Balkans
Anderlecht, Molenbeek, Schaarbeek: spot the crime in Brussels
Petty crime and unemployment rates (17.6%) are high in inner city Brussels, which registers a low violent crime rate in Europe. Nevertheless, police arrested 12 Belgian Albanians linked to a crime gang on 15 February*, whilst certain districts remain dangerous. Is this down to the crisis?
balkans, eu crisis on the ground, economical crisis, cities, unemployment, sex, brussels
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
balkans, documentary, religion, economy, war, travel, nightlife
Art in Slovenia: Eclipse is an 'open vagina nibbling at things'
The anonymous art collective admit they don't 'fit the norms': they use everything from pigs’ heads to world war weaponry to get across their message of social criticism. Ten years on, the female duo from Ljubljana have just finished the final works for their new exhibition '10 – Of Blasphemy We Are Guilty'. We discuss erotic nudes, kitsch art and their being questioned by police for offending the catholic church
balkans, sex, photo, ljubljana, photography, josip broz tito, culture calendar
Sofia's directors and playwrights boom despite barebone budgets
In Bulgaria there are no cultural policy programmes and the crisis has consumed the ministry coffers. Filmmakers like Kamen Kalev, playwrights and other creative minds demand government transparency and methods to support their enterprising spirit. Part one of a five part 'EU crisis on the ground' city series
balkans, cinema, contemporary art, economical crisis, culture, europe on the ground, youth
Young, Roma and European: 'my children's lives will be better than mine'
While the problems of Europe’s biggest minority seem endless, the EU aims to offer some hope despite ‘much talk and little action.’ Testimonies from Roma Europeans, European Roma
balkans, enlargement, berlin, testimony, ethnic minority, roma, european union
Albania: polit-tourism between coves and concrete beach bunkers
At the confluence of the Adriatic and Ionean Seas lies Albania, Europe’s last undiscovered paradise is now looking to tourism to stimulate its economy and is hoping for a better image in the west after having joined Nato and put in an EU bid. 20 years after the fall of the dictatorship, Albania is developing into a hidden gem for independent travellers
balkans, enlargement, tirana, dictature, nato, tourism, sali berisha
Bulgaria: energy in transition
Bulgaria was the member state most affected by the gas crisis of January 2009. It is currently dealing with problems of corruption, the old dependence on Russia for energy, questions of national pride and 'the stupid decisions' in Brussels - not forgetting ecology
balkans, energía nuclear, renewable energies, corruption, energy, european elections 2009, past enlargements
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