S5E11. Let's discuss the future of this newsletter together
With the start of 2025, BarBalkans has officially become part of a new editorial project: 'The New Union Post', a magazine focused on the enlargement of the European Union and its candidate countries
Dear reader,
welcome back to BarBalkans, the newsletter with blurred boundaries.
Here we are! After months of hard work behind the scenes, the efforts outlined at the start of this season have finally come to life.
With the beginning of 2025, BarBalkans newsletter has officially joined a larger editorial project.
The New Union Post, an online magazine dedicated to the enlargement of the European Union and the countries that may one day become new members.
BarBalkans will evolve into the thematic newsletter on the Western Balkans of this broader project, that aspires to grow into a formal, independent news outlet.
This exciting development also calls for us to rethink the structure and objectives of this newsletter. As in the best democratic traditions, such rethinking is best achieved collectively—with your input and participation!
What is The New Union Post
The New Union Post - Magazine on EU enlargement is an independent editorial project launched in January 2025.
This is an English-language platform for news on a critical issue for the European Union’s future: the enlargement process.
Its mission is to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding the EU enlargement process, highlighting political, economic and social transformations in countries aspiring to become new members.
Aiming to promote trustworthy information on the relationship between the EU and the candidate countries, this project sheds light on both the opportunities and challenges of the accession process while addressing critical issues openly.
The New Union Post offers analysis of the social and political frameworks, feature articles, original interactive infographics and interviews with leaders, citizens, and organizations from candidate countries.
This project also includes thematic newsletters and podcasts, which provide insights into the regions involved in the EU enlargement process.
The New Union Post is available across all major social media platforms—Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn and Twitter—and, most importantly, on its newly launched website: newunionpost.eu.
A special thanks to Letizia Ortolani, a talented communication designer and dear friend of this newsletter, who designed the logo and developed the entire brand identity for The New Union Post editorial project (just as she did for BarBalcani in 2021).
At the same time, your support is essential to ensure the entire editorial project continues producing original content while remaining free and accessible to everyone.
To support The New Union Post and its newsletter BarBalkans, you can contribute by donating a coffee worth €1 whenever you wish, or by becoming a member for €5 or €10 per month.
Visit buymeacoffee.com/newunionpost to find out how you can help. Thank you!
What will happen to BarBalkans
Let’s say it straight. BarBalkans will not disappear. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Both the newsletter and the podcast will become an integral part of The New Union Post project.
As previously mentioned, BarBalkans will evolve into the first thematic newsletter of this online magazine, with an even greater focus on the EU enlargement process, particularly in the Western Balkans.
The Yugoslav Wars will fit as a new podcast within the editorial project, continuing to explore the events that happened exactly 30 years ago in the region now central to EU enlargement.
While more newsletters and podcasts will be created, the immediate priority is to integrate these existing formats into The New Union Post.
This is why BarBalkans needs to know what you think about on some important matters we have been reflecting on.
It will only take a minute, but your feedback will make a significant impact on the future direction of this newsletter:
What will remain unchanged is the essence of BarBalkans project, which—like its logo—is built from brackets that open and close, intertwine, blur, and blend together. These brackets are metaphors for blurred boundaries: much like those on this journey, and the ones among the Balkan peoples.
Boundaries define identities. But at the same time they foster the exchange of experiences, showing that physical limitations can be overcome by human relationships.
You can be trapped within boundaries. Or you can start from there to discover what lies beyond those limits.
Above all, BarBalkans newsletter will remain free. The right to be informed should be granted to anyone who wants and feels this need. This principle is fundamental to the whole editorial philosophy of The New Union Post.
This is why your support is more crucial than ever!
Pit stop. Sittin’ at the BarBalkans
We have reached the end of this piece of the road.
On this somewhat special occasion, at out bar, the BarBalkans, we find not a drink, but a very special reading recommendation: The Balkan Kitchen by Irina Janakievska.
This project—which we previously discussed in-depth in this newsletter—was brought to life a few months ago with the publication of the most anticipated cookbook. In its own way, The Balkan Kitchen represents the essence of both BarBalkans and The New Union Post.
If Gastronationalism tastes like nothing, then it is time to counter the prevailing trend of exaltation of the nation-state—rhetoric that seeks to annihilate diversity and the “the elimination of ‘the other’ through whatever means necessary.”
We can challenge this in the kitchen or through a news website. With a book, an article, or a newsletter. In the Balkans, throughout Europe, and beyond.
Let’s continue BarBalkans journey. We will meet again in two weeks, for the 12th stop of this season.
A big hug and have a good journey!
If you have a proposal for a Balkan-themed article, interview or report, please send it to redazione@barbalcani.eu. External original contributions will be published in the Open Bar section.
The support of readers who every day gives strength to this project–reading and sharing our articles–is also essential to keep BarBalkans newsletter free for everyone.
Behind every original product comes an investment of time, energy and dedication. With your support BarBalkans will be able to elaborate new ideas, interviews and collaborations.
Every second Wednesday of the month you will receive a monthly article-podcast on the Yugoslav Wars, to find out what was happening in the Balkans–right in that month–30 years ago.
You can listen to the preview of The Yugoslav Wars every month on Spreaker and Spotify.
If you no longer want to receive all BarBalkans newsletters (the biweekly one in English and Italian, Open Bar external contributions, the monthly podcast The Yugoslav Wars for subscribers), you can manage your preferences through Account settings.
There is no need to unsubscribe from all the newsletters, if you think you are receiving too many emails from BarBalkans. Just select the products you prefer!