England
Sherry, an English love story
One of the most typical European wines has to be 'vino de Jerez', a white wine fortified with brandy which is known as 'sherry' in the English-speaking world and 'Xérès' amongst French-speakers. The name comes from the vineyards near the town on the southern tip of Europe
Shh(it), it’s the Queen: Elizabeth II’s ghost-town visit to Irish Republic
It has been hailed as the culmination of the Anglo-Irish peace process: the first ever visit of a British monarch to the Republic of Ireland on 17 May. But with Dublin’s streets lying empty, and the terrorist threat level in the north classed as ‘severe’, the visit seems like a very expensive exercise in cynicism
england, northern ireland, protest, monarchy, dublin, security, ira
English, British or European? My grandparents on UK in the EU
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
england, identity, belgium, flag, great-britain, youth, united kingdom
On St. Patrick's day, drink Poitín, the world’s strongest alcohol
You’ll often find it in a clear, unmarked glass bottle, innocently snuggled at the back of a neighbour’s fridge, but the real Poteen (pronounced 'putch-een') isn’t sold in any shop in Dublin. St. Patrick apparently brewed it, and few people in Ireland haven’t tasted this ultra-alcoholic brew, but the lethal concoction has been illegal here since 1661
england, alcohol, agriculture, dublin, yum nyam, poteen, ireland
Swinger clubs: Blue Berlin 'liebt dich'
Berlin loves you. Berlin is young and isn’t ashamed of its exuberance. An Italian visits the premises of a capital’s red-light soul which is not expecting anyone. Far from Amsterdam’s sex ghettos and Italy’s hypocrisies, between the naked bodies of those for whom sexuality is no taboo
england, religion, lifestyle, berlin, sexuality, europe, sex
Why do Germans sing 'Schland'?
In a week looking to Germany appearing in a world cup semi-final (and maybe a final), the new phenomenon comes in the form of an incomprehensible chant which drops the 'Deut' out of 'Deutschland' – are the Germans too drunk to hail their country?
england, football, world cup, tower of babel, music, germany, paris
Popping into Chinatown in Manchester
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
england, university, tourism, cities, immigration, chinatown, manchester
Once upon a 6 May the UK hung its parliament
Over the last four weeks we've been garnering a European view of the UK elections on 6 May, where the last thirteen years of labour government faces change. Continental concerns are about the state of the UK budget, and there's been surprise by the 'Cleggmania' twist in the election campaign, which became a three-horse race (time for a Spanish first lady?). It's also raised queries about the UK's electoral law system, voter apathy and the fact there seems to be no left alternative in Britain – read the profile of a hijab-wearing candidate in a northern constituency. Forecasters say the conservatives might win in a coalition government with the liberal democrats, meaning Europeans might see a change in the make-up of the current 27-bloc European identity. Who would you vote for - David, Gordon or Nick?
- Read the special edition Once upon a 6 May the UK hung its parliament
- London: protest singing for the UK elections
- Salma Yaqoob: the other left in UK elections
- Truth? There's no-one to vote for in 6 May UK elections
- UK election: EU press on the one month for 'posh boy' Cameron to battle Brown
- Nick Clegg for European British prime minister?
- UK elections on 6 May: EU press discuss budget and coalition
British authors in Paris on writing and Romania
Vivienne Vermes is working on an autobiographical piece, whilst Denise Larking Coste is about to publish a novella in French; both Brits are members of a writers group from called 'Babel'. We discuss life in Paris, writing and Romania
Low cost airlines lend citizens a 'European' identity
Budget travel is a reality for modern Europeans, a part of everyday life. Accounting for its environmental impact may affect the as yet fragile common European identity it lends to flying citizens
england, european identity, money, identity, germany, portugal, environment
In London? Hang out at Pure Groove or Cafe 1001
The one thing that has always characterised the idea of the Big Smoke aside from its climate is its lively music scene. Since the sixties, London has dictated the guidelines of European and sometimes global musical trends, acting as a forge and launch pad for small or slightly more established rock bands. I discover the Chew Lips in between Farringdon and Brick Lane
2 days in Warsaw: Solidarnosc, cult Polish documentaries and Berlusconi
For two days at the end of April 2009, the Polish capital becomes the 'centre of Europe' as the EU's largest centre-right party descend on the city. Quality time spent between British, Spanish and Polish colleagues raises an understanding of what the last twenty years mean, and the gap between east and west. Opinion
england, identity, cinema, protest, intercultural dialogue, director, divorce
London and Berlin reviews of Mark Ravenhill's 'Over There' play
Mark Ravenhill’s unconventional play about identical twins who are reunited after growing up in east and west Germany travelled from London to Berlin this spring. Our London reviewer calls it a timely commentary on the EU’s current political troubles. Our Berlin reviewer wonders if the British director reproaches the Germans with the repression of history. Cross-reviews from the Royal Court and Schaubühne theatres
england, london, identity, integration, germany, reunification, best of cafebabel.com
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