cafebabel.com

When the shit hits the fan

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:00:00 -0000

It's not just the last century - Europe has a long history of getting into problems. Thus, it is not surprising we have a rich tradition of expressions that warn us to get out 'before the shit hits the fan' as the English would say. The Hungarians have also understood that trouble is bad news

Pan-Slavism, Slovio and Polish the 'status symbol'

('Francesca Reinhardt',) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0000

The Slavic languages all have their roots in Proto-Slavic. Since the twelfth century, however, they have drifted apart. One of them reached its zenith in the seventeenth century: Polish

Rock band Turbo: ‘absence of taste’ an ‘incurable disease’ in Hungary

('Ili Pusk\xc3\xa1s',) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:12:31 -0000

When it comes to psychedelic-progressive rock music, Turbo is Hungary’s number one. Bass guitarist Jero and singer Balázs Tanka on genres, role models and taking different viewpoints on music tastes and truths in general

'Magic Lives Here': Bulgarians disagree with pan-European tourism advert

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:07:32 -0000

One sleepy morning the oriental sounds coming from an advert on a European news channel jolted us awake. The 30-second spot promotes Bulgaria abroad. Or does it, with its beach volleyball and flying skiers amidst sunrises and sunsets? Four natives react

Romania and Bulgaria not fighting corruption, EU complains

('eurotopics',) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:11:03 -0000

Fighting corruption? Romania and Bulgaria should do more to fight it, bemoans the EU. A progress report on 20 July singled out the Romanian judiciary and legal system. Romanian bloggers and Bulgarian dailies reply, whilst the Austrian and German press have their bit to say too

To be or to be in Berlin: poor but (creatively) rich

('Camelia Ivanova',) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:22:59 -0000

Money and the crisis are not on the agenda for Berliners who can focus on different things, such as art. 'Being poor is not cool, but OK,' is the word on the street. It all looks very promising for someone from Bulgaria, the EU's officially poorest country, where a lack of money, unlike cheap glamour, can never be a virtue

(Non-)smoker's summer guide to Europe's bans

('Emilie Prattico',) — Mon, 24 May 2010 10:29:37 -0000

While you’re carefully planning your summer holidays, it might be worth considering what destinations will best suit your needs - be thee a lover of those tobacco-filled thin paper cylinders or not

The 'M' word: breaking the Bulgarian complex

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:27:34 -0000

In January 2009, Sofia’s then-mayor and current PM banned anti-government protests after citizen disillusion with the country’s corruption; Bulgaria is officially the poorest EU state, according to Transparency International. One year on, the remnants of a ‘protest culture’ lie in the urban, cultural and mediatic fragmentation of a society rooted in tradition, the past - and the mafia, to an extent

Europe: preparing for another gas dispute?

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:48:34 -0000

As ‘continental Europe's biggest gas hub’ opens in Austria, it’s clear that Europe is now in a better position to deal with to gas supply disruptions, caused by geopolitical factors, that so paralysed parts of Europe in recent years. A repeat of the Russo-Ukraine energy crisis is unlikely in 2010

What crisis? Scouring for entrepreneurs in Bulgaria

('Hanna Sankowska',) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:19:13 -0000

Bulgaria’s GDP growth slowed, but nowhere close to the levels noted west of Sofia. The new coalition government has inherited nearly empty treasury coffers from the previous 'corrupt' administration. In the European Year of Innovation 2009, funding for start-ups was cut. Yet stories of determination prevail. Part three in a five part 'EU crisis on the ground' city series

‘Many people in Bulgaria are left-wing - but don’t dare to say it’

('Andrew Burgess',) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:35:51 -0000

With only 18% of the vote in the last legislative elections in September 2009, the Bulgarian socialist party (BSP) is nowadays a rather sluggish opposition. Its leaders, nostalgic former communists, are joined on the left of the political spectrum by youngsters with ideas and dreams. Part two in a five part 'EU crisis on the ground' city series

Kinda green: five myths about sustainable development in Bulgaria

('Hanna Sankowska',) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:17:57 -0000

Ah, the Bulgarians. They're relatively apathetic. Most companies are interested in either doing only the legally required minimum for the environment or in using their ‘green’ activities as marketing tools. But counterintuitive though it may seem, the financial crisis actually promotes sustainability

Bulgaria's new government and its 'Rambo' of a prime minister

('euro topics',) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:27:02 -0000

On 27 July Boyko Borisov's 'Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria' (Gerb) party won with a clear majority, standing for the first time in parliamentary elections in early July. The cabinet operates as a minority government without a coalition partner. The press in UK, Germany, Romania and Bulgaria talk Rambo, secret agents and Catch 22-situations

Michael Jackson dies aged 50: eastern EU grab their crotch in tribute

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:48:42 -0000

On 25 June, the king of pop died after a cardiac arrest in LA. He remains a firm musical reference for the 'eurogeneration’ growing up in the seventies and eighties. Ukrainian folk rock, Lithuania’s late MJ and Bulgaria’s Wacko Jacko wannabe – soundtrack tribute in videos

European elections night: I was watching TV

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:55:58 -0000

The night that most centre-left governments took their batterings, you might have caught a show about an unemployed mother-of-two in Spain or the final of 'The Apprentice' in the UK. Glance at the programmes for which viewers gave up the EU election coverage ghost on the evening of 7 June; results came out at 8pm, signalling a lower voter turnout than 2004

What communism means to three central and eastern European women

('Kate Robinson',) — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:00:00 -0000

Twenty years since the fall of the Berlin wall, what does communism mean to Cecilia, 22, from Bulgaria, Katharina, 20, from Slovakia and Anna, 28, from the Czech Republic?

Bulgarian migrants: 'thieves don’t go to prison but become MPs instead'

('Kate Stansfield',) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:39:59 -0000

Between 12 and 15% of Bulgarians are migrants. The 2007 entry of this Balkan country into the EU is encouraging the return of those who at one time decided to leave it. It is also easier to ride out the crisis from home. We speak to three people on the move

Bulgaria: energy in transition

('Darren Thompson',) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:15:00 -0000

Bulgaria was the member state most affected by the gas crisis of January 2009. It is currently dealing with problems of corruption, the old dependence on Russia for energy, questions of national pride and 'the stupid decisions' in Brussels - not forgetting ecology

Bulgarian environmentalists defy developers

('Andrew Christie',) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Hotels and ski resorts: more and more Bulgarians are taking a stand against environmental destruction. The cases of Strandszha park and the Rila mountains in the country's south-west

Erasmus testimony: impressions of a Bulgarian in Bonn

('Bistra Dimitrova',) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:22:50 -0000

In the fourth installment of a five-part series, a 22-year-old psychology student from Sofia University emphasises the temporary nature of the learning exchange experience. The programme has run for twenty-one years

Reporters Without Borders: Bulgaria ‘worrying’

('Fiona Herdman Smith',) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:46:43 -0000

Luxembourg, Iceland and Norway rank joint first in the 2008 worldwide press freedom index - but why is Bulgaria lagging behind the rest of Europe? Interviews

Political stalemate in Belgium

('Ed Saunders',) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0000

After Belgian king Albert II rejected the prime minister’s offer of resignation on 17 July, Yves Leterme will have to find new ways to guide Belgium through its identity crisis. The latest news from the EU in Brussels

August culture vulture

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Despite a slow start to the summer weatherwise, Europe’s festivals – even outdoor festivals – are in full blossom. THE event overwiew for August

Bulgaria and Romania are Laurel and Hardy

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0000

The longtime neighbours and latest EU members know precious little about each other

From imam to businessman

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Sausages without pork - a Turkish businessman tries conquering the EU

‘German businesses want to invest even more’

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Corruption stops German businesses settling in Bulgaria. But Mitko Vassilev of Sofia's German-Bulgarian Industry and Trade Council is optimistic

Eastern ski resorts take centre piste

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Longer hours of daylight, groomed slopes, cheap fares and a chance to explore über-foreign cuisine and culture. More and more are taking to Slovenian, Bulgarian, Czech and Bosnian slopes

Slaves to 'ciao'

('Sarah Turpin',) — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0000

Written as 'ciao', pronounced as 'tchao'. In Europe, the use of the warm, melodious Italian greeting has been 'a la mode' for many centuries, often replacing more formal greetings

Far right Bulgarian is youngest MEP

('Ed Saunders',) — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The recent accession of Bulgaria and Romania was the pill that the ultra nationalists in the European Parliament took, doubling their superpower forces

Join the Le Pen and Mussolini club

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0000

Representing a mere 2.5% of the EU chamber, the new far-right group in parliament is receiving the political cold shoulder

Chalga folkpop: 'forget yourself in our rhythm'

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Arabian disco, gypsy rock and house music boom from buses, taxis and radios throughout Bulgaria. But the knives are out

2007: A Space Odysseus

('Sarah Turpin',) — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0000

Homer's hero is now travelling the length and breadth of the world wide web. With Germany’s six month presidency in full swing, the Goethe Institute has designed a virtual journey for artists. How is Europe searching for itself?

Fortress Bulgaria: gated communities

('Ed Saunders',) — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Wealthy families in Bulgaria are using gated communities to protect themselves from the poor majority

Eastern property boom excludes the young

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:00:00 -0000

The wave of home acquisitions is pushing property prices up in Eastern Europe. Young people find it difficult to buy their first home

Meglena Plugtschieva: in the forest of cocktail parties

Sat, 12 Aug 2006 12:00:00 -0000

The Bulgarian ambassador to Germany and qualified forester can navigate her way around the Berlin diplomatic circuit as easily as the forests of home

War on huts, peace to the palaces!

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 12:00:00 -0000

Before long, demolition work will begin on the ‘Palace of the Republic’ in Berlin, a relic from GDR days. In other ex-socialist states there are similar buildings, and every one has its own story.

“Crises help the EU move forward”

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 10:40:00 -0000

One of Poland’s best known personalities is the politician, writer and journalist Tadeusz Mazowiecki. In an interview with cafebabel.com, he considers the effect of Polish accession and how Europe can move forward.

A decade of food hysteria

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 08:28:00 -0000

Many EU countries have ordered farmers to keep their chickens indoors. Such action has a familiar ring. The past decade has been marked by crises in the food chain in Europe.

East-West divide

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 16:00:00 -0000

Since the Roma are legally defined as a minority in Europe, officially they benefit from a protection of their rights. However, the way that laws are applied varies within the Union