Catherine Trautmann: “No country in Europe is out of the consequences of the crisis.”

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catherine trautmann, crisis, enlargment, greece, integration, South Caucasus

“We are in a systemic crisis. No country in Europe is out of the consequence of the financial crisis, even France and Germany“, – says Catherine Trautmann, former mayor of Strasbourg and French euro-deputy. She speaks about Greece, Europe’s crisis and how it might affect South Caucasus countries in their way towards European integration.

By Hrant Mikaelian and Arshaluis Mghdesyan

“Europe is facing worst crisis since the Second world war”, – said Germany’s prime minister Angela Merkel a couple of days ago. The eurozone has appeared on the verge of a collapse when Greece, Ireland and Portugal became unable to borrow money on free debt market and were forced to ask money from the international creditors.

Being one of the fastest growing economies of Europe in 2000s, Greece now became the most affected by crisis economy in the eurozone. Greece’s average budget deficit in 2001-2008 consisted 6.2% while the maximum level, which is accepted for Eurozone countries is 3%. Now Greece’s debt is more than 300 bln euros, which makes a risk for the Euro stability. But the crisis signs are also seen in other countries: Italy, the third economy of an euro area also faces threat of debt crisis.

Catherine Trautmann, 59, is a former Minister of Culture of France and now Member of the European Parliament for the East of France. Member of the Socialist Partyn part of the Party of European Socialists, she was elected as mayor of Strasbourg in 1989, re-elected in 1995, then defeated in 2001.

2011 LUX Cinema Prize Goes To “Les Neiges Du Kilimandjaro”

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"The snows of Kilimanjaro", europe, European Parliament, LUX prize, movie, Robert Guédiguian, Strasbourg

Awarding ceremony

On November 16th, the 5^th edition of LUX Prize was attributed by the European Parliament to the French movie “Les neiges du Kilimandjaro” (“The snows of Kilimanjaro”). The prize of €90,000 will sponsor the subtitling of the film into the 23 official EU languages.

By Nino Gelashvili

LUX prize is given by the European Parliament since 2007. Parliament’s support for European cinema includes specific legislation to promote the diversity of, and access to, cinematographic works.

The panel includes producers, distributors, cinema operators, festival directors and film critics. Three finalists are annually announced for the prize. Only the 736 Members of the European Parliament are entitled to vote.

In competition this year was Greece’s political drama from Athina Rachel Tsangari’s « Attenberg », France’s “Les neiges du Kilimandjaro” by Robert Guédiguian and “Play” by Ruben Östlund – a Swedish, French, Danish production.

As director of the movie Robert Guédiguian said, its movie is about “faithfulness, solidarity and morality“. ‘Les neiges du Kilimandjaro’ tells the story about Michel and Marie-Claire, whose happiness is shattered when two armed and masked men violently attack them and steal the money for a trip to Kilimandjaro, and the impact of their discoveries about the perpetrators.

Previous winners were “Auf der anderen Seite“ in 2007, “Le silence de Lorna” in 2008, “Welcome” in 2009 and “Die Fremde” in 2010.

Beyond the stories they tell, these films explore and question European shared values, look at the level of support for the project of building Europe and address cross-border concerns such as immigration, justice, solidarity, public freedoms and fundamentals rights. Each film offers a glimpse into the lives of Europeans, their convictions and doubts and their quest for identity.

Armenia & Me

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Armenian young generation, youth in Armenia

«If you want to foresee the people’s future, have a look at the youngsters », once said Garegin Nzhdeh, the famous Armenian politician.

By Armine Narinyan

Youth people in Armenia are representing 17,5 percent of population, an average comparable to many other European’s countries. But because of the Karabakh’s conflict and the economical crisis, lots of them are going abroad.

Armenia is affected by migration’s issues and the ‘diaspora’ concerns around 8 millions of Armenians living in foreign countries -on a population of 3 millions-. Some though are thinking differently.

Narineh Sarkisian: «I always dreamt about returning to Armenia»

Narineh Sarkisian ©Armine Narinyan

Originally coming from Iran, she came to Yerevan, five years ago. Like many emigrated people, since her childhood, she dreamed about returning to Armenia. She is now working as a designer in a magazine in the armenian capital. «Designers nowadays have a great influence on society. Sometimes, people even do not notice it. But a big billboard in the street, a good advertisement can affect people. » Now that she feels home, she does not even think about living abroad.

Azatuhi Simonyan : « To be Armenian means three important thing : a way of living, a way of thinking and a strong national spirit»