RE: European Stories (2017)

2026

January 2, 2026 18 Episodes

Episodes

Episode 1

Will alcohol-free wine save winemakers?

Jan 2, 2026

31 minutes

Less and less wine is being consumed in Europe – and this is threatening our wine regions. Winemakers in Spain and Germany are looking for a way out of the crisis – by producing alcohol-free wine. New methods are constantly improving it. Winemaker Ivan from Castile and León is taking the plunge. Will he like his first dealcoholized red wine?

Episode 2

Malta - Desert or Water Laboratory of the Future?

Jan 5, 2026

29 minutes

Malta – Europe's driest island and, at the same time, its driest country. The island nation is fighting for survival. While tourist numbers continue to grow, the water supply is dwindling, and the land is threatened with withering; farmers like Malcolm Borg are trying to make the impossible possible. Re: shows a Malta that must decide – between selling out and a new beginning.

Episode 3

Bulgaria: The Super Physics Teacher

Jan 6, 2026

30 minutes

With his reputation as a Nobel Prize winner, Bulgarian Teodosi Teodosiev is undoubtedly one of the best physics teachers in the world, and his students dominate international science competitions. For him, there is no science without conscience: to be a good teacher is to touch the soul of the students.

Episode 4

Spain: High Seas Rescue

Jan 7, 2026

30 minutes

The Juan de la Cosa – one of the few civilian hospital ships in the world – is on a mission in the Atlantic. It is accompanying the fishing fleet in the Bay of Biscay, ready to intervene in case of emergency. A system that saves lives when medical care on land is unavailable.

Episode 5

Spiders: Between Phobia and Fascination

Jan 9, 2026

29 minutes

Exotic spiders are increasingly common in Europe: some are imported by terrarium enthusiasts, while others, like the spiny-legged spider, are spreading due to climate change. Although most spiders are harmless, they inspire irrational fear in many. So much so that therapies are offered to overcome arachnophobia.

Episode 6

Poor masters, poor beasts!

Jan 12, 2026

30 minutes

Pets are often full members of the family. But with rising veterinary and food costs, more and more homeowners are struggling to provide for their four-legged friends. Some find themselves forced to ask for help.

Episode 7

Georgia's children, declared dead and then sold

Jan 13, 2026

29 minutes

Panagiotis Souroukli was born in Georgia and sold for adoption in Cyprus as a newborn. It was only when he was looking for his biological parents that he discovered forged documents. The organization Vedzeb uncovers such cases and estimates that over 100,000 babies have been passed off as dead and sold in Georgian clinics. DNA tests are supposed to help with the search.

Episode 8

Last trip to Belgium, for euthanasia

Jan 15, 2026

29 minutes

Euthanasia has been legal in Belgium for over twenty years. In France it remains banned – and very controversial. Numerous French patients with incurable degenerative diseases therefore turn to pro-death assistance activists and Belgian doctors for a dignified, self-determined end to their lives on the other side of the border.

Episode 9

Give up alcohol and live life to the fullest!

Jan 16, 2026

30 minutes

With family, in nightclubs or after work, alcohol is often part of the party. According to the WHO, Europeans ingest on average 9.2 liters of ethanol per year: a world record. However, in Germany as in France, more and more people are choosing to do without it... without giving up partying!

Episode 10

Disbanding of the PKK: a hope for peace?

Jan 19, 2026

30 minutes

In February 2025, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called on his supporters to lay down their arms. In Diyarbakir, Turkey, the "mothers of peace" advocate dialogue with the Turkish state, hoping for an amnesty for PKK fighters and the return of their missing loved ones. Lasting peace remains uncertain.

Episode 11

Latvia Arms Itself Against Putin

Jan 20, 2026

29 minutes

Following four volunteers an artist, a sports journalist, an industrial climber, and a Catholic priest during their training in the Latvian National Guard. One enlisted well before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the others after the start of the war. They all share the same feeling: a sense of duty. Their personal stories intersect with the larger historical narrative as the small border state strives to preserve peace.

Episode 12

Tracking Gas Leaks

Jan 21, 2026

30 minutes

Most often of natural origin, methane contributes to global warming, far more than CO2. However, gas and oil infrastructure can be prone to methane leaks. In Croatia, an expert uses a special camera to document the numerous leaks affecting extraction sites and pipelines.

Episode 13

Climate: New Dangers in the Mountains

Jan 22, 2026

30 minutes

Melting glaciers, rockfalls, and landslides: these are the consequences of climate change in the mountains. Trails and routes that once seemed safe are no longer passable. When faced with unpredictable weather, heavy rainfall, and an altered environment, planning a safe hike becomes a real challenge for mountaineers.

Episode 14

Urban Exploration in Romania: Saving the Relics

Jan 23, 2026

30 minutes

Ghost cinemas, spa towns whose splendor is now just a distant memory, depopulated villages: photographer Alex Iacob explores the abandoned places of Romania. With his camera, he fights against oblivion and documents what remains of a bygone era.

Episode 15

Ireland Overwhelmed by Cocaine

Jan 26, 2026

30 minutes

In Ireland, cocaine is wreaking havoc. The drug arrives by sea and floods the market. With an exponential increase in consumption since 2017, this crisis is particularly affecting women. In Limerick, Nathalie O’Donoghue, a single mother, confronts her addiction to provide a better future for her children.

Episode 16

Breast Cancer: Their Daily Struggle

Jan 28, 2026

30 minutes

In Germany, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, mastectomy, hair loss: the treatments and their side effects leave their mark on patients, both physically and emotionally. So, how can they stay strong in the face of this ordeal that shakes their self-esteem?

Episode 17

Romanian Expats: To Leave or to Return?

Jan 29, 2026

30 minutes

Since the fall of the communist bloc, Romania has experienced a significant demographic decline. Millions of its citizens have emigrated to Western Europe in search of better career opportunities and a more prosperous life. Many have remained abroad despite homesickness, leaving behind loved ones who await their return.

Episode 18

In Austria, the diabolical Krampus parade

Jan 30, 2026

30 minutes

Every year, demonic creatures called Krampus invade towns and villages in Austria on St. Nicholas' Day. These bogeymen with goat heads, dressed in animal skins, frighten onlookers, symbolically striking those who haven't been good with their canes. Recently, these parades have sometimes been marred by violent incidents.

Episode 19

The reading phenomenon of Gen Z

Feb 2, 2026

30 minutes

Understanding the world through reading seemed to be off the table for a while. Now, reading is part of a new lifestyle: Young women between 18 and 30 are captivated by lavishly designed books – and inspired by bloggers like Jess. The focus is on New Adult literature with themes revolving around love and sex. Is Gen Z saving the book market?

Episode 20

Forgotten villages in Albania's mountains

Feb 3, 2026

30 minutes

In the mountains of northern Albania, German Capuchin friars care for the few remaining Christians. Brother Jeremias Borgards tends to the sick and elderly who live alone and have no one else. He has to drive for hours through the mountains to make his house calls. Eighteen-year-old Angelos Delija accompanies him.

Episode 21

Ninja, a sport conquers Europe

Feb 4, 2026

30 minutes

Ninja – that means swinging, climbing, jumping, and constantly facing new challenges on obstacle courses. What began as a TV format is increasingly developing into an organized sport, from international competitions to its own national league. This report follows three people who embody the fascination and future potential of this young sport.

Episode 22

The Mafia's sacred cows

Feb 5, 2026

30 minutes

In Calabria, free-roaming herds of cattle terrorize entire communities. They are known as the "sacred cows" of the 'Ndrangheta. They are considered untouchable, as they still symbolize the power of the mafia. The danger is real, and the state is reacting sluggishly. Only a few truly courageous people are fighting back to protect their homeland.

Episode 23

When there's no money for tampons and pads

Feb 9, 2026

30 minutes

For many women, menstruation represents a significant financial burden: often, girls and women don't have enough money to afford sufficient hygiene products. Re: accompanies those affected and activists in Germany and Poland who want to help and bring the issue of period poverty out of the shadows.

Episode 24

Foreign Doctors Save German Provincial Hospitals

Feb 10, 2026

30 minutes

Many hospitals rely on foreign doctors to function. We meet Mohamed Cherbagi from Syria and Ina Viaroukina from Belarus, two examples among the tens of thousands of foreign doctors who keep the German healthcare system running.

Episode 25

Living with floods

Feb 12, 2026

29 minutes

Faced with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Europe, efforts are being made to mitigate torrential rains and storm surges. Residents along the Baltic coast are raising sea walls, restaurant owners are adapting their premises to rising sea levels, and major cities like Copenhagen are embracing the "sponge city" concept, which transforms parks into veritable rainwater storage basins.

Episode 26

Iranians in Europe: A Cry for Freedom

Feb 13, 2026

30 minutes

In Iran, the crackdown on the latest wave of protests has undoubtedly been the bloodiest since the establishment of the Islamic Republic – human rights organizations report tens of thousands of deaths and injuries. "ARTE Regards" met with members of the Iranian diaspora who are following the events shaking their homeland with great emotion.

Bosnia's Citizens and Illegal Waste
Episode 27

Bosnia's Citizens and Illegal Waste

Feb 16, 2026

30 minutes

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, waste is widely and uncontrollably dumped in nature. According to environmental authorities, there are over 1,000 illegal dumpsites, and the few public landfills are mostly overloaded or technically outdated. The consequences: untreated leachate and smog, which endanger not only the environment but also the health of local residents.

The EU Parliament's Perpetual Commuting
Episode 28

The EU Parliament's Perpetual Commuting

Feb 18, 2026

31 minutes

Every month, the entire European Parliament relocates. 720 members of parliament and thousands of staff members move from Brussels to Strasbourg, some 400 kilometers away, for almost four days – only to return again afterward. It's a practice that many no longer consider sensible. Can Europe really still afford this "traveling circus"?

Orca Shows at an End?
Episode 29

Orca Shows at an End?

Feb 19, 2026

30 minutes

Wikie and Keijo have gained notoriety for all the wrong reasons. After the closure of a water park on the French Riviera, the two orcas were left behind in the now dilapidated and algae-covered concrete pools. To this day, it remains unclear where the animals can be taken. While politicians, park operators, and animal rights activists struggle to find a solution, the orcas' situation continues to worsen.

Not my king – Doubts about Charles
Episode 30

Not my king – Doubts about Charles

Feb 20, 2026

29 minutes

More and more Britons are questioning the legitimacy of the monarchy today. While Elizabeth II was considered the mother of the nation during her reign, her death in 2022 and the accession of her son Charles III have awakened new doubts among the people. These days, almost four out of ten Britons would prefer to see an elected head of state instead of the king.

Episode 31

Poland: These Milk Bars Have Become Cult Classics

Feb 23, 2026

29 minutes

Pierogis, cottage cheese pancakes, tomato soup: in Poland, milk bars serve traditional dishes at very affordable prices. For many retirees, they embody the social policies of the communist era. Today, with the rising cost of living and more visible poverty, these establishments attract all segments of society.

Episode 32

Kharkiv - My brother, dead in Ukraine

Feb 24, 2026

30 minutes

Kai is searching for answers about the death of his brother Michael, who had volunteered for the Ukrainian army from Germany. The report shows what this decision means for those left behind – and how difficult it is for them to come to terms with what happened.

Episode 33

A polar cold snap hits Northern Europe

Feb 25, 2026

30 minutes

Persistent frost gripped northern Germany and Poland at the beginning of 2026. Nighttime temperatures plummeted to double-digit sub-zero levels, freezing lakes, rivers, and even parts of the Baltic Sea. In some places, even icebreakers could no longer navigate the frozen landscape. An arctic-like scene of ice and snow, which is not without its challenges.

Episode 34

I want to live to 120!

Feb 26, 2026

30 minutes

More and more people are trying to achieve longevity. Some want to live to 120, others even dream of immortality. To achieve this, they endure temperatures as low as -110 degrees Celsius or seek biological rejuvenation through innovative therapies. For them, aging is a disease that can be overcome.

Episode 35

Croatia Between Mines and Sea

Feb 27, 2026

30 minutes

Former wartime commander Ivica wants to expand his hotel business, as Croatian tourism is booming. But the country and its people are still scarred by the war. The government plans to rid Croatia of all landmines by 2026. 38-year-old Čičak is one of the last landmine clearers and faces an uncertain future.

Young French people take over old farms
Episode 36

Young French people take over old farms

Mar 2, 2026

31 minutes

Nearly 200 farms disappear every week in France, primarily because many farmers are retiring. Who will take their place? Many of these farmers' children prefer to decline: too much work. But there are also young people growing up who are keen to take over the old farms. Some of them don't even come from farming families.

Episode 37

Too many animals in the zoo – How does modern species conservation work?

Mar 3, 2026

30 minutes

In 2025, twelve healthy baboons were killed at Nuremberg Zoo due to lack of space. This sparked outrage and protests. From the zoo's perspective, the killing of the surplus animals was necessary to maintain the health of the baboon group. Breeding programs in zoos also serve to preserve endangered species – but space in zoos is limited.

Episode 38

Special Unit for Vienna's Migrant Women

Mar 5, 2026

30 minutes

In Austria, many migrant women live withdrawn and isolated lives. They speak little German and do not work – because they cannot or are not allowed to. When these women need help, they can turn to the "Neighbors" in Vienna. The association supports the women in their daily lives and, in return, promotes genuine integration.

Episode 39

German Expats: Growing Old in Tuscany?

Mar 6, 2026

30 minutes

Many Germans have settled in Tuscany. Wolfgang (78) and Roman (81) have lived there for a long time in a hilltop medieval village, where they have integrated perfectly. How do you manage old age when you've chosen to live abroad and daily life becomes a series of challenges? When your children live far away and the nearest doctor is only accessible by car?

Blacksmiths' Competition
Episode 40

Blacksmiths' Competition

Mar 9, 2026

30 minutes

Championships in Stia, Italy, the best young blacksmiths in the trade are competing. Two apprentices from Hamburg are also vying for the title against 250 competitors from across Europe. They are competing not only for victory, but also for the preservation of their craft.

The Dinosaur Fossil Business
Episode 41

The Dinosaur Fossil Business

Mar 11, 2026

29 minutes

Driven by private collectors, the trade in dinosaur bones is booming. As dealers such as Christian Link hunt for new fossils to sell at auction, Switzerland is preparing to sell the triceratops Cera skeleton in New York. But natural history museums are struggling to compete with these wealthy buyers.

Girl Power for an Ancient Ritual
Episode 42

Girl Power for an Ancient Ritual

Mar 12, 2026

30 minutes

In Viterbo, an Italian city steeped in centuries-old tradition, the nearly 30-meter-high Macchina di Santa Rosa is carried through the old town by over a hundred men every year on September 3rd. For many, this ritual is a defining element of their identity. But Viterbo is changing: A new generation is questioning why this tradition is reserved for men.

Doctors of the Aegean
Episode 43

Doctors of the Aegean

Mar 13, 2026

30 minutes

Greece has over 200 inhabited islands, many of which lack medical care. Fortunately, there are doctors who visit such remote Aegean islands to volunteer their time. "Re:" accompanies a team of doctors on Serifos, where they set up a temporary hospital for a few days using two trucks full of medical equipment.

Saving Georgia's Largest Dam
Episode 44

Saving Georgia's Largest Dam

Mar 16, 2026

29 minutes

Built during the Soviet era, the Enguri Dam is the largest structure in the Caucasus – erected in the heart of a seismically active zone. An engineering masterpiece upon which Georgia's energy security depends. But the dam has reached a critical age. Geophysicist Birgit Müller and her team have developed monitoring methods to detect dangers early.

Episode 45

Episode 45

Mar 17, 2026

30 minutes

No overview available.