Amit Janco, at The Blogs

Apr 24, 2025, 7:07 PM

The Romanian Shoah: Confiscation of a Beloved Property

This is not a story about Auschwitz or the murder of millions during the Shoah; nor is it about the cattle trains, Partisans, Righteous Gentiles or daring escape. It might pale in comparison, but still it’s a cautionary tale...

Apr 14, 2025, 10:05 PM

Isn’t It Time to Disband the United Nations?

Six months from now, the United Nations will mark 80 years since its founding. If you still believe that this body upholds the ideals on which it was created, or if you cannot fathom how the United Nations no...

Apr 6, 2025, 5:26 PM

The Layered Complexities of Life in Israel

Visiting Israel for 2.5 days is a foolish thing to do, under the best of circumstances. These days, some individuals - especially those who rely on (legacy) media - would say it’s too intense, bordering on insane. But, after...

Mar 23, 2025, 10:05 PM

Featured Post

The Iron Guard at auction: Romania gets it wrong – again

Why did an anonymous bidder buy a portrait of the antisemite who tortured my grandfather? Why did an auction house sell it?

Mar 11, 2025, 4:27 PM

The Ribbon-Resistance in Romania

October 7th, 2023 has had a ripple effect around the world - in ways both good and bad. Landing in Bucharest a few days before the barbaric attacks in Israel was unsettling at best. I sought out community, showed solidarity...

Mar 10, 2025, 2:58 AM

Wilful Blindness (and other failures) at the UN

In the days following Rawan Osman’s impassioned speech at the United Nation’s Human Right Council meeting, when she stated vehemently that “Israel is not the problem” then singled out one tyrannical Middle Ease regime after another for their human...

Mar 5, 2025, 11:58 PM

A Question of Provenance

The last time I visited MNAC - the modern art museum in Bucharest, more than a year ago, the exhibits exuded a decidedly contemporary (or post-modern?) vibe; massive installations alongside loud paintings sidling up to pop-art hangings. I expected...

Jan 26, 2025, 11:51 PM

Mihail Sebastian and the Holocaust in Romania

Recently, the Jewish community of Romania has been witnessing a resurgence of admiration for, and allegiance to, the Legionary movement, along with other expressions of extremism and fascism that we believed had been extinguished with the end of World...

Oct 10, 2024, 6:06 PM

My Turkish Delight

In early September, I received a message from a fellow writer-friend, inviting me to join her on an upcoming sailing trip in Turkey. My brain split. Of course I was thrilled about the (all-expense-but-flights paid) invitation, but… dare I...

Aug 4, 2024, 2:19 PM

Romania: Are descendants of Holocaust survivors being treated unjustly?

Romania is renowned for its medieval castles, Carpathian mountain range, Dracula, stuffed cabbage leaves and the 1989 revolution against its Communist dictator. But lurking in the long shadow of the country’s troubled history are laws and procedures that impact...

About Me

A Canadian researcher and freelance writer currently based in Romania, Amit Janco has contributed to Travel + Leisure, Craftsmanship Initiative, Air Canada En Route, Journeywoman, Medium and Inspired Bali. Her first book, "(Un)Bound Together: A Journey to the End of the Earth" is a memoir about walking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago.

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