https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The Eurovision Song Contest is famous for celebrating everything from cross-dressing ballad singers to heavy metal bands in monster masks, but geopolitics is threatening its 70th anniversary edition. https://www.thelocal.com/20260426/geopolitics-threatens-70th-anniversary-of-eurovision Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:03:11 +0200 geopolitics-threatens-70th-anniversary-of-eurovision Spain is the fourth country in the world with the most sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, just behind Italy, China and Germany, and with so many there's bound to be several you haven't heard of. https://www.thelocal.com/20230929/spains-lesser-known-unesco-world-heritage-sites Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:03:36 +0200 spains-lesser-known-unesco-world-heritage-sites Austria has been the first choice for the setting of multiple internationally famous movies. The country’s beautiful mountainous landscape, numerous lakes, and historical cities have captured some unforgettable movie moments. https://www.thelocal.com/20240226/from-classics-to-thrillers-seven-movies-set-in-austria Mon, 26 Feb 2024 10:54:44 +0100 from-classics-to-thrillers-seven-movies-set-in-austria Alongside Abba and Ikea, Oscar nominee Stellan Skarsgård and his many children are some of Sweden's most famous international exports. But who are they and what have you seen them in? https://www.thelocal.com/20230314/skars-guide-who-are-swedens-skarsgard-acting-family Tue, 14 Mar 2023 17:11:03 +0100 skars-guide-who-are-swedens-skarsgard-acting-family A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons. https://www.thelocal.com/20260228/culture-politics-food-what-makes-europeans-proud-of-their-country Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:49:34 +0100 culture-politics-food-what-makes-europeans-proud-of-their-country A used tissue put up for auction by the French actor Pierre Niney has attracted bids rising to €100,000, which the actor says will be donated to charity. https://www.thelocal.com/20260202/french-actor-sells-used-tissue-for-e100000 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:13:04 +0100 french-actor-sells-used-tissue-for-e100000 From Robert Capa to Auguste Renoir - via Lee Miller and Louis XIV carpets - French museums are preparing their temporary exhibitions for the upcoming year. https://www.thelocal.com/20260123/15-art-exhibitions-to-look-forward-to-in-france-in-2026 Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:04:16 +0100 15-art-exhibitions-to-look-forward-to-in-france-in-2026 A French supermarket has made a strong entry into the competitive field of Christmas advertising with a viral animated clip about a vegetarian wolf that has wracked up tens of millions of views internationally. https://www.thelocal.com/20251211/french-supermarkets-veggie-wolf-christmas-ad-goes-viral Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:12:07 +0100 french-supermarkets-veggie-wolf-christmas-ad-goes-viral Her latest song 'Berghain' has gone viral online, with fans speculating about the artist's unusual language choice. So why does Rosalía sing in German in her new single, and what does she say? https://www.thelocal.com/20251030/why-does-spanish-pop-star-rosalia-sing-in-german-in-her-latest-single Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:26:27 +0100 why-does-spanish-pop-star-rosalia-sing-in-german-in-her-latest-single Swifties are flocking to a German museum to see the painting that inspired the video for the star's hit song, The Fate of Ophelia. Journalist Rachel Loxton interviewed the museum's director to find out more about Swift's impact on German art. https://www.thelocal.com/20251028/where-can-i-find-ophelia-how-taylor-swift-put-a-german-museum-in-the-spotlight Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:14:33 +0100 where-can-i-find-ophelia-how-taylor-swift-put-a-german-museum-in-the-spotlight As politicians decry the 'national humiliation' of the theft of the crown jewels from the Louvre, John Lichfield ponders whether France has simply too many treasures to protect them all properly. https://www.thelocal.com/20251021/opinion-louvre-jewel-theft-shows-that-france-is-simply-too-rich Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:55:55 +0200 opinion-louvre-jewel-theft-shows-that-france-is-simply-too-rich Want to learn more about Spanish history, culture, music and all those idiosyncrasies that make it so unique? These documentaries, some available to watch for free, offer true insight into what makes Spain the fascinating country that it is. https://www.thelocal.com/20230626/ten-of-the-best-documentaries-about-spain Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:52:11 +0200 ten-of-the-best-documentaries-about-spain Celebrations of truffles, wine, farming and lemons - as well as Christmas and New Year festivals and a long dog-sled race - give winter a festive feel in France. https://www.thelocal.com/20251022/19-must-visit-winter-festivals-and-events-in-france Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:09:36 +0200 19-must-visit-winter-festivals-and-events-in-france Spain's Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony has acquired international prestige and is easily the highest accolade Spain grants exceptional citizens. This quick explainer will fill you in on everything you need to know. https://www.thelocal.com/20231019/ten-things-to-know-about-spains-prestigious-princess-of-asturias-awards Thu, 19 Oct 2023 18:54:58 +0200 ten-things-to-know-about-spains-prestigious-princess-of-asturias-awards What makes Spain and Spaniards tick? These unwritten rules will help you understand some of the traits of the national psyche, from the Spanish attitude to work to what Spaniards prioritise in life. https://www.thelocal.com/20221011/nine-unwritten-rules-that-explain-how-spain-works Tue, 11 Oct 2022 12:35:19 +0200 nine-unwritten-rules-that-explain-how-spain-works In this edition of Inside Spain, we look at how the ruling Socialists have turned their backs on the possibility of removing bullfighting's protected status, thus ensuring that the controversial spectacle keeps taking place freely. https://www.thelocal.com/20251011/inside-spain-dont-expect-bullfighting-to-be-banned-anytime-soon Sat, 11 Oct 2025 09:27:04 +0200 inside-spain-dont-expect-bullfighting-to-be-banned-anytime-soon A community history group tried to get to the bottom of a persistent genealogy rumour surrounding US mega star Taylor Swift and a small parish in north-central Sweden. https://www.thelocal.com/20240515/do-taylor-swifts-ancestors-really-come-from-a-small-parish-in-rural-sweden Wed, 15 May 2024 13:49:23 +0200 do-taylor-swifts-ancestors-really-come-from-a-small-parish-in-rural-sweden Paris's Pompidou Centre, which houses one of the world's most significant modern art collections in one of the most celebrated modern buildings on the planet, shuts to visitors on Monday for a major five-year overhaul estimated to cost almost half a billion euros. https://www.thelocal.com/20250922/frances-renowned-pompidou-centre-shuts-for-5-year-refit Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:15:19 +0200 frances-renowned-pompidou-centre-shuts-for-5-year-refit The world's largest folk festival kicks off on Saturday, and is expected to lure around six million thirsty visitors to Munich over the course of two weeks. Here are the most important things to do (and not to do) if you plan to join the festivities. https://www.thelocal.com/20250918/the-dos-and-donts-you-need-to-know-for-a-first-visit-to-oktoberfest Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:19:33 +0200 the-dos-and-donts-you-need-to-know-for-a-first-visit-to-oktoberfest Swedish dating disaster drama Diary of a Ditched Girl has shot to the top of viewing figures in over 30 countries a week after launching on Netflix. https://www.thelocal.com/20250919/swedish-dating-disaster-series-tops-netflix-viewing-figures-abroad Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:39:00 +0200 swedish-dating-disaster-series-tops-netflix-viewing-figures-abroad