Europe, Travel James Lewis Europe, Travel James Lewis

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.

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Europe, Features Faith Martin, European Staff Writer Europe, Features Faith Martin, European Staff Writer

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.

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Europe, Reviews Soraya Shakibi, Columnist Europe, Reviews Soraya Shakibi, Columnist

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.

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Europe, Opinion Chiara Lewis, European Staff Writer Europe, Opinion Chiara Lewis, European Staff Writer

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.

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Europe Jude Jones Europe Jude Jones

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.

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