Central Europe Explained

Is Europe still a fortress? Refugees in Central and Eastern EuropeIn CEE (and beyond) migration has become an issue that polarizes and evokes a wide range of emotions. In their conversation, Melanie Jaindl and Malwina Talik discuss three important dates in the recent history of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE): 2015 (the 'long summer of migration'), 2021 (the humanitarian crisis on the Poland-Belarus border), and 2022 (the Russian invasion of Ukraine). They explore how these events have been perceived in CEE, offer explanations for different attitudes, and examine their collective impact on the region. Our hosts' pieces of art recommendations:The Passage by Selma BanichBook Jezus umarł w PolsceHost: Malwina Talik and Melanie Jaindl, associates at IDM Production and Editing: Gloria Becerril 

Timișoara Unveiled: A Journey through Multiculturality, Art, and Communism  In 2023, the Romanian city of Timișoara holds the title of European Capital of Culture. Tourists are flocking to the city as it is thriving with art exhibitions and cultural events – one can literally find art around every corner in Timșioara these days. Amidst the art, visitors can also witness the historical heritage of Timișoara, a city with a rich and eventful past under the Ottomans, Austrians and Hungarians, and the first city to rise against the communist regime. This legacy has shaped Timișoara into a contemporary, multilingual and multicultural place that some consider to be quintessentially European. In this episode, Sophia Beiter shares her insights into this year’s European Capital of Culture. She talked to a variety of different guests – from the city’s mayor to young curators and independent artists. The episode delves into how multiculturality inspires the art scene in Timișoara, how inhabitants experienced the revolution in 1989, how communism still affects young artists in their work and how the title of European Capital of Culture can have a lasting positive impact.  Take a look at Maria Nalbantova’s artwork here.  Guests: Dominik Fritz, Ovidiu Mihaita, Maria Nalbantova, Cristina Stoenescu, Georgia Tidorescu, Oltea Zambori Host: Sophia Beiter, research associate at IDM Production and Editing: Gloria Becerril 

For most people holidays means a week at the beach, or a visit to picturesque cities. But that’s not the first things coming up in everyone’s mind. Some people seek the thrill, the misery: they visit places of previous genocide, natural and man-made catastrophes and former war zones. Places, of which Central-, East- and Southeast Europe have plenty – given the region’s specific historical, cultural and political context. Dark tourism describes these practices of travelling to places of human suffering. In this episode, Melanie Jaindl talks with Peter Hohenhaus to shed light on the motivations for visiting these extraordinary sites and how to deal with misery in a respectful manner. Hohenhaus runs a blog and website, where he shares his experiences of travelling the unconventional way, which he also put down in his book Atlas of Dark Destinations.Take a look at our guest's recommendation Shoes on the Danube Bank (Budapest): here.Host: Melanie Jaindl, Scientific Associate at IDM.In cooperation with: Darija BenicEditorial Support: Jade PenancierProduction and Editing: Gloria Becerril, Trainee at IDM and student at University of Padua. 

In this episode we will dive into the journey of the editor and author Rod Dreher, who recently announced that he is moving to Hungary to work for the think tank Danube Institute. Dreher aims to make Hungary the centre of the American conservative dialogue, as he considers Budapest a hub of a network against globalism, which has been under construction for a few years. We will explore the reasons behind the increasing interest of American conservatives in Hungary, the ongoing diffusion of frames, common goals, and enemies among American and Hungarian conservatives, and the implications of this transnationalisation of political polarisation. To give us insights into these issues, we will be joined by Flora Garamvolgyi, a Los Angeles-based journalist who has been investigating this issue. So stay tuned for an insightful discussion on the origins and intentions of this network and what it means for the upcoming elections. Our guest recommendations:Jordan Klepper Fingers the Globe: Hungary for Democracy - Full Special | The Daily ShowRon DeSantis: Last Week Tonight with John OliverHost:Daniela Apaydin, Research Associate at IDM.Production and editing:Gloria Becerril, Trainee at IDM and student at University of Padua. 

While feminist foreign policy has been successful in promoting gender equality in some countries, it has also been criticised for imposing Western values onto other cultures and failing to address specific needs. This podcast episode explores the strengths and weaknesses of feminist foreign policy, its current state and the challenges it is facing in order to ensure a gender perspective is present in foreign policy decisions, as well as involving women in target countries in decision-making processes. In this episode, our host Gloria Becerril (IDM trainee) holds an insightful conversation with Dr Claudia Zilla, senior fellow at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), who provides a nuanced look at the complexities of feminist foreign policy and ways to improve it in the future.Our guest recommendation:Todo cambia (Everything changes), Interpreted by Mercedes Sosa and written by Julio Numhauser.Production and editing: Gloria Becerril, IDM trainee and student at University of Padua.

The Danube Region, Central and Eastern Europe, in other words everything between Germany and Austria, Moldova and Ukraine, down to the Balkans, is a very diverse region when it comes to national minorities. There are very significant populations of people living in countries neighbouring their so-called “kin-states”, such as the Hungarian minorities in Slovakia, Transcarpathia in Ukraine, and Transylvania in Romania.  What does “national minority” refer to? Which challenges are they facing in Central and Eastern Europe? What challenges to ensure the protection for natianal minorities in the Danube Region?  Jack Gill (IDM) discusses these issues with Sergiu Constantin Senior Researcher at Institute for Minority Rights - Eurac research. Our guest recommendation:    The Bridge on the Drina is a historical novel by the Yugoslav writer Ivo Andrić. The Ukrainian folk band DakhaBrakha.  Host: Jack Gill, Research assistant at IDM  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM and Gloria Becerril, IDM trainee and student at University Padua. 

Central Europe Explained is back for a third season!CEE 3.0 follows specific events and topics happening over the years in the Danube Region.If you are not familiar with CEE yet, this podcast focuses on several topics of general interest: geopolitics, human rights, economy, culture, democracy, etc. With experts from and about the region, we explore those various fields.   We aim to enhance cross-border cooperation, dialogue and knowledge exchange in the region and beyond. Our work is based on the principles of liberal democracy and shared values, goals and visions with our neighbours. Are you interested in future of the Danube Region? Then stay tuned to Central Europe Explained and remember to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite streaming platform!Central Europe Explained is a podcast series produced by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) and powered by Erste Group. 

Learning and mobility are different concepts, yet interconnected.   One can think about them as a human right, privilege, advantage or opportunity.   Access to education and freedom of movement is often taken for granted. However, we are not all equal towards those: living in a warzone is an example of this contrast.   For this final episode of the 17th DRC Summer School, Christopher Radovic interviews Iryna Feketa, Anastasiia Lendel and Yuliia Stoika, all Ukrainian university students.   Together they discuss their studying situation in western Ukraine. They give us their personal insights as well as wishes for the future.  References mentioned:   CEE#35: Education Cannot Wait - with Lana Chubakha and Emma Hontebeyrie Host: Sebastian Schäffer, IDM Managing Director  Production and editing: Emma Hontebeyrie, Research Associate at IDM