Category Archives: Europe
Malta is for Sale
When I lived in Malta, I was rather surprised by how much was on sale. When I wanted to purchase a bus ticket from the vending machine, it sometimes happened that a helpful bus driver came up to me and … Continue reading
ECJ ruling on asylum for homosexuals
On 7 November 2013 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that homosexual asylum seekers in the EU are protected as a “social group” under the Asylum Qualification Directive (Directive 2004/83/EC) and that EU member states have to grant asylum if … Continue reading
Lithuania: Eastern Europe or not?
Ever since my move to Lithuania a few months ago, I feel like I am in Eastern Europe. In fact, discovering Eastern Europe was one of the main reasons behind my move east (I should point out that I am … Continue reading
History is never far away in Europe
Cycling back from beautiful Europos Parkas to Vilnius, I came across this reminder about the gruesome history of the 20th century in Europe. The marker was almost hidden in a forest, on the outskirts of the village of Joneikiškės. Just another village … Continue reading
Not such a “foreign court”
British politicians, especially from the Conservative Party, tend to call the European Court of Human Rights a “foreign court”. Prime Minister David Cameron just did so again in the debate about prisoners’ voting rights: “This should be a matter for Parliament … Continue reading
Why Germany is bailing out Greece
Have you ever wondered why Germany, Europe’s economic powerhouse, is contributing so much money to help Greece when even Greeks themselves are not contributing much more than going on strike, setting banks on fire and blaming Germany? The following photo … Continue reading
A Tale of Two Ships: How Europe welcomes Refugees
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Emma Lazarus: The New Colossus … Continue reading
Where is Malta?
After receiving the 25th e-mail from a friend that included the question “Where is Malta, actually?”, I decided to devote a blog post to this recurring question. I cannot do so however, without voicing my despair about people’s lack of … Continue reading
Malta and Germany swap refugees
The Times of Malta reports: A group o 152 sub-saharan Africans will be leaving Malta to embark on a new life in Germany on Tuesday. All had arrived in Malta after the outbreak of the crisis in Libya. They are 43 … Continue reading
Leaving London, Moving to Malta
When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford, said Samuel Johnson in 1777. I have been living in London for two years now and it is a … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 