Tomas Šileika: 'We sing about what hurts in Lithuania'
The young generation of Lithuanians is slowly getting rid of the fears and prejudices of the older generations: if they find something relevant in the work of Marx or if they decide that glorification of private initiative and enterprise is not the only way, they will pursue it. Yet the path of creative expression is not easy for left-wing artists, says the singer in the first Lithuanian left-wing rock band, Skyders Read article
Fire-related deaths in neglected Russia
There was no time. In the space of just a few minutes, early in the morning of 26 April, a psychiatric hospital in the province of Moscow was reduced to ashes - and it's not the first tragedy to make ash out of Russia's people and institutions
'Nobody knows that I am a member of Femen in Paris'
Taking back the female body, crushing male domination, fighting prostitution - these are the battles of Femen, the off-the-wall feminists from the Ukraine. Since establishing an 'office' in Paris, the members are staging bare-breasted protests in all four corners of Europe. Their message is that they can can strike where they want, when they want
Being accepted as gay in Europe (we're getting there)
One 17 May almost a quarter of a century ago, homosexuality was dismissed from the register of 'mental diseases' by the International Health Organisation. Today, that date marks International Day Against Homophobia. Over the past few months of 2013, the world has watched on as history is being made on marriage equality, from Brazil to New Zealand. As Minnesota became the 12th state to legalise same-sex marriage in the United States, the first Zulu traditional same-sex wedding was taking place in South Africa. From Europe, the world also watches on as NGOs and international activists plead for awareness and justice for the most heinous homophobic crimes, as is currently going on in a worryingly violent climate in Russia. In Europe, it took months of debate for the national assembly in France to devote 136 hours and 56 minutes of discussion to finally adopt a 'marriage-for-all' law on 23 April, which will also permit adoption rights to same-sex couples. Five courageous young voices from the LGBTI community agreed to tell us their story and share their views
- Read the special edition Being accepted as gay in Europe (we're getting there)
- Denisas Kolomyckis: 'Lithuanian society will be ready for LGBT rights in a few years'
- Martin Mazza: 'I probably won’t marry - but at least the option’s there'
- Thibault Chiarabini: 'In France today homophobia seems normal'
- Nina Degele: ‘For me, same-sex marriage is not progress’
- Mehmet: 'Being gay is easier in Turkey's metropoles'
Poland, land of ‘IT’ girls, home of 'she-geeks'
More than 40% of Generation Yers intend to set up a company within the next three years, the result of a rigid and suffocating marketplace that has rendered 14% of Poles unemployed. And it doesn’t stop there. Within the staggering youth unemployment rate (26%), the numbers are a lot more unforgiving (30%) for young women under 25
- Video Spanish journalist busks CV sorrows away on Barcelona metro
Enzo Vizcaíno, a multilingual young journalist from Alicante, took to the public transport in the Catalan capital to present his CV in a novel way; within two days it had over 90, 000 clicks on youtube. Youth unemployment in Spain hit a record 56.5% in March 2013; at the same time, one in four Europeans under the age of 25 is unemployed. The general climate has even produced the likes of an 'emergency fund' for Spanish journalists. Will lyrics such as 'I used to fly with Ryanair/ I am a social media expert/ And I speak a bit of Italian, English and French too' get Vizcaino, who is also not surpisingly a composer, a job? What a noble solution to the crisis - a bit of creativity, courage and honesty
Gallery | Eco-Athens
EU turns 63 - all hail peace, unity and plastic bags in the wind
After 63 years of existence, the EU has put the Nobel Peace Prize in pride of place on its mantelpiece: to underscore the very reason that it was created on 9 May 1950, which was to limit any future wars or conflicts on the continent. It's just about to give birth to its 28th member state, Croatia, which will join the EU in July. It's also had it's fair share of bosom-beating about becoming more democratic and transparent over the years, and about it's role in inhibiting a full-on economic crisis which has changed our lives for better and worse. When we asked students from the Forum of European Journalists to explain what their vision of the anniversary was, we came back with a certain consensus - the fact that we don't really know of the date thanks to our national mindsets, that we appreciate the freedom of movement around the continent, and that there are few other models like this supranational structure in the world. Here's to a party which needs a bit more edge in promotion, we think (Illustration: © Adrien Le Coarer/ graphimse.com)
- Read the special edition EU turns 63 - all hail peace, unity and plastic bags in the wind
- Vox-pop: Three Catalan journalists analyse EU as it turns 63
- Europe Day, 9 May (guest list open)
- '9 May is my ex-girlfriend's birthday' - it's also Europe Day
- Science of the EU: back to the big bang
- European Union - similar to Soviet Union?
Rant at Spain's young technology addicts
Have we been consumed by technology? Do we only have time for our virtual avatars? These could become the problems of our time if we don't learn how to separate the intangible world of the internet from that which surrounds us
- Video Azerbaijani cuisine and Gerard Depardieu's eastern exploits
Talking business is always best done over the dining table - and French actor Gerard Depardieu should know. His pursuit of citizenship in Belgium, Russia and Mordova has been well-documented since he openly fleed France and its millionaire taxation plans in 2013. Now, he's eating out of the hand of the Azerbaijanis - literally - in a rather ridiculous advert. As a director enthusiastically pitches him a script to an oriental soundtrack, good old 'Gégé' is lost in raptures at the platters served at him - a country is only as smart as its food, he gurgles
Brunch with…
Olivier Heim of très.b on moving to Poland
The band have a French-inspired name, and the trio behind it encompass five different nationalities. They met in Denmark and moved to the Netherlands before setting up base in Warsaw. The Dutch-American singer and guitarist says the band’s international aspect is not particularly surprising – it is simply a result of who he is
Culture event guide
Ageing stars are hip
The Rolling Stones, My Bloody Valentine, Depeche Mode, David Bowie…with so many surprise comebacks, the first half of 2013 has been marked by famous veterans returning in force. They reflect a very real culture of nostalgia. But does experience always win the day?
Tower of babel
Pull the (Franco-German) wool over your eyes
Sometimes, all it takes is for a politician to let slip one comment about another country for Europe to be plunged once again into a new war of words. Who has taken their oath too far - and how do you express that sentiment in other European languages? Idiom of the week
EU week
Swedish, Italian, Portuguese and local media on Britain-EU exit debate
On 14 May David Cameron presented a draft bill for a referendum on EU membership to be held by 2017 in a bid to appease the EU opponents in his conservative party. Commentators say the draft will only lead to an anti-European rebellion among the tories, and call on the prime minister to campaign for a comprehensive reform of the EU instead
Yum Niam
Quinoa cool
Raspberries are no longer hip enough, it has to be Brazilian acai berries. A light green spirulina smoothie is so nineties, according to many health fanatics, when you can now sip on green kale. And who still cooks millet when it’s all about exotic quinoa? It’s enough to make natural food philistines dizzy, but what can and should you eat without being revealed to be 'uncool'?
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