Cultural Ties Research Articles

Enacted relations and the resilience of territorially embedded production systems in Europe

Globalization of food chains and scale increases in business models are dramatically affecting rural areas in Europe, by a simplification of land use, new urban-rural relations and reshaped social networks. While pressures on land use systems have been increasing due to the competition on commodity markets, the role of territorially embedded production systems remains crucial in keeping farm biodiversity and unique cultural landscapes, as well as social and cultural ties. Building on the social-ecological resilience approach (Darnhofer (2020b), this paper examines the resilience of territorially embedded production systems in different regions of Europe, including emergent and ongoing patterns of material, social and cultural relations. It shows how primary producers improve the resilience of their production systems in response to increasing pressures resulting from changing ecological, economic, social and cultural conditions. Three production systems are examined: carp farming in Middle Franconia, Germany; wine production in Tuscany, Italy; and olive oil production in Alentejo, Portugal. The paper adopts an adapted relational approach to conceptualise how resilience develops in terms of the ability of producers and their networks to develop new markets, reduce costs and add value. Different types of enacted relations (sets of mutually empowering connections in space and time) are identified, including relations among family members, between farmers, along the commodity chain and with other stakeholders, such as tourism, policy and regional administrations. Using these insights, the paper argues that it is important to shift the focus of agricultural resilience from the producer level to the network level, particularly how network dynamics emerge as relations enacted by diverse actors. These collaborative efforts have the potential to enable primary producers to maintain cultural landscapes, preserve their ecosystems and ensure the farms’ economic survival and by extension help to maintain the socio-ecological resilience of territorial production systems.

ENGLISH ACQUISITIONS IN THE TERMINOLOGY OF DISTANCE EDUCATION AND WAYS TO ACQUIRE THEM

The article discusses borrowings from other languages, methods of their assimilation, the creation of new words, changes in the semantics of words, the relationship between the literary language and dialects, i.e. literary dialectisms in the terminology ofdistance education. The word about changes in terminology occurs due to lexical exchange, assimilation of words caused by social, economic, political, cultural ties with related and unrelated peoples.

Front and Back Covers, Volume 39, Number 5. October 2023

Front and back cover caption, volume 39 issue 5IBN KHALDUN AND RE‐TRIBALIZATIONA bust of Ibn Khaldun (1332‐1406), at the entrance of the Kasbah of Bejaia, Algeria. As you gaze upon this scholar, who first delved into the cyclical dynamics of tribes and civilizations, you are not just looking at history — you are looking at a mirror reflecting our modern world. Khaldun's pioneering insights into tribal cohesion (asabiyyah) and its impact on societal rise and fall are not relics of the past; they are prophetic echoes reverberating in today's global landscape.In an increasingly interconnected yet paradoxically fragmented world, the concept of ‘tribalism’ is making a surprising comeback.No longer confined to anthropology textbooks or remote communities, tribalism resurfaces in our political dialogues, social affiliations, and even international relations. But this is not your grandfather's tribalism; it is ‘re‐tribalization’, a modern reimagining of ancient affiliations and loyalties shaping nations and rewriting global equations.In this issue, the first of a two‐part article by Ahmed et al., ‘Re‐tribalization in the 21st century’, peels back the layers of this complex phenomenon. It challenges the conventional wisdom that pits ‘tribalism’ against ‘civilization’, revealing instead a dynamic interplay that influences everything from state governance to globalization. Whether it is the UK Brexit vote, the rise of ethnonationalism in various countries or the enduring conflicts in the Middle East, the fingerprints of tribalism — and its modern avatar, re‐tribalization — are unmistakably present.As we navigate the complexities of a world that is both a ‘global village’ and a patchwork of evolving tribal identities, the concept of re‐tribalization serves as an analytical lens. This resurgence of tribal affiliations is a complex adaptation to the challenges and opportunities of a globalized world. The ancient codes of tribalism are being reinterpreted in the context of modern geopolitics and digital communication. While the old and the new may seem to be in tension, they are part of a complex dynamic that requires scrutiny. The ancient and the modern coexist in a world as fraught with conflict as it is ripe for cooperation.FOOTBALL AND CLIMATE CHANGEOn the dwindling sands of Ariyallur Beach in the coastal hamlet of Ottummal, Malabar, India, children passionately kick a football around, savouring the shrinking space that remains for their cherished sport. Their laughter and shouts echo against a backdrop of rising tides and eroding shores, a poignant reminder of the impermanence of their playground.In this issue, Muhammed Haneefa delves into the heart of this coastal community to explore how the relentless rise in sea levels is not just a geographical alteration but a transformation of a way of life. He uncovers the erosion of subaerial beaches — once the lifeblood of the community's social and cultural fabric — and its devastating impact on leisure activities, most notably the deeply ingrained pastime of football.Haneefa also scrutinizes the local government's ‘managed retreat’ strategy, a well‐intentioned but complex proposal that involves relocating these vulnerable communities away from their endangered coastal homes. While the plan may offer a temporary respite from the encroaching waters, it fails to account for the fisherfolk's profound emotional and cultural ties to their land and traditions.This article serves as a lens through which we can view climate change from the ground up. While satellite images and climatological data may provide a bird's‐eye view of the planet's changing face, it is through the worm's‐eye view of anthropologists and ethnographers like Haneefa that we truly understand the human cost. Here, climate change is not just a statistic or a future projection; it is a lived reality that is reshaping communities, altering identities and challenging the very essence of cultural heritage.

Comparison of Concepts in Poetry

The article presents a comparative cognitive analysis of Uzbek and Kazakh poetry. The poems of the poet T. Abdikakimov and the prominent representative of Uzbek poetry M. Yusuf on the theme of their native land and homeland are also considered. General aesthetic features and literary, cultural ties, characteristic of post-colonial countries, are determined on the basis of Kazakh, Uzbek poetry. The article made a comparative conceptual analysis of poetry. On its basis, through poetry, through literary creative space, the features and values ​​of the Kazakh, Uzbek nations are deeply analyzed. In the second part of the article, on the example of Kazakh and Uzbek poetry, a conceptual analysis is carried out and in the course of the analysis the role of cultural, mental, spiritual and literary ties between these peoples is determined. Research work through a conceptual analysis on the example of poetry opens the way to a deeper knowledge of the world of values ​​of fraternal peoples and, being fateful, reveals through poetry the manifestation of differences associated with the way of life. In the course of the analysis of national concepts, the concept of “tugan zher” based on the poem by T. Abdikakimov in Kazakh poetry and the concept of “otan” in the work of M. Yusuf, a prominent representative of Uzbek poetry, were studied. In the article we define the role and power, the influence of poetry as a "driving force", linking it with the mental consciousness of peoples, with the world of values. Conceptual analysis opens a wide path for this.

UNDERSTANDING THE NEW WAR IN THE MODERN AGE: AN ASSESSMENT ON THE RUSSIA – UKRAINE WAR

The phenomenon of war or conflict has existed since the existence of mankind. War can have various reasons such as religious, political and economic. However, with the effect of globalization after the Cold War, even if the conflicts continued throughout the world, the wars between the great states decreased to a large extent. In this context, Russia's intervention in Ukraine is a rather surprising development. Ukraine has always been an important state for Russia due to its historical and cultural ties, especially the establishment of the first Russian state near Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. Even after the collapse of the USSR, Russia continued to make hidden interventions in Ukraine, which it saw as its backyard. However, starting a conventional war between the two states seemed to be a rather risky and unexpected option. But as it is seen, Russia took this risk and started a military intervention in Ukraine. The course of the intervention, the damages suffered by Russia, show that a conventional war is not very effective for the states in today's conditions. The aim of the study is to examine the beginning of Russia's intervention and the first two months of the process. The other aim of the study is to explain not only this crisis, but also the phenomenon of war and the changing elements of war today.

Unpacking Language Awareness in Language Teaching

This study explores Language Awareness (LA) and its significance in language teaching. LA, a concept developed since the 1990s, plays a vital role in language learning and teaching. It involves recognizing language's nature, cultural ties, forms, and ideological implications. Teaching Language Awareness (TLA) is crucial for educators, especially within different teaching methods like "focus-on-form," "focus-on formS," and "focus-on-meaning." Challenges for educators in diverse contexts are discussed. The study addresses issues like the importance of subject-matter knowledge and educators' sensitivity to learner development. It emphasizes observation to identify language-related difficulties. Additionally, it highlights the gap between teacher education and classroom application, influenced by educator motivation and perceptions. In conclusion, this study advocates TLA's importance, identifies common challenges, and calls for further research on integrating LA into diverse teaching approaches.

DEMOGRAPHIC MODEL "DONOR-RECIPIENT" ON THE EXAMPLE OF COUNTRIES: UKRAINE AND BANGLADESH

The demographic imbalance is a serious problem in Ukraine due to overall demographic stagnation since 1992, economic labor migration, and war [1]. A proposed solution is targeted demographic migration. For example, migrants can contribute by transferring knowledge and skills to develop various sectors, including healthcare, education, and others. Ukraine is facing out-migration and depopulation, especially in the industrial and agricultural sectors. Migrants can help fill these vacancies, contributing to economic development and providing the necessary labor force. Ukraine also faces demographic security challenges, including an aging population [6] and low fertility rates. To address these issues, it is necessary to develop effective government programs and policies aimed at supporting families and fertility. On the other hand Bangladesh is considered as one of the over populated countries on the planet. About 1,168.79 people are living per square kilometer area. It increases 1.03% from the previous year i.e. 2022 in 2023. Bangladesh is enjoying a youth population mean since long. According to an UNFPA study about 20% of their populations are 15-24 years of age. Moreover 48% of their populations are in working age from 25-60 years. Every year millions of Bangladeshi expatriate workers fly to Middle East, East Asian, European and North American countries to get job and they are contributing about USD 25 billion per year as remittance to Bangladesh economy. Objective. Is to solve the problem of the demographic crisis in Ukraine and to develop migration relationship. Methods. In this article we did literature review: we conducted a thorough review of existing literature on demographic models, migration, and population trends in Ukraine and Bangladesh. This would have involved searching for and analyzing relevant academic articles, reports, and statistical data. Also we use method called data analysis: we analyzed demographic data from Ukraine and Bangladesh, including population size, growth rate, age distribution, and migration patterns. We did case study: we used Ukraine and Bangladesh as case studies to illustrate the application of the «donor-recipient» demographic model. We did proposal development and peer review. Are many scholars who study demography and explore different strategies in this area. Results. The demographic imbalance is a serious problem in Ukraine due to overall demographic stagnation since 1992, economic labor migration, and war. The proposed solution is targeted demographic migration, where migrants can contribute by transferring knowledge and skills to develop various sectors, including healthcare, education, and others. We propose a comprehensive migration policy that defines the goals of migration, the desired types of migrants, and the steps that will be taken to support migrants. The article provides a detailed analysis of the demographic trends and challenges in these countries and proposes a solution that is based on the «donor-recipient» model, which has been successfully implemented in other countries. The proposed migration policy can contribute to economic development, reduction of discrimination and xenophobia, and the development of tourism infrastructure in Ukraine. Scientific novelty. It lies in the proposal of a targeted demographic migration program that is tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of Ukraine and Bangladesh. The article provides a detailed analysis of the demographic trends and challenges in these countries and proposes a solution that is based on the «donor-recipient» model, which has been successfully implemented in other countries. Practical significance. Economic development: the migration of skilled workers from Bangladesh to Ukraine can help fill labor shortages in key sectors such as healthcare and education, which can contribute to economic development in Ukraine. Reduction of discrimination and xenophobia: the coexistence of different nationalities can help reduce stereotypes and assumptions about other cultures, which can contribute to a more tolerant and inclusive society. Development of tourism infrastructure: migrants from Bangladesh can draw attention to Ukrainian tourist destinations among their compatriots and other tourists from South Asia, which can contribute to the development of tourism infrastructure in Ukraine. Transfer of knowledge and skills: migrants can contribute by transferring knowledge and skills to develop various sectors, including healthcare, education, and others. Strengthening of cultural ties: the exchange of cultural values between Ukraine and Bangladesh can enrich both societies and strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.

Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing Community Participation in the Joint Forest Management: A Case of Uzungwa Scarp Nature Forest Reserve, Tanzania

This study emphasizes the critical role of participatory approaches, particularly joint forest management (JFM), in addressing the escalating threat to forests posed by human activities. Focusing on the socio-cultural aspects, the research explores the factors influencing community participation in joint forest management within Tanzania's Uzungwa Scarp Nature Forest Reserve (USNFR), employing the Socio-Ecological System theory to underscore the potential of community-driven resource management. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, collecting data through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and interviews involving 190 respondents from five villages spanning Kilolo, Mufindi, and Mlimba Districts. Quantitative data underwent descriptive statistical analysis, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. The majority of the respondents were relatively young, likely due to their physical fitness and heightened environmental commitment. Conversely, older individuals were underrepresented, likely due to age-related limitations. Gender imbalances were observed, reflecting deeply ingrained gender-related barriers in societal norms. Education levels varied, with a significant portion having completed primary education, while higher levels of education were less represented. The respondents were predominantly married, indicating a probable tie to family responsibilities. Farming was the main occupation for the majority, highlighting their dependence on forest resources. Effective communication emerged as pivotal during village assemblies and workshops, fostering awareness and empowerment for successful joint forest management. Cultural factors significantly influenced community participation in JFM within the USNFR. Ritual activities, local knowledge, and power dynamics played key roles, creating taboos and restrictions that reinforced cultural ties to conservation, leveraging the influence of community elders. To enhance community involvement, the current influential factors should be preserved and enforced. Also, to ensure tailored conservation training programs, context-specific communication tools, promotion of cultural integration, and ensuring inclusivity in all JFM aspects. Future research should focus on assessing the impact of training programs on forest conservation

SAHADA DİPLOMASİ: TÜRK DEVLETLERİ TEŞKİLATI ÜYE ÜLKELERİNİN 6 ŞUBAT 2023 DEPREMLERİ SONRASI TÜRKİYE İLE DEPREM DİPLOMASİSİ

ABSTRACT There have been many natural disasters throughout the history of the world. These disasters have brought societies and states closer and helped elevate charitable sentiments. So much so that the hostilities between states were halted and human life became the priority during times of disaster. The earthquakes that took place in Türkiye on February 6, hit number one on the global agenda, and diplomatic relations were triggered between many states in an effort to help the earthquake victims. The most important of these was undoubtedly the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), of which Türkiye is a member, and the observer countries. This paper conveys the aids from OTS member states to the disaster areas after the earthquake that occurred in Türkiye on February 6, and discusses the effect of humanitarian aid on international relations in terms of disaster diplomacy. In addition to sending search and rescue teams, OTS member states have also provided in kind and cash support. The information included in this paper is presented by a country breakdown in accordance with the classification stated above. In this respect, the aids received from each OTS member country between February 6 and March 7, 2023, are categorized under search & rescue and medical teams, in-kind support and cash support sub-titles. Literature review and content analysis methods were preferred in this paper. As for the literature review, earthquake diplomacy and OTS were the key topics, and as for the content analysis, national and international press coverage was reviewed, as well as the web pages of institutions. As a result of this work, it has been concluded that the exemplary cooperation shown by the OTS member states and their peoples in the context of earthquake diplomacy prove that there is a will to strengthen mutual political relations among countries that share historical and cultural ties, and to make OTS a more effective actor.

Some Aspects of Iran’s Relations with the Countries of the South Caucasus after the August 2008 Crisis

The states of the South Caucasus, which have preserved historical and cultural ties with the Iranian world, inherited from the Persian Empire, are traditionally given an important place in the foreign policy priorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the interests of ensuring the national security of the country, the Iranian power elites consistently advocate the settlement of conflicts in the South Caucasus by political means and the creation on this basis of favorable conditions for the peaceful, stable and secure development of this region. At the same time, Iran shows a high interest in the development of good-neighborly relations with the South Caucasian states, based on mutual respect and observance of each other’s interests. This article examines the main directions of Iran’s foreign policy in the South Caucasus after the August 2008 crisis; the features and characteristic features of this policy, as well as the forms and methods of its implementation are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the study of problem areas in Iran’s relations with its South Caucasian neighbors, in particular Georgia and Azerbaijan. The paper notes that the implementation of Iran’s plans to achieve a leading role in solving regional problems was opposed by the United States and its Western partners, which have strong influence and positions in the South Caucasus. Nevertheless, against the background of geopolitical transformations in the region, favorable conditions arose for a significant increase in the role and place of Iran in the political processes in the South Caucasus. But in order to take advantage of them, it was necessary not to limit ourselves to mere measures to achieve a balance of power in the South Caucasus, but to more actively promote our own initiatives in this region, the authors of the study emphasize.

PAKISTAN-POLAND RELATIONS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

In the 21st century, the world has undergone profound changes, characterized by the emergence of multipolar dynamics. This phenomenon has woven intricate patterns of formal relations among states in a new way, making them more complex and diverse than ever before. As a result, the primary goal of the states in the present political environment is to construct new forms of relationships with other states. In this context, Pakistan and Poland are determined to establish diplomatic, strategic, defensive, economic, social, and cultural ties with each other, all the while taking into account their respective national interests. The diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and Poland traced its origins to 1962; however, this relationship received limited media coverage from both countries during the Cold War era. It was after President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Poland in 2007 that the two countries revitalized their collaboration in various development programs, ushering in a fresh epoch of relations. In today’s world, where globalization, multilateralization, diversification of foreign relations, and international integration are prevailing trends, both countries hold vast significance in global politics and international stability owing to their strategic locations. Establishing relations based on mutual understanding, trust, equality, and reciprocity between Pakistan and Poland can play a significant role in promoting peace, prosperity, and stability not only within the two countries and their regions but for the world as a whole. Through mutual cooperation, Pakistan and Poland, particularly Pakistan, can overcome political constraints and successfully achieve their development goals. However, both countries also face several challenges such as national and regional security, human rights violations, terrorism, economic downturns, political discrimination, and regional and international political pressures that can affect their friendly relationship. This research study identifies several new opportunities in various sectors that both countries can gain through mutual understanding and cooperation. It also reveals certain challenges that Poland and Pakistan may encounter. Moreover, the study provides recommendations on how both countries can achieve their development goals through mutual cooperation.

ОТНОШЕНИЯ ТУРЦИИ И СИРИИ В ПЕРИОД ХОЛОДНОЙ ВОЙНЫ И ПОСЛЕ ХОЛОДНОЙ ВОЙНЫ

Syria and Türkiye are two neighboring countries have various cultural and historical ties and even relatives. These ties were formed from the 16th century, when the Ottoman Empire conquered its territory, to the 20th century, when the empire broke up. These ties between Syria, which became independent towards the middle of the 20th century, and its neighbor Türkiye were not enough to prevent some problems. While relations with the Hatay Problem were seriously strained, the water problem made everything worse. The biggest tension between the two countries is related to terrorism that Türkiye has been dealing with for several decades. Because of this problem, the two states had come to a point where they were almost at war with each other. Despite everything, thanks to diplomacy, the problems were overcome and an atmosphere of peace that would last at least a few years was ensured. However, with the events of the early 2010s, it was returned to the beginning. For more than 10 years, relations between the two states are worse than ever, there are no diplomatic relations. Perhaps better relations will not be established in the medium term due to massive refugee flows and military operations. In this article, the relations between Syria and Türkiye, especially in the conditions of the Cold War and after, is examined. Particularly, the water problem, the terrorism issue, the potential clash being replaced by peace at the end of the 1990s, the Arab Spring and its aftermath period are analyzed in detail to understand this complex relation. The Arab Spring, on the other hand, is emphasized in more detail than the others, as it directly concerns our day. Regarding the Arab Spring, attention is drawn to the following three questions: What is Türkiye's perspective on events from past to present, has there been a change in Turkish foreign policy over the years, how are Türkiye-Syria relations affected by the latest developments?

The Stability of Southeast Asia as a Reliable Tourist Source for China: An Analytical Study

Since the initiation of reform and opening-up, China has witnessed remarkable growth in inbound tourism, attributable to its increasing openness to the global community and a burgeoning emphasis on tourism development. Among the notable trends, Southeast Asia has emerged as a dependable and predominant source of tourists for China’s inbound market. This research delves into the factors contributing to Southeast Asia’s status as a stable tourist source for China, examining elements such as geographical location, abundant tourism resources, economic conditions, historical connections, and cultural ties between the regions. By utilizing official data on Southeast Asian tourists visiting China and studying the mutual relationship between the two areas, this paper presents an in-depth analysis. Based on the findings, this study provides pertinent recommendations for sustaining and further developing Southeast Asia’s position in China’s tourism market.

Вещественный комплекс периода развитой бронзы из поселения ирменской культуры Милованово-3

In this article, based on the materials of the settlement of the Irmen culture of the late Bronze Age Milovanovo-3, a small material complex of the developed bronze period of the 1st half of the 2nd millennium BC, including fragments of ceramics and part of a stone product, presumably a vessel, is identified. The purpose of this work is to confirm the identification of a complex of finds from the developed Bronze Age with reference to similar material sources in the archaeological cultures of Western Siberia and Central Asia, namely the sites of the Chemurchek type of China and Mongolia, as well as local cultures — Elunininskaya Samusskaya, Krotovskaya. The article draws attention to a rare find on the territory of the Novosibirsk region — a fragment of a stone vessel, which is the second largest in the region. Based on this find, analogies of which were found in Mongolia, neighboring Altai, Tuva, and on the basis of the ornament of another similar vessel from Krokhalevka-1, even in France, an assumption is made about the existence of cultural ties between the cultures of the southern area and their northern neighbors by finding two stone vessels.All these arguments make it possible to speak of the existence of sustain cultural ties between the between the cultures of the southern area and their northern neighbors.

Assessing Determinants and Impact of Possible Russian Influence in the Western Balkan Countries

Abstract For Russia, the Western Balkan region holds significant historical, cultural, and religious ties, and while from a historical point of view the Western Balkans represents an area where Russia tries to be a long-time actor, the relationship between Moscow and Western Balkan states also depends on international factors such as EU integration. Additionally, this relationship is further impacted by current international crises. The objective of this article is to confirm the rise of Russian influence in the Western Balkan countries, and to determine how and to what extent it has impacted the region. For this purpose, a qualitative analysis is conducted with secondary data from many sources, including reports and policy events; the analysis also includes a rhetorical review of public appearances by the political leadership of the Western Balkan countries. First, we consider Russia’s pro-active approach manifested through its economic involvement in the region, and second the reactive approach of the Western Balkan countries due to their disillusionment with the EU, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Further, we argue that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a strong catalyst, as it directly affects the relationship of the Western Balkan countries with Russia, the EU, and vice versa.

Transnationalism and caring for vulnerable-status, migrant women and their families during pregnancy and early-childhood

Migrants commonly maintain transnational ties with their home country including identities, attachments, and social, cultural, economic and service/care interactions. Significant gaps remain regarding care-providers’ perspectives on migrants’ transnational ties and whether and how these ties are addressed in the context of care. La Maison Bleue (LMB) is a community-based social perinatal care service with four sites in Montreal, Canada, providing health and social care to families in vulnerable contexts from pregnancy up until age five. We conducted a small, qualitative descriptive study and interviewed 7 care-providers (nursing, social work, family medicine, psycho-education) and 3 administrators/support personnel from LMB to gather data on their experiences and perspectives on “transnationalism” in care with vulnerable-status migrant women and their families. Transnational identity (language, culture, attachment to the home country), and ongoing connections with back home, including communication with children and extended family, remittent sending, and the receipt of child-rearing and health advice, commonly arise within care interactions. Fostering transnational relationships and cultural identity are strategies used by LMB care-providers to strengthen migrant families’ sense of belonging and to help them cope with losses, while addressing transnational tensions and stresses are used to promote families’ well-being and integration. This involves a combination of listening, humility, remaining open, providing information and delivering care that is respectful of culture and sensitive to families’ situations. Cultural negotiation, directly with migrant families or via local peers, is sometimes used to overcome transnational cultural barriers related to health decisions and child-rearing. At times, care-providers also engage directly with family back home to mediate cross-border stresses and cultural tensions and/or to draw on them as a source of information and support. Care-providers view transnational cultural ties and relationships as both positive and negative for the well-being of families and with respect to its impact on interventions with families. Although not always feasible, care-providers believe it's important to know about families’ transnational contexts, in order to provide responsive, supportive care.

Insights into SARS-CoV-2 in Angola during the COVID-19 peak: Molecular epidemiology and genome surveillance.

In Angola, COVID-19 cases have been reported in all provinces, resulting in >105,000 cases and >1900 deaths. However, no detailed genomic surveillance into the introduction and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been conducted in Angola. We aimed to investigate the emergence and epidemic progression during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Angola. We generated 1210 whole-genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences, contributing West African data to the global context, that were phylogenetically compared against global strains. Virus movement events were inferred using ancestral state reconstruction. The epidemic in Angola was marked by four distinct waves of infection, dominated by 12 virus lineages, including VOCs, VOIs, and the VUM C.16, which was unique to South-Western Africa and circulated for an extended period within the region. Virus exchanges occurred between Angola and its neighboring countries, and strong links with Brazil and Portugal reflected the historical and cultural ties shared between these countries. The first case likely originated from southern Africa. A lack of a robust genome surveillance network and strong dependence on out-of-country sequencing limit real-time data generation to achieve timely disease outbreak responses, which remains of the utmost importance to mitigate future disease outbreaks in Angola.

Perceptions and sociocultural factors underlying adoption of conservation agriculture in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region is facing major challenges for soil conservation and sustainable agriculture. Conservation agriculture (CA), including reduced soil disturbance, can help conserve soils and improve soil fertility, but its adoption in the Mediterranean region is limited. Examining farmers’ perceptions of soil and underlying sociocultural factors can help shed light on adoption of soil management practices. In this paper, we conducted a survey with 590 farmers across Morocco, Spain and Tunisia to explore concepts that are cognitively associated with soil and perceptions of tillage. We also evaluated differences in perceptions of innovation, community, adaptive capacity, and responsibility for soil. We found that farmers’ cognitive associations with soil show awareness of soil as a living resource, go beyond agriculture and livelihoods to reveal cultural ties, and link to multiple levels of human needs. Beliefs about the benefits of tillage for water availability and yield persist among the surveyed farmers. We found that openness towards innovation, perceived adaptive capacity and responsibility for soil were associated with minimum tillage, whereas community integration was not. Education, age and farm lifestyle were also associated with differences in these perceptions. CA promotion in the Mediterranean should emphasize the multiple values of soil, should demonstrate how sufficient yields may be achieved alongside resilience to drought, and be tailored to differing levels of environmental awareness and economic needs across north and south.

Modelling foreign exchange rate co-movement and its spatial dependence in emerging markets: a spatial econometrics approach

AbstractThis paper studies the impact of macroeconomic factors on co-movement in the foreign exchange rate markets. Data of foreign exchange rates from 24 merging markets is used to this end along with a dynamic spatial Durbin model as to examine spatial dependencies among markets. Our empirical findings show no evidence that cultural ties exert a role in spreading macroeconomic shocks in the exchange rate of a country to the exchange rates of other countries. Moreover, we show that economic closeness through foreign direct investment (FDI) and international bilateral trade is the most prominent channel in spreading macroeconomic shocks and spatial effects in emerging markets through the foreign exchange rates. In addition, geographical proximity reinforces the interdependence relationship of emerging markets. Our findings show that the co-movement of foreign exchange rate markets across the selected emerging markets is positively influenced by their gross domestic product (GDP) and interest rate differential and negatively affected by the terms of trade and remittance. In addition, we reveal that terms of trade, the inflation differential, and remittance are the most prominent fundamental factors affecting foreign exchange rate movements.

Представительство СССР на XVI Венецианской Биеннале 1928 г.: к истории советско-итальянских культурных связей

The article analyzes the participation of the Soviet delegation in the XVI International Art Exhibition in Venice in 1928. The successful presentation of Soviet art at the XIV Biennale in 1924 noticeably strengthened the USSR’s position in the development of cultural ties with Italy and contributed to the formation of an attractive image of the Soviet man among ordinary Italians. In 1926, the difficult economic situation did not allow the Soviet dele-gation to participate, but two years later, as part of the XVI Biennale in the Russian Pavilion in Venice, the public could once again see the work of Soviet masters. With the success of the 1928 Biennale, Soviet art’s position as a relay of the new state idea was consolidated and a massive response was generated. The official Italian press, despite many negative reviews, noted the timeliness and fullness of Soviet culture, and the system of state order made the strongest impression. The article is based on a large number of documents from the State Archive of the Russian Federation, the Russian Archive of Literature and Art, periodicals and memoirs of the events’ participants.