No one question on the stages

 I started researching how Russian drum & bass artists responded to the war in Ukraine—especially after seeing the backlash against techno and house artists like Nina Kraviz, for example, who was heavily criticized for staying silent. What surprised me, though, was that in the DnB scene, there was no such pressure—and I found no one statement from well-known Russian DnB artists; Artists with international bookings— Gydra, Cod3x, Teddy Killerz, Enei, Electrosoul System said nothing. 

I just know, after 2022, major UK-based DnB labels quietly distanced themselves from Russian artists. For example, noticeable absence of Russian names in releases, tour lineups, livestreams, and promo channels. For example, Enei, once a face of Critical Music, is now just… gone, I think. It’s not cancellation—it’s quiet disengagement. 

When I look outside the DnB, the contrast is immediate. In techno—particularly among Russian-born artists—the response has been far more pronounced. For example, Nina Kraviz, techno’s star, faced enormous backlash for her silence, including cancelled gigs and an industry-wide reckoning. In contrast, artists like Dasha Rush and Machine Woman, for example, took a stand: condemning the war, calling out authoritarianism, and standing with Ukraine. 

For example, I’ve liked Nina Kraviz’s music for many years, and when she faced rejection for staying connected to her place of birth—because, I think, she try to preserve something from her culture—I felt quite confused during that time of backlash. I never questioned Nina Kraviz’s identity, and for me, there are no borders in techno, because techno, at its roots, is an international culture. For me, Nina Kraviz belongs to the international spirit of techno music. And during hates towards Nina Kraviz, I was confused because before I had no one thoughts about it all. For me, she was just a good house-techno music producer, no matter on her born place. 

I think — before the war, whether on stages itself, enjoying, in the raw reality from a Russian artist, was something almost no one questioned. When the war began, man was genuinely confused. Nothing used to be a problem, and suddenly, I’m expected to rethink everything. An artist — a terrorist? Maybe someone, somewhere, even broke silence over their feelings about it on a livestream itself. But in drum and bass, I found nothing — no space where such questions could even be asked. In other genres, artists seem to confront these things, to search for our answers. In DnB, it’s like silence.

Little Wonders on Dutch Rails

 In the Netherlands, I find the efforts to make life more pleasant interesting—houses, urban design, greenery, Dutch culture in general, their sense of aesthetics. But it’s not just that. For example, on the bus it’s sometimes unforgettable—on the way back from festival, first of all, the night bus from Amsterdam to Rotterdam was free, and the driver started a chant: “Rotterdam!!! Rotterdam!! Rotterdam!!!” When he said into the mic, “So where are we going!?” everyone on the bus shouted “Rotterdam! Rotterdam!! Rotterdam!”, often with their hands in the air. 

And just recently in March, on a train from Rotterdam to Tilburg, when the train was approaching Breda, after the usual automatic announcement, the train driver got on the mic and started joking about the typical Friday night life in Breda. Or, for example, in August 2024 on a way towards festival, after boarding the bus from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, the second driver talked into mic about the beautiful experiences people had that day in sunny Amsterdam. This is a piece of many similar stories about the Dutch people. 

And when the train arrives exactly on time at night in Amsterdam, people on the way—like Sidney SN, back from a daylight Dutch summer festivals towards a homes, Hotels, for example, they sometimes applause and loud cheerfulness because it was punctual. Trains in the Netherlands are the most reliable in Europe. And they’re also faster than, for example, in more Eastern countries. But, for example, sometimes, trains across the whole country come to a stop. Most of the time, it’s announced in advance, days ahead, but sometimes it can happen at night that all train traffic suddenly stops.

Maybe, in advance, when I read all the a Sidney SN blog posts, I laugh, because I thinking about a Dutch review. 

Deep in my heart floating in the blue

 ‘My heart is brеaking off now you're the dancing in the dark I wondеr where you are and I wish…’

 ‘I move slowly in the haze of people pulsing like the sun Under glowing eyes of neon skies, spinning in slow motion Diving deep in the heart Floating in the blue….’

A weather forecasts often predict something far different than ‘nothing else’

 I feel the warmth of the sun and the warmth of a rich, caring community. Those days were more beautiful than anything seems possible today. All I want is to return to that reality — and nothing else.

‘I drive all night but still the truth Is none of these streets lead back to you.’

Like the dancer with bruises who gathers the cash When the music is through, no she don't look back. I've come to look for America too. But, perhaps, in another time. 

Another 1000 Miles (Sidney SN SoulfulLiquidDNB Mix)

 In April 2025, Sidney SN released Leucanthemum (Leontyne), a spring liquid drum and bass mix.  

Although Sidney SN had no plans to release another mix, he spontaneously dropped Another 1000 Miles on BassBlog.pro. The inspiration for Another 1000 Miles came from Life Is But A Dream by London Elektricity. If it weren’t for that track, Another 1000 Miles wouldn’t exist. In Leucanthemum (Leontyne), Sidney SN mixed Life Is Beautiful by London Elektricity—and now, everything seems to continue with Life Is But A Dream in Another 1000 Miles. 

But Another 1000 Miles is a bit different from previous mixes on Sidney SN’s BassBlog.pro. It has a different vibe—maybe more similar to Sidney SN’s pre-2019 mixes, before something changed due to world events.

For example, Life Is But A Dream is blended with Velour by Koherent feat. Catching Cairo. I really love Catching Cairo’s vocals. Or there’s Swang Song (Calibre Remix) feat. Dua Lipa, mixed with Nostalgia by Icicle. Also, for liquid people legendary, Never Let You Go (Blu Mar Ten Remix) by Seba, and the instrumental Shattered Dreams by TS—this one really makes the mix stand out to me. Mixed with Waves by Linx, this is a poison of a smell by a red flowers, for me. And of course, 1000 Miles by Machinedrum and Sub Focus. 

Maybe this mix will get fewer plays because it’s a little different—but Sidney SN simply loves every track in it. Simply, not everything from Sidney SN needs to be understood—because his reality might exist beyond what others think his reality should be. Enjoy the summer!

Link; Another 1000 Miles (Sidney SN SoulfulLiquidDnB Mix) May 2025.

And for an Another 1000 Miles, thank you for this week. 

Poverty on Paper vs. Poverty on the Street: A Comparison Between Czechia and Luxembourg

Luxembourg - Ville Haute

  

  Because my experiences with different countries of EU, I need a words to recently stats on paper, but not in reality. Here are a words about Luxembourg, but Luxembourg is an example. We could to discuss another Western Europe country. 

 When we talk about poverty in Europe, numbers can mislead. A country may show a high percentage of people “at risk of poverty” statistically, but that figure can hide the true experience of daily life. 

This is the case when comparing Czechia and Luxembourg — two vastly different nations where poverty means very different things. 

 1. Visibility of Poverty 

In Czechia, poverty is not a statistical abstraction — it’s often painfully visible. The country faces a deepening crisis of homelessness, with estimates suggesting up to 270,000 people (from 10 million citizens) living without stable housing. Across cities and rural regions, you’ll find individuals sleeping in shelters, on benches, or crammed into overcrowded hostels. The elderly, especially pensioners with low incomes, struggle to meet basic needs. Many families live in decaying apartment blocks (paneláks) or overcrowded flats, often choosing between heating and food. 

In Luxembourg, on the other hand, poverty is less visible. Someone classified as “at risk of poverty” may still live in a well-maintained apartment, send their children to good schools, and access high-quality healthcare. While economic inequality exists, the material realities of being poor are less stark than in Czechia.

 2. Material Conditions The difference becomes even clearer when we examine living standards: 

In Czechia, many low-income families face hardship affording basic needs like heating, fresh food, or out-of-pocket medical expenses. The minimum wage and pensions are low in terms of purchasing power. Public housing is scarce, and waiting lists can stretch for years. 

In Luxembourg, even the poor receive strong social transfers — housing subsidies, childcare support, unemployment assistance. This doesn’t eliminate inequality, but it softens its consequences. A person earning near the poverty line in Luxembourg generally still enjoys a much higher quality of life than someone at the same relative level in Czechia. GDP itself in Luxembourg (richest country in the world) is $132,800 and in Czechia $31600. Luxembourg monthly minimum wage is €2,570 (for unskilled persons), €3,084 (for skilled persons) and in Czechia monthly minimum wage is around €760. In Luxembourg, food takes around 18% (€350-400) of a minimum wage and in Czechia, food takes around 40% (€250-300) or more (to 47%) of a minimum wage. (And in the Netherlands, for example, a minimum wage is around €2000 and food takes 20% [€300-350] of a minimum wage. In Belgium, a minimum wage is around €2000 and regarding food expenses, in Belgium, food takes €235 [it’s 12% of a minimum wage] with slight regional variations: Flanders €241, Wallonia €226, and Brussels €242). In Czechia, a minimum wage barely covered all basic needs — it itself making poverty more pressing, harder and visible. 

 3. Homelessness and Housing Stress Homelessness 

In Czechia is not only widespread but structurally embedded. It’s more than just people on the streets — many live in temporary hostels or crowded, unstable accommodations. The social safety net often fails to catch people before they fall. 

In Luxembourg, despite high rental prices, the situation is very different. Emergency shelters, housing aid, and rental protections reduce the risk of people ending up on the streets. Homelessness exists, but it is less common and less visible. 

 Conclusion: Poverty’s Paradox 

On paper, Luxembourg has a higher poverty rate than Czechia — around 18–21%, compared to Czechia’s 9–12%. But this statistic doesn’t tell the full story. In reality, Czechia shows more visible and deeper poverty, especially in housing, rural life, and among seniors. 

In Czechia, poverty is part of the public landscape:

• Overcrowded flats, • Elderly struggling to survive, • People caught in cycles of debt and low wages, • Homelessness as a persistent reality. 

In contrast, in Luxembourg: 

people officially “at risk” may be financially stretched, but they still have a material standard of living that would seem comfortable by Czech standards.

 Is Being Poor More Impossible in Luxembourg Than in Czechia?  Yes — to a large extent. 

In Luxembourg, the combination of: • High minimum wages, • Robust welfare systems, • Generous child and housing benefits, makes it far harder to fall into extreme or absolute poverty. Most people receive help before they lose housing or access to essentials. 

In Czechia, by contrast, it’s easier to fall through the cracks: • Lower social protections, • Weak eviction safeguards, • A shortage of affordable housing, • Widespread financial illiteracy and household debt, …mean that even people with jobs can end up homeless or deeply impoverished.

In Simple Terms: In Luxembourg: Poverty is on paper — it exists statistically, but the poor are mostly housed, fed, and medically covered. In Czechia: Poverty is on the street — it’s visible, painful, and far harder to escape.

And why…

 Poverty Is More Visible and Severe in Czechia Than in Germany 

Poverty in different Central Europe countries

 1. A Tale of Two Realities Germany is Europe’s largest economy with high wages, a comprehensive welfare system, and one of the strongest labor markets on the continent. Its official poverty rate, hovering around 17%, reflects income inequality and relative deprivation. But being poor in Germany often still means: Having access to affordable housing, Receiving citizen income (Bürgergeld) or social support, Using well-functioning public healthcare, Living in a home with heating, electricity, and running water. In Czechia, despite a lower statistical poverty rate of around 10–12%, poverty is more tangible and painful: Homelessness is widespread, with estimates reaching up to 270,000 people when including hidden homelessness. Many low-income families live in overcrowded or poorly maintained home’s — often in aging concrete paneláks from the communist era. Old-age pensioners struggle to afford food, medications, or heating during winter. Entire regions, especially in the north and east, suffer from systemic underdevelopment and unemployment.

 2. Housing: The Most Visible Divide One of the clearest differences is housing security; In Germany, while housing prices are high in cities, social housing, rent control, and tenant protections help prevent large-scale evictions and street homelessness. In Czechia: Public housing is extremely limited and waiting lists are long. Legal protections against eviction are weaker. Low-income renters are often pushed into debt spirals, leading to loss of housing. Thousands live in temporary hostels, shared rooms, or even without heating or sanitation. Homelessness is not an invisible issue — it’s a daily presence in train stations, city centers, and shelters. 

 3. Social Safety Nets: The Difference Between Falling and Crashing Germany has spent decades building a layered safety net: Bürgergeld (formerly Hartz IV) provides financial support and integration programs. Families receive generous child allowances, and housing benefits, and unemployment insurance, Health care is universal and efficiently administered. Czechia, while having universal healthcare and basic social support, offers significantly lower benefits: The minimum wage is around €730/month, compared to over €2,000/month in Germany (In Germany, food takes from minimum wage between €200 and €300, in Czechia, food takes from minimal wage €250-300). Unemployment and pension payments are often insufficient to meet basic needs. Financial literacy is lower, and household debt is a common trap among the poor. In short, it’s easier in Czechia to fall into poverty — and much harder to climb out.

 4. Who Feels It More? The elderly, single mothers, rural families, and the working poor all exist in both countries. But the daily struggle for dignity is harsher in Czechia: An elderly woman in Germany may receive a modest pension but lives in a warm, subsidized flat. Her Czech counterpart may be choosing between buying medicine or paying for heat.

 Conclusion: Poverty Is More Than a Number While official statistics place Germany above Czechia in poverty rates, these figures mask the realities on the ground. In Germany, poverty is often an economic classification. In Czechia, it is a lived experience — marked by physical hardship, housing stress, and social exclusion.

End: While Germany shows a higher official poverty rate on a paper, poverty is far more visible, severe, and difficult to escape in Czechia.

 Poverty and Social Boundaries: A Cultural Contrast Between Czechia and Western Europe 

 The post about the differences in poverty between Luxembourg or Germany and Czechia, it’s just point out about systemic differences—but in a shadow are hidden differences in socially accepted behavior as well. 

Amongst other factors, in Czechia, poverty can sometimes be perceived as a natural or normalized state of being. This mindset is almost impossible to find in Western Europe, where society draws different boundaries around acceptable living conditions and social behavior. Perhaps because of this cultural perception itself in Czechia, the system is built in a way that allows social safety nets to exist without strong societal pressure to escape poverty. In contrast, Luxembourg’s socio-economic system is shaped by clear cultural and social boundaries—boundaries that are part of its national policy and identity. In Czechia, these boundaries are often absent. There’s a visible lack of shared cultural expectations around social behavior. 

This isn’t just a matter of culture or economy; it reflects a Czech system, and to some extent, a kind of Czech naturism. Luxembourg’s policies aim to preserve a specific image, culture, and economic standard through its socio-economic framework. Czechia, on the other hand, often lacks that kind of culturally driven structure, allowing poverty to persist in a more socially normalized way, or this way can be acceptable for system management itself.

Czechia, otherwise, tends to have longer working hours than most Western European countries (Czechia have longer working hours about more like 1 1/2 month per year—towards to worker hours in Czechia, in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, minimum wage could increase to €2250 per month), and work especially in industries like manufacturing and services. On other topics, minimum wage in Czechia is significantly less than in Western Europe countries or in Germany. 

And perhaps the points themselves illustrate a cultural difference: post-Bolshevik cultural traditions often contrast with Western Europe’s emphasis on work-life balance, shorter full-time workweeks, and stronger labor protections, focused toward different sectors than is manufacturing.