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After the end of the Cold War, the Baltic was viewed almost as a quiet backwater. A nice place to visit to see charming Hanseatic cities and sandy beaches. But since the war in Ukraine the Baltic sea, bordered by eight European Union countries as well as Russia, has become a hot spot of world geopolitics. And tensions are high.

Russia, Europe and NATO

Since the war in Ukraine the Baltic sea has become a hot spot of world geopolitics. And tensions are high.

Panic in the Baltic

Current Highlights

On 24 February, Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine. We follow the war day by day and provide background information with special insights, reports and documentaries.

War in Ukraine

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.

The view of our European neighbours on current political and social issues in Europe.

The European Collection

Many of these journalists didn't expect to become war reporters. But then their homeland became a conflict zone. As armies picked up guns, they picked up their cameras.

A look at daily life in Ukraine, as filmed by Ukrainian journalists

Dispatches From Ukraine: Local Journalists Report

Chinese people make do without Google, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter. Instead, the regime has built its own online offer. How is this Chinese internet structured and what does it mean for democracy and debate?

How is this Chinese internet structured and what does it mean for democracy and debate? 

Internet Made in China

Regular bite-sized shorts focusing on different aspects of the war in Ukraine from a geopolitical perspective.

Mapping the World Essentials - War in Ukraine

Our web-series explores the lives of women in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. We ask how the Arab Spring changed their societies and their roles.

Ten years on from the Arab Spring, Arab women reflect on how their lives have changed

Women of the Arab Spring

Collections

Playlists

The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra is 31 young musicians from six Western Balkan countries. The brainchild of Desar Sulejmani, their aim is to bring peace and cooperation to the region through musical collaboration. We join them on their international summer tour…

The Balkan Orchestra

The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra aims is to bring peace and cooperation to the region through musical collaboration. We join them on their international summer tour…

Re: Playing for Peace

An Iranian boxer in France and an activist in Germany cannot return home because how they live is forbidden by the regime. But with the protest movement in Iran and abroad, they are hopeful that change can come to Iran.

Revolution in Exile

With the protest movement in Iran, many Iranians in exile are hopeful that change can come to their country.

Re: For a New Iran

Less than 40 kilometres separate the French coast from England at Calais. The crossing seems easy to many, although in reality it is highly dangerous. Smugglers have recently been launching more and more small boats from the French beaches crammed with young people in the hope of a better life.

Children of Calais

Smugglers have been launching more and more small boats from the French beaches crammed with young people in the hope of a better life in England.

ARTE Reportage

In the Netherlands, drug trafficking gangs force farmers to give them access to their barns. The buildings are turned into illegal ecstasy and methamphetamine laboratories, pumping out drugs to sell on the European market. The waste from these labs often ends up just being dumped into the countryside, causing widespread ecological damage. The gangs are powerful and at times brazen. Police and local authorities know that cracking down on the trade puts them in the traffickers' crosshairs.

Dutch Drug Gangs

Drug gangs in the Netherlands are powerful and have been terrorising rural communities.

Re: Ecstasy for Europe

In August 2022, a painting with the French title "Théâtre d'opéra spatial"  won first prize at the Colorado State Fair. It caused a stir as it was created using AI software. The World in Images analyses the issue of authorship of the work with its creator Jason Allen and art historian Paul Ardenne.

Artworks and Artificial Intelligence

In August 2022, a painting made with AI software won first prize at the Colorado State Fair.

The World in Images

Jackson, a poor city in the southern United States, is in an extended state of emergency over its water crisis. Either there is no water, or the water is at low pressure or dirty. Residents have been told to boil it before drinking. For many, this latest scandal feels like the last straw. The economy is dying, shops are closing, and young graduates move to other cities. Local politics meanwhile is increasingly divided.

Jackson, a poor city in the southern United States, is in an extended state of emergency over water shortages.

Jackson: A City in Crisis

Israel Kaunatjike, a Herero descendant, campaigns for the rights of his people. This indigenous group was decimated by German colonial troops over a century ago. He lives in Berlin, but is returning to Namibia on a mission to reckon with his country's painful past. He goes to Swakopmund, a seaside resort with a strong Germanic influence, where Hereros from all over the country gather to commemorate what they say was a genocide waged against their people.

Israel Kaunatjike is a Herero, a people decimated by German troops over a century ago.

Re: German Colonialism in Namibia

More

Investigation and reports

Zwar sind andere Instrumente weniger sperrig, unumgänglich ist das Klavier aber nicht nur aus Platzgründen: Der imposante Flügel erfüllt den Raum dank Saiten und Hämmern mit klassischem Charme. Ob allein oder in Begleitung eines Orchesters: Entdecken Sie große Klassiker genauso wie Stücke der Gegenwart am klangvollen Klavier – in unserer Piano-Playlist.

Stories from across the continent

Video reports from European broadcasters including Germany’s BR, Belgium’s RTBF, Ireland's RTÉ, Portugal’s RTP, Swissinfo and more.

A European Perspective

ERB Event Zone

Europe as a source of inspiration: Meeting artists from across the continent whose works spring from Europe’s cultural diversity.

Europe of Artists

Saype is a graffiti artist with a difference. He doesn't spray his works on walls but in fields and on grass, using his own biodegradable paint. His huge works of art are best appreciated by drone, where the true scale is revealed. 

Gymnastics

Saype, Green-Fingered Graffitti Artist

For the last 50 years, German artist Christina Kubisch has been obsessed with the sounds of everyday life.

Christina Kubisch - Sound Artist

The American director Peter Sellars was invited to the Salzburg Festival. For the 2017 edition he staged The Clemency of Titus by Mozart.

Carte Blanche to Peter Sellars

Square Artiste: Peter Sellars

Mariusz would never have become the artist he is now if Poland had not joined the European Union. He now creates striking murals in cities all over the world.

Mariusz Waras, Street Artist

French writer Emmanuel Ruben is a bicycle enthusiast. Writing about his cycle from west to east following Europe’s longest river, the Danube, Ruben reflects on Europe and migration.

Rewriting Europe Along the Danube

Through the eyes of artists

Mapping the World turns towards Qatar, the small gulf state that is hosting the World Cup 2022. One of the richest countries on the planet due to vast oil and gas deposits, Qatar has invested heavily in soft power projects such as education and communication.

Mapping the World

Mapping the World turns to Qatar, the small gulf state that is hosting the World Cup 2022. 

Qatar, World Cup Host

Climate change, the Covid pandemic and war brings into sharp focus the precariousness of the global food system. The war in Ukraine threatens the food security of many countries that rely on Kyiv as their main source of wheat.

Square Idea

Climate change, the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine brings into sharp focus how important food is. 

The Power of Grain

The Balkans continue to be torn between West and East in politics, culture and religion. Mapping the World focuses on one of Europe’s most diverse regions.

The Balkans - Between East and West

Rishi Sunak comes to Number Ten during a time of great economic, social and geopolitical upheaval. He replaces Liz Truss, whose time in office can't even be measured in months, let alone years. It was her slash and burn approach to taxation, without a plan to fund those cuts, that rocked financial markets and sent the cost of borrowing for normal British people soaring. Mapping the World recaps the many problems Sunak will have to tackle. 

Rishi Sunak: A New PM

Rishi Sunak comes to Number Ten during a time of great economic, social and geopolitical upheaval.

Mapping the World Essentials

Across Europe far-right parties are making significant gains at elections. A focus on Sweden, Italy, Germany and France and the strategies of the far-right parties to present themselves as ‘normal’.

The Normalisation of the Far Right

Climate change, the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine brings into sharp focus how important food supplies are.

Insights

Нападение России на Украину повергло Европу в шок и пролило свет на хрупкое положение независимых СМИ в России. Кроме видеоконтента на украинском, ARTE предлагает подборку материалов на русском языке, освещающих ужасные события в Украине, а также культурные программы и концерты солидарности с Украиной со всего мира. (ARTE is offering content in Russian).

ARTE in Russian

Помимо видеоконтента на украинском, ARTE предлагает подборку материалов на русском языке, освящающих ужасные событиям в Украине, а также культурные программы и концерты солидарности с Украиной со всего мира.

ARTE на русском 

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Kids

For decades, the middle classes were what held post-war Europe together. Confidence in the Republic and its values was a given for the French middle classes who saw the state as a force for good and believed in social mobility. That all changed with the Yellow Vest movement (2018-2019) which saw angry protests against the government. This documentary follows participants in this movement.

For decades, the middle classes were what held post-war France together.  But that all changed with the Yellow Vest movement (2018-2019) which saw angry protests against the government. 

The Working Poor in Revolt

Artist Cláudia Varejão invites the viewer to discover couples of many kinds: Twin sisters, a dog and its master, lovers who look amazingly alike…in a film that sheds light on the fragile balance that connects living beings.

The Fatality of Love

Artist Cláudia Varejão invites the viewer to discover couples of many kinds in a sensitive film about love

Amor Fati

44-year-old Jean-Philippe is 44 and has been suffering from heart failure for ten years. He is permanently connected to a box that supplies energy to the pump that keeps him alive. The rhythm of this wait is punctuated by the incessant noise of the machine, the slightest failure of which could be fatal. This wait, which is difficult for the patient as well as for his family, is about to end, as Jean-Philippe should have a transplant soon.

44-year-old Jean-Philippe is 44 and suffers from heart failure. The wait for a transplant is difficult for him and for his family. 

When the Heart Beats Again

Malian filmmaker Bouba Touré tells the story of an agricultural cooperative with archive footage. It was founded in 1977 by West African migrants who had returned from France. Touré examines the working and living conditions of African migrants as well as the ecological and social challenges of such an endeavour.

A Documentary by Raphaël Grisey

Malian filmmaker Bouba Touré tells the story of an agricultural cooperative made up of returning migrants from France.

Crossing Voices

In this episode, Ronja explores what can give us hope for the future even when things seem bleak. At Leopoldplatz, she meets one of the most hopeful people in Berlin: DJ Bombay sells curries from his food truck and is always in a good mood. "I've been through so many crises in my life that nothing can knock me out," he says. Then there's  boxer Mazen, who loses every fight and still goes on. Nun Sister Mechthildis meanwhile is full of hope and happiness, living away from the hustle and bustle of life in her convent.

Don't Lose Hope!

In this episode, Ronja explores what can give us hope for the future even when things seem bleak.

Streetphilosophy

All their lives they have devoted all their energy to take care of their disabled children. But as they grow older, a nagging question arises: who will take care of my child when I am gone? The film follows parents in their decision to live and grow old together with their children in a unique institution, while preparing for their eventual separation.

All their lives they have devoted all their energy to take care of their disabled children. But as they grow older, a nagging question arises: who will take care of my child when I am gone? 

What Will Happen to My Child?

Jan explores all the different ways of being alone. He searches for gold in a field with Wolfgang Herkt and his metal detector. After long hours of solo searching, Wolfgang says: "Being alone helps with difficult decisions because there are no distractions." The author Kathrin Weßling is the opposite: she communicates 24/7, writes books and constantly posts to social media. But loneliness lingers... not least of all for refugees. Evgeniy Zamyatin, who works as a lawyer for Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, fled to Berlin, far from friends and family.

Face Loneliness!

Jan explores all the different ways of being alone.

Switching viewpoints

The Russian enclave of Kaliningrad sits between Lithuania and Poland. Once German East Prussia, it is now home to 1 million Russian citizens. What is life like in this small territory now practically cut off from its EU neighbours since the war in Ukraine began?

Kaliningrad: Putin's Enclave

The Russian enclave of Kaliningrad sits between Lithuania and Poland and is now practically cut off from its EU neighbours since the war in Ukraine began.

As Lithuania stops Russia from transporting goods by train through its territory to Kaliningrad, a focus on the history of this singular Russian territory.

The Kaliningrad Affair

Stephan, from rural northern Germany, served eight years as a regular soldier in the German army. Just four days after the Russian invasion, he decided to go to Ukraine to help with the war effort.What are his motives? Does he want to defend Ukraine or democracy in Europe? And how does joining a foreign army even work? ARTE accompanies him as he makes plans and leaves for Ukraine.

A German Volunteer Goes to War

Ex-German soldier Stephan decided to join the Ukrainian army. ARTE accompanies him as he prepares and leaves for Ukraine. 

Re: Reporting for Duty in Ukraine

Johanna Maria Fritz and Mila Teshaieva are two Berlin-based photographers. Johanna was born in Germany, Mila in Ukraine. Three days after the Russian invasion, they set off in an old Volkswagen Golf for Ukraine. They wanted  to capture the horrors of the war and bear witness to the fate of the people there.

Two Photographers in Ukraine

Johanna Maria Fritz and Mila Teshaieva are two Berlin-based photographers.Three days after the Russian invasion, they set off for Ukraine to capture the horrors of the war.

Re: Picturing the War

With the increase in the cost of living, food banks are increasingly in demand in Germany. But the massive influx of people in need poses a major challenge to charities, which sometimes have to refuse new applicants.

With the increase in the cost of living, food banks are increasingly in demand in Germany.

Re: The Newly Poor in Germany

Sven Philipp and Martin Rheinländer run workshops called  “Strengthening Masculinity” to teach men about women, flirting and sex. But critics like Christoph May and Susanne Kaiser warn against these types of workshops, which they say promote toxic male values and old-fashioned ideas. Christoph became so bored and annoyed by his male-dominated environment that he now avoids all-male groups as much as possible. As a researcher, he often gives public lectures, urging men to rethink critically their role in society.

Being a Man in the Modern World

The pick-up artist industrial complex has come to Germany.

Re: Male Identity Crisis

More than 50 countries have been wrangling over the issue of urgent weapon supplies to Ukraine as the invasion reaches its 11th month. Renewable energy is once again in the limelight – we look at how wind power is being used across Europe. Our cultural pick this week explores an architectural gem in the French city of Le Havre.

War in Ukraine / Wind power / Architecture

As fighting escalates, Ukraine is urging the international community to dig deep to help it defend itself against Russia.

ARTE Europe Weekly

Many Germans have possessions passed down in their families that originally belonged to Jewish people, dispossessed during the Nazi period. Today, the Berlin-based foundation Stiftung Zurückgeben tries to track down the rightful owners.

Germans Search for Rightful Owners

Re: Returning Jewish Property

Before losing his left arm in combat in 2015, Hallo Ramshty, an engineer by trade, was one of the best deminers in the Peshmerga, the Iraqi Kurdish army that fought ISIS. But post-war society has no regard for the sacrifices of its soldiers, and Hallo, who cannot even afford a prosthesis, has had to learn to adapt on his own. As ingenious as he is obstinate, and despite the nightmares that stalk his sleep, he hustles hard to stay afloat, by turns taxi driver, construction worker, and mechanic. When an intermediary offers to pay him a high fee for TNT, he hits on a dangerous idea: the mine fields outside of the city are full of explosives. A gripping docu-fiction. 

Before losing his left arm in combat in 2015, Hallo Ramshty, an engineer by trade, was one of the best deminers in the Peshmerga.

Dirty Lands

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 Brazil the coronavirus has worsened the political crisis in the country. Reports also from South Korea, Cambodia and the Central African Republic.

VIRAL #9: The Coronavirus Worldwide

Brazil to Cambodia

In order to curb the shortage of skilled IT workers, Portugal is increasingly relying on professionals from abroad. But the arrival of expats is leading to higher rent prices, a serious issue for local students, who are being pushing out of the housing market.
 This programme by German channel ZDF is part of The European Collection, a joint initiative of European public media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SSR SRG and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

To curb the shortage of skilled IT professionals, many foreigners come to work in Portugal. Their arrival is bad news for students, who are being pushed out of the housing market.

Portugal's housing shortage

Citizens across Europe who used to belong to the lower middle class have fallen into poverty. An in-depth investigation into the precariat, a new social class of financially insecure citizens who, although they are employed, find it very difficult to make ends meet.

The Middle Class in Crisis

An in-depth investigation into the precariat, a new social class of financially insecure citizens who, although they are employed, find it very difficult to make ends meet.

Working But Poor

They called themselves "men of honour". In reality, they were hitmen for the Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian mafia. Three of them were arrested in the early 1990s and decided to cooperate with the authorities in exchange for immunity. In exclusive interviews, they tell how they became Mafiosi, their experiences in the organisation and how they got out.

In the Heart of Darkness

They called themselves "men of honour". In reality, they were hitmen for the Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian mafia. 

Mafioso

The construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which would have transported Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea, caused concern in Central and Eastern Europe. Ukraine was particularly insistent of the risks involved. Poland and the Baltic States also repeatedly warned about Europe's dependence on Russia.

The construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline had been a cause for concern for Eastern states for years

Nord Stream 2: The Fears of Eastern Europe

Some people in Britain have decided to forego modern comforts in order to keep their carbon footprint as low as possible. They are living off-grid for the climate.

Re: Living Off-Grid for the Climate

Thousands of young people join McDonald’s “big family” of employees each year, which the company claims has led it to become France’s leading recruiter. But from behind the scenes of its kitchens, the veil is being lifted. Employees are starting to speak out about the deplorable working conditions, high pressure environment and impossible targets they face.
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.

A journalist goes undercover in McDonald’s kitchens to lift the veil on the working conditions of France’s leading recruiter.

My job at McDonald’s

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

Most popular

Anti-Turkey protests by Sweden’s Kurdish community put the brakes on Sweden’s NATO membership bid. The EU green lights the sale of some insects as food, paving the way for bugs to leap into European diets. Our cultural pick of the week is a photographer’s tender gaze for her autistic brother.

NATO membership / Eating insects / Autism

Sweden’s bid to join NATO is blocked by Turkey, while insects are creeping onto European menus.

The maternity unit in Port-au-Prince’s only free public hospital has no running water and experiences frequent power cuts. Women often give birth on the floor and premature babies fight for survival due to a lack of staff and incubator facilities.

Haiti: Fighting for Survival

The maternity unit in Port-au-Prince’s only free public hospital has no running water and experiences frequent power cuts.

Since 2008, the Tanzanian government has locked away albino children in special schools. This is to protect them against attacks, as the belief that albinos' body parts bring special powers was untily recently widespread.

Tanzania: Albinos' Stolen Childhood

Since 2008, the Tanzanian government has locked away albino children in special schools to protect them from attacks.

Since 2009, five trains of the RZD - the Russian railway - travel through Siberia and the Russian Far East to provide medical care in isolated villages. For these remote regions, striken by the rural exodus, the railway is the only link with the rest of the world. In this depopulated countryside, only the elderly are left.

Since 2009, five trains of the RZD - the Russian railway - travel through Siberia and the Russian Far East to provide medical care in isolated villages

Siberia: Healthcare on the Rails

The US military, present in 146 countries around the world, must convince 80,000 young people each year to join its ranks. Here's how they do it. 

USA: America's Underage Soldiers

The US military need a constant stream of new blood