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In predominantly Catholic Poland, concerts of Christmas carols are held in churches and concert halls across the country at this time of year. In quite a few Polish homes, too, people sing carols together during the Christmas season. Carols occupy such a prominent place in the Polish musical tradition, they are the subject of study by musicologists. Professor Adrian Thomas of Cardiff University in the UK, who's written several books on Polish music, has given a series of lectures on Polish music in London. One of them was devoted to Polish Christmas

The European Union has found difficulty achieving a common position on the future status of Kosovo. Meeting in Brussels at the end of the week the 27 member states looked likely to delay a decision until the spring. Even the 4 members of the Visegrad group, Poland, Hungary the Czech Republic and Slovakia had different opinions over Kosovo when they met in the Czech Republic earlier in the week. Slovakia said it would have great difficulty recognising a unilateral declaration of inependence by Kosovo while Hungary said Kosovo's independence could

Chanukah is the eight-day Jewish festival which falls at the end of November or the beginning of December every year. In the Czehc Republic, along with other religious holidays, Chanukah has become a lot more visible since the fall of communism. Many Czech Jews are today happy to be able to enjoy their traditional holidays publicly for the first time in many decades.

A new tram service has begun operating in the southern Polish city of Kraków, but this line is not for regular commuters. The café tram is a new way to see Kraków from the comfort of a newly-renovated tram, equipped with all mod-cons. Tea or coffee, the choice is yours.

In Slovenia there are likely to be fireworks between police and youths this holiday season. The problem is that people start their New Year Celebrations early, letting off fireworks and causing a public nuisance along with injuries. Police are planning a crackdown.

Many attempts have been made to improve the situation of the Romani population in Slovakia. These inlcude providing more experts aware of the many issues specific to the Romani people, but also by changing the way non-Romani see and relate to their Romani neighbours. An interesting educational project tries to do just that by teaching Romani Studies at secondary school level.

The Czech capital Prague is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, but it has has also developed something of a reputation for sex tourism - some have even dubbed it 'the Amsterdam of the East'. Now, however, Prague police are planning a crackdown. Prostitutes will face big fines if they are caught offering their services on the streets. Some Czech women's groups say the new regulations don't tackle the real problem.

In recent programs Insight Central Europe has reported on the new tensions between Russia and the West - tensions which have had some recalling the Cold War and even suggesting the possibility of a new Cold War. Francis Gary Powers is one man who knows quite a bit about that time of crisis between East and West. His father, Gary Powers, was the pilot of the American U2 spy plane shot down at the height of the Cold War. He was convicted by the Soviet Union and imprisoned -but later released in a spy swap.

John 'Jack' Horner is a famous American paleontologist who served as the technical advisor for all of the 'Jurassic Park' films. He discovered and named the 'Maiasaura', providing the first clear evidence that some dinosaurs cared for their young. Professor Horner has just paid a visit to Poland and in so doing fulfilled a wish for a Polish boy suffering from Leukemia. Michal Kubicki of Polish Radio's External Service explains..

Feminism is for some a way of life and for others a source of jokes. Western countries have a much longer tradition of feminism than those of the former communist states of Central Europe where the impact on politics and public debate has been muted. Michal Groch takes a closer look at the state of feminism in Slovakia.