Sweden
Scandinavia, new top erasmus destination?
In 2008, almost 13, 700 students on the 'erasmus' student exchange programme were drawn to countries in northern Europe. Finland, Sweden and even Norway aren't yet threatening Spain in its pole position as Europe's most popular destination, but they're generating an enormous amount of debate, between cliches and untruths. From student salaries in Denmark to Finnish e-courses, we tackle the young man or woman's Nordic myth
- Why Scandinavians do life better
- Sauna, an A-level in drinking beer: my erasmus semester in Tampere, Finland
- Young Europeans would like to be Scandinavian
- Fever Ray, Peter Bjorn and John: Swedish music right now
- University in Denmark is free for EU citizens, plus other fantasy-realities
- Flexicurity is Scandinavian example for European model
100 years of Europe's nature parks
In 2009 the first nature parks protected by the European Union will be 100 years old. Cafebabel has spoken with six people linked to these spaces in different European countries. Conservation or development? The debate lives on
sweden, tourism, park, development, environment, nature, ecology
Music duo Kim Ki O: ‘the danger of being Turkish’ for Europe
The Swedish pop elite love them, but EU bureaucracy is preventing Ekin Sanac and Berna Göl from breaking Europe. In Istanbul, music is an unstable bridge between east and west. Part two of a special feature
sweden, visa, education, bands, joy division, music, brussels
Why Turkish band Kim Ki O can't break Europe
The Swedish pop elite love them, but EU bureaucracy is preventing Ekin Sanac and Berna Göl from breaking Europe. In Istanbul, music is an unstable bridge between east and west. Part one of a special feature
sweden, visa, education, music, education system, europop, member states
Nostalgia: Sweden's top of the pops in the nineties
Swedish hits had the whole world bopping around from 1989 to 1999 thanks to artists such as Neneh Cherry, her brother Eagle Eye, Ace of Base and The Cardigans: a selection of the best Swedish music videos from the end of the 20th century
sweden, bands, music, vídeo clip, youtube, eurogeneration, cultural agenda
Sweden straddle EU
Sweden's somewhere up there. But at the moment Europe's northern lights are somewhere kind of everywhere: take the eternal sandy or shock blonde ex-pat stereotype, the Swedish pirate political party which snatched a seat in the brand new European parliament in June, and the fact that the country is running the EU until the end of the year! Their political focus is on the crisis and the environment. Skål captain!
- Why Swedes go next door to Denmark to buy alcohol
- Sweden's Cecilia Malmström: 'I'm a politician. It’s not my task to impose an identity on people'
- Swedish women, the ideal woman?
- Study in Sweden: an American on Swedish and alcohol for the cold
- Swedish Pirate Party MEP Christian Engström: ‘Europe is stronger than the US’
Expressions: why the Spanish ask you not to act like a Swede
The weekly overview of linguistic expressions is devoted to Sweden, who are holding the rotating six-month presidency of the EU, before the baton is handed over to Spain in 2010
Pierre Schellekens: ‘EU is partnership of member states, not rule of the strongest'
At 2 metres 09, the 37-year-old cuts an imposing figure. Politically active whilst a student in Gothenburg in the early nineties, he was appointed head of the Swedish EU delegation in February. At home in his apartment in the leafy, quiet area around Stockolm's Odengatan, he talks Sweden’s presidency of the EU, which runs from July to December
sweden, future of europe, europe, european council, politicians, climate change, politics
Brief guide to gay marriage laws across 'conservative' EU
Fewer than half (44%) of Europeans are in favour of gay marriage. In April, Sweden enacted a law authorizing same-sex unions. It was only the fifth European country to take steps toward equality between heterosexual and homosexual couples. Despite appearances, when it comes to gay rights Europe is still rather conservative...
sweden, gay rights, wedding, sex, homosexuality, sexuality, society
Run-up to Swedish EU presidency: Turkey-EU blame game
Sweden, one of the most pro-Turkey member states, takes over the EU presidency in July 2009. But this may not be enough to kick-start negotiations for Turkey to enter the EU, which began in October 2005. Is there a common interest? Analysis
sweden, european identity, angela merkel, copenhagen, anders fogh rasmussen, bernard kouchner, euenlargement
Cinema: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo lacks Swedish suspense
Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s ‘Millennium’ trilogy was a huge international success; to date, 8 million copies of the novels have been sold worldwide. Now the first volume, ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’, has been given the big screen treatment. The film, which is due to be screened at Cannes on 13 May, disappointingly relies too much upon characters from Astrid Lindgren’s novels
Intellectual property, Sweden and the battle of The Pirate Bay
On 16 February, the most publicised trial of the content industry kicked off against the defendants responsible for the Bit Torrent tracker site. Four are charged with being accessories to breaking copyright law. They may face fines or up to two years in prison if found guilty
sweden, political parties, consumers, technology, media, culture, power
Turkey-EU: Cyprus, Sweden and elections in 2009
Between 19 - 20 January, Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in Brussels. 2009 could (once again) become a decisive year for relations between Turkey and the EU. Since the opening of negotiations began in 2005 only ten chapters have been opened
sweden, presidency, justice and development party , past enlargements, türkei-frage, enlargement, european elections 2009
