The Europeans | European news, politics and culture

Katy Lee and Dominic Kraemer
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Oct 29, 2019 • 32min

A Polish teenage diarist 

Renia's diary spent decades locked in a bank vault. Like many teenagers, she had used it to vent about stupid fights with her friends and to record the thrill of her first kiss. And when the war came, she used it to document the relentless killing of Jews in the town where she lived. Ania Jakubek is on the line from Warsaw to tell us the extraordinary story of Renia Spiegel, and why it stayed unknown for so long. We're also talking about promising signs that Europeans are becoming less bigoted. Oh, and there's a dog. You can read Ania's article about Renia here. For beautiful drawings, you should also follow Ania on Instagram. If you, like Dominic's mum, would like to get your hands on a limited edition Angry Macron tote bag, consider signing up for our Patreon top tier! All donations big and small are very welcome at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com Thanks for listening.
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Oct 22, 2019 • 28min

Invisible ink

This week, the female writers that Europe forgot. Carme Font Paz is leading a fascinating project aimed at uncovering the scribblings of European women from centuries ago and giving them their rightful place in the literary canon. Plus, Poland's election, posthumous comedy and why the EU won't be expanding east any time soon. You can find out more about Carme's project here. Thanks for listening! If you liked the show, please give us five big gold stars on Apple Podcasts or help us grow by chipping in on Patreon. See you next week. Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com
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Oct 8, 2019 • 31min

Toxic elements

This week, the fight for LGBT rights in Poland. A horrible pattern has been repeating itself in Polish cities: far-right thugs turning up to hurl eggs, bottles, blows and insults at Pride protesters. Our guest, the poet and novelist Jacek Dehnel, is on the line from Warsaw to reflect on what bishops and politicians have to do with it, as well as why there are reasons for hope. Plus, nitrogen and warm-hearted drug smugglers. You can read Jacek's account of what happened at the Pride march in Białystok here in the Guardian. His novel Lala and the first volume of the murder mystery series co-written with his husband, Mrs Mohr Goes Missing, are now available in English along with his poetry collection Aperture. Enjoying the show? Join the generous souls helping us to make it better at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. You can also help out by leaving us a (nice!) review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks for listening! Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com
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Sep 30, 2019 • 30min

Podchraoladh

This week, the beauty of the Irish language. Our guest is Darach Ó Séaghdha, whose wonderful book and podcast are a celebration of a language that may only have about 74,000 daily speakers but is very much alive and kicking. Also: the right to be forgotten, the Ukrainian side of the Trump impeachment inquiry, and treasures hidden in plain sight. Check out Darach's book, 'Motherfoclóir: Dispatches from a Not So Dead Language' and his podcast of the same name. And follow @TheIrishFor if you know what's good for you. Thanks as always to the hugely generous Patreon supporters who are keeping this show going. You can sign up at patreon.com/europeanspodcast. Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | hello@europeanspodcast.com Thanks for listening. europeanspodcast.com
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Sep 23, 2019 • 24min

The Tourists of Venice

How does a city of little more than 50,000 permanent residents deal with an annual stampede of 25 million tourists? Venice is an extreme example of the growing scourge of overtourism across Europe. We talk to one of the residents organising a fightback, Elena Riu of the Gruppo 25 aprile. Also this week: #ClimateStrike, Rammstein and skydiving in your nineties. Thanks as always to the amazing Patreon supporters keeping this show going: patreon.com/europeanspodcast Hit us up at our shiny new email address! hello@europeanspodcast.com Thanks for listening ❤️ Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | europeanspodcast.com
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Sep 17, 2019 • 36min

What the hell is the European Way of Life?

This week we’re heading into the belly of the EU beast to talk about who’s going to be running the show for the next five years. Alberto Alemmano, aka the busiest man in Europe, is here to unpick some controversial decisions by Ursula von der Leyen as she gets ready to take charge in November. Plus, skeletons and Macron portraits. Send us ideas for new laws! hello@europeanspodcast.com Help us out by joining our amazingly generous Patreon squad! patreon.com/europeanspodcast Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
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Sep 10, 2019 • 37min

Back for your Görlitzening pleasure

WE'RE BACK, with a new look for a new season. This week we're catching up on the summer's Italian drama and tackling the delicate question of Nazi relatives. And we're heading to Görlitz, on the German-Polish border, to find out why why so many voters in eastern Germany are putting their faith in the far-right AfD. Our guest is Emily Schultheis, a Berlin-based journalist covering right-wing populism, who spent a month in Görlitz getting into voters' heads. Read Emily's report for the Institute of Current World Affairs, where she is a fellow, here! Check out her latest piece for The Atlantic! And follow her on Twitter: @emilyrs. In other news, we have a beautiful new website: europeanspodcast.com. Help keep us running by joining our generous Patreon supporters: patreon.com/europeanspodcast. In Amsterdam on September 12? Get tickets for Cine Radio, the glorious international audio event hosted by our new producer Katz Laszlo. See you next week, it's good to be back. Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | europeanspodcast@gmail.com
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Aug 6, 2019 • 32min

Hiphopo

... or 'hiphop' in Esperanto. This week we're talking about how the internet shook up the world's most idealistic language, with Federico Gobbo, professor of Esperanto at the University of Amsterdam. We're also talking about the furore over a rapper involved in a Swedish assault case, and the Dutch kid behind one of the most successful beats of all time. We're taking August off to work on some special episodes, but we'll be back before you know it. Keep your eyes peeled in September for our brand new logo! As a final farewell to its iconic predecessor, we'll be sending out limited edition Angry Macron tote bags to our existing Patreon subscribers to say thanks for the amazing support. Not a member yet? Sign up for our new $20 subscription to get your hands on a piece of podcasting history. See you in a few weeks! Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Patreon europeanspodcast.com europeanspodcast@gmail.com
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Jul 29, 2019 • 26min

Portugal’s revolutionary drug policy

Scotland now has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe — even higher than the United States. The shocking statistics have prompted calls in Scotland for a move towards the decriminalisation of drug use, taking the lead from a radical change of approach in Portugal. Portugal went from a full-blown opioid crisis in the 1980s to having one of the lowest rates of drug deaths in Europe today. We called Andreia Alves, a social worker with the Lisbon NGO Crescer, to find how a more humane policy makes her work easier. Also: turtle doves, VIP tour guides, and the art of the Spanish compromise. Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon europeanspodcast@gmail.com Thanks for listening.
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Jul 22, 2019 • 29min

When politicians talk about love

This week we’re talking about what happened when Actress, the electronic musician also known as Darren Cunningham, made British and Dutch politicians debate the meaning of love. We’re also talking about French extravagance, the gentrification of Berlin, and the magic of medicine. You can find the article Dominic mentioned on the incredibly complex surgery that separated twins Safa and Marwa here. Liked the show? Please give us five big gold stars! Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Patreon Thanks for listening.

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