Kosovo
Kosovo: no country for bland men
Kosovo is like a good strong coffee: one sip is enough to alert your five senses. In barely a fraction of history its people have swapped communism for apartheid, war, controlled independence and a status which is disputed by the countries of the world. Its political elite are suspected of corruption and criminal activity, whilst its population is the youngest and has the highest rate of unemployment in Europe. The old mistrust between the ethnic Albanian and ethnic Serbian Kosovars is watched from the west. Maybe it's a lethal cocktail, maybe not: a team of pan-European and Balkan journalists headed to Kosovo where they met young artists, students, film entrepeneurs and politicians between the most modern bars of the capital to the prime minister's entourage and the tense Serbian areas. As part of the 'Orient Express Reporter' project, they help us see what Kosovo is made of, a taste which is decidedly not suitable for the bland tongue
Belgrade's youth explain homophobia and violence
In a city where more than two-thirds of students harbour dreams of going abroad after graduating, the empty discourses of corrupt politicians can be an efficient detonator for discontent. It’s a capital whose people’s hearts are irremediable divided between Russia and the EU, where violence raids its stadiums and streets
kosovo, football, belgrade, racism, corruption, nationalism, politics
View from Belgrade's historical museum: Serbia, Europe and obsessions with history
The EU is not a compromise on the dream of a proud, independent Serbia, but rather the affirmation of it. The extremists behind such events as the nationalist riots at the gay pride march in October are merely the Serbian answer to a fringe movement in every country that gets louder when the uncertain future requires change. In other countries, radicals might cite immigration or the economy as their cause. In Serbia, they use history
kosovo, identity, belgrade, history, european union, museum, gay pride
Albania-Kosovo mafia, ‘cablegate’ and other cases of blindness
After two years of investigation, the council of Europe has accused the Kosovan prime minister of leading an international network trafficking organs, weapons and heroin with the silent acquiescence of European countries. Will these Wiki-Like revelations destroy public confidence in politics? Here's a little theory on scepticism
kosovo, nato, corruption, organ trafficking, best of cafebabel.com, drugs, european union
No, Kosovo's 2008 independence wasn't illegal
Over two years since the 'world's smallest country' declared independence from Serbia, the international court of justice in The Hague pronounced the action 'legitimate' on 22 July. The Swiss, Slovenian, Swedish, Czech and Spanish press – the latter is one of five EU states not to recognise Kosovo - on other separatist movements and Serbia in the EU
'Free', 'partly free', 'not free': press freedom in Europe
American NGO Freedom House uses three categories to rank the degree of press freedom in countries across the world. On 3 May 2010, world press freedom day, each region of Europe learnt its category: the press in western Europe is 'free', central Europe is 'partly free' and in eastern Europe the press is 'not free'. But there are signs that the trend could change
kosovo, italy, corruption, censorship, europe, reporters without borders, croatia
Dismantled: five myths about Kosovo
On 17 February, Europe’s youngest country celebrates its second anniversary. Presumably, most still wouldn't find Kosovo on a map. We regularly read about its soldiers, organised crime and demand for visas. Two roommates in Prishtina – a Kosovar and a German – share their most striking and basic common observations
kosovo, religion, documentary, economy, war, nightlife, film festival
Vjollca Dibra on being a young poetess in pre-war Kosovo
The thirtysomething works at OSCE logistics in Pristina when I meet her in late 2007, four months before Kosovo declares independence from Serbia. Who you might brand your average blonde, bespectacled working mother-of-two is also one of Kosovo's youngest recognised female poets
kosovo, literature, nato, pristina, brunch, independence, war
Sali Berisha: 'We are going to win the elections because Albanians are smart people'
The Albanian prime minister, 64, announced his country's official EU membership bid to the Czech presidency of the council on 28 April 2009. In Warsaw, the lively PM talk elections, internet and the EU at the two-day congress of the European people's party (EPP). Albania is one of its six non-EU members*
kosovo, heads of state, power, nato, poland, czech presidency, sali berisha
Theatre: Balkans’ not dead, from Paris to Skopje via Pristina
The Theatre de Syldavie company presents a sparse play in which the muslims and christians of Macedonia attempt to understand one another: - 'Blood Wedding’, or the re-writing of a great Balkan classic
by
