This short piece of fiction on divorce, family and the failure to communicate was shortlisted for the Wells Festival of Literature Short Story Award. The annual festival’s details are here – http://www.wellslitfest.org.uk/competitions.php “I can’t believe you bought it for him.” “I thought it would be festive.” “And you put it in his stocking.” “It seemed […]
A short piece of fiction published by the plucky and influential, but now sadly defunct Pulp.Net. It is still available online – http://www.pulp.net/fiction/stories/43/the-happy-parents.html It was when they were in their forties and we were living just outside a large city. Our house had three bedrooms and a small front and back lawn. There were no […]
A satirical web-show on Internet freedom and security, taking a swipe at the US Government’s targeting of nerds, Obama’s justification for spying and how parents violate kids’ rights online. Directed and conceived by Alex Ulmanu and written, researched and presented by myself. It’s developing, we believe. Available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vipI2ftez7o
A satirical web-show on Internet freedom and security, high on invective, which I researched, wrote and presented. Directed and conceived by Alex Ulmanu. It’s rough, but promising, we think – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5MvwNv8aXs
A report on how refugees fleeing murder threats from ethnic conflict in the Middle East and Africa find relief in a revamped chicken farm in Timisoara, Romania “All us Palestinians were told to leave Iraq. We lost our security – it was not a safe place,” says 18 year-old Reema. “In Baghdad, my uncle was […]
A feature on the rise in HIV in Romania among drug users published in UK charity Drugscope’s magazine Druglink in March/April 2013 http://www.drugscope.org.uk/publications In Romania, following a switch from heroin to legal highs among injecting drug users, new cases of HIV have boomed By Michael Bird Cristi is dressed in a baseball cap, with holes […]
An analysis of the mendacity of the British press in its relations with Romania – for Hotnews/Contributors.ro, Romania’s top news website published in March 2013 – http://www.contributors.ro/editorial/30-million-romanian-and-bulgarians-criminals-will-invade-the-uk-on-1-january-2014-how-the-british-press-terrorises-its-country-with-a-fear-the-east/ 30 million Romanian and Bulgarian criminals will invade the UK on 1 January 2014: How the British press terrorises its country with a fear of the east Britain’s […]
An opinion piece for Hotnews/Contributors.ro, Romania’s top news website published in January 2013. This satirical comment was hugely popular, registering over 4,300 likes on Facebook and around 32,000 visitors, plus creating heated debates online – http://www.contributors.ro/editorial/an-open-invitation-to-all-romanians-and-bulgarians-please-come-to-the-uk/ An Open Invitation to all Romanians and Bulgarians – Please Come to the UK As a British citizen, I would […]
A feature showing how stray dogs are trained to help mentally disabled children communicate and empathise in Romania. Online at http://www.thediplomat.ro/articol.php?id=1644 New life for Bucharest strays in therapy for disabled Facing death after a near-fatal car accident, Romanian street dog Gigica is now playing in therapy sessions with mentally handicapped children Five-year old Costin is […]
A feature showing the prejudice against guide dogs in Bucharest. Published in ‘The Diplomat – Bucharest’ http://www.thediplomat.ro/articol.php?id=1645 Romania’s first guide dog shut out from city Golden Labrador Chloe helps blind city resident Gabi Nicolescu move around the streets of Bucharest – but shops, hotels, taxis and buses ban them from going further Around the blocks, […]
Michael Bird Writer & Journalist 