cafebabel.com

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

Hungarian minorities in Slovakia: small arrangements between enemies

('Jude Lister',) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:30:00 -0000

One week after a law proposing Hungarian nationality to ethnic Hungarians abroad, prime minister Viktor Orbán announced a new era of 'national unity' during his prime ministerial inauguration on 29 May. Hungary is choosing the route of hostile nationalism, much to the delight of Slovak populists

Why Hungary and Slovakia are at odds

('euro topics',) — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:09:48 -0000

On 25 May the Slovakian parliament warned Hungary not to offer citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries. The Austrian, Hungarian and Slovakian press accuse the two of using the issue to ignore domestic problems

‘University mafia’ cut corners in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and France

('Jude Lister',) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0000

On 1 February, a new rector was allegedly appointed to the Alexander Dubcek university of Trencin in western Slovakia, after a spate of corruption scandals forced his predecessor to resign. Fake diplomas are nothing new, but these events multiplied across Europe in 2009, with Miss Worlds and prominent politicians standing accused: how can such a reality be explained?

Europe's 'unword' of 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:45:55 -0000

European theatre tips of the summer

('Helen Swain',) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:56:16 -0000

Sam Mendes subtitled in Greek, Oscar Wilde in the open air in Regent's Park and the British Shakespeare company with Czech director Jiri Menzel in a castle in Prague - the best music, dance and theatre doses in July and August

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?

The merry-go-round of Slovakia's presidential candidates

('Andrew Burgess',) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:41:42 -0000

On 21 March, the Slovakians went to the ballot boxes to elect their president. For once, the election was polarised, dubbed ‘agreeable’ by the national press. Ivan Gašparovič, 67, put his seat on the line

Perspective: Hungarian-Slovak relations reach their nadir

('Linda lu',) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:08:40 -0000

On 10 December, Hungarian prime minister Ferenc Gyurscany said he was disappointed with Slovak prime minister Robert Fico's decision to reject a November agreement to improve relations between the neighbours. A look back at the events running up to the baby step that was

Testimony: being young, Hungarian and a football-loving minority in Slovakia

('Judit Schv\xc3\xa9ger',) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:33:23 -0000

After contacting a dozen youngsters via email and phone to talk about the currently tense nationalist relations, only one was ready to tell me about his personal experiences

Army and Islam makes Turkey lose out to Europe

('Roman Moravcik',) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:36:15 -0000

Slovakian experts have their take on what problems the EU member candidate has

Czech-Slovak sausage: under EU protection

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:04:49 -0000

A ceasefire was called between the central-eastern nations in July, after the EU intervened in the sausage war dividing them

If Belgium became the new Czechoslovakia

('Roman Moravcik',) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:21:58 -0000

Are the Flemish and Walloons against a split like the Slovaks and Czechs were in 1992? Would it be down to politicians to decide a split? Economic repercussions, language problems and sports ratings – a Slovak perspective on how a country dissolves

Happy fourth birthday to central and eastern Europe

('c\xc3\xa9dric AUDINOT',) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

It has been four years since the European Union opened its door wide open and welcomed ten member states. It's not been a 100% success story for every member though

Smuggling cigarettes in Schengen Slovakia

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Since December 21 2007, border controls have vanished inside the EU. The eastern border now seems like a fortress - what's 'big brother' in Slovak?

Hungary-Slovakia: 'Schengen won’t make my life better'

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

As we celebrate on 21 December 2007, for residents along the Hungarian border, Schengen is a historical event with bittersweet results

Hungaro-Slovak history textbook: keep dreaming

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The project proposed by a joint committee of historians is chalked for the beginning of 2008 but is charged with problematics

November pick of Europe's best culture events

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0000

From Helsinki avant-garde cinema to factory fairs in Switzerland, your guide on where to be a culture vulture this month

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

Hitchhiking against poverty

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

70 young Europeans take part in Eurizons, a unique hitchhike campaign to promote the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Jaroslav Zverina: Europeans and sex

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 14:00:00 -0000

What about Europeans and sex? Jaroslav Zverina, Czech MEP and well-known sexologist talks about couples and gives us some secrets to success.

The last of their kind

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 12:17:00 -0000

Of all the European mountain ranges, it is only in the High Tatras that the mountain huts are supplied by foot. And every year the porters organise a rather unusual annual competition – the Sherpa Rally.

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