cafebabel.com

Small money, big things: four film and art initiatives in Kosovo

('Jovana Zivkovic',) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:34:24 -0000

The economic climate ensures the making of only one film financed by centre for cinematography per year, whilst exhibition opportunities are spare. Young Kosovars are working where they believe they can help – in society, with ordinary people

Hunting Hashim Thaci in Prishtina

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:30:00 -0000

A serious politician, an ex-commander, a suspected mafia boss: the prime minister of Kosovo projects many images which reveal the Balkan region’s searing wounds. That’s why we went traipsing after the 42-year-old on his own turf, from the entrails of the Kosovar countryside where his family lives, to general Serbian limbo and a casual encounter with the man himself in an official setting

Aged three, Prishtina dances, designs but doesn’t debate

('entony',) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:13:26 -0000

Kosovo is one of the most optimistic countries in the world with 70% of the population under the age of thirty. Music, bars and art dot my four days in its capital, Prishtina, three years after the city claimed independence from Serbia

Coming home to build Kosovo for the EU

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:00:00 -0000

Kosovo has been independent for three years. After a decade of abundant humanitarian aid an economic boost has lacked in the country whilst corruption has increased. It doesn't put motivated citizens off though

Belgrade's youth explain homophobia and violence

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:00:36 -0000

In a city where more than two-thirds of students harbour dreams of going abroad after graduating, the empty discourses of corrupt politicians can be an efficient detonator for discontent. It’s a capital whose people’s hearts are irremediable divided between Russia and the EU, where violence raids its stadiums and streets

View from Belgrade's historical museum: Serbia, Europe and obsessions with history

('Aaron Rowlands',) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:00:36 -0000

The EU is not a compromise on the dream of a proud, independent Serbia, but rather the affirmation of it. The extremists behind such events as the nationalist riots at the gay pride march in October are merely the Serbian answer to a fringe movement in every country that gets louder when the uncertain future requires change. In other countries, radicals might cite immigration or the economy as their cause. In Serbia, they use history

Albania-Kosovo mafia, ‘cablegate’ and other cases of blindness

('Laura Simpson',) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:30:00 -0000

After two years of investigation, the council of Europe has accused the Kosovan prime minister of leading an international network trafficking organs, weapons and heroin with the silent acquiescence of European countries. Will these Wiki-Like revelations destroy public confidence in politics? Here's a little theory on scepticism

No, Kosovo's 2008 independence wasn't illegal

('euro topics',) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:36:27 -0000

Over two years since the 'world's smallest country' declared independence from Serbia, the international court of justice in The Hague pronounced the action 'legitimate' on 22 July. The Swiss, Slovenian, Swedish, Czech and Spanish press – the latter is one of five EU states not to recognise Kosovo - on other separatist movements and Serbia in the EU

'Free', 'partly free', 'not free': press freedom in Europe

('Andrew Burgess',) — Wed, 12 May 2010 10:30:00 -0000

American NGO Freedom House uses three categories to rank the degree of press freedom in countries across the world. On 3 May 2010, world press freedom day, each region of Europe learnt its category: the press in western Europe is 'free', central Europe is 'partly free' and in eastern Europe the press is 'not free'. But there are signs that the trend could change

Dismantled: five myths about Kosovo

('Martin W\xc3\xa4hlisch',) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:46:31 -0000

On 17 February, Europe’s youngest country celebrates its second anniversary. Presumably, most still wouldn't find Kosovo on a map. We regularly read about its soldiers, organised crime and demand for visas. Two roommates in Prishtina – a Kosovar and a German – share their most striking and basic common observations

Vjollca Dibra on being a young poetess in pre-war Kosovo

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:38:08 -0000

The thirtysomething works at OSCE logistics in Pristina when I meet her in late 2007, four months before Kosovo declares independence from Serbia. Who you might brand your average blonde, bespectacled working mother-of-two is also one of Kosovo's youngest recognised female poets

Sali Berisha: 'We are going to win the elections because Albanians are smart people'

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:59:09 -0000

The Albanian prime minister, 64, announced his country's official EU membership bid to the Czech presidency of the council on 28 April 2009. In Warsaw, the lively PM talk elections, internet and the EU at the two-day congress of the European people's party (EPP). Albania is one of its six non-EU members*

Theatre: Balkans’ not dead, from Paris to Skopje via Pristina

('Joss Corner',) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:30:00 -0000

The Theatre de Syldavie company presents a sparse play in which the muslims and christians of Macedonia attempt to understand one another: - 'Blood Wedding’, or the re-writing of a great Balkan classic

Baby soldiers and peacekeeping in Kosovo: why choose the army?

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:31:53 -0000

Tomi, a lively and remarkably blond 24-year-old Finn, speaks candidly about the six months he spent in Kosovo as a volunteer in the NATO-UN peacekeeping campaign. Along with 105 other young compatriots, among them four girls, he was deployed to the Balkans to serve for the UN

Kosovo declared independence one year ago. Is the region really destabilised?

('Mira Galanova',) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:39:48 -0000

As the authority of the world’s newest country moved to the EU, Belgrade asks the international community for a role in shaping Kosovo's future. But there are signs that the government would like to put the issue aside

Riots, reactions in Montenegro and Macedonia after recognising Kosovo

('Gojko Keselj',) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:49:12 -0000

Whilst over 400, 000 Albanians celebrated openly in Macedonia, Montenegros’ 15, 000 were silent after the former Yugoslav states recognised their neighbour. Unilateral independence was declared eight months ago

Music: Keane, Antwerp Gipsy-Ska Orkestra and Katharina Nuttall

('Maham Hashmi',) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Piano rock from the UK, Balkans from Belgium and Blue Monday in Norway – October’s best music picks kick off a European autumn

Kosovo discontent in Serbia

('Sarah Gray',) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:00:00 -0000

Feeling that they are nothing more than a transition generation, young Serbs are losing interest in politics. But the lively debate goes on in bars and restaurants. Final diary from a three-part travel series

Serbia’s Radovan Karadzic, prisoner bus line number 73

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0000

How the war criminal was arrested in Belgrade on 21 July, and happens in Serbia now

Manu Chao, Sex Pistols at Serbia's EXIT (Miloševic) festival

('Francesca Reinhardt',) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0000

As various legends take to the stage from 10-13 July, a local fan on how the ancient city of Novi Sad plays host to the most remarkable musical event in Europe

Housing in Hungary: no Chinese or blacks

('Nora Farkas',) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:48:32 -0000

Two estate agencies have highlighted discrimination in Hungary after advertising against 'coloured skin' tenants

Serbia: rising nationalism imperils Mladic, Karadzic hunt

Thu, 08 May 2008 08:00:00 -0000

Where will the ballot results place Serbia in its snap election on 11 May, and what consequences will it have for the hunt for the Bosnian Serb fugitives?

I’ll phone you from the Irish clouds

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The latest Greek commissioner tells you to mind your business, the EU in Kosovo and don't worry about internet downloads – it’s the latest news from Brussels

12:08 - East of Pristina

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

In the Serb enclave of Gracanica, young people are becoming aware that a good future involves teenage crushes, good friends and weekends

Young Europeans on love, brothels and Beach Boys in Kosovo

('Pim de Kuijer',) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Despite the lack of vegetables and electricity, or precisely because of it, young Swedes, Dutch and French Europeans enjoy working in this remote, recently independent, spot of Europe

The future is death metal-inspired art in Kosovo

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Contemporary art is just one bright face of the Kosovo prism, from which the works of the likes of 29-year-old visual artist Artan Balaj refract

Gheg or Tosk: dialect still divides Kosovo

('John Smith',) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0000

The majority of Kosovars speak Gheg, but officially use Tosk for historical reasons. As Kosovo emerges in the form of an independent state, Migjen Kelmendi, former rock star and editor in chief of 'Java' magazine, discusses 'nationalist deliriums'

Blogging Kosovo, Erasmus and poetry

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Existential crises in Berlin, self-critical French and new nation states - the best of our babelblogs this fortnight

No Lisbon treaty referendum for the Brits

('Adriano Farano',) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

A Europhile goes against the British PM's masquerade, as the bill has its first reading in the House of Lords on 12 March

Videos: Zapatero, Sarkozy, Berlusconi and Aznar get their tongues out

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

It’s pure logic - EU politicians should be able to speak several languages without problems, right? The truth is a bit worse

EU frames Kosovo's independence

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Unemployment, professional opportunities and the Lisbon treaty: the latest news from Brussels, where all eyes are on the world's newest state

Kosovo independence: your reactions

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

On 17 February, the state declared independence from Serbia, amidst a split EU outlook. Kosovar, Serb and Russian youth sound out their reactions on the day

Serb elections: blackmail Europe

('Alison Matthews',) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Serb incumbent Boris Tadic needs every vote he can get in the second round of presidential elections on 3 February. PM Kostunica supports his pro-European coalition partner - but on his own terms only

Educating Pristina

('Kate Martin',) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Leaving an area scarred by ethnic conflict and fifty years of communism is a tempting prospect for young Kosovars. However, most of those who leave to study or work abroad decide to return for good

'Prishtinali': urban faces in a raw capital

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

A capital in transition has ‘bigger’ priorities than music and fashion. Dynamic young patriots use these elements of renewal to bring their city closer to Europe

50 cent, emergency generators and contraband tobacco

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

With unemployment at more than 40%, the black market economy and a lack of political clarity acting as weights around the country's neck, the Kosovar market is searching for a way into the wider world and a definitive boom in its growth levels

Pristina: a capital looking for capitals

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:00:00 -0000

With a district extension of 572 km² and an uncertain population estimate of half a million, Prishtina is the most populated city of Kosovo and its administrative, political, economic and cultural centre

Cocaine Spain

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0000

plus the never-ending story of Kosovo

Being left on the Kosovan shelf

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

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

Exit: Downing Street

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:19:00 -0000

Northern Ireland highs, Iraq all-time lows - part of the legacy that British Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves after a decade in power, as he steps down on 27 June 2007

Impending independence?

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Independent from or autonomous within Serbia? Negotiations on Kosovo’s future status wound up in March

Walking naked into a mosque: nationalism in Kosovo

Fri, 08 Sep 2006 12:00:00 -0000

What is kosovar national identity? Migjen Kelmendi, editor of the weekly Java, opens the debate with a recently published book Who is Kosovar?

Could Kosovo join the EU?

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 12:00:00 -0000

While the Balkan province is mourning the death of president Ibrahim Rugova, the issue of its independence from Belgrade is still on the UN negotiating table

Piergiorgio Rosetti: Peace as a political instrument

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 02:37:00 -0000

The case for a European peace-corps is the strongest it’s ever been, Piergiorgio Rosetti tells Café Babel.