Books: Richard Sennett's The Craftsman, 1980s Greece and the Imposters. Art: Phillips de Pury's Japanese art sale, the Berlin Biennial and Simon Starling. Film: 21, the King of Kong and Scorsese's Shine of Light. Music:…
At the height of socialist East Germany’s power, workers from Mozambique and Vietnam came to the GDR thanks to the political ideologies their countries shared. But when the Wall came down, they had to make the decision…
The Russia-Finland border was once the focus of Cold War hostility. Now the Finns and Russians are working together to stop people and drug traffickers opening up new smuggling routes. Monocle goes on patrol with the Fin…
It’s a short drive from the sleek corniche in Beirut to the bountiful souk in Damascus but the residents of these two great cities eye each other with a distinct lack of neighbourly affection. It doesn’t help when you…
Taiwan offered a masterclass in how to detect the virus and stop it in its tracks. Trouble is that a spat with China and the World Health Organization meant that the lessons were not widely shared. Foreign minister Joseph…
In October the Dutch island of Curaçao will become a new semi-autonomous nation. It’s hoping that its proximity to South America will make it an ideal gateway for European countries doing business in the region. But first…
Not far from the sun loungers and beach bars of this holiday hotspot, a stretch of no-man’s land is forever 1974. It marks the frontier policed by the UN’s longest-established peacekeeping force, where success is measured…
The political will to reunite Cyprus has vanished. That’s why the isolated Turks are hoping for international recognition and building for tourists. Will they ever come?
Starting with legendary bar and brasserie Kronenhalle, Zürich’s haven of art and comfort, Monocle visits the best hostelries to fill up
on food, drink and inspiration. Plus: Ossian Ward investigates art’s place in the…
With a presence in Russia since 1989, Finnish retailer Stockmann faces its biggest setback there yet after its Moscow department store was forced to close. The unfazed CEO Hannu Penttilä explains why he is sticking to his…
Denmark is a pioneer in wind energy: some days the entire country is powered by it. Now LM Glasfiber, Danish maker of vast turbine blades, is helping convert the rest of the world.