cafebabel.com

Kirtimai: Lithuania's Roma on education and 'missing England'

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:36:54 -0000

Less than 3, 000 Roma live in Lithuania. Representing 0.1% of the population, there are still enough Baltic 'gypsies' to serve as a scapegoat in a country feeling squeezed by the crisis. However, in one Lithuanian village, Romualda, Svetlana, Konstantin and Konsela are helping the community to lift its head

Second generation Romans in multicultural Italy

('Anj',) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:58:29 -0000

The facts point out that they are important for the country’s economic growth, but they are still stigmatised by the ruling class and forgotten by the law - what do young Romans Puia, Fatou, Queenia and Franck say?

Multiculturalism in Italy: emigration and exodus

('Sophie Inge',) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:02:55 -0000

Not only are Italy's privileged leaving their country as fast as immigrants are arriving in Italy, but when they do move abroad their perception of their own national identity naturally changes. A new open-minded multi-cultural sensibility contrasts with the mindset of their parent's generation, but will they stay attached to their homeland?

Self-identification, multiculturalism and erasmus in the EU

('Alexandra Belopolsky',) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:24:20 -0000

In a world where the physical borders are a blur, no wonder the mental ones are blurring as well. With nationalists turning to the 'protection of Europe' rather than the 'protection of the homeland', it is fair to say that the erasmus generation is the face of future Europe. United within itself, far past the division to Germans, French, Poles, or Italians, it's an identity in its own right - even for me

Confused, Cameron? Don’t abandon multiculturalism just yet

('Daniel G. Ross',) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:23:39 -0000

There's nothing particularly new in the British prime minister's 5 February claims that multiculturalism has failed. But there is something worrisome about his speech, and not only because other English-speaking countries are looking to Britain as they debate the merits of their own multiculturalism policies. View from Canada

Cameron vs. multiculturalism: British, Belgian, Spanish, Romanian press react

('euro topics',) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:25:53 -0000

In a call for ‘muscular liberalism’ at the Munich security conference, the British prime minister blames multiculturalism for exacerbating Britain's problems with radical islamists. While cautiously commending Cameron's objectives, Europe’s press criticises his methods on the grounds that they play into the hands of the extreme right

Che Sudaka: 'Barcelona was what it was and, sadly, is not anymore'

('victor escandell',) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:29:07 -0000

This is the story of a six-piece Barcelona-based band composed entirely of South Americans. We chart their journey from illegal street buskers to successful European band in Paris

Angela Merkel: 'multiculti' German society failed, but islam 'has a place'

('euro topics',) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:06:17 -0000

The German chancellor's statements on 16 October have provoked the Slovakian, British, Dutch and Polish media - both immigrants and host societies have to work on integration, or the extreme right will win. Press review

Romain Galati: 'In ten years people will be speaking more languages'

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:03:22 -0000

To mark the European day of languages on 26 September 2010 we spotted a project where learning languages and promoting integration went hand in hand. Meet the founder of Language Exchange International (LEI)

Citizenship exams: spotlight western Europe

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:21:13 -0000

There's no European-wide citizenship test - it's obligatory by law in national governments only. The Brits and French started in 2005, followed by the Netherlands in 2006 and Germany in 2008, though Italy and Spain don't command it by law. Overview

Esma Redzepova: 'Roma are cosmopolitan'

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:30:00 -0000

A mother of 47, a career spanning 20 albums and 40 years and songs in Serbian, Macedonian and Romany. At the Sin Fronteras festival in France, the Macedonian 'gypsy music queen' brings a bit of Roma culture to a country which is planning to export large numbers of its gypsy population 'back' to Romania and Bulgaria by the end of the month

Boobquake: best of European cleavage expressions

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:27:22 -0000

When the French refer to a curvy woman's best assets, they note that 'there are a lot of people on the balcony', whilst the Spanish remark that a woman has a 'great breast-onality'. Eyebrow-raising expression of the week

Melancholy in Berlin: views of three foreign writer residents

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:43:59 -0000

Very loosely, a 19-year-old Klaus Mann saw 1920s Berlin as 'seductive, gray, scabby, peeling, yet vibrant vitality, nervous, shimmering, phosphorescent, animated, full of tensions and promises.' Italian, Croatian and French writers Gianluca Falanga, Maksim Cristan and Maia Mazaurette give us their noughties take

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

Carme Riera: why Catalan’s 'days are numbered'

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:00:00 -0000

Whilst in Lisbon for BeBalears, the Balearic Islands cultural week, the Barcelona-based writer and Spanish literature professor discusses how she struggled to write in her native tongue and analyses the erasmus effect

The Netherlands, France, Italy: rise of Europe's right-wing

('sofio',) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:00:00 -0000

After Geert Wilders in Holland, the1 Le Pen family in France gained the votes at the regional elections on 14 March 2010, confirming the positive trend of extreme righ-wing at the old continent. Together with Italy's Lega Nord, these parties represent a practical example of new right populists who do not like to be labelled 'extremists'

Paris suburbs: cliche piled upon cliche

('James Friscia',) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:17:48 -0000

It's a common European stereotype to define the French suburbs by their one-time violent rioting. But those events took place five years ago. On a visit to the 'banlieue' of Paris today we meet three residents who tell their story - a father-of-three, a social worker and a budding regional election hopeful

Magyd Cherfi: 'identity and national is a collusion that I don’t get'

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:10:00 -0000

Singing about these issues in concert is something of a déjà vu that the French singer and militant can do without, he says. Interview

In a country of 400, 000 muslims, the Swiss vote to ban minarets

('euro topics',) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:40:42 -0000

On 29 November, the people of Switzerland voted to ban the construction of new minarets. The referendum initiated by the Swiss people's party and the conservative federal democratic union has dealt a severe blow to religious peace in the country, write the Estonian, Swiss, Portuguese and Austrian press

In favour of domain names in Latin characters

('Maira Cabrini',) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:27:52 -0000

The organisation managing the domain name system will allow the use of every possible character from 16 November. With one hitch - there are over 100, 000! It may be a nice symbol for multipolarity, but a step backwards for effective communication between people

Three globalised couples share their expat love stories

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:17 -0000

It’s normal to move abroad for professional or financial reasons. But why leave your country sto be with that special someone? Familiar reservations, a new culture and linguistic barriers are all problems often dealt with, from Australia to Canada via France and Germany

Dear Reader via Johannesburg and Berlin: 'We’re all just geeks really'

('Andrew Christie',) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Cherilyn MacNeil, 24, the charismatic singer and pianist of South African indie trio Dear Reader, speaks to us from the fringes of the Berlin Festival about her home country’s mix of danger and new beginnings, faith and spirituality, broken hearts and summer in Berlin

A cultural cacophony; international festival in Germany

('Annie Rutherford',) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:00:00 -0000

'Beirut? Isn't that in the near East?' You frequently hear this question when telling European friends about the Festival of Young Artists in Bayreuth. Has anyone other than avowed Wagner admirers heard of this small town deep in the franconian province?

Music: South London's Speech Debelle and Revolver

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:07:43 -0000

Two American musicians who play for a better world and are displaced in Scandinavia, the newest female London hip-hop sound, plus a trio of French heartbreakers named after a Beatles track. This month's music picks also feature Peter Broderick and Mark Johnson

Languages: Dutch amidst French in bilingual Brussels

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:27:21 -0000

On the footpaths of Brussels your ears catch a litany of languages. In this European city, the official status of the bilingualism can be seen everywhere, especially in job advertisements. Is this a question of identity or discrimination in recruitment?

Iran, Russia and the British council: getting geopolitical with Shakespeare

('Lindsey Evans',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:15:00 -0000

The United Kingdom’s primary institution for representing its culture and language internationally has been embroiled in a diplomatic struggle for the past two years. Russia is pushing for the closure of its offices in Moscow and St Petersburg

Luxembourg, the only genuinely multilingual country in Europe?

Tue, 05 May 2009 17:00:00 -0000

There’s a lot of talk about Luxembourg in Europe at the moment because of the country’s commitment to ‘bank confidentiality’. But while the financiers may be keeping their lips sealed, the Luxembourgers are speaking a whole host of languages

Can immigrants in Luxembourg vote at the 7 June elections?

('Ellie Banks',) — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Almost half the population living in Luxembourg are immigrants. ‘Multi-Culti’ is the motto of the capital, where two thirds of these foreigners have found a new home. Statistics predict that by 2015 the Grand Duchy will number more immigrant citizens than native. Immigrants who have had a fixed residence in Luxembourg for 5 years are allowed to vote in local elections, but in the parliamentary election on 7 June, they will not have a voice. Do you think immigrants in Luxembourg should be allowed to take part in general elections as well? The answer in pictures

Matonge district: heart of darkness

('Francesca Reinhardt',) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:05:23 -0000

Marked by the imposing office high-rises of the European Union, the institutional centre of Brussels symbolises the power of European civilisation. Beside it, the African quarter of Matongé follows life in a completely different rhythm

‘Eurogeneration’ or the Erasmus effect?

('Akli Hadid',) — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:00:00 -0000

They travel across planet 'Erasmus' and speak 'foreign' without getting tongue-tied. Young, free and equal? Facing multiculturalism and the monster job world, there are still walls to climb. Testimonies from an identity in progress

Eyewitness: Tibet out of control

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

As the tension between the Tibetan monks versus Chinese control escalates, we hear a 25-year-old Swiss tourist's version of events after a week in the capital, Lhasa

‘It’s our History’ exhibition in Brussels

('Martyn Hawkins',) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

The story of the EU through the real life stories of its inhabitants; an event organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 2007

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

'Sarkozy or YouTube 3.0?' in Bologna

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Better processors, improved data management possibilities integrated into consoles. Report from the 'Future Film Festival' in Italy

Françoise Cactus: 'society is a little too turned on by sex'

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0000

The vocalist and drummer for kitsch pop duet 'Stereo Total', 43, evokes Franco-German bilingualism applied to masculinity-femininity, Gainsbourg and modern frustrations

Cat-isms

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

'I am a skinhead from Moscow'

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Russian magistrates, politicians and media are concealing more and more racist attacks on foreigners

'La dolce vita' of gays in Berlin

('Ed Saunders',) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The German capital is a real paradise for gays and lesbians. Despite the high level of general tolerance, the reality is that discrimination in the workplace and violent attacks still continue

Polish losers?

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:20:00 -0000

The Poles have made up the second largest national minority in Berlin for years, but the eternal stereotype of Polish migrant workers has been disappearing of late. New blood is coming into the city - bringing students, artists and businessmen

Illegal immigrants ignored by Athenians

('Sarah Gray',) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0000

At the crossroads of East and West, Athens has become the terminus of many migration routes. The Albanian community, the most numerous, is also the most stigmatised in Greece. It all stems from a misunderstanding

Barcelonistan

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:00:00 -0000

As 29 people of mainly Moroccan origin go on trial in Madrid for the March 11 bombings of 2004, life for Barcelona's Muslim community ticks on

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

Partying the Erasmus way - over 34 hectares

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Endless parties, sprawling sports fields, a huge park and diverse roommates from the four corners of the globe - a room in the Cité University is extremely sought after amongst Erasmus students in Paris

Rome: la dolce vita?

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Being a geographical centre, Rome traces its own road in balancing the contradictary identities that flow in from the north and the south

Multilingualism: ‘English is not enough’

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 12:00:00 -0000

27 states, 23 languages; Leonard Orban, Romanian Commissioner-designate for multilingualism, is to head the new European tower of Babel in 2007

Europe-tripping: Christmas at the markets

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0000

If you have time to kill and money to burn, take a look around Europe’s Christmas markets – there’s so much more than mulled wine and cold feet

Breaking barriers: Making EuroMed mobility work

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 12:00:00 -0000

From 22 to 23 November, the Libyan capital Tripoli hosts the EU-Africa Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development. On the agenda: formal measures in favour of EuroMed mobility

‘Santral Istanbul’, factory art

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 05:21:00 -0000

In the run-up to becoming European cultural capital in 2010, Istanbul reveals its artistic talents

Post colonial opportunism

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 03:32:00 -0000

From the 3 to 5 November, Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries will meet in Montevideo, Uruguay, for the 16th Ibero-American summit

Southern Russia: cracks in the cultural mosaic

('Francesca Reinhardt',) — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:23:00 -0000

Trip to Krasnodar, a fragile multi-ethnical paradise in Southern Russia