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Last posts

Carnival of Cultures in Berlin

Mónica Boixeda Berliner, Only-Be

From the 10th to 13th of June we will have the opportunity to enjoy the Carnival of Cultures in Berlin. A festival that fills the streets of the German capital, with joy, dancing and debauchery, just as said by those who have experienced one of the best parties of late spring. Carnival of Cultures was created as a celebration of the immigrant population, roughly about 450,000 inhabitants, of the total population of 3.4 million. They brought new influences to the culture of Berlin. In 1995 the city radically changed due to the fall of the Wall and the unification of East and West Berlin. This resulted in conflicts of intolerance and rejection, probably due to the political and economic crisis. Ethnic groups clashed and a unifying thread between the various Cultures was needed. The concepts of City and diversity, gave life to Workshop of Cultures, which brought together communities from different religions, nationalities, races and cultures in order to unify efforts around a political platform based on cultural diversity and tolerance. The carnival was the unifying thread. The Carnival was founded in 1996 with the aim of achieving integration through artistic expression, also by means of the creation of hundreds of jobs generated from the organization and activities performed during the two days of the carnival. Since then, the Carnival became the most important festival for migrants from all over the continent who live in Berlin. European models, mainly Italian and Spanish, inspired the Carnival, although this event has its own idiosyncrasy. Ethnic groups from around the world, gather every year in Berlin to present their arts and expose... read more

Spain, 15M movement: How did we reach this situation? And now, what’s next?

Mónica Boixeda Madrilenian, Only-Be

On one hand, there is the will of a great part of the society to create a new system, and on the other, another major part has voted right wing –except in the Basque Country, where once again, they have given a lesson to justice in real democracy as the winning party, Bildu, at first was not allowed to run for the elections up until two weeks before but ended up winning the elections in most of the region. How did we reach this situation? The mismanagement of the crisis by politicians -and notice that I do not say government, but politicians as, before such socio-economic debacle, don’t you think they should have joined forces to chalk it? While (most of) European countries put their efforts together to overcome the economic crisis, the Spanish politicians seem like kids in the school yard throwing dirt at each other. Corruption in high political and economic circles (and in medium and small circles, too.) This State, traditionally bandit, remains faithful to its political customs with more than 50 defendants who have been able to submit to the municipal elections (for more info: http://bukowski.lacoctelera.net/post/2011/05/20/espa-a-pol-ticos-imputados-corrupci-n-pueden) A two-party system of camouflaged democracy that contributes to a feedback circle to alternate terms of a stalled government, leaving little or no options for people who bet on a change in the system. Just to get an idea of the absolute power of the banks, consider how the “Banco Santander” contributed to the current financial crisis and to sustain corrupt regimes. This bank helped launder money from Equatorial Guinea´s President Teodor Obiang acting under national laws not to... read more

Champs Elysées

The Only Team Only-Be, Parisian, Shopping and Wellness in Paris

Walking down the Champs Elysées Avenue is something wonderful that all tourist should have the luxury of doing, even if they don´t buy anything they see.