Society
British and Irish perspective on 'being European'
Do tensions in Europe actually exist amongst its citizens or is it only amongst politicians eager to lay the blame at someone else’s door?
society, great-britain, united kingdom, european union, ireland, stereotype
Why right-wing extremism continues in east Germany
November 2011 saw seven people arrested in connection with a right-wing terror cell based in Zwickau in east Germany. The cell was allegedly responsible for ten murders over thirteen years. Since Germany’s reunification in 1991, the formation of extensive ‘no-go’ areas in parts of the former GDR hasn’t gone unnoticed but has remained tolerated
society, germany, immigration, discrimination, right wing extremism, integration, xenophobia
'Taxidermia': Hungarian horror film or historical allegory?
As a Hungarian film scoops second prize at the Berlin film festival 2012, we focus on a gem from 2006. Few films lend themselves to as many readings as this film from the-then 33-year-old director György Pálfi. His second movie remains a critique of modern Hungary's history through its three generations of men
society, cinema, berlinale, history, hungary, culture, budapest
Studying in Cairo: why young Egyptians vote islamist
In Egypt, islamists have emerged as a dominant political force thanks in part to young muslim voters. Religion is their way of distinguishing themselves from the west, observes one German student who studied in Cairo
society, university, egypt, hosni mubarak, arab spring, cairo
Alfa Romeo Athens, or not keeping appearances during a crisis
The economic crisis has seen the Greeks mocked, belittled and forgotten - yet it continues to impact on their everyday lives. Katerina Tzekou and museum worker Costa Andreotis tell us what it's like to live in Athens today in our three-part series, 'Greek tragedy in three acts'
society, greece, museum, economical crisis, athens, ecology, studies
Hungary, ‘Orbanistan’ and French media sensationalism
What can be said of the international media frenzy that followed the Hungarian constitution coming into effect on 1 January, which described prime minister Viktor Orban's government as 'fascist' and even evoked Hungary's exclusion from the EU? For some Hungarians, such headlines are the product of a caricature, a lack of understanding even, of their country’s history. For others, the international press has flagged up wider concerns
society, viktor orbán, dictature, hungary, constitution, european media, nicolas sarkozy
French and Polish students on sale in Juliette Binoche film 'Elles'
'They' tells the story of a journalist dealing with two young students who are forced to prostitute themselves to pay for their studies. The journalist becomes fascinated by the two girls' stories to the point of damaging her research. The topic isn’t new, but the plot is original, says one Italian reviewer
society, lars von trier, cinema, film, culture, poverty, culture calendar
Hungarian theatre director Istvan Marta ousted by far-right successor
After managing Budapest’s new theatre for thirteen years, Istvan Marta cleared his desk to make space for György Dörner, a supporter of the extreme-right wing jobbik party, on 1 February. Citing the example of a play currently being produced by German director Schiller, the 59-year-old outgoing director fears that his theatre could become a stage for extremism
(Don’t) occupy Budapest: the right to protest in Hungarian streets
Something is rotten in the state of Hungary. The Hungarian government has reserved the entire city centre for celebrations on the upcoming national holiday, effectively blocking potential demonstrations. An overview of the opposition’s reaction
Europe-gate. Or how to name criminal investigations across Europe
Things are hotting up in Spain’s courts with the 'Gürtel' case. How does a Spanish juridical affair end up with a German name? European investigation titles go on trial
Italian spritz aperol: the future’s orange
The Italian-born spritz aperol has gained official international recognition, being classed as a ‘new drink’ by the international bartenders’ association. We took this as an excuse to try out the sparkling brew, which the Italians will tell us is anything but new
society, paris, wine, best of cafebabel.com, aperitif, united states, beverages
Euro 2012 Warsaw stadium: once a bazaar hosting pop star popes
With its roof looking like a waving Polish flag, the national stadium became the newest addition to the Polish capital's fantastic skyline on 29 January. It opened seven months later than planned on the historic banks of the Vistula river but still in time for the 2012 European football championships this summer
society, football, best of cafebabel.com, solidarnosc, poland, travel, city planning
Arab spring in Morocco: royalists recognise indigenous language
Large-scale protests, like those seen on 20 February 2011, continue to be a familiar sight in Morocco. We talk to young Moroccans whose demands follow in the footsteps of the Arab spring – democracy, freedom, social justice – albeit with a royalist twist
society, protest, morocco, germany, arab spring, maghreb, politics
Political husbands' and wives' circus in Europe
On 24 January the wife of disgraced former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Anne Sinclair, made her debut as the editor of the first European version of the American news website Huffington Post. Our French, Spanish, Polish, German, Italian and British editors react on the choice
society, techno-media, opinion, arianna huffington, dominique strauss-kahn, citizen journalism
Chinese dream 2012: new year dragon symbolises 'change'
新年快乐! 23 January sees the Chinese people officially welcoming in the lunar new year. The dragon, the fifth out of the twelve zodiac signs, is the guiding patron according to the Chinese calendar. People born in the year of the dragon are characterised by their wit, brightness of mind and braveness - all of the above are exactly what crisis-stricken Europe would expect of its politicians! According to the Chinese calendar, luck will accompany the political moves of the Portugese prime minister Pedro Passos Coelho as well as his Czech counterpart Petr Nečas, both born in 1964. As the Europeans wait for what 2012 will bring, some will be able to come face to face with the Chinese culture in cities such as London or Paris, when the celebrations are moved to a Sunday, 29 January this year (Image: © Kristof)
German medical students head for Latvian university
Just under half of the 500 foreign medical students currently enrolled at Riga’s Stradina University come from Germany – but a medical education in a foreign country doesn’t come cheap
society, university, bologna process, germany, riga, latvia, students
Why would a Spanish 'European volunteer' go to Romania?
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
society, european voluntary service , volunteers, romania, economy, youth, spain
Vilnius, Вiльнюс or ווילנע: spotlight on Lithuanian capital’s tiny ethnic communities
Lithuania has enjoyed a rich multicultural heritage since being part of the Grand Duchy. Independence was restored for the third time in its history after the collapse of the soviet union in 1990. The motto of this second republic echoes the European union, which the northern country became a member state of in 2004 - ‘Tautos jega vienybeje!’, or ‘strength through unity’ (to the EU’s ‘united through diversity’). A Spanish-Italian-French-German-Russian-British team of journalists and photographers take the temperature of multiculturalism in ‘Vilna’ by focusing on the Jewish (0.3%), Belarusian (1.3%) and Baltic Roma (0.1%) populations. In the capital, Vilnius, dynamic 'foreigners' gradually make a name for themselves in institutions as varied as universities, NGOs, bookshops and nightclubs. In images, we draw multicultural parallels with the buildings which occupy just under a third of the city’s area (Image: (cc) Severin Sadjina/ flickr)
- Read the special edition Vilnius, Вiльнюс or ווילנע: spotlight on Lithuanian capital’s tiny ethnic communities
- Ladies what oppose Belarus in Vilnius
- From San Diego to Vilnius: all Jew you need for a library in Lithuania
- Kirtimai: Lithuania's Roma on education and 'missing England'
- Nightlife in Vilnius: ethnic minority benders
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