La Collection européenne

The European Collection

How do our neighbours in Europe see the pressing social issues of our time? Which of today's problems and challenges concern them the most, and how do they deal with them? Five partners, five languages and one joint project: The European Collection. ARTE joins forces with Germany's ARD and ZDF, France Télévisions and Switzerland's SRG SSR to offer a selection of documentaries and reports on European current affairs and the issues driving our politics and society.

All videos

Djimé always knew he would end up in prison. Now aged 29, he’s been free for one year, after spending half a life incarcerated. He recounts his experiences while Arnaud and Hervé, two prison guards, manage the new arrivals at Varennes-le-Grand penitentiary’s reception hall. This is a glimpse at what it’s like to take your first steps in the often-overcrowded French prison system.
This documentary series by France.tv Slash is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Djimé and the arrivals ward

Djimé, who spent half his life behind bars, talks about his incarceration while prison guards Arnaud and Hervé man the arrivals ward.

Prisons (1/5)

Mustafa is 28 years old and grew up in the Ratingen-West district in Düsseldorf, his “hood”. It’s an area with high unemployment rates and is home to people from many different nationalities, both a melting pot and socially deprived. Mustafa now runs a kiosk in the middle of the district, on Berliner Platz. Between high-rises, friendships and poverty, we discover his life.
This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Portrait of a kiosk owner in a socially deprived area of Düsseldorf, Germany.

Hard Life – I work in the middle of the ghetto

First came bankruptcy, then the separation from his partner. For Jan, one thing led to another until he suddenly found himself living on the streets of Cologne. He has been homeless for four years, without much hope to return to a normal life. The film accompanies him through his daily grind, between local food banks and searching for a place to sleep.
This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Portrait of a homeless person in Cologne, Germany.

Hard Life – I live on the streets

Working her way out of poverty as a sex worker all while supporting her family in Romania. That’s Andrada’s goal. She speaks confidently and openly about her work in a red-light district in Germany’s Ruhr region.  
This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Portrait of a sex worker in the Ruhr region, Germany.  

Hard Life – I sell sex for money

“You can let yourself go and give up, or you can keep fighting.” That is Daniel’s motto. After many years spent incarcerated and homeless, he is now a magazine salesman and is managing to get by.

This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Better than prison. Portrait of a street magazine seller.

Hard Life – I spent half my life in prison

In France 173 people were killed by abusive partners in 2019.  84% of these victims were women. In the press and on social media the list of femicides grows longer every week and yet we know little about these women who have become statistics. This documentary focuses on domestic violence and femicide, a crisis going on behind closed doors.

This documentary focuses on domestic violence and femicide, a crisis going on behind closed doors.

To the Bitter End

Places of learning, universities also have another role: to affirm the status of their countries and guarantee their cultural influence. Since the advent of global league tables, the struggle between universities vying for prestige has only intensified; especially between East and West.

Soft Power - Universities at War

Since the advent of global league tables, the struggle between universities vying for prestige has only intensified

Mapping the World

What does social justice and equal opportunities look like in Europe today.

The long march to social justice

Anas is a professional boxer. He lives in a neighbourhood riddled by drugs and petty crime, in the German city of Aachen. Boxing is not only his passion, it’s what he wants to make a living from. It’s a double-edged struggle, both athletically and financially. And then there’s his family, who he wants to make proud.

This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Marcel Nadim Aburakia’s portrait of a boxer from Aachen, Germany.

Hard Life – I box to make my family proud

It’s not always easy to escape the setting we’re born into. It definitely wasn’t easy for Mikael, AKA Doctor Rafiq, who expresses the precarity of his situation through his lyrics. His dream is to one day become a successful rapper, rather than spend his time hanging in the park with his friends.
This programme by German channel ARD is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SSR SRG and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Portrait of a young rapper from Dortmund, Germany.

Hard Life – I dream of a career as a rapper

Théo Curin is a French Paralympic swimmer. In November 2021, he made a daring attempt, together with two able-bodied swimmers, to swim across the highest lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, between Peru and Bolivia.

Théo Curin is a Paralympic swimmer. In November 2021, the Frenchman made a daring attempt to swim across the highest lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, between Peru and Bolivia.

Re: Swimming through Adversity

Driving heavy goods vehicles is a male-dominated sector. But today more women are getting behind the wheel of HGVs like Poland’s Iwona Blecharczyk, who has also become a global influencer online.

Re: Female Truckers Take the Wheel

As colourful and diverse as the continent, we Europeans are all individuals. How can we overcome our differences?

The many faces of Europe

The question of NATO membership divides Finnish society. Joining the organisation would end decades of carefully cultivated neutrality, a policy which Finland has pursued partly to placate their large Russian neighbour. But the invasion of Ukraine has changed everything.

The end of neutrality

The question of NATO membership divides Finnish society, but the invasion of Ukraine has changed everything.

Re: Finland and NATO

A fervent supporter of Scottish independence, musician Neil Mackay is organising large-scale demonstrations for an exit from the United Kingdom. With high inflation, Scotland, like the rest of the United Kingdom Is going through a hard winter. But will a second independence referendum be the solution? The question divides Scottish society.

Leaving the UK?

With high inflation, Scotland, like the rest of the United Kingdom Is going through a hard winter. But will a second independence referendum be the solution? The question divides Scottish society.

Re: Scotland in Crisis

In August 2020 1,500 individuals attempted to cross the straits of Dover, all looking to start a new life in Britain. Paying extortionate prices to people traffickers or going it alone in tiny dinghies, it’s a dangerous game to cross the cold waters of the world’s busiest shipping lane.

Calais: Migrants Crossing the Channel

In August 2020 1,500 individuals attempted to cross the straits of Dover all looking to start a new life in Britain. Paying extortionate prices to people traffickers or going it alone in tiny dinghies, it’s a dangerous game to cross the cold waters of the world’s busiest shipping lane.

ARTE Reportage

In Greece, the coastguard has taken to pushing back potential asylum seekers towards Turkish waters. That's despite the fact that once in Europe, these people have a right to apply for asylum and to have that application processed. But while this tactic is against EU human rights law, the Greek government have a promise to keep to its electorate: reducing the flow of migrants.

Greece: Illegal Pushbacks of Asylum Seekers

In Greece, the coastguard has taken to pushing back asylum seekers into Turkish waters, in violation of EU law

Germany in the 21st century is unthinkable without Angela Merkel, leading the country for the last 16 years. Ms Merkel grew up in the GDR before beginning her political career in the united Germany. A look at the Germany she leads as she approaches the end of her political career.

Germany: Angela Merkeland?

A look at the Germany of Angela Merket as she approaches the end of her political career after 16 years as chancellor.

A rough wind is blowing through our democratic institutions. What can politics do to tackle today's threats and challenges?

What next for democracy?

A look at how we are getting better at managing and conserving water supplies in drier parts of our planet like southern Spain, Israel and the desert city of Las Vegas.

Water

 A look at how we are getting better at managing and conserving water supplies in drier parts of our planet like southern Spain, Israel and the desert city of Las Vegas.

Good News From Our Planet

Climate change is often viewed as a far-off phenomenon but the effects are already being felt around the world by millions of people. A global overview of the regions on the frontline of the climate catastrophe.

Climate Change Is Happening Now

 A global overview of the regions on the frontline of the climate catastrophe.

Since 2018, the Vosges forest has been dealing with drought and heat waves due to climate change. Forest fires are going to increase in frequency and intensity, and firefighters are getting ready.

France: The Vosges Forest Under Threat

The Vosges forest is in for more frequent and intense wild fires because of climate change, and the region is bracing itself

Textiles have been central to trade and industry since time immemorial, notably with the famous Silk road trading route from China to Europe. In our current era of globalisation textiles continue to be big business but this success comes at a social and environmental cost.

Textiles: A Global Industry

Climate protection, sustainability, taking responsibility: the younger generation is calling for a shift in mindset - and concrete action.