International Features

Articles from different nationalities

Fighting Unjust Demolition

They are innocent people who have bought their Spanish property in good faith, with all the correct documentation, having invested their life savings into their dream homes. Most of them are elderly.

Looking Back…

From a global point of view, 2013 will go to history as a rather gloomy year. The economic recession worsened during the year, with unemployment and poverty in its wake. Youth unemployment reached new records. The devastating hurricanes, inundations and landslides in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean will go to history. Corruption has continued to flourish in most parts of the world. Tragic high speed train and bus crashes with hundreds of victims were reported.

Invasion of Scandinavian Seniors

Scandinavian ‘greyhounds’ love the Costa del Sol. Most of the estimated 80.000 Scandinavian dwellers on the Costa live west of Malaga, in Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola,Mijas, Marbella, and Estepona.

Night of the Arts

Every year in August since 1988 the streets of Helsinki are filled with art enthusiasts, performance lovers and the culturally or otherwise curious, not to mention those who just like to go out, get a bit drunk and join the party.

Cuddly Sing-along and Melancholy Tango

Sweden and Finland offer fantastic musical events during this summer, with chamber music, opera, jazz, rock festivals, you name it. There are gigs and festivals for every taste, but I would like here to take up two of the most typical and folksy summer festivities; Sing-along at Skansen in Stockholm (Allsång på Skansen) and the Finnish Tango Festival in Seinäjoki , Southern Ostrobothnia.

Harassment in Cyber Space

Internet harassment and in particular hate email is of constant agony for many victims. Luckily there are laws that one can call upon, but when the bullying or outright threats are anonymous, it is extremely difficult to trace the culprit.

Back North

It’s warm and sunny in Helsinki. The birches have small leaves, and the lawns are astonishingly green for the season. People have abandoned their dull winter wrappings for brighter summer dresses. The café terraces by the Esplanade Park near Helsinki’s famous market place are full of people enjoying the sunshine, sipping coffee, soft drinks or beer. From my window I can hear a band playing jazz in the park.

Spring Gossip

Spring has finally come to Almuñécar. The weather is like summer in Scandinavia. From our kitchen window we see a ‘vega’ that is greener than I can remember. Yellow, pink and white flowers and bushes are all over the place.