The Colours of the Absurd
Through observations of this carnivalesque fever dream, European Editor Anja Gogo reviews Pirandello’s play, its linguistic landscape and its permeating nostalgia.
Être à la mode n’est pas à la mode; fad-free French life
What does it mean to be à la mode in Paris? How do the Parisians always appear so effortlessly chic? In this ode to the simple things in life, staff writer Chiara Lewis explores the timeless beauty of the French capital.
All (too) quiet in Chișinău
In this intriguing article, James Lewis explores his impressions of the Moldovan capital Chișinău. From the Moldovan comedy scene to bleak taxi rides, from domestic politics to the Moldovan bid to accede to the EU, Lewis offers an insightful commentary of the current state of affairs in Moldova.
Escalader des murs de peinture à l’exposition Nicolas de Staël
Accompanied by an English translation, Nadia Sorabji Stewart offers an intriguing interview with co-curator of the Nicolas de Staël exhibition at the Paris Musée d’art moderne. Providing an introduction to the world of de Staël and insights into curatorial practices, this probing interview is not to be missed.
Don’t Dismiss the Kitsch: The Evolution of Turbofolk
In this probing article, CLC staff writer Faith Martin delivers an insightful commentary on the hidden background of Yugoslav Turbofolk. She explores the historical, political and societal facets of this genre and, in doing so, uncovers the secrets of this unique musical movement.
“Rok en Rol Jugoslavija !” - Yugorock: Yugonostalgia meets social commentary at the end of an era
In this whistle stop tour of Yugorock, European Staff Writer Kirsty Turnbull delivers an enthusiastic and engaging introduction to the Yugoslav rock scene of the 1980s. From politics to playlists, this article covers it all.
Winter's Dual Legacy: Sankt Nikolaus and the Shadow of Krampus
In an intriguing analysis, William Lan explores the folklore surrounding the beloved Christmastime figure of Sankt Nikolaus and his shadowy counterpart Krampus.
Would You Squeeze Between a Naked Couple?
Lucy McCulloch explores the distinctive style of Marina Abramović and questions whether the contemporary sanitization of her art is a sign of something more troubling
RSL Remembers: Paula Rego
In this illustrative article, columnist Soraya Shakibi reflects on her evening spent at the Royal Society of Literature and the Royal Drawing School, exploring the life of virtuoso Portuguese artist Paula Rego. From history, to feminism, to fairytales, Shakibi takes us on an engaging tour of Portuguese culture as portrayed by Rego.
Please Pardon our French
In this acerbic commentary, Staff Writer Chiara Lewis critiques British attitudes towards language learning based on her observations from her time in Paris.
When EDM Goes Orientalist
Go through enough Soundcloud rave mixes and you’ll likely come across a thick Slavic accent drooling stereotypical Russian buzzwords – “high track-speed, vodka no limit” – over a hard-bounce bassline. This is хардбас, or hardbass, a bizarre mutation in EDM’s already-contorted family tree that momentarily exploded the ears of Saint Petersburg’s perestroika-era youth at the end of the millennium only to slink into obscurity and, more recently, back out.
Protecting or persecuting the French language? The unpleasant underbelly of France’s linguistic watchdog, L’académie française
From regional language policy, écriture inclusive, to linguistic evolution and xenophobia, European staff writer Chiara Lewis offers an eloquent and probing critique of the famed Académie Française.
Russkiy Yazyk, Eesti Keel: Speaking Russian in Estonia
In this intriguing investigation, European Staff Writer Faith Martin probes the Estonian struggle with the Russian language. Her linguistic musings take us from a bar in Talinn, down the cobbled streets and towards the Russian border.