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

China, world economy dragon mummy to Europe

('Agata Jaskot',) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 -0000

China has not become as helpful and friendly to the EU as some European presidents might have wished, but its investors, literary figures and linguistic opportunities are a source of dynamism. Here's a brief chart of its positive and negative growth effects, and how that impacts or influences Europeans

Economy lesson from young Europeans: move to China and start saving now

('Agata Jaskot',) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:45:00 -0000

EU officials are brainstorming the programme of Denmark's six-month presidency of the EU, as young, ambitious Europeans give us their financial lessons from the 'crisis year' 2011

Why would a Spanish 'European volunteer' go to Romania?

('Rach',) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:30:00 -0000

2011 was the year of the European volunteer, but it doesn't mean we can't still talk about the role. Has its visibility increased since the economic crisis, due to the lack of opportunities or out of pure altruism? One young Iberian speaks out

Kühn and the chocolate factory

('Annie Rutherford',) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:24:43 -0000

The Goldhelm chocolate manufacturers thrives on one of the typical Tudor-style houses on Erfurt’s famous Krämerbrücke. In 2004 10, 000 euros of private credit made a returning globetrotter’s dream a reality and since then the firm has been growing constantly

Hungary: propaganda videos to bring back young 'dissidents'

('Bela Soltesz',) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:46:20 -0000

Goulash, cottage chocolate cheese, soulmates and coining a vintage term to woo back a generation of expats. Hungary's propaganda machine, run by its conservative ruling party fidesz and various youth affiliates, is not letting up with its laws and lists, writes Béla Soltész

Berlusconi raised us; how to re-educate Italy?

('Marta Nathansohn',) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:00:00 -0000

What can we say: it was intense. The post-Berlusconi era is almost upon us: will we cope with the tediousness of political debate, with the absence of a man to love and hate, with the end of a television trend where success is available to all?

Dear granddad, for Christmas I'd like a Eurasian union

('Virag Gulyas',) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:23:46 -0000

In October Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin proposed a 'Eurasian union' of former soviet nations that could be a major global player competing for influence with the US, the EU and Asia, creating instant headlines about the threat of Russian expansionism. Is Putin mastering geopolitics? Where are the limits of his modernisation strategy?

Journalist Irakli Berulava: ‘Georgia has lost opportunity that rose revolution created’

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:00:04 -0000

‘Gloomy’ is how the correspondent of reporters without borders (RSF) in Georgia describes the media situation in the South Caucasus countries. Self censorship, governmental pressures and democratical regression after the rose revolution of 2003 are mining the field of journalism, says the man who is also a blogger, film director and producer

‘Nos plusieurs’: autistic theatre stars meet Indian epic in French documentary

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:00:51 -0000

In filming a theatre production performed almost entirely by young people with learning difficulties, French director Fred Soupa blurs the boundaries of what we typically perceive as ‘normal’. His ensuing documentary ‘Many Of Us’ is released in national cinemas on 28 September

Welcome to the Hotel Abkhazia

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:00:25 -0000

The recent wave of eviction of South Ossetian and Abkhazian refugees or 'internally displaced persons' into the Georgian capital Tbilisi is provoking the indignation of human rights associations

cafebabel.com boys speak: what makes Europe’s twentysomething men happy

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:00:00 -0000

We girls probably think that macho attitudes, making money and succeeding are what make boys happy. After all, why is it so hard to get them to share on ‘happiness’? Apparently not. Winning a game, doing nothing, a tipple, the latest gadget, friends, girls - a pan-European select number of lads share what makes them smile – and why we girls are different. Vox-pop

Riots: Britain's boring thugs and Europe's burning thread

('Metsa Rahimi',) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:23:02 -0000

Don't synonymise the London rioters with the protesting Greeks or Syrians; it is just plain offensive. Yes, Londoners mobilised for four days, but it can't compare to the months of social, political and economic agitation across Europe and the Arab world

REM ‘call it a day as a band’ after 31 years and 15 albums: editors pick

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:07:47 -0000

The American rock group are as old as the most sprightliest of us here at cafebabel.com HQ in Paris. They formed in Athens (Georgia!) in 1980 and announced their split on 22 September. Here’s a video ode to some of our favourite songs for today’s soundtrack

Liv Holm Andersen: 'Danes like to lose their sense of security'

('Elina Makri',) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:02:04 -0000

She talks and laughs with Mediterranean hand gestures and speaks a bit of Greek, but don't be fooled. The 24-year-old is actually one of Denmark’s youngest politicians, a candidate for the Scandinavian’s country’s second smallest party Radikale Venstre in elections on 15 September. In Athens, we talk Europe, the Balkans and learning from Spain

AKW Lobau: Vienna caravan communities away from it all

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:37:53 -0000

The story of the caravan commune AKW Lobau demonstrates that Vienna is not nearly as bourgeois and narrow-minded as is always claimed. The community is living proof that alternative enterprises do have their place in the Austrian capital. A flying visit

Pope Benedict XVI in Madrid: Habemus (50 million euros worth of) controversy

('franglese',) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:53:23 -0000

There were two opposing faces to world youth day 2011, which was celebrated in Madrid between 18 and 21 August. Crowds of enthusiastic young people dressed in yellow sang in various cities whilst the highest authority within the catholic church was visiting. Why did this year’s event spark anger amongst a large sector of the population?

Cannabis legalisation: shopping for reality in Vienna

('Naomi R',) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:00:18 -0000

The Austrian capital has one 'head shop' for 100, 000 residents. It's perfect for cannabis amateurs, especially as the business is now commercial and legal, though smoking it in public is still not legal

Crisis in Europe: we’re young and we need money

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:00:00 -0000

‘Mr. Europe, we need to talk’... What kind of illusions are today’s youth still able to harbour in an era in which the Yalta generation propose debt for younger people and patrimony for older people? Petition

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

Indignant Athens: 'get your tax off my ass'

('Elina Makri',) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:57:42 -0000

I haven't been on the streets for about twenty years, but I can't stand this anymore. I decided to protest after many years because I cannot bare our politicians’ apathy for people’s problems. They just keep on slamming the taxes on us - and that’s all. If politicians really wanted to find solutions for the country they would. One indignant protestor speaks

Pan-European indignant revolution viewed from Brussels

('Aatish Pattni',) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 11:00:00 -0000

The capital of Europe is moving to the rhythm and vibe of the #spanishrevolution; young students from Spain living in Germany, Portugal and Greece amongst others started organising people’s assemblies not far from their embassies on 15 May, and it's still ongoing. Perspectives

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

Under EU status pressure? Ratko Mladic arrested in Serbia: live from Belgrade and Sarajevo

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:03:55 -0000

The alleged war criminal and genocide suspect, 69, will answer international charges of genocide, extermination and murder after his arrest and extradition to the UN war crimes tribunal. As the EU parliament’s president Jerzy Buzek welcomes this ‘good news for Serbia, for the stability of the region’ and for ‘Serbia's EU accession process’, two Serbian and Bosnian twentysomethings react with relief

Croatia’s writers and playwrights: no post-war no-hopers

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:00:00 -0000

It’s impossible for the moment to imagine a literature and theatre scene in Croatia which does not blend in the story of Yugoslavia’s collapse. The wounds are too fresh, holding back the development of a certain maturity. One young generation of playwrights and writers between Zagreb and Split literally put the streets on their stages and pages, as they move between the daily quest for an identity and the desire for renewal

'Real democracy NOW!': #spanishrevolution becomes #europeanrevolution

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:15:00 -0000

Spain’s so-called 15-M has become 29-M, referring to the dates of the sit-in protests of a Spain in May which saw local elections swinging to the favour of the opposition conservatives. The rage is sweeping Italy, Belgium and France

In Turkey, only 'rotten' boys escape military service

('hkeet',) — Mon, 23 May 2011 10:00:00 -0000

It's an obligatory rite of passage for all Turkish men between the ages of 19 and 40. Ahmet, 32 and Murat, 28, will gain the respectability necessary for employment and marriage from it. Those exempt from military service are certified 'rotten', being physically or mentally disabled - that includes the obese and homosexuals. This group of young voters are also being targetted in the upcoming general elections in Turkey on 12 June

Zagreb’s Miss Independents

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:32:58 -0000

The higher educated woman in Zagreb is close to the 'western model' of female independence. In the Croatian capital a Serbian journalist meet feminists, students, musicians and actresses who she says are moving away from the ‘traditional’ – at least from a Balkan perspective

Reindeerspotting director Joonas Neuvonen: story of a Finnish junkie

('Nicola Potter',) — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:00:00 -0000

Reindeerspotting - Escape from Santaland, a Finnish documentary about drug addicts, is a film that you will probably never see at the cinema. Widely criticised in Finland, where it is accused of promoting the use of hard drugs, it’s been a viral hit. Could this be the birth of the internet version 2.0 of Trainspotting?

Hungary youth: 'I stay out of politics but am Facebook friends with Viktor Orbán'

('Linda Krajcso',) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:21:22 -0000

The new controversial constitution, the first to be created on an iPad, was voted into law by the national assembly on 18 April and signed by the president on 25 April. Hungary’s youth remain apolitical, even to a new rule which would violate human rights. cafebabel.com Budapest interviewed fifty young Hungarians

Europe to Dakar: a Lithuanian's journey

('Martynas',) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:26:56 -0000

A student at an English university takes a ten-day research trip to Senegal, playing with the question of openness and difference encountered through travelling. From the old continent, destination western Africa from an anthropological perspective. Travel diary

Simon from Is Tropical: ‘England is very oversaturated in music, London especially'

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:29:48 -0000

The boy from Bournemouth explains why his low-fi British band, signed to French label Kitsune, is more European than English. The three-piece of former London squatters, who perform with masks, are on a mini European tour in mid-April. Their debut album Native To is released on 13 June

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

Canvas, Otpor, Pora: Serbia's brand is non-violent revolution

('shadow',) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:35:39 -0000

Israa Abdel Fattah, Mohamed Adel and Asmaa Mahfouz will be remembered as the ones who largely contributed to dismantling Hosni Mubarak's 30 year rule over Egypt, and one of them revealed this year that he trained with similar youth organisations in Belgrade

Belgian singer Selah Sue, no Amy Winehouse

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:45:00 -0000

She’s a singer with American, even Jamaican soul, but Sanne Putseys is also just like any other young angel-faced Belgian girl, despite her groove sisterhood

Book review Germany: 'degree Facebook internship' generation

('Carol Howard',) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:52:31 -0000

Generation X became generation Y and the ‘internship generation’ is a recurring topic. However, whichever letters or titles are selected for it, no one can really get a hold on us. Can we really all be lumped together, technically-speaking, in terms of a generation? German writers Manuel J. Hartung and Cosima Schmitt asked themselves this question in a 2010 book analysing the difficult future of a generation with no name

English, British or European? My grandparents on UK in the EU

('Richard Vale',) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:11:36 -0000

According to the Eurobarometer survey of autumn 2009, only 30% of UK citizens believe that our membership of the EU is 'a good thing'. Whilst this meagre piece of one of Eurobarometer’s many brightly-coloured and informative pies is up two points from the last survey, the fact remains that Joe Public fails to engage with the mysterious, supranational, sovereignty-gobbling entity that resides somewhere beyond the Channel

Social networking in Sarajevo: analyse this (over Bosnian coffee)

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:48:15 -0000

Bosnia's capital wears its war wounds from the 1992-1995 war with Serbia honestly, the signs on its bomb-shelled buildings and pavements. What about its mental scars fifteen years on? Amidst a blaze of foreign healing initiatives, few private psychologists and one 'social networking internet cafe', this is a society which is resolved to solve its problems - globalised as they are - over coffee

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

Green dancefloors Berlin: spread the eco-dance germ to Europe

('Molmash',) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:00:00 -0000

When it comes to ‘green’ music, you will have heard of the WATT club in Rotterdam with its Sustainable Dance Floor. But apart from that symbolic rather than effective initiative, saving energy in clubs and festivals remains a wasteland ripe for development. A few pioneers in Berlin are determined to crack that apple

Director Roozbeh Behtaji: 'Young Europeans live in an existential no-mans land'

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:43:11 -0000

The 30-year-old filmmaker and screenwriter from Gothenburg stands out, not only because he doesn't look like your average Swede, but because he dons a different hat everyday. He played a cap-wearing tourist who becomes a terror suspect because of his looks in his own debut film London Transfer. Time to find out what's under his hat

Psychology of Europe's youth: generation ‘no subject’

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:08:11 -0000

Today's young generations in Europe seem traumatised by emptiness – the lack of perspectives and opportunities, goals, aspirations. No better comparison than the metaphor of an email without a title, says one young volunteer youth organisation counsellor and psychology graduate

Ireland’s expat-emigrants: silver spoon diaspora

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:27:15 -0000

Thousands left Ireland when it was rollicking at the dizzy heights of an economic boom, and when ‘diaspora’ sounded like a chapter heading from Angela’s Ashes. Now that the country has all but gone bust, those who left in the good times have been transformed from ‘expat’ to ‘immigrant’ overnight. In 2010 they were joined by 65, 000 others fleeing the Republic’s economic collapse

Vox-pop: Being a young journalist in Montenegro

('Jovana Zivkovic',) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:57:19 -0000

I want to intern at a fashion magazine. I want to stop the assassinations of Montenegro's journalists. I want to wake the people up to the freedom that they have. Three twentysomethings from the capital, Podgorica, explain honestly why they chose journalism in a sometimes bleak Balkan world

Austrian, Czech and Iberian press after Tunisian dictator’s fall

('euro topics',) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:36:25 -0000

There's a 'Jasmine Revolution' and plenty of optimism from abroad, but the European media doubts that there will be a 'domino effect' in other Arab countries. The military controls the streets of Tunis after the self-imposed exile of dictator Ben Ali on 14 January

Job hunting in Brussels: serenity of the hopeless

('gem',) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:40:49 -0000

Anna is a German university student who has just turned twenty and is looking for a job in the European capital. She ould like to remain anonymous – but her story is representative of an entire generation of young Europeans

Headscarfs and gags: Visa liberalisation view from Sarajevo

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:55:20 -0000

Bosnia and Herzegovina is queuing for new freedom; as of 15 December, the European Union will have liberalised the visa situation so that citizens can travel to the 25 countries of the Schengen. But contrary to the EU's expectations, not everyone is jumping for joy with the news

Moldava youth: one year after riots, we vote!

('Madalina Pierseca',) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:30:00 -0000

Moldavans are called to vote this Sunday for crucial parliamentary elections. For 18 months, this small country - the poorest in Europe – has been functioning without a president, blocking any ambitious political initiative. Two days before the election, it is impossible to know who has the best chance to win. The only certainty is that young people have played and will play a decisive role. This major political force which has become indispensable and wishes to make itself heard is back on the rise

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I: ‘Young people in Europe feel unsafe’

('Ozcan Tikit',) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:57:11 -0000

He speaks seven languages, he’s down with the green cause and he’s the leader of the global orthodox movement which in Europe exists in the east, north and the Mediterranean, but he resides in Istanbul. Interview with the spiritual leader of 300 million worldwide. cafebabel.com in Athens and Istanbul meet the man

Greece 2010 mayoral poll: first social(ist) media elections

('Georgios Kokkolis',) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:48:39 -0000

New Athens and Thessaloniki mayors George Kaminis and Yiannis Boutaris managed the impossible on 14 November. This socialist victory sends five main messages - including the fact that 'people dont give a monkeys about the politicians'. Extract from the cafebabel.com blog in Athens