religion
Belfast in a black taxi: Europe’s last divided city tries to overcome its past
On 6 February, the Northern Irish paramilitary organisation the INLA decommissioned their weapons, and the province took one more tentative step towards social stability. Now that the former war-zone has re-opened its doors to the world, visitors are flocking to western Europe’s last divided city. A taste of the Northern Irish experience
religion, northern ireland, belfast, ira, ireland, politics, catholicism
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
religion, balkans, documentary, kosovo, economy, war, travel
France: burqa bandits, burqa ban
On 26 January, a French parliamentary committee recommended that the so-called 'burqa', or Muslim full-body veil, be banned. While this could check the spread of fundamentalism, it is also humiliating for those affected by it argue German, French and Swiss commentators
religion, eurotopics, presse, european media, journalism, panorama, society
Cornershop: 'musicians might as well hand their credit cards over to the man on the street'
Northern English indie band Cornershop give us a talking to about Swiss minarets, metal music and releasing their comeback album - it's been seven years! - cheaply via their website
religion, switzerland, bands, downloads, best of cafebabel.com, music, united kingdom
It's late 2009, and Europeans are getting into a tizzle about religion
The Swiss have banned new minarets, the European court of human rights has banned Italy from having crucifixes in every classroom. A Swedish school has rejected veils, a Dutch polytechnic shuns Christmas trees and a study claims religion stems from insecurity. The Dutch, Swedish, UK, Hungarian and Bulgarian press react
religion, media, christmas, europe, euweek, european media, press review
'She’s angry' in Ireland: Virgin Mary makes Youtube debut
On 11 October, 5, 000 turned up to the small town of Knock in the west of Ireland to witness (and videotape) a purported apparition of the Virgin Mary. Two weeks later, the crowds doubled to 10, 000. Now that the apparition has become an internet phenomenon, locals look to her next scheduled appearance on 5 December
Knecht Ruprecht and his motley crew of Christmas meanies
Santa Claus is coming to town...and so what? Europe’s christmas traditions don’t always bring nice surprises
religion, germany, italy, tower of babel, christmas, translation, children
In a country of 400, 000 muslims, the Swiss vote to ban minarets
On 29 November, the people of Switzerland voted to ban the construction of new minarets. The referendum initiated by the Swiss people's party and the conservative federal democratic union has dealt a severe blow to religious peace in the country, write the Estonian, Swiss, Portuguese and Austrian press
religion, switzerland, integration, secularity, neutrality, euweek, european media
Guide: the curiosity of Tel Aviv's dog, gay and religious beaches
A lowdown on the rules - or lack of - to alternately abide by at neighouring sections of the city's 14km stretch of coastline
religion, men and women, dog, tourism, homosexuality, travel, god
Dissecting Europe's crucifix conflict
On 3 November the European court of human rights ruled that crucifixes in classrooms violate the religious freedom of schoolchildren. Representatives from politics and the church roundly condemn the judgement, while many media welcome the decision. The Iberian, Maltese and Italian press react
religion, freedom of opinion, italy, european court of justice, newspaper, eurotopics, school
Dear Reader via Johannesburg and Berlin: 'We’re all just geeks really'
Cherilyn MacNeil, 24, the charismatic singer and pianist of South African indie trio Dear Reader, speaks to us from the fringes of the Berlin Festival about her home country’s mix of danger and new beginnings, faith and spirituality, broken hearts and summer in Berlin
religion, berlinale, cherilyn macneil, brunch, love, music, label
How to seek the Holy Grail one hour from London
As American author Dan Brown's follow-up to 'The Da Vinci Code' is released on 16 September - 'The Lost Symbol' focuses on the Freemasons - we uphold tradition and go questing for the cup that Jesus used at the Last Supper at its rumoured location in Hertford
religion, conspiracy, church, history, dan brown, travel, tom hanks
Israeli national trail: take a bible, talk to your God and don’t walk on water
The free month-and-a-half trek crosses Israel from tip to toe, via valleys and mountains, winding in the cities, deserts and woods. A bit of context to help you plan carefully and prepare for a tough physical effort, plus some tips
Visit Noirlac Abbey in central France
This Cistercian abbey, nestled in the centre of France surrounded by trees and farmland, welcomes caravans and European tourists interested in art, architecture and music
Subculture: sexes, hairdos and jeans in Iran
1 April is Islamic Republic Day, a national holiday in Iran. Thirty years after the Islamic revolution, an unpopular government is once again struggling with a dissatisfied young population. However, the Iranian resistance against its own regime has no strategy behind it, only tactics. A portrait of the mood in the land of the red squares
religion, underground, youth, best of cafebabel.com, islamic revolution, mahmoud ahmadinejad, world affairs
Atheist Europe
'There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life!' At least 48 complaints have been registered about the advertising campaign on the 'atheism bus' which has travelled from London to Barcelona. Religions - of which 52% of Europe 'belong' to - have had to shield themselves as a reflex from non-believer activists. Papal policy and secularity, religious diversity, university theology - what do you say?
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