Ordnung muss nicht sein. Developments on the German political scene. OSW Commentary No. 55, 2011-06-27

The results of parliamentary elections in seven German federal states, ongoing since early 2011, show the collapse of the existing order on the German political scene, both on a national level and on the level of the individual federal states. So far, the federal states have been governed by one of the catch-all parties1 – i.e. the Christian Democrats or Social Democrats – in coalitions with smaller partners – the FDP and the Greens, respectively2. This year’s elections have fully revealed the extent of social transformation in Germany and its impact on voting preferences and the hitherto stable party system in this country. The largest and most popular parties so far – the CDU and the SPD – are losing the voters’ confidence and support, whereas the parties associated with protest movements (such as the Greens) are gaining prominence. Moreover, the German political scene is undergoing increasing fragmentation, as new small, local groups are appearing who have no political aspirations at the federal level but who are attractive to voters acting as successful groups of common cause. The changes in the existing balance of power on the German political scene are being sped up by the specific features of the federal system. Elections to the parliaments of the federal states are held at regular intervals which increasingly affects policies on the national level. The key decisions that concern domestic and foreign affairs are made under the pressure of constant election campaigns.

Svodboda party - the new phenomenon on the Ukrainian right-wing scene. OSW Commentary No. 56, 2011-07-04

Even though the national-level political scene in Ukraine is dominated by the Party of Regions, the west of the country has seen a progressing increase in the activity of the Svoboda (Freedom) party, a group that combines participation in the democratically elected local government of Eastern Galicia with street actions, characteristic of anti-system groups. This party has brought a new quality to the Ukrainian nationalist movement, as it refers to the rhetoric of European anti-liberal and neo-nationalist movements, and its emergence is a clear response to public demand for a group of this sort. The increase in its popularity plays into the hands of the Party of Regions, which is seeking to weaken the more moderate opposition parties (mainly the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc). However, Svoboda retains its independence from the ruling camp. This party, in all likelihood, will become a permanent and important player in Ukrainian political life, although its influence may be restricted to Eastern Galicia. Svoboda is determined to fight the tendencies in Ukrainian politics and the social sphere which it considers pro-Russian. Its attitude towards Russia and Russians, furthermore, is unambiguously hostile. In the case of Poland, it reduces mutual relations almost exclusively to the historical aspects, strongly criticising the commemoration of the victims of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army’s (UPA) crimes. This may cause tension in Polish-Ukrainian relations, where they are affected by decisions made by local governments controlled by the Svoboda Party.

Setting the Scene: Assessing Opportunities and Threats of the European Neighbourhood

Opinions diverge to what extent the European Neighbourhood Policy has made progress towards achieving its aims, which are – as stated in the Lisbon treaty – to “establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourhoudliness, founded on EU-values”. Today it is necessary to re-think the ENP: What can the ENP achieve with its instruments and what shall it achieve? In which fields do the neighbours have specific expectations towards the ENP? And how are these expectations paralleled by what the European Union is disposed to offer?

Frühlings Erwachen. Eine Kindertragödie Proposta di traduzione di alcune scene

Questo elaborato si pone l'obiettivo di condurre un'analisi dell'opera teatrale di Frank Wedekind "Frühlings Erwachen. Eine Kindertragödie", oltre che di offrire una proposta di traduzione di alcune scene tratte dal primo atto. Il dramma del 1891 unisce elemento tragico e comico in una critica alla società guglielmina del XIX secolo nella quale adulti e ragazzi si ritrovano a vivere in mondi separati a causa dell'ipocrisia che si cela nel perbenismo borghese. Wedekind, precursore dell'espressionismo quando ancora imperava il naturalismo, rompe il muro di silenzi e bugie che gli adulti hanno eretto per non guardare in faccia alle problematiche della vita e della sessualità che i giovani sono costretti ad affrontare da soli, spesso con conseguenze tragiche.

“The Normal Heart”: proposta di traduzione commentata di quattro scene del dramma di Larry Kramer

Il presente elaborato offre una proposta di traduzione commentata di quattro scene del dramma di Larry Kramer, “The Normal Heart”. La tesi consiste di tre capitoli: il primo di questi si concentra sulla biografia e sulla produzione artistica dell'autore, con un focus particolare su The Normal Heart, di cui analizzo le tematiche, e sul contesto storico-sociale in cui l'opera si inserisce. Questo capitolo offre inoltre un excursus sulla letteratura sull'AIDS e presenta le quattro scene di cui propongo la traduzione nel secondo capitolo. È nel terzo e ultimo capitolo che viene poi esposta un'analisi commentata della traduzione, in cui sono messe in luce le difficoltà relative alla traduzione e le strategie con le quali ho risolto i problemi traduttivi. In particolar modo, vengono presi in considerazione il rispetto del criterio della “recitabilità” e i problemi relativi alla traduzione del linguaggio colloquiale, delle forme verbali che non hanno equivalenti precisi nella lingua d'arrivo e delle espressioni volgari. Seguono infine le conclusioni, in cui espongo alcune riflessioni personali sul lavoro eseguito.

University Boat. Scene on the Huron River

On verso: Ladies's Crew: Miss Banker, '78 - Carrie Julia '82?; Miss Bennison, '78, stroke - Cora Agnes; Miss Chandler, '78 - Eva; Miss Blood, '79 - Maria Lavina; Miss Colby, '79 - June Rose, '78; Miss Barry, '79 - Nunnie '78; On mat: Photographed by J.A. Jenney.

Scene on the Huron. Ann Arbor, Mich.

Signature on verso: W.A. Lewis [Lewis was a student at UM in the late 1890's]

Scene on the Huron, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Signature on verso: W.A. Lewis [Lewis was a student at UM in the late 1890's]

Scene in front of Bus. Ad. Bldg. [Business Administration Building]

Lee Black & Kenneth Black, architects.

Lake scene with notes.

[From Jasper Cropsey Sketch book, 1855-1856]

Sketch of mountain scene.

[From Jasper Cropsey Sketch book, 1855-1856]