Four courageous young people fight their creative battle for an open-minded society in one of the most homophobic countries of Europe. An interview with the drag queens from Skopje.
What’s in a name? February 2019 Update from (North) Macedonia
A few weeks ago I arrived to the Republic of Macedonia, “former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” in international documents, and in just a few days I will be leaving from the Republic of North Macedonia. Have I changed countries? No, of course not. But the country has changed its name. It all started last year …
The female body as a public good or: the battle for women’s rights in Poland
In Poland, women‘s organisation have – once more – called for a general strike. On Friday 23rd thousands are expected to take the streets in Warsaw to scream out their anger against the restriction of the abortion law and with it the restriction of women’s rights in Poland. The protests ist labelled “czarny piątek”, Black …
A shining star for Europe – Is German leadership of Europe desirable or necessary?
Henry Kissinger is put on the table as soon as an EU debate shifts towards the question of leadership. Whether he actually said it or not – Kissinger is remembered for the complaint that there is not one number to dial straight to the head of Europe. And even though the Lisbon Treaty introduced the …
Living the French Way: Wine, Friends & Happiness in Bordeaux
Bordeaux – award-winning city in Southwestern France, known all over the world for dark red shimmering wine and for old architecture. A city where medieval gates, Gothic churches and streets in the style of classicism nestle against the banks of the Garonne river and where 18k m² are listed as UNESCO-world heritage. That sounded like …
Balkan Summer Holiday – Montenegro
I travelled a lot this year already, especially across the Balkans. Every country there has plentiful things to discover, but assuming that you’d have to choose one country for your summer vacation – where do I send you?
Some body positivity for the end of the week
The other day I stumbled upon an article talking about the newest body trend on instagram. Much to my surprise and delight this trend wasn’t meant for young women to starve themselves to death, but instead promoting some body positivity. The latest thing are apparently so-called “hip dips”, dents between hips and thighbones or in …
Hidden in the closet. LGBT Rights in the Western Balkans
The other day a friend sat down with me in his old, but cozy apartment which he shares with a hamster and a bird; where you have to go outside to get to the bathroom and where the walls and shelves are decorated with crosses and other religious symbols. My friend is a very religious …
Learning from (national) history for a (European) future
>>>Diesen Text lieber auf deutsch lesen? Hier entlang! I tend to be careful not to draw a quick comparison between a nation state and the EU, especially when corresponding state is Germany; the country which is disliked by many for its dominance in Europe. Still, I am, as a German, of all countries most familiar …
Learning from (national) history for the (European) future
>>>Diesen Text lieber auf deutsch lesen? Hier entlang! I tend to be careful not to draw a quick comparison between a nation state and the EU, especially when the corresponding state is Germany; the country which is disliked by many for its dominance in Europe. Still, I am, as a German, of all countries most …