Histoires du Continent

Geschichten vom Kontinent

Stories from the Continent

Historias del Continente

Historie z kontynentu

Storie dal Continente

Unique stories from all over Europe, highlighting the challenges, traditions, conflicts and events that shape the lives of its citizens. A project supported by a consortium of public broadcasters (currently RTBF, ARD, ZDF, SSR SRG and ARTE) working together to produce and broadcast a selection of reports on current affairs, politics, and society in Europe.

With almost 12,000 beekeepers, Slovenia is the apiculture capital of Europe. Honey production, queen rearing, alternative medicine and prisoner rehabilitation, beekeeping has a special place in the heart of Slovenians and protecting bees is a national campaign.

With almost 12,000 beekeepers, apiculture is a way of life for Slovenians and protecting bees is a national campaign.

Re: Slovenian Bee Culture

Greek-speaking and Orthodox Christians, the Roums of Turkey are also known as the last Byzantines. Their presence on the shores of the Bosphorus, on the islands around Turkey and in Anatolia pre-dates the ottomans, yet today they number fewer than 2,000. The 20th century was particularly bad for this minority: Pogroms, forced labour camps, mass expulsions, violence and racism took their toll on this community. Today, the few remaining Greeks of Turkey try to keep their traditions alive.

Today, the few remaining Greeks of Turkey try to keep their cultural traditions alive.

Re: The Last Greeks of Turkey

In recent years, the population of Venice has dipped below 50,000 inhabitants, with almost 30 million tourists visiting each year. Every day, the city loses 3 inhabitants, with locals fed up with rising rents as the unique, historic city on the lagoon is turned into a theme-park for tourists. Can anything be done to save the last Venetians?

Venice’s resident population is sinking as 30 million tourists visit every year. Can the last Venetians be saved?

Re: The Last Venetians

In central Corsica, far from the coast with its beaches full of tourists, lies the village of Cozzano. Local people here are using the latest technology to revitalise the local area and prepare for the future.

Local people in the small village of Cozzano are using the latest technology to future-proof their community.

Re: A Smart Village in Corsica

One third of the Latvian population is Russian, a hangover from the Soviet past. The Latvian and Russian speaking communities have been living side by side since independence in 1991 but this cohabitation is not always easy. The government has taken a tougher stance on the integration of Russian speakers since the war in Ukraine, with some now risking deportation.

The Latvian authorities are taking a tougher stance with the country’s Russian-speaking minority since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Re: Latvia’s Unwanted Russians

In eastern Poland, on the border with Belarus, the Bialowieza Forest is at the heart of an intense migratory and geopolitical crisis. Despite the change of government last year, the whole area and its inhabitants are in turmoil as the Polish authorities try to militarise the border and stop migrant crossings.

In eastern Poland, on the border with Belarus, the Bialowieza Forest is at the heart of an intense migratory and geopolitical crisis. 

Re: Migration Crisis on the Polish Border

After the deadly and destructive megafires of October 2017, Portugal has developed a system of preventive firefighting which could inspire other European countries to follow suit.

Re: Fighting Megafires in Portugal

Focus on an innovative approach to police training in Switzerland. Over the last twenty years, the Swiss police force has taken a new approach, placing psychology at the heart of policing. Officers are trained to develop empathy in their work to diffuse situations, a model that is unique in Europe.

Focus on an innovative approach in Switzerland where psychology is placed at the heart of policing.

Re: Police Psychology in Switzerland

Before the Russian invasion began in February 2022, Ukrainian women were not allowed to occupy certain roles, deemed too dangerous. The war has changed everything and women are now working as minors and other male-dominated sectors, in a society that is still patriarchal.

The war in Ukraine has meant women taking on jobs in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

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