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The host of the World Cup this year is a tiny state with huge ambitions: Qatar, in little over a generation, has become one of the richest countries in the world. A focus on how the gulf state plans to reach new heights.

Qatar, in little over a generation, has become one of the richest countries in the world. A focus on how the gulf state plans to reach new heights.

Qatar - Conquering the World

Current Highlights

From 6 to 9 June, European Union citizens will elect their representatives in the European Parliament. At a time of war in Ukraine, EU enlargement and the dual challenges of climate change and migration, young people’s votes could be decisive. This collection includes analysis and reports around this important election.

European Elections: The Key Issues

With war in Ukraine, EU enlargement and the dual challenges of climate change and migration, 2024 is an important election year.

Europe 2024

Cyprus is a divided island: Greeks live in the south in the recognised Republic of Cyprus, part of the EU and the wider international community whilst Turks live in the north in a state only recognised by Turkey.

Cyprus: A Divided Island

Focus on theisland of Cyprus split between the Greek south and the Turkish north.

Mapping the World

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? Six partners, six languages and one joint project: The European Collection. ARTE joins forces with Germany's ARD and ZDF, France Télévisions, RTBF 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

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

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

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

Collections

Playlists

The Philippines has the fifth largest gold reserves in the world. 500,000 local people, often very poorest, dig into the swamps and dive down under the sea every day in the hope of finding the precious metal. Many of them are children who are sent into tight spaces to reach the gold.

Philippines: Diving for Gold

In the Philippine swamp and under the sea, children risk their lives diving for gold.

ARTE Reportage

Hamas and Israel have still not reached agreement on a new hostage-for-prisoner exchange.

West Bank: Prisoners of War

Over the decades, Spain has become a model for women's rights. But in 2023, former national football coach Luis Rubiales showed that macho culture is still alive by kissing a female player without her consent. So what is the current situation for gender equality in Spain?

What s the real situation for gender equality in Spain?

Re: Red card for macho Spain

Behind its wholesome and eco-friendly image, the Swedish furniture giant - the world's biggest consumer of wood - has some highly unscrupulous practices. An investigation into the Scandinavian multinational with an insatiable appetite for raw materials, or how Ikea plunders the planet.

Investigating the Swedish giant's ecological impact

Behind its wholesome image, the Swedish furniture giant has some highly unscrupulous practices. 

How Ikea Plunders the Planet

Bordering South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini, also known as Swaziland, is the last absolute monarchy in Africa. King Mswati III has ruled unopposed for 38 years over this beautiful small country where the people are poor and democracy is a dream.

Eswatini: On the Brink

Bordering South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini, also known as Swaziland, is the last absolute monarchy in Africa.

The British pub is a veritable institution and a vital part of British culture. But in the wake of the Covid pandemic, more and more pubs are closing their doors. A report from London on why these cherished spaces are struggling to make ends meet.

Public Houses: How the British institution is facing tough times

Since the Covid pandemic, more and more British pubs have been going out of business. But why?

Last Round for British Pubs?

In the intergenerational housing project "Village des Générations" in Angers in western France, 70 senior residents spend time with the toddlers from the local crèche every day. The inclusive initiative helps older people with loneliness and allows the youngest to learn from their elders.

A unique intergenerational housing project in France mixes elderly residents with toddler visitors for the benefit of all.

Re: Grandad Lives in the Kindergarten

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Investigation and reports

The right to freedom of information is enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But press freedoms are far from being universally respected. Mapping the World looks at the issue across the globe.

Press Freedom: An Antidote to Tyranny

Press freedoms are far from being universally respected worldwide. Mapping the World looks at the issue across the globe.

Brexit has caused old tensions to flare up in Northern Ireland and threatens a fragile peace. The introduction of controls on goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland have angered the loyalist community, whilst some in the Nationalist community see a united Ireland, inside the EU, within their grasp.
This documentary looks at the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland, where a violent past, a conflict that claimed 3500 lives, still haunt the present.

A focus on the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland, where a violent past still haunt the present.

Northern Ireland: A Fragile Peace

He was the world's best-known Russian opposition leader: Alexei Navalny was poisoned in 2020, arrested in 2021, and locked up in prison camps until his death on the 16th of February 2024. But how did Navalny become Putin's fiercest opponent? Russian filmmaker Igor Sadreev compiles archive research and witness accounts to delve into the life of 'Putin's Enemy Nr. 1'.

Portait of Alexei Navalny, the most famous opponent of the Russian regime, who died in prison on 16 February.

Becoming Navalny

Although India is not an historic maritime power, the country has given its name to the ocean on its shores. Now New Delhi wants to exert more influence on this strategic zone.

Indian Ocean: New Delhi and the Sea

New Delhi wants to exert more influence on it maritime backyard: the Indian Ocean.

As a brave new world of ubiquitous AI arrives, an overview of the latest tech advances. Europe is playing catch up in the frantic AI technology race but has an ever-growing number of start-ups specialising in the field. Jonas Andrulis, founder of Aleph Alpha, a company based in Heidelberg in Germany, is looking to generate AI capable of streamlining the work of public bodies. Frenchman Thomas Wolf, co-founder of the Hugging Face platform, favours open source AI that is accessible to all. As for Han Xiao, the founder of Berlin start-up Jina AI, his ambition is to create a generative AI  (capable of creating content autonomously) that could outperform ChatGPT. 

The AI Technology Race

As a brave new world of ubiquitous AI arrives, can Europe keep up with China and the USA?

Smart New World

Alexei Navalny’s death in prison has caused consternation and outrage around the world... except on Russian state media. From news programmes to talk shows and Telegram channels, exiled Russian journalist Masha Borzunova analyses the reactions of Vladimir Putin's propaganda machine to the death of the Russian opposition figure.

Masha on Russia

Exiled Russian journalist Masha Borzunova guides us through how Russian media has reported on the death of Alexei Navalny.

Russian Media on Navalny's Death

The richest man in the world - Frenchman Bernard Arnault - is worth more than 200 billion euros. Around the world, the super rich are getting ever richer. Since money can buy power and influence. Are billionaires undermining democracy?

Are Billionaires a Problem?

If money can buy power and influence. Are the super rich undermining democracy?

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

Insights

As China's influence continues to expand around the world, at home the regime is becoming more repressive. A UN report has denounced crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs and the international community has criticised its bullying stance towards Taiwan. Reports and analysis of the Middle Kingdom.

As China's influence continues to expand around the world, at home the regime is becoming more repressive.

China: The Repressive Economic Giant

Category Banner (ACT)

In 1889. Belgian engineer Gustave Verniory was at the beginning of his professional career when he was appointed to build a railway line through the natural landscape of Araucania in Chile. The indigenous Mapuche region had only recently been annexed by the Latin American republic. Ignacio Agüero's documentary film is inspired by Verniory’s memoirs.

Gustave Verniory was a Belgian engineer who moved from Brussels to Chile in 1889 to help build the railway. A film inspired by his memoirs.

Notes for a Film

Family fights, drugs, self-harm and money problems were part of Joana’s harsh reality for a long time. She started stripping because she was able to live in a flat above the club without paying rent. It was the first time she had a solid income and a job in a safe place, with people to turn to in times of need.

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.

Joana never planned to become a professional stripper, but now that she is, she doesn’t regret it.

Hard Life – I strip, so what?

Mamadou is back in Gandiol, his home village in Senegal, after spending eight years living illegally in Spain. He want to be a positive force in his community, build a future for his country and, along with his wife Laura, chase his dreams.

After spending eight years living illegally in Spain, Mamadou is back home in Senegal where he wants to build a future.

Doxandem - The Dream Chasers

Jana is 26 and got her bachelor’s degree a year ago. Having worked odd jobs all throughout her studies, she thought that things would get easier once she graduated. But she is finding it difficult to get a job that corresponds to her studies. And coming from a working-class family, she doesn’t have a financial safety net to fall back on.

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 student from a working-class background who embarks on the bumpy road to find a career.

Hard Life – I have a degree but I’m broke

An intimate portrait of three stuntwomen, both up-and-coming and established professionals, that questions the portrayal of gender-based violence on screen.

An intimate portrait of three professional stuntwomen that questions the portrayal of gender-based violence on screen.

Stuntwomen

Ex-footballer turned anti-poverty activist Neven Subotić had the world at his feet. But it wasn't enough. He knew something was missing and turned to books to help him find meaning in his life. What he read changed his outlook, his way of thinking, and his future. 

In the Words of Ex-Footballer Neven Subotic

Ex-footballer turned anti-poverty activist Neven Subotić discusses the books that changed his life.

The Book That Changed My Life

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

Switching viewpoints

Kids

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

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

While anti-war and pro-Palestine protests heat up across university campuses around the world. At this year’s Eurovision Song Contest which takes place in the Swedish city of Malmö on Saturday, the Palestinian flag will be notably absent as boycott campaigns swirl over Israel’s participation. This ARTE Europe Weekly, we look at how camp culture and geopolitics have always gone hand-in-hand at Eurovision.

ARTE Europe Weekly

The globally televised song contest Eurovision insists it’s not political. But the most recent chapter in a decades-long history of political tension behind the event’s glitzy backdrop suggests a different story.

Israel’s war on Gaza takes centre stage at Eurovision

On 4 April 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed, enshrining the creation of NATO just four years after the end of the Second World War. The primary objective of this military alliance of twelve European and North American countries was to prevent war in Europe and to counter the expansion of the Soviet bloc. Since its creation in the Cold War, the organisation has grown from 12 to 31 member states - including several former Eastern Bloc nations. Weakened by its turbulent history, NATO is facing a growing number of challenges: the difficulty of coordinating its members, the logistical obstacles in the event of an attack on European soil, and the threat, raised by Donald Trump, of an American withdrawal, at a time when European defence is almost entirely dependent on the United States.

A look back at the turbulent history of the military alliance facing unprecedented challenges in the face of Putin's Russia.

Putin, NATO, and Europe

Diwa is only 11 years old. She is one of the thousands of victims of a crime that is hardly reported on in Europe but which is causing havoc in the Philippines. She was raped by her parents, live on the internet, to satisfy the desires of foreign paedophiles who paid for the spectacle of her rape, giving instructions from a distance.

Philippines: Child Rape Online

Thousands of children in the Philippines have been abused, live on the internet. Report on a shocking crime.

Behind its wholesome image, the Swedish furniture giant has some highly unscrupulous practices.

Chinese men are suffering. There are simply not enough women to go around since China implemented its one-child policy in 1979.  This means that 1 in 5 Chinese men will not be able to find a partner in five years’ time.

Chinese men are suffering. There are simply not enough women to go around since China implemented its one-child policy in 1979. 

China: Men without Women

In 2022, a corruption scandal shook Brussels and the European Parliament. At the centre of it was Eva Kaili, Vice-President of the European Parliament. It was about political influence, corruption, and suitcases full of cash. When “Qatargate” broke in December 2022 it shocked Europe. Current and former MEPs were arrested and questioned as a major corruption scandal emerged. Could Morocco and Qatar really be buying off EU politicians and influencing European legislation?

Political influence, corruption, and suitcases full of cash. ‘Qatargate’ shook the European Union.

Qatargate - Corruption in the EU

On 1 May 2004, the European Union welcomed ten new members, including eight countries from Central and Eastern Europe. This massive enlargement changed overnight the dynamics of the EU. Twenty years on, how has this enlargement in the East shaped the new member states and the EU as a whole?

EU enlargement into eastern Europe was a major geopolitical moment in 2004. A focus on the European Union's biggest decision and its consequences.

EU Enlargement: Twenty Years On

The German Reichsbürgerbewegung (Reich citizens movement) rejects the post-war democratic order and wants to rip up the German constitution. Suspected of involvement in a 2022 coup d’état plot, the movement is growing. Who are its members? And why do they want to do away with democracy?

Inside the German Far Right Movement

What is the dangerous and extreme organisation that rejects the post-war democratic order in Germany?

Citizens of the Reich

Asbestos has been banned for decades in Europe but its effects are still with us. Cleaning up the carcinogenic fibre from our ageing buildings is a colossal task and it is still being produced and sold in many countries worldwide. Unscrupulous companies turn a profit whilst people die from exposure to the harmful substance. Will we ever be rid of asbestos?

Asbestos has been banned for decades in Europe but its effects are still with us. Will we ever be rid of the carcinogenic fibre?

Asbestos – The Never-Ending Story

The prefix cyber comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "to control". But is mankind really in control of this technology? From the invention of the internet to artificial intelligence, Shimon Dotan's documentary takes stock of the galloping growth of the cyberworld.

From the invention of the internet to artificial intelligence, Shimon Dotan's documentary takes stock of the galloping growth of the cyberworld.

Cyber World: The Future is Now

This investigation reveals how people smugglers are using social media to encourage migrants to cross the English Channel illegally. In their TikTok videos, smugglers promote their services and compete with untenable promises: "crossing in just 3 hours", "1000% safe crossing", charging between €1,700 and €4,000 per person to take the perilous journey to reach Britain.

TikTok and People Smugglers

How people smugglers are using social media to encourage migrants to cross the English Channel illegally and getting rich in the process.

Data Sources

Re: Last Round for British Pubs?

The European elections held from 6 to 9 June could be decisive for the EU. Polls predict a shift to the right, but radical right-wing parties are already influencing EU policy. This documentary focuses on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s term in office since 2019, and analyses the shift in policy on key issues such as migration.

The European Union at a crossroads

How the EU’s culture of compromise means right-wing extremist parties are influencing EU policy.

Endgame for Europe

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

A meticulously researched investigation showing how sexual predators operate on Instagram; and how the algorithm could even encourage paedophile activity.

Paedophilia: The dark side of Instagram

A meticulously researched investigation showing how sexual predators operate on the Meta social network. 

Is it possible to eradicate smoking from society? As the UK takes steps to relegate smoking to the ash heap of history with a potential generational smoking ban, we look at changing circumstances though out the continent.

The UK wants to stub out smoking with a ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2009. But could a smoke-free Europe follow ? 

A War On Smoking

How has the life of European Union citizens changed since the Maastricht Treaty came into force thirty years ago, on 1 November 1993? Documentary filmmaker, David Holland, born the same year as Maastricht travels the length and breadth of the continent by rail to find out.

A Journey through the Continent

How has the life of European Union citizens changed since the Maastricht Treaty came into force thirty years ago, on 1 November 1993?

Europe since Maastricht

As a brave new world of ubiquitous AI arrives, an overview of the latest tech advances. Can Europe keep up with China and the USA?

Most popular

Silke Pan was an acrobat until she became paralysed after an accident. Then came the next stage in her career as a paralympic champion. This documentary is a portrait of an extraordinary athlete and her strong relationship with her husband and coach.

Silke Pan was an acrobat until she became paralysed after an accident, so she retrained as paralympic cyclist.

An Acrobatic Life

With seven political groups, the European Parliament is a jungle of acronyms. There’s the EPP, the S&D, the Greens/EFA, ID and Renew Europe, to name a few. These groups are formed based on ideology rather than nationality, and often manage to forge alliances across the political divide.

There are 705 MEPs and only seven political groups. But what does that mean, exactly?

What political groups can MEPs join?

From adopting and amending legislative proposals to deciding on the EU budget, the powers of European Parliament are wide-ranging. The MEPs elected for five-year terms partake in key forums for debate and decision-making, but also play a supervisory role over other European institutions.

A legislative, budgetary and supervisory institution at once – the European Parliament plays a fundamental role.

What is the role of the European Parliament?

To determine who the next President of the European Commission will be, the “Spitzenkandidaten” process is used. Mirroring national elections, political groups in the European Parliament appoint lead candidates who all compete for the position. The leader of the group most capable of marshalling enough parliamentary support typically goes on to become head of the Commission. But as the process isn’t legally binding, it is not always respected.

Also known as the lead candidate process, it is mainly used to nominate the next President of the European Commission.

What is the “Spitzenkandidaten”?

A free reflection on European identity, in the first person, looking at its diversity of culture and the crises it has gone through.

A Film by Felix Tissi

The Godless West

Naama, Camille, Thomas, Hassan, Jason and Nicolas have all been diagnosed with schizophrenia – an illness that is different for everyone who experiences it. They tell us about what it’s like to live with that label each day, and the preconceived ideas it invites. Which of these are true and which are false?

This programme by French broadcaster France.tv Slash is part of the European Collection, a joint initiative from European public service media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR, RTBF and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Meet six people diagnosed with schizophrenia, and learn what it’s like to live with that label.

Living with schizophrenia

Six wheelchair users discuss their very personal journeys, and while some see their wheelchair as a means to making the most of life with their physical disability, others still find it hard to come to terms with their situation. All have had to challenge stereotypes and clichés about people with disabilities in their daily lives.

This programme by French broadcaster France.tv Slash is part of the European Collection, a joint initiative from European public service media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR, RTBF and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Six wheelchair users tell us about the stereotypes and clichés they have to challenge in their daily lives.

Life as a wheelchair user

Winter in Norway means enjoying the snow rather than complaining about the cold – and even for those living in the capital city Oslo, it's still only a half-hour train ride to the mountains from the city centre. With an outdoor lifestyle that’s affordable and accessible all year round, and designed to include all the family, Norwegians make the most of their extreme winters.

This programme by German broadcaster ZDF is part of the European Collection, a joint initiative from European public service media (ARD, ARTE, France Télévisions, SRG SSR, RTBF and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Winter in Norway means snow, and for people in Oslo it's only a half-hour train ride to the mountains.