cafebabel.com

Sherry, an English love story

('Akli Hadid',) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:00:00 -0000

One of the most typical European wines has to be 'vino de Jerez', a white wine fortified with brandy which is known as 'sherry' in the English-speaking world and 'Xérès' amongst French-speakers. The name comes from the vineyards near the town on the southern tip of Europe

Shh(it), it’s the Queen: Elizabeth II’s ghost-town visit to Irish Republic

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:59:45 -0000

It has been hailed as the culmination of the Anglo-Irish peace process: the first ever visit of a British monarch to the Republic of Ireland on 17 May. But with Dublin’s streets lying empty, and the terrorist threat level in the north classed as ‘severe’, the visit seems like a very expensive exercise in cynicism

English, British or European? My grandparents on UK in the EU

('Richard Vale',) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:11:36 -0000

According to the Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2009, only 30% of UK citizens believe that our membership of the EU is 'a good thing'. Whilst this meagre piece of one of Eurobarometer’s many brightly-coloured and informative pies is up two points from the last survey, the fact remains that Joe Public fails to engage with the mysterious, supranational, sovereignty-gobbling entity that resides somewhere beyond the Channel

On St. Patrick's day, drink Poitín, the world’s strongest alcohol

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:30:00 -0000

You’ll often find it in a clear, unmarked glass bottle, innocently snuggled at the back of a neighbour’s fridge, but the real Poteen (pronounced 'putch-een') isn’t sold in any shop in Dublin. St. Patrick apparently brewed it, and few people in Ireland haven’t tasted this ultra-alcoholic brew, but the lethal concoction has been illegal here since 1661

Swinger clubs: Blue Berlin 'liebt dich'

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:45:00 -0000

Berlin loves you. Berlin is young and isn’t ashamed of its exuberance. An Italian visits the premises of a capital’s red-light soul which is not expecting anyone. Far from Amsterdam’s sex ghettos and Italy’s hypocrisies, between the naked bodies of those for whom sexuality is no taboo

Why do Germans sing 'Schland'?

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:59:53 -0000

In a week looking to Germany appearing in a world cup semi-final (and maybe a final), the new phenomenon comes in the form of an incomprehensible chant which drops the 'Deut' out of 'Deutschland' – are the Germans too drunk to hail their country?

Popping into Chinatown in Manchester

('Ana D',) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:13:09 -0000

Known as a Chinese village of north England, the neighbourhood is one of the most peculiar in Manchester, being the second largest tourist spot of England after London. One of the odd distinguishing factors of multiculturalism is the local community enclosed in its borders

UK election: EU press on the one month for 'posh boy' Cameron to battle Brown

('euro topics',) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:05:28 -0000

On 6 April the British prime minister Gordon Brown announced parliamentary elections on 6 May, opening the race for the House of Commons. The Spanish, Italian, Irish and Austrian press expect the country's enormous budget deficit to dominate the discussion; the credibility of the established parties is also at stake, they say

British authors in Paris on writing and Romania

('danaradler',) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:00:08 -0000

Vivienne Vermes is working on an autobiographical piece, whilst Denise Larking Coste is about to publish a novella in French; both Brits are members of a writers group from called 'Babel'. We discuss life in Paris, writing and Romania

Low cost airlines lend citizens a 'European' identity

('Nathan Charlton',) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Budget travel is a reality for modern Europeans, a part of everyday life. Accounting for its environmental impact may affect the as yet fragile common European identity it lends to flying citizens

In London? Hang out at Pure Groove or Cafe 1001

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:00:00 -0000

The one thing that has always characterised the idea of the Big Smoke aside from its climate is its lively music scene. Since the sixties, London has dictated the guidelines of European and sometimes global musical trends, acting as a forge and launch pad for small or slightly more established rock bands. I discover the Chew Lips in between Farringdon and Brick Lane

2 days in Warsaw: Solidarnosc, cult Polish documentaries and Berlusconi

('Lydia Bigos',) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:42:13 -0000

For two days at the end of April 2009, the Polish capital becomes the 'centre of Europe' as the EU's largest centre-right party descend on the city. Quality time spent between British, Spanish and Polish colleagues raises an understanding of what the last twenty years mean, and the gap between east and west. Opinion

London and Berlin reviews of Mark Ravenhill's 'Over There' play

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:30:46 -0000

Mark Ravenhill’s unconventional play about identical twins who are reunited after growing up in east and west Germany travelled from London to Berlin this spring. Our London reviewer calls it a timely commentary on the EU’s current political troubles. Our Berlin reviewer wonders if the British director reproaches the Germans with the repression of history. Cross-reviews from the Royal Court and Schaubühne theatres