cafebabel.com

Activist András Istvánffy on ‘Hungary's permanent protest culture since 2006’

('Andras Szirko',) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:48:55 -0000

While the Hungarian government has been closing popular venues, the 4K! or fourth republic! movement has been attempting to reclaim public places through flash mobs and other actions. We meet the platform's coordinator

City planning in Budapest: making poverty invisible

('Monica Mircescu',) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:53:36 -0000

Since the new conservative majority came to power in Budapest in 2010, the local council's anti-poverty strategies include putting a ban on begging in public spaces and reversing an old tradition: the 'social' management of bulk refuse collection known as 'lomtalanitás'

From Breivik to Khaled Said: a digital revolution

('cbinns',) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:53:17 -0000

The year 2011 showed us the force of new media in political debates, whether in the European protests, the Arab revolutions or the terrifying attack committed in Norway in July. Political engagement is now affordable for everyone, everywhere. Is this immediacy which now defines political engagement compatible with our democracies?

French perspectives on London riots: 'so 2005'

('hkeet',) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 12:20:55 -0000

Rioters were brought before the courts, police failings were discussed. What were the causes of the unprecedented violence that the UK witnessed in August? The authorities, driven by traditional populism and reactionary politics, refused to analyse them in-depth in the moment. Perspective from across the channel

Stalking Obama in Detroit: getting all 1930s French socialist on us?

('Helene Bienvenu',) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:04:27 -0000

French photojournalist Helene Bienvenu and filmmaker Nora Mandray recently moved to Detroit from Budapest and Los Angeles to write and direct a documentary. On the way, president Barack Obama visited Michigan’s largest city on the first Monday in September, which is a version of Europe’s 1st May bank holiday

Being a Beşiktaş football supporter in Istanbul

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:00:00 -0000

There are three big football teams in Istanbul: the aristocratic Galatasaray, the Asian Fenerbahçe and the self-proclaimed ‘people’s team (‘halk takim’), Beşiktaş. The fans of the latter are known to be politically active. The Beşiktaşli, as they are called, stand up for social progress and football integrity

Try finding an Arab revolution in Albania

('ZoeBBee',) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:00:00 -0000

Late afternoon, outside the headquarters of Tirana’s central electoral commission. A rather burly group of Albanian socialist party militants await the announcement of the results of the local elections of 8 May. A sizeable police cordon ranged in front of them protects the building where, for the umpteenth time, ballot papers are being counted and recounted. Things seem to have reached an impasse

My Zagreb Vitriol: remembering Croatia’s anti-government protests

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 31 May 2011 12:15:00 -0000

As France, the UK and the Netherlands keep the country at arm’s length, the fact is that its almost six-year candidacy to the European union is almost complete in 2011. Anti-government protests against corruption and political incompetence marked the Croatian capital in February, and cafebabel.com sampled the ongoing street passions in March

Rome was not built in a day...nor for bikes

('cbinns',) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:10:00 -0000

I am a devout cyclist who first rode a bike by chance. I come from Strasbourg in eastern France, a city in which the two wheels reign supreme, so I did all I could to get hold of a bike in Rome. 'It’s suicidal!' those around me squealed, but after four days alone in a city dominated by cars, I realised that cycling can also look like a kamikaze mission

Spain local elections in May 2011: indignant movement starts

('Melanie',) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 10:49:55 -0000

On 22 May the Spaniards go to the polls to choose the future politicians of their autonomous communities and town halls. It's a key moment before general elections in 2012, but the government's management of the crisis and the recent passing of the Sinde piracy law has roused rebels and protestors, who are locking down over the internet. Perspective

Chomutov, Czech Republic: fighting prostitution with posters

('Kimberly',) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:00:00 -0000

Women wave in short dresses on posters at the main roads, created by Simona Kmonickova, who lives near the red-light district. Cross bones represent sexually transmitted diseases. The border to Sachsen isn’t far; most sex clients come from there, but despite the warning publicity, the problem has localised

World's tallest jesus and crossing out secularism in Poland

('Ems_8674',) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:30:00 -0000

Every country has its own vision of secularism.In late November, a 51-metre Jesus Christ statue was erected in western Poland, 14 metres taller than its colleague in Rio de Janeiro. Though privately funded, the Polish state is still looking for that perfect balance between sacrum and profanum in the public domain - takes its various crossings with the cross

December Belarus elections: protests as absurd as the president

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:52:45 -0000

In a bimonthly series, one Frenchwoman in Berlin discusses the latest ludicrousness from Lukashenko land. Post three: the absurd forms of Belarusian protests

Cinema horror in Europe: happy yucky Halloween

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:00:00 -0000

In light of the ‘love-it-or-hate-it’ upcoming Halloween on 31 October, we propose three of Europe’s best horror movies at the moment from Serbia, France and Holland, with a running commentary from Franco Calandrini, director of the Ravenna nightmare film festival

Caustic ‘Kataryna’ – outed ‘empress of Polish blogosphere’

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:00:00 -0000

The Warsaw-based political blogger saw her identity revealed by warring ‘traditional’ journalists in 2009, some who accused her of having a ‘male’ view and of meddling in political scandals. Exclusive interview from the thirty-something NGO director, who has been blogging anonymously since 2004

Birgitta Jonsdottir, Iceland's woman politician blogger

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:30:00 -0000

The politician, blogger and Wikileaks ‘friend’ from Reykjavik, 43, proposed a law which aims to convert the island into a model of digital transparency and safe haven for journalists; it was passed in June. Interview with a mother-of-one who is ‘everything but your traditional politician’

'Shooting galleries' in Europe: political jab or social cure-all?

('ruth gray',) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:45:00 -0000

Supervising the use of hard drugs or not is an issue that's cropping up across Europe, with some countries tackling it with a different intensity than others; the UK has three injecting clinics. While eight progressive governments have already established the centres, others wish to silence such crazy calls for change. All in the name of morality. Obviously...

Mentality problems? Shutting down clubs in Paris

('Sarah Byrne',) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:00:00 -0000

A meeting of politicians and concert organisers in France should impede the nightlife of the capital city from dying - the debate's missed the crux of the problem

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

University: German students cross the Austrian border

('Joana Cansado Carvalho',) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:54:23 -0000

It fills up pages in both Austrian and German newspapers. The EU’s court of justice has taken a stand on the subject. In some classrooms some say that there is no cause for concern, while others warn that tension is in the air. What is really going on?

(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

Stalin, rock music and bad weather: story behind suicides in Lithuania

('Kate Stansfield',) — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:58:28 -0000

The River Neris splits Vilnius down the middle: to the North lies the university, the stadium and terraces with views; to the south is the heart of the capital: cobbled, colourful, and impeccable. But a sinister notice hangs from one of its bridges, followed by a telephone number

Louis-Georges Tin, the man behind 'international day against homophobia and transphobia'

('Nicola Potter',) — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:30:00 -0000

17 May has marked international day against homophobia and transphobia since 2005. Its international recognition is largely due to the hard work of the IDAHO committee and its founder-president. As a researcher the Martiniquan was convinced that the deconstruction of gender prejudices was the best way to fight prejudice

Greek, Romanian, Albanian: why are these racist terms in Europe?

('Helen Swain',) — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:30:00 -0000

It's a fine line between risky jokes and racist innuendo. Those who manage to be funny while staying on the right side of that line are pretty smart. Nevertheless, at a time when calls to reject that protean scapegoat, the Other, are growing throughout the four corners of the continent, a little self-examination in Europe might not be a bad thing

L’Aquila post-earthquake: wheelbarrow people clean up themselves

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:11:20 -0000

308 victims died in the 6 April 2009 earthquake. Over a year on, reconstruction of the capital of the Abruzzo region is slow. One citizens’ movement is defying politics and criticising the dilapidated state of the town’s historic centre; the story has even hit this year's Cannes film festival. Sabina Guzzanti's documentary received a standing ovation

'Eco hippies' on carbon-neutral weekend in the Vosges, France

('Lindsey Evans',) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:00:00 -0000

Four months on from the Copenhagen summit, the failure of a global climate change policy hasn't crushed or reinvigorated the motivation of environmental activists. In the Vosges region of France, Elise's carbon-neutral weekends indicate that changing our way of life may be key to saving the planet

Introducing Italian poet Vanni Santoni's 'precarious characters'

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:30:00 -0000

Initially, the Tuscan-born writer blogged a series of characters. The contemporary anti-heroes soon became literary figures, appearing in the book 'Personaggi precari' in 2007

Europe makes 2010 its year for fighting poverty and social exclusion

('Alison Frank',) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:15:00 -0000

When the 'Lisbon strategy' was launched in March 2000, EU member state leaders said that they wanted to take decisive steps towards eliminating poverty. Ten years later, during the worst economic crisis since 1929, the EU has named 2010 its year for fighting poverty and social exclusion. It’s about time, too

Lech Kaczynski laid to rest next to kings

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:57:52 -0000

Images of mourning in Poland which circulated the international media revealed one quite unexpected crack. After Lech Kaczynski’s family chose Wawel Castle in Krakow to be the president's last resting place, many citizens were outraged. Can you imagine French president Nicolas Sarkozy being laid to rest next to Napoleon in the Invalides? Or Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi finding peace in Rome’s Pantheon?

Looking for Hungarian activism in election Budapest

('Andrew Christie',) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:45:35 -0000

On 11 and 25 April Hungarian voters are poised to elect the right or even the far-right. Only a handful of people in the country are swimming against the increasingly strong right-wing tide – and even these few are drifting off course, or have thrown their faith in politics completely overboard

Budapest: stand-up comedy and playback theatre 'cures' crisis

('theroxbox',) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:00:00 -0000

It's an American pursuit gaining momentum in central Europe. Young comedian Balàzs Hajdù explains why he might eventually have to leave his job, and a doctor explains how theatre helps cure his patients

Cypriot national identity – Turkish, Greek or both?

('Araceli Turmo',) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:30:00 -0000

On either side of the Green Line that has divided the island since 1974, young Cypriots talk about community identities and a general aspiration for unity through European integration

'Generation 112': the civic erasmus programme

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:45:00 -0000

The 'euro-militants' of this French initiative feel the need to expand the erasmus student exchange programme, by adding a spirit of civic service

Crisis in European journalism

('Helen Swain',) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:48:28 -0000

Between the precarious nature of the work and fear for the vocation, journalism hardly dares to testify anymore against its patrons, the big communications companies. The public’s right to information is decreasing alarmingly as a result of the current economic crisis

EU women: Polish, Danish, Irish and Portuguese residents of Paris’ La Garenne speak

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:00:00 -0000

Its residents often describe it as a village, but the Parisian suburb of La Garenne-Colombes is just two kilometres awar from La Defense, the financial hub in the northwest of the French capital. Five ‘Garennoise’ Europeans describe how they feel about being EU citizens

What the fridge is EUdebate2009.eu?

('Helen Swain',) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0000

A spin-off of our politics section, this website in six languages is set to spice up the 2009 European elections

Solidarity turn their backs on 1989

('Aatish Pattni',) — Tue, 19 May 2009 10:00:00 -0000

In 1989, the Solidarnosc (Solidarity) trade union contributed to a democratic revolution in Poland. Now, on the 20th anniversary the celebrations could be called off due to trade union protestors

Vincennes detention centre: the restrictions of migratory policies

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0000

The situation for clandestine immigrants in Sarkozy's France is critical: 26, 000 expulsions were made in 2008, and 30,000 are required in 2009. This report is from the Vincennes detention centre in the outskirts of Paris

Europeans who celebrate New Year’s Eve - on 30 December

('Kate Stansfield',) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:39:28 -0000

One fine day, two Spaniards and an Italian decided that they were tired of always spending New Year’s Eve doing the same thing. The Old Continent awaited, along with many people to meet. See out the year European-style!

Erasmus for journalists, European elections for bores

('Jessie L.',) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

European journalism comes face to face with the European elections: a lack of interest, problems and solutions discussed during a meeting of Spanish women journalists in Cadiz

Got a police investigation? Feel free to use EU passenger data

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0000

On 20 November, the European parliament passed a resolution allowing the 27 EU countries to access the ‘Passenger Name Record’ (PNR) register for police means

Europe: between pragmatism and utopia

('Igor Caldeira',) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:15:06 -0000

Dutch, French, Irish - synonymous with ‘eurosceptic’? Does 'No' mean 'No Europe', 'No to Europe' or 'No to this Europe'? What other Europe could there be if there is just one geographical, political, historical and cultural reality?

Participative democracy - European civic days

('Mauro Morabito',) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:30:00 -0000

When young activist associations met up in September 2008 at La Rochelle, democracy and engagement proved to be further slices of the 'Eutopia' cake