CROATIA used to market itself as holiday destination under the slogan: “The Mediterranean as it once was.” This was meant to conjure up images of pristine beaches and beautiful and historic towns and sights. It was not meant to give an image of country crustily conservative, socially illiberal and pining for a simpler time when being gay was at bes...

EUROPEAN VOICE used to be this newspaper's sister publication in Brussels. Now the weekly is independently owned, and has beefed up its editorial staff and jazzed up its layout. But some things remain, including a weekly column (formerly known as Wilder Europe) which now appears under my byline.

The columns are behind a paywall, but I will post the...

BALKAN societies emerging from years of Communism are generally not particularly tolerant or socially liberal. In the past, opprobrium tended to be reserved for those of a different ethnicity or religion, but now being gay has been added to the list. Every year (and often under pressure from the demands of the European integration process) Balkan...