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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

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

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 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

With one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, Luxembourg is a rich country. Yet there are social problems in the Grand Duchy. Alexandra Oxacelay helps the homeless and the poor: Her NGO’s soup kitchens are welcoming more and more people: victims of rising inflation, the housing crisis, as well as immigrants.

Luxembourg’s Poverty Problem

With one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, Luxembourg is a rich country. Yet there is a poverty problem in the Grand Duchy.

Re: Poor in a Rich Country

In the land of capitalism, a new generation of workers with little political experience is fighting for their rights against global corporations: In the USA trade unions are forming to improve conditions for workers at companies like e-commerce giant Amazon.

USA: Trade Unions are Back

In the land of capitalism, a new generation of workers is fighting for their rights against global corporations.

The outcome of the war in Ukraine is far from certain. But the Ukrainians are convinced that they will eventually retake the Crimean Peninsula. So much sthat they have detailed plans for the civilian administration of the region already in place.

Ukraine: A Dream of Crimea

The outcome of the war in Ukraine is far from certain. But the Ukrainians are convinced that they will eventually retake the Crimean Peninsula. 

Many in Ireland are rejecting the Catholic church, which long held sway in a formerly highly religious society. Today some are looking for spiritual meaning as druids, where divinity is found in the physical landscape and the natural world is venerated. A report from Ireland on modern day druids and the Catholic Church.

The new-age movement in Ireland

Many in Ireland are rejecting Catholicism and embracing modern druidry, where the natural world is venerated. 

Re: Irish Modern Druids

In 2023, Canada experienced its worst forest fire season ever. 18 million hectares were affected, 6,400 fires blazed, and 200,000 people were evacuated. Drought and excessively high temperatures were to blame. Will the forests be able to grow back?

Canada: Quebec on Fire

What lessons are being learnt in Canada from the devastating forest fires of Québec in summer 2023?

French cheese producers are worried: Unpasteurised varieties of cheeses such as Camembert or Brie are steadily losing market share to pasteurised mass-produced versions. Climate change and price increases in many areas are also affecting the producers of famous cheese specialities such as Salers. Is France's cheese culture, the pride of the nation, in danger?

With climate change and price increases, is France's cheese culture, the pride of the nation, in danger?

Re: French Cheese in Crisis

More

Investigation and reports

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

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

At a rally, Donald Trump declared that he would let Putin "do whatever the hell he wants" to NATO members that did not increase their defence spending. His comments have shocked and worried European allies and demonstrated that a future Trump presidency could led to a weakened NATO.

Focus on NATO after Trump threatens the alliance

Mapping the World Essentials

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

On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched a major attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza strip. Mapping the World looks over the key moments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and  the current situation - with input from geopolitical expert Frédéric Encel.

Middle East: How Many More Wars?

Focus on the key moments of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and  the current situation - with input from geopolitical expert Frédéric Encel.

From the powers of biscuits to influence revolutions to who is really to blame for the war in Ukraine, the editors of Doschd (TV Rain) dissect every allegation made in Russian state news and propaganda programmes. For Fake News, Konstantin Goldenzweig analyses how Kremlin propaganda blames the West for their every misfortune.

Putin Propaganda on Russian State TV

From the powers of biscuits to influence revolutions to who is really to blame for the war in Ukraine, the editors of Doschd (TV Rain) dissect every allegation made by Russian propaganda.

Fake News

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)

Diana El Jeiroudi grew up in Syria, a surveillance state. There images are censored, photos are burned, thoughts are suppressed and people are silenced. 40 years later, the documentary filmmaker lives in exile in Germany and sets out to find visual and audio material from Syria and the Syrian diaspora around the world.

Diana El Jeiroudi grew up in Syria, a surveillance state where thoughts are suppressed and people are silenced.

Republic of Silence

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

In the middle of the desert, Malika has been running a tiny refreshment bar for about thirty years, where she offers tea, coffee, soft drinks, cigarettes and sometimes an omelette to passing travellers along the National Highway 1, the longest road on the African continent, linking Algiers to Tamanrasset. Alone in this cement shack, with her dog, her cat and her radio, she describes herself as the sentry of this almost uninhabited plateau. Sage or recluse, Malika lives in her own kingdom.

A Film by Hassen Ferhani

In the middle of the desert, Malika runs a tiny refreshment bar for passing travellers next to the the longest road on the African continent.

The Kingdom of Malika

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

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

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.

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

How Ikea Plunders the Planet

When Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union imposed extensive sanctions on the Russian federation. But these measures are being circumvented in a vast black market. This documentary attempt to shed light on the shady, forbidden business deals that are helping to keep the Russian economy afloat.

How Sanctions are Circumvented

European union sanctions on Russia are being circumvented in a vast black market of shady deals. An in-depth investigation.

Russia: Forbidden Business

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

Two years after the war in Ukraine started, we take a look at the millions of people who fled into the rest of Europe and how the EU welcomed them. Some Ukrainians are putting down roots in their new countries, some have already gone back – and others still are waiting to able to return.

Two years of war: Ukraine’s refugees in Europe

The war in Ukraine sparked the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War 2. Where are they now?

ARTE Europe Weekly

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.

Swords, shields, medieval living, and reenactment of famous battles of the past. The world’s largest Viking festival in Wolin, Poland attracts enthusiasts of medieval history from far and wide. But also, a minority of far-right extremists. Report from Germany and Poland.

The world’s largest Viking festival in Wolin, Poland attracts enthusiasts of medieval history from far and wide. But also, a minority of far-right extremists. Report from Germany and Poland.

Re: Far-Right infiltrates the Viking Community

Church and sexual abuse of minors has long been an issue. But in addition to the paedophilia scandals, other revelations are shaking the Catholic Church: allegations from across the world of nuns being sexually abused by priests. In February 2019, Pope Francis acknowledged the abuse for the first time. This documentary gives an insight into an issue in the Catholic Church that has remained largely unreported.

All over the world priests are said to have sexually abused nuns. An investigation.

Sex Slaves Of The Catholic Church

Freedom of the press is a revered concept in Europe’s democracies. In 2022, the European Commission proposed a new law to protect media independence. This was hailed as good news – until it was used to allow surveillance of European journalists. How did this happen?

How an EU law to protect journalists turned them into targets

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), came with good intentions: to protect journalistic independence and media pluralism. But the text has its limits.

European Media Freedom Act

About 500,000 to 800,000 people in Germany are addicted to porn and many are no longer in control of their lives due to their sexual disorder. The problem is a taboo subject. But sex sells, especially on the internet: In Germany alone, online porn providers turn over an estimated 4.5 billion euros a year.

When Pleasure turns into Pain

About 500,000 to 800,000 people in Germany are addicted to porn with severe consequences for their lives and relationships.

Re: Porn Addiction

Wolf populations are increasing across Europe, in forested and mountainous regions and wolves have been sighted venturing into urban areas. With a rise in attacks on cattle, farmers and shepherds are having to deploy greater resources to keep their animals safe. A report from Switzerland and Germany.

With wolf populations increasing across Europe, farmers and shepherds are having to deploy greater resources to protect their animals.

Re: The Return of the Wolf

Are we on the brink of a space war? Power play, espionage, harassment - tensions between space-faring nations are growing and the arms race is in full swing. This documentary provides a deep insight into the geostrategic challenges of military spaceflight.

Tensions between space-faring nations are growing and the arms race is in full swing. Are we on the brink of a space war?

Space: A New Battlefield

As ski resorts in the alps have less reliable snow cover due to climate change, some resorts are taking action to preserve their winter sports industry: Snow Farming, where snow is artificially produced and stored from one winter to the next could be the answer. A report from Switzerland.

As ski resorts in the alps have less reliable snow cover due to climate change, some are taking action to preserve their winter sports industry.

Re: Snow Farming in Switzerland

With a whopping 160 million passengers aboard its planes in 2022, Irish airline Ryanair dominates European skies. Thanks to its cheap tickets, the company has imposed a low-cost business model on all its competitors. And its boss Michael O’Leary is determined to cut back on any cost he deems unworthy. Alexis Gonzales and Arthur Gillet investigate behind the scenes.

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

Despite its questionable methods, Irish airline Ryanair is dominating European skies.

Ryanair, pirate of the skies

Luis Moreno Ocampo, first Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, reflects on the power of international law and its limits, in the light of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Can human rights abuses committed on all sides in these conflicts be successfully prosecuted by the  ICC?

Inside the International Criminal Court

A focus on the power and limits of international law the light of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

War and Justice

In the Spanish Basque Country, "txokos" or gastronomic societies are a 150-year-old tradition. In these communal spaces, members cook and eat together, yet some of these societies continue to be men-only spaces.

In the Spanish Basque Country, "txokos" or gastronomic societies are a 150-year-old tradition. 

Re: Basque Gastronomic Societies

NATO: Trump's Threat

Yes, there are young people under 30 who have decided to leave social media behind. And they aren’t that few and far between. In fact, more and more young people are deciding to ditch the likes of Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. Journalist Camélia Kheiredine met with those who’ve made the choice to turn their backs on these virtual worlds.

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, RTBF and ZDF), coordinated by ARTE.

Journalist Camélia Kheiredine goes on a mission to meet young people who have turned their backs on social media.

Young people without social media

Most popular

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim is a cartographer and activist from the Fulbe people in Chad. Land and water are becoming scarce as desertification advances in the Sahel region at a rate of 4km every year.  That's why she travels all over the country to draw maps with the people, to prevent conflict linked to depleting resources.

Chad: Mapping the Future

In Chad, participatory mapping projects are preventing conflict linked to depleting resources.

Corruption has been part of society since the dawn of time, swallowing up colossal sums of money which could be spent on improving everyone’s lives. Is it possible to get rid of it once and for all? And could corruption be useful for society as a whole?

Do We Need Corruption?

Is it possible to get rid of corruption once and for all? And what if corruption was actually good for society?

42: The Answer to Almost Everything

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?

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on the night of 6 February 2023 caused devastation and killed tens of thousands of people. In north-west Syria, volunteers had to respond to the disaster with very few resources; one year on, ARTE Reportage goes back to the region to see how the local population is coping.

Syria: Alone after the Earthquake

 One year on, ARTE Reportage goes back to Syria to see how the local population is coping after the earthquake.

Bernard, Florence, Rémy, Sasha, Christine and Nicolas tell us what it’s like to live with HIV and the labels people put on them – and the ones they choose for themselves.

This programme by 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 people living with HIV tell us about the labels people put on them, and the ones they choose themselves.

Living Positively

At 25, Salomé feels life is just beginning. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child, she had a lung transplant to save her life. Now a whole new world has opened up for her.

This programme by 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.

After her lung transplant, 25-year-old Salomé feels like her life is finally beginning.

Salomé: A second wind

In 1995, the EU went from having 12 to 15 members. Among the newcomers was Finland. 30 years later, how do Finns view the EU? Have farmers, the majority of whom were against joining, changed their minds? And now that new security concerns have arisen due to the war in Ukraine, can the country count on the union?

Back in 1994, Finns voted in favour of joining the EU. Are they still as enthusiastic?

Finland 30 years after it joined the EU

Belgium is the latest EU country to broaden its electorate and allow 16-year-old to vote. Young people in the country will be able to cast their ballot in the 2024 European elections, without having to register in advance, but only if they choose. What do the main stakeholders think?

Belgium has allowed 16-year-olds to vote in the European elections.

Should 16-year-olds be able to vote in European elections?

Saishi is a farmer who took over the family farm and ran it in the traditional way. But then came the Fukushima disaster and he was forced to leave his farm and his whole life while the government decontaminated his land. Shot over a period of 5 years, this film tells the story of one family's struggle to cope with a heart-breaking relocation.

The story of one family's struggle to cope with a heart-breaking situation: Having to relocate due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster.