In a depopulated town in Spain, a women’s group keeps the spirits up
Aldeasoña is a little town in the middle of Spain. Less than 10 people live there in winter. Maribel is one of the last citizens in the town. She lives alone, but she is never alone. With other women, her neighbours, they have created a care network to survive without basic services such as healthcare […]
In Athens, a modern poet and philosopher contemplates on notion of loneliness
Nikos Erinakis is an Assistant Professor of Social & Political Philosophy and Philosophy of Culture at the University of Crete. He has taught at the University of London and he also teaches at the University of Athens, the Athens School of Fine Arts and the Hellenic Open University. He is also a published, critically acclaimed, […]
From Trump to Orbàn to Ukraine: will Europe take a united stand?
Trump coming to power in the US and the continuing war in Ukraine have created unprecedented challenges in the European Union —not just for the alliance system but for individual countries as well. On top of that, the Hungarian government’s divergence and pro-Putin stance add another layer to the situation, creating additional tensions and forcing […]
The Story of Laura: Mother and Survivor
Laura is a 37-year-old mother and survivor of femicide. For 5 years she had been a victim of domestic violence, but on April 17, 2018, her husband came home late from a party and lashed out at her in front of her 2,5-year-old daughter. The neighbours heard the noise and saved her life. Her husband was […]
Being a single mother in Spain
Maria decided to have a child without a second parent. She is a “single mother by choice.” Or a “lonely mother” — the literal translation of the words in Spanish. For Maria, loneliness takes on several dimensions. Feeling left behind by the authorities, feeling isolated in situations like the Covid-19 pandemic or natural disasters, feeling […]
Between occupation and patriarchy: the story of Natali Shaheen
Natali Shaheen, born in Jerusalem in 1994, started playing football at the age of six. “I didn’t care if I was the only child who wanted to play football. And right from the start, I had no doubts in choosing the role: I liked to score goals” — she says. But to train, she always […]
In Budapest, a musician on a mission to help the elderly feel less lonely
Guitarist-singer András Cseh is the frontman of Új zenekar (New Band). The band regularly plays big parties in Budapest’s alternative clubs. But András also has another regular activity, which he has been doing for more than ten years. Every now and then, he goes to a nursing home to sing as a volunteer to cheer […]
Young men are feeling lonely. Why?
Most of the power in the world rests in the hands of men. Men dominate politics and business. But living in a patriarchal society also means that men are pressured to hide their emotions and play tough. Men from the lower classes start working earlier, contribute the most to the state budget in relation to […]
In Madrid, a local garden unites a community
In an area of Madrid, Spain, a community garden provides food for 60 families in the same village. Seasonal vegetables and fruit are grown and used to create baskets that are distributed weekly among the families involved in the project. Those involved also work in the garden at weekends, taking care of the plants and […]
In Milan, young professionals find new ways of finding their community, offline
How do you deal with loneliness and the chaos of living in a big city? Where can you find a place to hang out, offline, and feel at home? Burraco Milano is a non-profit founded by a group of young people in their 30s with the idea of building a community and giving a space […]
