Le train qui a uni les Catalans

Katalonien: Der Zug der Einheit

City Country Culture

Viajemos

Zaproszenie do podróży

Invito al Viaggio

Since the 20th century, a yellow train has linked Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol, offering travelers a unique panorama of the Eastern Pyrenees. Nicknamed canary for its color, this railway turned the lives of the Catalans of the north upside down, torn between the French Republic and the Kingdom of Spain.

program_content

Cultural Heritage

The Train That Unified The Catalans

Since the 20th century, a yellow train has linked Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol, offering travelers a unique panorama of the Eastern Pyrenees

program_playNext

In the buzzing city of Tokyo; works of art aren't just in museums or zen gardens... there's also the hidden masterpieces that don't get displayed. The traditional tattoo, called irezumi, is thousands of years old and carries with it the weight of a long and rich tradition. But modern mainstream Japan has little time for this forgotten slice of history. From the 13th century onwards, tattoos became a marker of social deviance and criminality. In modern Japan, it marked out the members of the brutal Yakuza. But now, it's having a renaissance among Japanese youth.

Japan's Tattoo Taboo

Head to Tokyo for a traditional tattoo session

In Southern California, in the middle of the desert, stands an oasis of pleasure. In the 1940s, Palm Springs was virgin land where the stars of architecture experimented and reinvented themselves. Today, the city is an open-air museum of modernism.

Palm Springs, an Oasis of Hedonism

The city is an open-air museum of modernism

For a long time, the Baja California peninsula was thought to be a land of legend, full of gold and pearls. These riches attracted Europeans with the Spanish conquistadors, French industrialists and Jesuit missionaries all coming. But the Mexican peninsular was inhabited long before the settlers came.

Mexico: Indomitable Baja California

For a long time, the Baja California peninsula was thought to be a land of legend, full of gold and pearls.

Jews from all over the world come to the Polish city of Lublin to honour their Polish ancestors. As early as the 15th century, tens of thousands of them lived in the old city where they developed a rich and learned culture earning Lublin the moniker, the Polish Jerusalem.

Lublln: The Polish Jerusalem

Jews from all over the world come to the Polish city of Lublin to honour their Polish ancestors. 

In the past it was always Western archaeologists that led digs in Egypt and uncovered the marvellous treasures of Ancient Egypt. But today Egyptian academics are taking back control of their heritage.

Egypt Takes Back Control of its Heritage

The Serbo-Croatian engineer Nikola Tesla wanted to bring progress to his country: With the development of two-phase alternating current, he allowed for the nationwide transmission of electricity.

Nikola Tesla Brings Light to Croatia

Kyoto has been at the epicentre of Japanese culture for over a thousand years. Along its traditional alleys lined with wooden houses and sliding doors, geisha can still be spotted in their kimono and obi. At once works of art and artists at work, they embody a uniquely Japanese way of life.

Geisha are at once works of art and artists at work, and embody a uniquely Japanese way of life

Geisha, the Ladies of Kyoto

A medieval town with winding streets and colorful facades, Tallinn is one of the best-preserved cities in Estonia. But its heritage has a dark underbelly. Under Communist rule for over four decades, it was overrun with KGB agents during the Cold War.

Tallinn is a pretty town with a dark past

Tallinn, the Capital of Soviet Paranoia

Known as the Polish Manchester, Poland’s third city was an industrial powerhouse in the 19th century. Today the vast brick warehouses and factories are being renewed by artists and artisans.

Łódź - Poland's Other Capital

At a time when the Romans did not venture far from the Mediterranean coast, the Polynesians crossed vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean in dugout canoes. It is said that they reached America long before Christopher Columbus navigating by the stars.

Polynesia Navigating with the Stars

UNESCO recognised Belgian beer is the result of an ancestral know-how which today produces nearly 1500 varieties. 

Belgium: Beer Paradise

In the Vaucluse mountains, a long dry stone wall runs the length of the landscape. This is a wall erected against an invisible enemy: the plague. In the 18th century, a massive outbreak wiped out a third of the population of Marseille, and today, the wall still stands as a monument to the many victims of that epidemic. 

In 18th century France, a long wall was built to try to keep out the plague, and it still stands to this day

Provence and the Black Death

The counterculture movement reached Ibiza in the 1960s and 1970s as hippies came to the island looking to live and idealised life, close to nature.

Love and Peace in Ibiza

In northern Tanzania, between Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria, stretch vast plains yellowed by the sun. This is the Serengeti National Park: a haven to endangered species and a UNESCO world heritage centre.

In northern Tanzania, between Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria, stretch vast plains yellowed by the sun

Journey to the Serengeti

On the coasts of Gdansk in Poland, the waves of the Baltic Sea bring up a precious treasure: amber fragments that it deposits on the beach. For centuries, Polish craftsmen worked it into elabrate art pieces. 

On the coasts of Gdansk in Poland, the waves of the Baltic Sea bring up a precious treasure: amber

The Amber of Gdansk

In southern Poland, at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane lies nestled amid rock and forest. It's a winter sports resort and the starting point for mountain walks. This small village has grown to attract tourists and artists fascinated by the region's unique all-wood architectural style. 

Escape to a place of stunning natural beauty in the moutains of Poland

Zakopane, Poland's Mountain Escape

program_recommendations

Spotlight on the Sztuki Museum's collection of radical contemporary art, which has flourished in an old textile factory in the heart of the industrial city of Lodz, dubbed the ‘Polish Manchester’.

Muzeum Sztuki, Łodz

From Industry to Art

As a show of solidarity, Europe is displaying the colours of Ukraine, a country whose desire for democracy and freedom is perceived as a danger by Vladimir Putin's Russia. The pursuit of freedom is the subject of this episode of Twist. A desire shared by artists from all over the world.

The Pursuit of Freedom

The pursuit of freedom is the subject of this episode of Twist. A desire shared by artists from all over the world.

Twist

In the southern French town of Arles, the Luma Foundation, created by Swiss billionaire Maja Hoffmann, has transformed former railway workshops into an artistic and cultural space. The inclusion of a glittering 56-metre high tower by Frank Gehry divides opinion.

The Luma Arles

In the southern French town of Arles, the Luma Foundation, created by Swiss billionaire Maja Hoffmann, has transformed former railway workshops into an artistic and cultural space.

Women artists and thinkers give their view on women's progress. Alice Schwarzer, French icon of the women's movement, talks to us about 4,000 years of patriarchy and why women are still there are too nice. Viennese choreographer Florentina Holzinger doesn't give a damn about body norms and classic images of women. María Hesse, an author from Madrid, explores female sexuality.

Women artists and thinkers give their view on women's progress

Women's Rights in 2022: Progress or Backslide?

A look at the tormented life of Clara Haskil (1895-1960), and the dazzling purity and fluidity of her unique sound. Her 10 year professional career was short but disproportionately influential.

The Magic of Interpretation

A look at the tormented life of Clara Haskil (1895-1960)

Clara Haskil

In Belgium, the former colliery site of Grand-Hornu is now home to a remarkable museum of contemporary art, which brings together the history of the industrial complex with works of art.

MACS in Grand-Hornu, Belgium

The Falckenberg Collection is one of the top-class private art collections in Europe, located in the Phoenix AG factory buildings in Hamburg. More than 2,000 works of contemporary art are on display and it's a who's who of contemporary art, including: Daniel Richter, Jonathan Meese, Monica Bonvicini and Katharina Sieverding.

The Falckenberg Collection in Hamburg

The Falckenberg Collection is one of the top-class private art collections in Europe.

Is Saint Thomas' touching of Jesus' wounds homoerotic? It's certainly in stark contrast to Mary Magdalene, who is told not to touch him and spends the rest of her life living in a cave.

The incredulity of Saint Thomas - Caravaggio

Is Saint Thomas' touching of Jesus' wounds homoerotic?

Look but Don't Touch

With Estonia celebrating 30 years of independence this year, TWIST goes to Tallinn to discover the city’s cultural scene. Featuring writer Sofi Oksanen, artists Flo Kasearu and Timo Toots, the Estonian Voices ensemble and rapper Tommy Cash

Estonia: Young, Digital, Provocative

With Estonia celebrating 30 years of independence this year, TWIST goes to Tallinn to discover the city’s cultural scene.

TWIST

program_bonus

Bonuses and Extracts

program_external

Discover more

program_categoryMostViewed

Behind his polite exterior lies a formidable leader with a ruthless character, ready to do anything to make China the world's leading power by the People’s Republic’s centenary in 2049. This well-documented portrait of the Chinese president gives an unprecedented insight into his politics and shows how Xi Jinping's personal journey has shaped his choices as he steers China towards world domination.

A portrait of the Chinese president giving an unprecedented insight into his politics and showing how Xi Jinping's personal journey has shaped his choices as he steers China towards world domination.

The New World of Xi Jinping

After two months of fighting, the Russian troops had their advance towards the West blocked by fierce Ukrainian resistance. Forced to leave the suburbs of Kyiv, the occupying army left behind mass graves and horrific accounts of rape and abuse in their wake. Russia is now turning its efforts to the Dobas and the coastline along the Sea of ​​Azov. In Kyiv, the return of spring is also the return of many residents who had fled.

 In Kyiv, the return of spring is also the return of many residents who had fled

Ukraine: Kyiv in Spring

The Maginot Line is a giant: Thousands of underground bunkers and concrete defences lining the French border, from Belgium to the Mediterranean. In its time it was celebrated as a technical masterpiece and thought to be impregnable, today it also stands for the trauma of the French defeat in 1940. The documentary looks at a military construction that is as fascinating as it is controversial.

France's Defensive Barrier

Thought to be impregnable, the French defensive barrier did not halt the German invasion in 1940.

The Maginot Line

The literary source for Richard Strauss’s opera immortalizing the degeneracy of Herodes Antipas, King of Judea, and his step-daughter Salome, was supplied by Oscar Wilde. It tells of Herodes, who is keeping the prophet Jochanaan captive inside a cistern. Salome tries to seduce him and on being rebuffed, forces her stepfather to serve her the prophet’s head on a silver platter.

Directed by Christof Loy in Helsinki

Rejected by the prophet Jochanaan, Salome forces her abusive stepfather to exact revenge.

Richard Strauss: Salome

Far away from the South Korean capital of Seoul is the Buddhist Gameunsa Temple. Three nuns live, pray and cook together here as they preserve the knowledge of centuries-old temple cuisine. The abbess of this small monastery is the charismatic Wookwan Sunim, revered in Asia as one of the best cooks in the world.

South Korea: Magic Temple Food

Far away from the South Korean metropolis of Seoul is the Buddhist Gameunsa Temple where three nuns live, pray and cook together 

Geo Reportage

Lockdowns, crop failures due to climate change and the war in Ukraine are all to blame for soaring prices around the world.

Geopolitics of Inflation

Mapping the World Essentials

ARTE Concert Festival welcomes a legend, Damon Albarn. He performs his new album live: The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows.

ARTE Concert Festival 2021

ARTE Concert Festival welcomes a legend, Damon Albarn

Damon Albarn

The Supreme Court is now made of a majority of ultra-conservative judges since President Trump's term in office. The court now looks set to overturn the Roe v Wade case which gave women the constitutional right to have an abortion if they so wish or need. This worrying step backwards for women's rights doesn't mean women won't have abortions. It means they'll die trying.

Abortion: A Threatened Right

This worrying step backwards doesn't mean women won't have abortions. It means they'll die trying

Mapping the World

Three Japanese men have fallen under the charms of high school student Rinko, a character from the video game Love Plus. The game finally leads them to the seaside resort of Atami, where the virtual world and real life collides.

Three Japanese men have fallen under the charms of high school student Rinko, a character from the video game Love Plus

Petit ami parfait

In 2020, for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, Philippe Jordan and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra recreated the mythical evening of December 22 1808, when  the composer presented his Sixth Symphony, also known as his Pastoral.

Philippe Jordan recreates the evening of December 22, 1808, when Beethoven presented his Pastoral symphony

Philippe Jordan Conducts Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony

An investigation into a little-known story from the Second World War. Having planned and executed their mass murders, the Nazis meticulously eliminated traces of their crimes against humanity between 1942 and 1944: The so-called Operation 1005.

How the Nazis Covered up their Crimes

The Nazis meticulously eliminated traces of their crimes against humanity between 1942 and 1944: The so-called Operation 1005.

Operation 1005

Ordinary Ukrainian citizens are preparing to resist the Russian invader by joining the army and helping the resistance in any way they can.

Ukraine: Resisting the Agressor

ARTE Reportage

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought the people of Kyiv together like nothing else. Calling on the spirit of the Maidan Revolution of 2014, they are ready to resist.

Ukraine: Maïdan Spirit

A breakaway region of Moldova that is not recognised internationally, Transnistria is largely pro-Russian. The war in Ukraine has awakened fears that Russia will try to annex the region.

Moldova: Transnistria and Russia

On May 9, Russia celebrated its victory day without a victory in Ukraine. Instead, President Putin further pushed the narrative of Russian victimhood, despite the fact that Moscow, not Kyiv, is the agressor. As the battle continues to rage, we take a look at Ukraine before and after the conflict.

Ukraine, Before and After the War

As the battle continues to rage, we take a look at Ukraine before and after the conflict

The planet's jet streams are being affected by rising temperatures in the Arctic. These streams are part of a wind system that circulates at high altitude around the Earth, and they have an influence on extreme weather events. Changes in them are bad news for life on Earth.

How Climate Change Makes Storms Worse

Changing jet streams are bad news for life on Earth

Winds of Change

Thirty years after the end of apartheid, South Africa has still not overcome its many problems: Endemic violence, economic and racial inequalities, state corruption. However, the rainbow nation has a lot to offer: tourism, natural resources and a leadership role on the African continent.

South Africa and its Demons

Live from the Teatro Real in Madrid, an adaptation of Prokofiev’s flamboyant masterpiece by the ever-radical Calixto Bieito.

An adaptation of Sergei Prokofiev’s flamboyant masterpiece by radical director Calixto Bieito.

Prokofiev’s "The Fiery Angel" at the Teatro Real in Madrid

We will be able to upgrade our brains with a microchip, blurring the boundaries between man and machine in a way that we've never seen before. But what will happen to us when our computers become smarter than we are? Helen Fares is on a mission to test the limits of the human brain.

Homo Digitalis

Helen Fares is on a mission to test the limits of the human brain

The Upgraded Brain

Since its invention in the 19th century, the bicycle has allowed Western women to move around independently. Today, it is the turn of women in Arab countries to discover its power. Though at first glance innocuous and common, the bicycle is unexpectedly feminist.

The Freedom to Cycle

Though at first glance innocuous and common, the bicycle is unexpectedly feminist

The Train That Unified The Catalans

Cultural Heritage