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Russians long considered Armenia an unimportant vassal that could easily be brought back into line if the Kremlin choose to do so. In an ironic twist of fate, it is now this little neighbour that many Russians now turn to for asylum. Russia's youth and well-off middle-class rejects Moscow's politics and fear being drafted into fighting a war they don't believe in. 

Armenia: Russian Refuge

Russia always looked down on Armenia, but now Russian asylum-seekers are turning to Yerevan for help.

ARTE Reportage

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

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

Ten years ago, the popular uprisings in the Arab world were a source of hope for freedom and change, but overall these hopes were dashed. A special collection that will help you understand the last tumultuous decade in the Arab states.

Ten years ago, the popular uprisings in the Arab world were a source of hope for freedom and change, but overall these hopes were dashed.

10 Years 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

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.

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

Three years ago, somebody purporting to be a Turkish football agent convinced Emeka Luke Ekji that he'd been recruited to play for a club in Turkey. But first, the 22-year-old Nigerian had to pay thousands of dollars in fees. His parents even sold land to fund the move. But when he got there, he realised he'd been sold a lie.

Turkey: The Dashed Dreams of African Footballers

Fake football agents are making thousands of dollars off the backs of young Africans dreaming of a glittering career.

Since the Taliban retook Kabul in August 2021, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated considerably. Afghanistan remains the world's largest producer of opium and the country also has high rates of addiction. The Taliban is trying to rid the country of heroin addicts, with particularly brutal methods.

The Taliban is trying to rid Afghanistan of heroin addicts, with particularly brutal methods.

Kabul: Rehab Hell

As wildfires in California become more widespread and fierce every year, the state fire department is adapting its strategy: deliberately setting fire to sections of bush as they fight fire with fire.

As wildfires in California become more widespread and fierce, the state fire department is adapting its strategy: deliberately setting fire to land.

California: Fighting Fire with Fire

Since the economic problems of the 2000s, well-organised gangs, or kalunas, have terrorised citizens of the Congolese capital with their illegal and highly violent activities. Drugs, muggings, assault and brutal attacks on rival gangs with machetes.

DRC: Gangs of Kinshasa

Machete-wielding gangs are terrorising the citizens of the Congolese capital.

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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

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.

Liz Truss becomes prime minister at a difficult time for the United Kingdom: The aftermath of the pandemic, Brexit problems, the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis. Where will she lead Britain?

New British PM: Liz Truss

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

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

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.

The pandemic, the climate emergency ... Everything seems extremely fragile at the moment. But is it possible to grow with crises? If so, what is the key? How can adaptability and courage make you more resilient?

The solution to having your plans upset? Don't make plans

Be Antifragile!

Austrian author, songwriter and artistic director puts a spotlight on Rigoberta Menchú, Guatemalan human rights activist and Nobel peace prize winner.

Square Artist

André Heller Interviews Rigoberta Menchú

Director, screenwriter and comedian, Marilyne Canto wanted show how peace between Israelis and Palestinians is possible, despite the pessimism that rules global news headlines. More than 20 years after the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (1995), she chose to film Ofer Bronchtein, one of his former colleagues.

Carte Blanche to Maryline Canto

Switching viewpoints

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.

ARTE Europe Weekly

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

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

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.

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

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

New data shows that 2022 was a year of climate extremes. Activists are putting pressure on governments to act before it’s too late. We also look at vocational training in Europe and how to match people to the jobs that both suit them and that need to be filled. Finally, we visit a human library, where you can take out people instead of books.

Climate / Education / Human library

2022 broke climate records, making it increasingly clear that radical solutions are needed.  

In his memoirs, the founding father of the European project, Jean Monnet, wrote: "Europe will be forged by the crises it faces, and will become the sum of the solutions it finds during those crises." A prescient sentence that has never been more apt than during the Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine war. During the bad times, Europe has closed ranks and is more unified than it has been in years.

The EU and Crises

During the bad times, Europe has closed ranks.

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

For over 20 kilometers, the new bridge stretches across the Kerch Strait and connects Crimea to Russia. Inaugurated in 2018 by Russian President Putin, it seals the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia with a monument in steel and concrete.

Russia: Building and Burning Bridges

A controversial new bridge over the Kerch Strait connects Crimea to Russia as President Putin consolidates his claim to the contested territory

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.

Thirty years after the war that tore Yugoslavia apart, could the three main states that emerged, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia, build closer relations? And could the Franco-German  example serve as a model?

Former Yugoslavia: Reconciliation in sight?

Thirty years after the war that tore Yugoslavia apart, could Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia build closer relations?

The end of China’s Covid restrictions risks bringing a Covid surge to Europe. EU countries are divided over how to respond. We also look at how e-scooters are changing European transit – for better or for worse. Our week’s cultural pick focuses on the Spanish foundation saving Ukrainian art.

Covid-19 / E-scooters / Art

Europe debates how to respond to China’s Covid surge, while e-scooters disrupt European streets.

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

Huge territories, communist legacies, authoritarian leaders: China and Russia have much in common, as the good personal relations between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin seem to show. Mapping the World demonstrates that behind the façade, the two countries have a much more complex and ambivalent relationship.

China and Russia: Firm Friends?

Behind the façade of friendship, the two countries have a much more complex and ambivalent relationship.

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

3,000 Yazidi women and children are still missing. 300,000 women, men and children are displaced in camps in northern Iraq. After dealing with the horrors of mass murders, kidnap, and rape, the Yizidis are not done suffering. Now, they must rebuild their lives amidst the ruins of what once was.

Iraq: Yezidi Survivors

The Yizidis are not done suffering. Now, they must rebuild their lives amidst the ruins of what once was

Beijing finally gave in to protests: As Chinese people wanted to regain their freedom all restrictions have been lifted and life has returned to normal. But now a massive wave of COVID-19 infections has swept through China.

China: Lockdown to Chaos

With restrictions lifted in China, a massive wave of covid has swept through the country.

Most popular

All her life, Loredana Rossi from Naples has only ever wanted one thing: to be recognised as a woman. She has fought so hard against transphobia because her experiences as a transgender person in Italy has been marked by stigmatisation, intolerance and ostracism.

Re: Loredana's Fight Against Transphobia

Tehran. March 1979. The legality of the new self-proclaimed Islamic republic was affirmed with a sham referendum. A polling station was set up in Khomeini's house and in front of the press, he showed up to vote surrounded by his doting relatives. 

Iran: The Heart of the Revolution

The legality of the new self-proclaimed Islamic republic was affirmed with a sham referendum

A Kiss on the Hand

Tehran. 1979. On the day of the referendum which would formalise and legitimise the new regime, photographer Reza Deghati was at the polling station installed at Khomeini's house. He noticed Khomeini's son had his father's ID in his hands. Deghati asked him if he could take a picture of it, and to his surprise, the son agreed.

On referendum day, Reza Deghati went to the polls at Khomeini's house

Icon of the Revolution

Qom. 1979. During Ashura, the most important celebration of Shia Muslims, the human body - normally totally covered - is exposed as devotees self-flagellate, scratch and cover themselves in mud. Did this man's deformed face herald the monster the regime had just given birth to?

During Ashura, devotees self-flagellate, scratch, and cover themselves in mud

The Mud Monster

Tehran. Niavaran Palace. 1979. There's a press conference in the Niavaran Palace, where the Shah and his family once lived. The palace is covered in a thick coat of dust, but everything appears almost as they left it. A mullah comes and sits on the chair. Satisfied, he puts his hands on the armrests and says, "We are the ones who took this throne."

The Palace Frozen in Time

Iran. Ahmadabad. 1979. The regime of the young Islamic Republic decided, against all odds, to celebrate the anniversary of the death of Mossadegh, a symbol of the struggle for democracy. Reza Deghati was allowed to photograph the room where he was buried. The women of his family were present, but already under the surveillance of the future guardians of the revolution.

Even in mourning, the eyes of the revolution are upon you

Guardians of the Revolution

Tehran. American Embassy. 1980. During the hostage crisis at the US Embassy, ​​an art installation was set up, denouncing how the United States puppeteers other countries. But perhaps the 'real' puppets having their strings pulled are the students themselves. 

Art installation denounced the puppeteer role of the US. But perhaps the 'real' puppets are these students...

Puppets of History

Tehran. 1979. When students took over the US Embassy, the gatehouse became a platform. It was there that they burned the American flag in front of the international press.

The students at the US Embassy burned the American flag in front of the international press

The Show Must Go On

Tehran. 1980. On the first anniversary of the Revolution, delirious crowds gathered in the huge central square. Protesters chanted their slogans with such violence it distorted their faces. Faces of the Revolution. Some got so agitated they passed out.

On the Revolution's first anniversary, delirious crowds became so agitated that some even passed out