is also being redeveloped and will host events in the summer. --David Creighton

Here are the rankings.

1. Arles, France
2. Brno, Czech Republic
3. Kaunas, Lithuania
4. Odense, Denmark
5. Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina
6. Ljubljana, Slovenia
7. Turku, Finland
8. Inverness, Scotland
9. Valencia, Spain
10. Sheffield, England
11. Trikala, Greece
12. Oslo, Norway
13. Rotterdam, Netherlands
14. Liverpool, England
15. Milan, Italy
16. Freiburg, Germany

A few of these spots have already been on my list of places to visit.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to do a bit more travel in 2022.

Update: 2023 rankings.

2019 Global Peace Index

The results of the 13th annual Global Peace Index are in. Europe maintained its position as the world's most peaceful region for the 13th year in a row.

Iceland and New Zealand kept the first two spots again.

1. Iceland
2. New Zealand
3. Portugal
4. Austria
5. Denmark
6. Canada
7. Singapore
8. Slovenia
9. Japan
10. Czech Republic

The USA came in at #128, out of 163 countries, behind South Africa but ahead of Saudi Arabia.  

Afghanistan and Syria swapped positions as the least peaceful countries.  The bottom five are:

159.  Iraq

160.  Yemen

161.  South Sudan

162.  Syria

163.  Afghanistan

Council of Europe

The Council of Europe was founded in 1949.  It is an international organisation that promotes democracy, protects human rights and is committed to the rule of law in Europe.  Its headquarters are in Strasbourg, France.

It's important to realise that the Council of Europe is not the same thing as the European Union.  Which can be confusing because the EU actually adopted the flag that the council created in 1955.  The council now puts an "e" on the flag to differentiate it from the EU.

The EU doesn't control the council as they are independent.  But no country has ever joined the EU without first being a member of the council.

The Council of Europe can't make binding laws but it can enforce certain agreements made by European states.  It runs the European Court of Human Rights.

The official languages are English and French.  Certain bodies also use German, Italian, and Russian.

Ten countries formed the Council of Europe in 1949 and today there are 47 member countries.  Basically every country in Europe except for Belarus, due to concerns over human rights and the use of the death penalty), Kazakhstan, due to human rights concerns, Kosovo, due to limited recognition, and the Vatican, for being a theocracy.

The "eastern block" countries didn't start joining until after the fall of communism.  Hungary was the first to join in 1990, followed by Czechoslovakia and Poland in 1991, Bulgaria in in 1992 and Romania in 1993.

Czechoslovakia was replaced by Czech Republic and Slovakia following the Velvet Divorce.  East Germany never joined because the the former territory basically joined following the reunification of Germany in 1990.  Yugoslavia wasn't ever a member.  Following the breakup, Slovenia became the first ex-Yugoslav country to join in 1993.  The Soviet Union was never a member either.  The first former Soviet republics to join were Estonia and Lithuania in 1993.  Other former republics joined later on and Russia joined in 1996.    

Montenegro was the most recent country to join back in 2007.

The Vatican does have observer status.  As does Israel, the USA, Canada, Japan, and Mexico.  The council of Europe has observer status with the United Nations.

The death penalty is abolished in member countries.  There's criticism of the USA and Japan each having observer status since the death penalty is still in practice.

Again, since the Council of Europe is not the same thing as the EU, Brexit doesn't apply.  While the UK is leaving the EU it will remain in the Council of Europe.

Here's a video I found out on YouTube that explains more about the Council of Europe

©Council of Europe

CEFTA

The Central European Free Trade Agreement, or CEFTA, was formed in 1992 by the Visegrád countries - Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary.  After the Velvet Divorce both Czech Republic and Slovakia became independent members.  The purpose was to work together towards integrating political, economic, security, and legal systems with western free-market economies.

Over the years, other countries have joined CEFTA.  However, once a country joins the European Union it must leave CEFTA.  Former members include Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, and Slovenia.  Basically being a CEFTA member servers as good preparation for eventually joining the EU.

Current CEFTA members

CEFTA seems less "Central Europe" and more "Balkans" to me.  The seven current members are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Serbia.  Combined the CEFTA countries have a combined population of about 21,5 million people and a GDP over $290 billion.

2018 Global Peace Index

The 2018 Global Peace Index was just released.  Czechland continues to be one of the most peaceful countries to live it.
Even though it slipped a few spots from last year, Czech Republic is the tenth most peaceful country in the world.  The sixth most peaceful in Europe.

Europe continues to be the world's most peaceful region as it has every year this index has been released.  The USA dropped seven spots to place 128th (out of 163 countries).

For the sixth year in a row, Syria is the world's least peaceful country.  Followed by Afghanistan, South Sudan, Iraq, and Somalia.

The Top 10 countries are:
1.  Iceland
2.  New Zealand
3.  Portugal
4.  Austria
5.  Denmark
6.  Canada
7.  Singapore
8.  Slovenia
9.  Japan
10. Czech Republic

Back in Ljubljana, Slovenia

It's been a few years but I made it back to Slovenia.  I had two days of meetings in Ljubljana so an early flight on Sunday provided an opportunity to revisit this beautiful city.



The National Gallery celebrates its 100th anniversary on 18 September 1918.  Like Czechoslovakia, several other countries became independent following the end of WW1 including Czechoslovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Ljubljana is a really nice place to visit.  I can't believe that it's been seven years since I was last there. I definitely won't let so much time go by before my next visit.

2017 Global Peace Index

The 2017 Global Peace Index was released the other day.  Once again, Czechland remains one of the most peaceful countries to live in.  It maintained it's 6th place standing it earned last year.

Europe remains the safest region in the world with 15 of the top 20 spots.

Once again, Iceland came out on top.

Last year the USA placed 103rd.  This year it fell to 114th.

For the fifth year in a row, Syria is the world's least peaceful country, followed by South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.

The top 10 countries are:
1.  Iceland
2.  New Zealand
3.  Portugal
4.  Austria
5.  Denmark
6.  Czech Republic
7.  Slovenia
8.  Canada
9.  Switzerland
10.  Ireland

2016 Global Peace Index

The results of the 2016 Global Peace Index are in.  Despite last year's terror attacks in Paris and Brussels, and instability in Turkey, Europe remains the world's most peaceful region.  European countries make up 14 of the the world's top 20 peaceful countries.

For the third year in a row Iceland is the most peaceful country.

Last year, Czechland cracked the top 10.  This year it moves up four spots to #6.  The USA fell out of the top 100 to come in at #103.

Syria is the least peaceful country followed by, South Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.

Here are the top 20 countries.

1. Iceland
2. Denmark
3. Austria
4. New Zealand
5. Portugal
6. Czech Republic
7. Switzerland
8. Canada
9. Japan
10. Slovenia
11. Finland
12. Ireland
13. Bhutan
14. Sweden
15. Australia
16. Germany
17. Norway
18. Belgium
19. Hungary
20. Singapore

New Consulate in Brno

Philippine Consulate in Brno

Last week, the Philippines opened a new consulate in Brno.  The new consulate's role is to support the Philippine embassy's promotion of trade, investment and tourism to Moravia.

There are official consulates here for Russia, Ukraine and Slovakia.  Brno also has honorary consulates representing Angola, Belarus, El Salvador, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Morocco, Moldova, Georgia, Laos, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Tanzania, Turkey, and Austria.

An embassy is a permanent diplomatic mission and the person in charge is the ambassador.  Embassies are normally located in a foreign country's capital city.

Russian Consulate in Brno

A consulate is kind of like a junior embassy.  Consulates are located outside of capital cities and the person in charge is the consul-general.  Consulates handle things such as fostering regional trade relationships, issuing of visas and take care of tourists and expats.

American Embassy in Prague

There is no American consulate in Brno.  The US Embassy in Prague is 116 miles away.  However the American embassies in Austria and Slovakia are actually closer.  The embassy in Vienna is only 69 miles away while the embassy in Bratislava is just 76 miles away.  There is a consulate in Krakow and another embassy in Budapest (161 and 162 miles away respectively).

EDIT:  February 11, 2014 - an honorary Finnish consulate opens in Brno.

EDIT:  July 2017 - Italy opened an official consulate in Brno.

Update 2022:  The Russian consulate was closed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  

Update 2022:  Back in 2020, the Centre for Experimental Theatre opened an Embassy of Independent Belarusian Culture. 

Update April 2023:  I came across the consulates of Liechtenstein, Morocco, and Austria.

Update 2023:  At Dům U Tří knížat, "House of the Three Princes", in the city centre is the honorary Polish consulate.

Piran, Slovenia

Piran is a popular port town in southwest Slovenia.  The population is ~1,400 people.  It's a charming little town to walk around and check out the sights. 



However, I think that the best part of Piran is the Adriatic Sea.

The town walls were built in order to protect Piran from Ottoman invasions.  The walls were finally completed between 1470 and 1534.  Many parts of the walls are still standing and offer great views of the town.

Tartini Square is the town's largest, and main square, in the middle of Piran.  It is named after Giuseppe Tartini - a famous violinist and composer. 

The Tartini monument was erected in 1896.

 

The St. Francis church and monastery complex dates back to the beginning of the 14th century.

 

St. George is the town's patron saint.  St. George's Parish Church is a Roman Catholic church.  It was consecrated in 1637.  The bell tower was completed in 1608.

The First of May Square is home to the statues of Justice and Law.  They date back to 1776.  The square was the center of the town until the Middle Ages.

View of Piran from the town wall

I found it interesting that Piran elected a black mayor in 2010.  Dr. Peter Bossman moved from Ghana to Slovenia in the late 1970s.  He is the first black mayor elected in what was once communist eastern Europe. 

Portorož, Slovenia

Over the July Czech holidays I went with Miran and Kamila down to Slovenia for a little beach time.  Portorož is the "Port of Roses".  It is located at the northern-most point of the Adriatic Sea, not far from Trieste, Italy.  It's about 1.5 hours from Ljubljana.  Portorož is a small city with just over 2,900 people.

The city used to belong to Venice but it became ruled by Austria in 1797.  It remained a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of WWI in 1918.  Then it was a part of Italy.  After WWII, the town became a part of Yugoslavia.




Today, Portorož is one of the most popular tourist resort areas in Slovenia.  Trieste is only about 30 minutes away and, due to the Italian influence, many of the signs are in both Slovenian and Italian.



The marina is one of the largest along the entire Adriatic Sea.







However, for a place knows as the "Port of Roses" I sure didn't see many roses.  Just a few near the marina.



While we were there, there was a Mediterranean Folklore Festival going on and we saw dancers from France, Greece, and Turkey perform.

Slovenia's First Jewish Memorial

Between the two world wars, Murska Sobota was home to Slovenia's biggest Jewish community.

During WWII, the area was occupied by the Hungarians. On April 26, 1944, the town's 328 Jews were ordered to gather with hand luggage. They were locked up overnight, without food or water, and the next day were sent away, eventually going to Auschwitz. About 65 people survived. Today, only about a dozen Jews live in Murska Sobota.

On January 29, 2010, Slovenia's first Holocaust memorial was unveiled at the train station.

The memorial is a suitcase with a bench and an inscription that reads...

V aprilskih nočeh leta 1944 je s te postaje za vedno izginil velik del judovske skupnosti Prekmurja.

In April nights of 1944 from this station a large part of Jewish community of Prekmurje forever disappeared.

Perpetuum Jazzile

Perpetuum Jazzile is a Ljubljana-based, vocal jazz choir. They are extremely popular in Slovenia. They have also played to sold-out crowds in Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Canada and the USA. Last night they put on a concert at a high school in Murska Sobota.

In addition to a few traditional Slovenian songs the group played a mix of songs that ranged from jazz to gospel to pop. They even put in a nice Christmas mix of Nat King Cole and Mel Torme. I was probably one of the few people in the crowd that knew the words to the Christmas medley.

I found this next video, from 2008, of the group performing Toto's Africa. They did the same number last night it brought the house down.

2011 Ljubljana Christmas Market

Last night Miran and I drove to Ljubljana to see the Christmas market. Everything was quite lovely but it wasn't what I had pictured. Granted there was a bit of wind and rain but it was still worth it.

There were the usual wooden stalls selling Christmas ornaments and homemade crafts. Not to mention the stands selling hot mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, honey schnapps, sausages and sweets. Though there weren't as many stalls as say in Brno or Bratislava. However, there were a lot more lights. Quite pretty!

The market wasn't as crowed as I would have expected for a Friday night. But then again, there was a chilly wind and some light rain. But still worth the trip.

All Saint's Day

In Slovenia, November 1st is All Saint's Day. It's also known as Day of the Dead and it is a public holiday.




All Saint's Day is observed by Catholics, Anglicans and Protestant churches. In Central Europe, it is a big deal in Slovenia, Austria and Poland.


Everyone is supposed to bring flowers to the graves of family members and to light candles. Families normally get together for big meals, go to church and then visit multiple cemeteries. This is an especially big deal in Slovenia! This country only has 2 million inhabitants but just for All Saint's Day about 2 million candles are sold.

Annually, the country goes through 21 to 23 million candles per year. Some environmentalists would like to reduce this number by using electric candles.