Country: Greece

rss-iconSubscribe to feed
Refugees in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan (photo: Christoph Puezchner/Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe)

Middle East and North Africa

A new approach to MENA's refugee crisis

There are now more people displaced by conflict than at any time since World War II, and violent conflict in the Middle East and North Africa accounts for the majority of today's refugees. With no evidence that the fighting will end anytime soon, host countries and major donors must adjust their aid accordingly, says Lebanese Economist Nasser SaidiMore

Jordan and the influx of refugees: The true SamaritansSyrian refugee children: Urgent action requiredPhoto essay: The reality of life in Europe's refugee camps
The food of Greece and Turkey is very similar. Nevertheless, bilingual signs are still a rarity (photo: DW/Florian Schmitz)

Exiled Turks in Greece

Bridge-building in 'enemy country'

At school they were taught that the Greeks were their enemies. Now many Turks, driven into exile by Erdoganʹs aggressive policies, have found refuge in Thessaloniki, just five hours by road from Istanbul. Report by Florian SchmitzMore

The restructuring of Turkey: Filling the gap left by GulenErdogan′s Turkey: The repression goes onThe Gulen movement in Turkey: Creating an elite to lead the stateIslam in Greece: A mosque for Athens
In this archive photo taken on 18.07.2015, a right-wing extremist covers his face against tear gas during an anti-Islam rally in Prague, Czech Republic (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Singer)

Resurgence in European populism

1

Itʹs an ill wind

The latest triumph of anti-European parties in Italy′s elections earlier this week makes one thing clear: populism in Europe is not yet on its way out. To what extent the EU is at risk of going under as a result, remains to be seen. By Zaki LaidiMore

Germany’s identity crisis: We are the people, tooAustria's new programme for government: En route to a restrictive policy on Islam?Czech President Milos Zeman′s re-election: Europe's fearmongerRight-wing populism in Europe and the USA: Those who cry wolf
Oboist accompanies dancing children and teenagers in a school on the Greek island of Chios (photo: Stamatis Menis)

Music festival on the Greek island of Chios

Opportunities for reflection

An inspirational idea from a violinist and a composer has led to the establishment of a new music festival on the Greek island of Chios. Their idea is to help build bridges between refugees and islanders – and maybe make the hard winter a little easier to bear. By Astrid KaminskiMore

Interview with oboist Demetrios Karamintzas: "These children deserve the same opportunities as children anywhere else"Book review: ″Auf der Flucht″ by Karim El Gawhary and Mathilde Schwabeneder: Born in the wrong placeEurope′s refugee deal with Turkey: The end of the road
Before the Balkan route closed: Refugees in Opatovac on the Serbian-Croatian border (25.9.2015)

Navid Kermani′s refugee trail reportage

Snapshots of a new reality

Navid Kermani has created an enduring monument in a fleeting genre about a turning point in European history, a modest and insightful example of humanism in European letters. By Marius MellerMore

The refugee debate: How do we want to live?Book review: ″Auf der Flucht″ by Karim El Gawhary and Mathilde Schwabeneder: Born in the wrong placeThe emotional wounds of refugee children: Talking about the unspeakablePhoto essay: Children on the run
Rebetiko performance by singer Manolis Dimitrianakis in the Hamam Club, Petralona, Athens (photo: Mey Dudin)

Rebetiko between East and West

Melancholy makes a comeback

The music traces its origins back to a refugee tragedy and is a melange of Orient and Occident. The Greek blues known as rebetiko has experienced a comeback since the country's economic crisis. Mey Dudin reports from AthensMore

Portrait: the singer Cigdem Aslan: Songs of the outcastsThe Tabadoul Orchestra: Worldwide "Wahab"World music from Istanbul: Light in Babylon: Ambassadors of peace
Muslims praying during Eid ul-Adha celebrations at the Al-Huda Islamic Centre in Athens (photo: picture-alliance/AP)

Islam in Greece

A mosque for Athens

Until now, Muslims living in the Greek capital have had to pray on private premises. The first official mosque is due to open in May – after decades of stalling tactics by the Orthodox Christian nation. Mey Dudin reports from AthensMore

Qantara dossier: "Islam in Europe"The Pomaks: Caught in a three-way tug-of-warSyriac Orthodox Christians in Turkey: ''This is simply our home''
Moria refugee camp on Lesbos (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Europe′s refugee deal with Turkey

The end of the road

Anything is better than waiting. Even deportation back to Turkey is no longer such a frightening prospect for refugees stranded on Lesbos. But now, Ankara says it is no longer willing to take back rejected asylum seekers. Ulrich von Schwerin reports from LesbosMore

Deportations to Afghanistan: No safe country of originAn Iraqi artist on Nauru: ″My art is my saviour″Birthing a literature of refuge: A question of mutual interest

In brief

More

Facebook

Most Recent Photo Essay

A driver opens the door to the carved wooden cab of his decorated truck

Keep on trucking: Art on the move in Pakistan

They pollute the roads and chug along at a snail's pace, but to their Pakistani owners the rickety trucks are moving pieces of art. And indeed, the trucks with their many garish portraits of flowers, Islamic art and snow-capped Himalayan peaks are now attracting global attention. By Caren Firouz and Jibran Ahmad