Matthias Schwarzer
Matthias Schwarzer
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Why there's a secret Ghost Town in the Forests of Latvia
There is a village in the middle of nowhere in Latvia - or what is left of it. Around 2000 people used to live in the town of Irbene, there were apartment blocks, parks, a swimming pool and even a club. But: The town was top secret for decades - hardly anyone knew of its existence. Today the old buildings are abandoned and dilapidated. What's the story behind this mysterious place?
A film by Matthias Schwarzer and Geraldine Oetken.
------------------------------
Sources for the video:
Everything about the radio telescope in Irbene (Ventspils University):
en.virac.eu/astronomija-interesentiem/vesture
Everything about the ghost town of Irbene (Bayerischer Rundfunk, German):
www.br.de/br-fernsehen/sendungen/euroblick/euroblick-lettland-irbene-100.html
The race for space explained (National Air and Space Museum Washington):
airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/what-was-space-race#:~:text=The%20Space%20Race%20began%20as,have%20the%20most%20superior%20technology.
-----------------------------
Did you like this video? Support my work on Patreon:
patreon.com/MatthiasSchwarzerEnglish
Or become a channel member on UA-cam!
------------------------------
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------------------------------
Intro song:
MÆT - Start Again
Music:
Epidemic Sound
#latvia #irbene #lostplace #lostplaces #abandoned #abandonedplace
Переглядів: 14 589

Відео

How Lithuania's weirdest Border was drawn
Переглядів 86 тис.Місяць тому
The border region in the Baltics is generally a very unusual one: over the decades, states have broken up and been re-established, and national borders have been shifted in one direction or the other. However, one place stands out from this confusion: the so-called Dieveniškės appendix. This is a small piece of Lithuania that extends like an island into the neighboring country of Belarus. How d...
The EU's "most dangerous Border Area"
Переглядів 95 тис.2 місяці тому
The Suwalki Gap is a small strip of the European Union that lies like a sandwich between Russia's exclave Kaliningrad and Belarus. Some people call the place the "most dangerous border area in the EU" - because the Suwalki Gap is considered a geographical weak point for NATO. In this video I take a trip through the border area with Russia, discover many relics of the past and show life along th...
Sinking of the MS Estonia: What happened in the Baltic Sea?
Переглядів 18 тис.3 місяці тому
It is one of the worst shipping disasters of all time - and one of the most mysterious. On September 28, 1994, the car ferry MS Estonia sank in the middle of the Baltic Sea. The reasons for the tragedy with 852 deaths have not yet been fully explained. What happened on the high seas that night 30 years ago? A journey to the place where the Estonia set sail - and where it should have arrived. A ...
Why Germans hate Subtitles
Переглядів 16 тис.4 місяці тому
If you turn on the TV in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and many other European countries, English-language films and series are most likely broadcast in the original language with added subtitles. In my home country, Germany, however, things are completely different: Europe's largest voice acting industry has developed here - and almost every film and series is meticulously translated into G...
Why Walmart failed in Europe
Переглядів 1,2 млн5 місяців тому
The US supermarket chain Walmart is the most successful company in the world. But it also has a problem: its concept works particularly well in the United States of America, where it was invented - in Europe, however, a planned expansion failed miserably around 20 years ago. Why? Let's find out. A film by Matthias Schwarzer Sources for the video: Why Walmart failed in Germany (Spiegel, German l...
The Village that lies in two Countries
Переглядів 99 тис.8 місяців тому
There is an unusual village on the German-Dutch border. Or rather: two villages? In fact, you can't really tell - because the state border runs directly along the village street. On one side the houses are Dutch, on the other German. And if you don't pay close attention, you won't even notice which country you are in. Time to take a closer look at this curiosity. A film by Matthias Schwarzer. D...
Why you should never park under this Skyscraper
Переглядів 1,9 тис.9 місяців тому
The British capital London is known for its historic buildings. In recent years, however, new skyscrapers have been changing the skyline. One of them is in the city's financial district. The so called "Walkie-Talkie" building is infamous for its curved design and its sky garden. However, the futuristic high-rise has sparked discussions for another reason. Shortly after its construction, unusual...
Why US Trucks have a "Nose" (and European ones don't)
Переглядів 13 тис.10 місяців тому
You see them in films, in music videos - and of course live on the streets in the USA: huge trucks, significantly larger and longer than those in Europe. And another design element is characteristic of the trucks in the US: the long hood in front of the driver's cab. Why do US trucks have a “snout” - and European ones don’t? A film by Matthias Schwarzer. Sources for the video: Why US trucks hav...
Why McDonald's is green in Europe but red in the US
Переглядів 179 тис.11 місяців тому
There was a time when McDonald's restaurants all over the globe basically looked the same. And when you saw the huge red and yellow M logo you always knew what to expect. Today the situation is different: In Europe McDonald's buildings look like cafes today - no longer like fast food restaurants. And the company also changed its brand design in many countries: Instead of red and yellow McDonald...
Why Americans don't use WhatsApp (and why that's a Problem)
Переглядів 51 тис.Рік тому
Around 58 million people in my home country Germany use the messenger WhatsApp. The app has replaced what once used to be the SMS text message: almost everyone who owns a smartphone can also be reached via the WhatsApp messenger. But in the USA things are different: Meta's app never really caught on here - even though it was an American invention. And this development also brings some problems ...
Why there's an abandoned Ghost Town in Belgium
Переглядів 105 тис.Рік тому
There is a small village in the north of Belgium. Doel is its name, and at first glance it is a town like any other: it has a church, a cemetery, a historic windmill - and a nuclear power plant right next to it. But in fact, Doel is anything but normal: Doel is a ghost town. Most of the houses are run down and abandoned - and almost nobody lives here anymore. How did that happen? A film by Matt...
Why Sweden is so damn good at Pop Music
Переглядів 18 тис.Рік тому
Sweden is the only country besides the US and the UK that exports more music than it imports. Legendary bands like ABBA, Roxette and Ace of Base come from the small country in the north. The successful songwriter Max Martin wrote all the big hits of the nineties, DJ Avicii was also Swedish. And even the most successful streaming service Spotify was invented here. Why is this country so incredib...
How to switch a Country from left-hand Traffic to right-hand Traffic
Переглядів 422 тис.Рік тому
Did you know that Sweden used to drive on the left? In fact, this traffic system existed until the late 1960s - which led to all sorts of problems. So on September 3, 1967, all traffic was switched to right-hand traffic from one day to another. But how do you do something like that? Let's find out. A film by Matthias Schwarzer. Many thanks to the National Library of Sweden for allowing me to us...
How a small German Village killed Google Street View
Переглядів 815 тис.Рік тому
Google Street View exists since 2007 and is available today on almost every phone and in almost every European country. Only in Germany the situation is different: Here you will find huge blank spots on the map and only recordings that are up to 15 years old. How did that happen? Turns out: There is a quite funny story behind it, that I'm gonna tell you in today's video. A film by Matthias Schw...
Why the Windows XP Meadow no longer exists
Переглядів 16 тис.Рік тому
Why the Windows XP Meadow no longer exists
Why the Netherlands have a Biking Culture (and other Countries don't)
Переглядів 29 тис.Рік тому
Why the Netherlands have a Biking Culture (and other Countries don't)
How Malta lost its Bus Culture
Переглядів 12 тис.Рік тому
How Malta lost its Bus Culture
Why Denmark moved a whole Lighthouse
Переглядів 1,5 тис.Рік тому
Why Denmark moved a whole Lighthouse
Why there is a dry Riverbed in Málaga, Spain
Переглядів 4,6 тис.Рік тому
Why there is a dry Riverbed in Málaga, Spain
Why there are weird slow Cars all over Sweden
Переглядів 89 тис.Рік тому
Why there are weird slow Cars all over Sweden
The sad last Days of a German Ghost Town
Переглядів 19 тис.Рік тому
The sad last Days of a German Ghost Town
Weird Border: Is this Germany or the Netherlands?
Переглядів 179 тис.Рік тому
Weird Border: Is this Germany or the Netherlands?

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @purrformance
    @purrformance 2 години тому

    🩷💜Icona Pop!!!💜🩷

  • @FtwGrickeyFtw
    @FtwGrickeyFtw 9 годин тому

    They may have had a purpuse once upon a time. But now a days almost every one i know hates them and wants them removed from our roads. They cause so many trafic jams and are in general an annoyance for all regular drivers

  • @anoniem1987
    @anoniem1987 10 годин тому

    So basically German companies and politicians are evil, and the law is very broken. Time to get some new laws and politicians

  • @erezyoal
    @erezyoal 10 годин тому

    In short europen don't like Fake smile acting amarican are famous for.

  • @miscojones35
    @miscojones35 12 годин тому

    But we have carrefour which is more or less the same.

  • @WalterBianco123
    @WalterBianco123 12 годин тому

    Perché siamo civilizzati

  • @TheSMasa
    @TheSMasa 12 годин тому

    Swedes like to have discussions. Things take their time due to this. Here in Finland we have a joke, that swedes decided to change to right hand traffic in two stages, first the trucks and other big cars due to their professional drivers and then a week later the rest. Greets to any of our beloved neighbors reading this 😊

  • @isabelserrano6018
    @isabelserrano6018 13 годин тому

    In the seventies I had a teacher in England that visited the US and she mentioned that they had very few small packages of anything, she them said ' imagine being a single person and having to buy a large amount of rice or flour, and having to use it all year round, ' that's why I think americans eat huge amounts of food. 8:09

  • @gaetanverbauwhede5735
    @gaetanverbauwhede5735 13 годин тому

    Its crazy how many homeles people there are and still so manny empthy houses,the contrast is big. Politics 🤭

  • @VeRNal_FunGUs-mh5tv
    @VeRNal_FunGUs-mh5tv 13 годин тому

    lived there with my uncle and brothers, great time I had,

  • @gaetanverbauwhede5735
    @gaetanverbauwhede5735 13 годин тому

    I am a belgian guy and i found it amazing what you did as an foreign guy. You know more about doel then i do. Thanks 😁👍

  • @Elderahn
    @Elderahn 14 годин тому

    My experience with the A-tractors is that they generally are loopholes to get into a car earlier. I can see those vehicles with the warning triangles, walking the dog early before work, doing WAY higher speeds than 30... on top of being many times kinda bigass vehicles. There are ready-made A tractor style minicars available for purchase now as a product as well, but like... it feels like they are inviting disaster cramming two youths with low experience into a microcar and sending them out on the road where their presence might frustrate other drivers to the point of mistakes being made. I see the reason for them, the freedom aspect, babys first raggarbil lifestyle. But their place on the road sort of invites uncertainty

  • @oskarrimbe2039
    @oskarrimbe2039 19 годин тому

    Im just glad theyre not allowed on highways

  • @SindriLeviIngason
    @SindriLeviIngason 20 годин тому

    Iceland also did...

  • @hisham56hamilton50
    @hisham56hamilton50 20 годин тому

    Hi Matthias your given resons for the origin of lefthand traffic är correct but it was the Assyrians 2000 years befor the Romans who used it first. Historians have a lot of Arch evidance and documents to that effect. The Assyrians were the first with chariot armies. Then the Babelonians then the Egyptians . Then come the Romans.

  • @humperdoodl1832
    @humperdoodl1832 23 години тому

    walmart looks pretty much like a kaufland or real-kauf to me 😂

  • @Maiju86
    @Maiju86 День тому

    I am from Finland and didn't know this! 😄 My mother was also born in 1963 and had never heard about this.

  • @millersofkent93
    @millersofkent93 День тому

    Wal Mart is a greedy corporation that treats its employees like garbage and pays them nothing. That might be okay for Americans but it won’t fly in Europe.

  • @llywrch7116
    @llywrch7116 День тому

    I'm always amazed that in small towns & villages of the former Soviet Union one would find these apartment blocks, which are more typical of a large city. They stand incongruous iin the countryside; one would expect to see either houses or much smaller apartment houses with a mix of shops & services like a post office or medical clinic.

  • @beartasticc
    @beartasticc День тому

    6:38 My family bought it because it was cheap not necessarily because it was great 💀

  • @chrisyu98
    @chrisyu98 День тому

    In New Jersey, USA I got a "Farmer's License" at 15. It allowed me to drive a "farm vehicle" (with farm license plates). But, only from sunup-sundown, and only for farm business. For me it was our 1962 Chevy 1-ton pickup. Other kids from large farms could be driving 5-ton trucks towing a hay wagon.

  • @IanCottom
    @IanCottom День тому

    Like all your videos, think this one is great , it wouldn’t have worked for us in the uk though

  • @Mindblazter80
    @Mindblazter80 День тому

    My kids have epa tractors.. I hate those cars so much.

  • @fassie79
    @fassie79 День тому

    I'm 50% Dutch and 50% German and I did not know this 😳

  • @geralddemeulemeester4961
    @geralddemeulemeester4961 День тому

    In France they prefer also professionnal dubbing as in Germany. Only filmfans prefer the original sound. On more and more television channels, you can chose the original version or the dubbed version, with or without subtitles. In Belgium, the Flemish part use the original version like the Netherlands, the French part use the dubbed version as in France ! 😅

  • @maidenekker
    @maidenekker День тому

    I had always assumed that the German language has too many long words to fit into subtitles. I am Dutch and I learned English, German and French in school. For me it is a real pleasure that I can watch movies and series in their original languages, it improves my understanding of these languages and it feels more "real". As a child I always found the dubbed movies, especially wersterns very hilarious. Also: I have watched so many scandinavian series by now, I have the feeling I really understand some Swedish and Danish and Norwegian.

  • @realreviews.2026
    @realreviews.2026 День тому

    Belgium is an ugly small racist country split up in two (vlaanderen/Wallonie)(as if it was not small) Belgium is dead from okt till march. I live in Nieuwpoort on the beach. There is a little life here and fresh air from the beach.

  • @richardwani2803
    @richardwani2803 День тому

    They failed in the UK too but they just brought ASDA and changed the Logo and sold it again after ruining it

  • @snowochchocolatte1524
    @snowochchocolatte1524 День тому

    As a Swed i do drive a Apa-tractor and im nå opinion its a good thing because i do learn to drive safely on the road. If ur curious i drive a 2005 V70 2.5T

  • @k.kristianjonsson1537
    @k.kristianjonsson1537 День тому

    There are "Moped cars" in the many of the European country's. Make a fact check before making a film.

  • @Egobyte83
    @Egobyte83 День тому

    See, Great Britain, it's not that hard. ;)

  • @andrewsarchus4238
    @andrewsarchus4238 День тому

    A historical comment on your excellent video. Citizen surveillance was indeed extensive and well organised in communist east Germany as in all communist states, due to a feeling of the fragility or vulnerability of the socialist “revolution”. However in Nazi Germany it was a bit different. Yes there was citizen surveillance but not in the same way. This is according to English historian Anthony Beevor. Systemic surveillance was not Hitler’s style (unlike Stalin) - maybe it seemed to him too much like hard work. However effective surveillance did still result from the population driven by Nazi zeal (hard to avoid at that time) voluntarily informing on each other to the Gestapo. In any case, I guess the end result was not too dissimilar in both totalitarian regimes. Perhaps a psychological element of guilt at that repression enacted by citizens themselves, via informing on each other - motivated some of that anger against Google photographing of streets? Such guilt at betraying each other also existed in older people who lived in the Soviet Union. Speculation perhaps?

  • @andrewsarchus4238
    @andrewsarchus4238 День тому

    An interesting and very nicely produced video - thanks!

  • @nataliaromanchuk4740
    @nataliaromanchuk4740 День тому

    Android is better

  • @Mr.California.....2042
    @Mr.California.....2042 День тому

    Europe is trash

  • @personalspace6270
    @personalspace6270 День тому

    Not to be rude but the US corporate really make profit by abusing power by blocking unions and underpaying staff. That is why i really dont understand why people vote for Trump and worship Elon Musk who boast about firing people because they dare to unionise.

  • @ionbuga9074
    @ionbuga9074 2 дні тому

    Smart guy

  • @Beep_beep-pl7rd
    @Beep_beep-pl7rd 2 дні тому

    This reminds me of the swell tragedy…

  • @Kajczan
    @Kajczan 2 дні тому

    10:05 I'm from poland, I'd be so freaked out by such behavior.. also my social anxiety could never.. and the greeters? Oh my lord it would make me so uncomfortable..

  • @wesleyzonneveld6121
    @wesleyzonneveld6121 2 дні тому

    Great vid :)

  • @Fordcommodore
    @Fordcommodore 2 дні тому

    When Sweden joined the EU, we had to follow certain laws/regulations, including these damn moped cars, that can new be driven with a moped driver’s license. These vehicles are allowed to go 45 kmh but are made mostly of plastic. Of I had to decide, moped cars would be banned and the speed of A-tractors would be increased to 45kmh. This is because I consider an A-tractor to be more safe, as its originally a real car.

  • @jayzo
    @jayzo 2 дні тому

    The EU is such an important institution for Europe, any nation to leave would be a mistake. Look at us, the UK for living proof of that, many of us hope for a return in the future. Many of us never wanted to leave, we saw the risks and many of those risks have been realised.

  • @hangemhigh7069
    @hangemhigh7069 2 дні тому

    In Thailand we have Farmer driving in fast line in 50km/h and all Thai driving out slowly out on highway without blinkers. In Sweden we learn when you driving out to a highway you must speed up quickly to the others speed who is applies on the road. Many many others crazy things happening here.😮

  • @tariqlatif1505
    @tariqlatif1505 2 дні тому

    Glad i found this video, as i was toying with idea of visiting here, no way hozey... Defo not visiting here..

  • @tariqlatif1505
    @tariqlatif1505 2 дні тому

    Why oh why couldnt they leave the beautiful forest alone, time and time again when man i interfere with nature disaster strikes.. Man is no match for Majestic Nature...thus malaga got its dharma i guess...flooding occurred..

  • @xeniajola
    @xeniajola 2 дні тому

    Yes lunchables i ate it in germany when i was little (christmas shopping in Aachen or Oberhausen with the touringcar from the netherlands)

  • @xeniajola
    @xeniajola 2 дні тому

    I want a special store for like, clothes, and toys and also i dont want a store were i can buy and Electronics and candy 😂😂😂

  • @larsjrundflesland9326
    @larsjrundflesland9326 2 дні тому

    Sweden may have a lot of Volvos, but in Norway there is electric cars EVERYWHERE

  • @ninalong-channel
    @ninalong-channel 2 дні тому

    That explains why during my last visit I was most of the time lost but the hire car company managed to bump into me on the shopping parking area looking for some paperwork

  • @RobJansenStudioXLM
    @RobJansenStudioXLM 2 дні тому

    Das deutsche Fernsehen ist schrecklich. Die Nachrichten mit Interviews in anderen Ländern: Zuerst hört man kurz die Originalsprache der Person, dann wird dieser Ton leiser gestellt (aber immer noch zu laut, um ihn zu hören) und fast am Ende wird der Ton wieder zurückgedreht, zu früh, als dass man ihn hören könnte kann hören, dass beide Sprachen zusammengehören. Am wichtigsten: Filme Es ist nicht gerade respektvoll gegenüber ausländischen Schauspielern und Filmemachern, sie zu synchronisieren. Auch das Wesen der Sprachvarietäten fehlt. Als Niederländer, der regelmäßig Deutschland besucht, bin ich ehrlich gesagt angewidert von der Synchronisation und den lächerlichen Stimmen, die den Schauspielern auferlegt werden. Es passt einfach nicht. Ihr Deutschen wisst es nicht besser. Dachte immer dumm. Hitler wollte die Welt erobern, aber alles, was er erreichte, war, die Deutschen glauben zu machen, und die Medien tragen immer noch dazu bei, dass die Welt Deutsch spricht 😂 Meine Töchter verstanden und sprachen Englisch, bevor sie in die High School kamen, da der Originalton nicht synchronisiert werden musste. Es hat daher auch eine erzieherische Wirkung. Im Gegensatz dazu verfügen nur wenige Deutsche über gute Englischkenntnisse. Das deutsche Fernsehen hält seine Leute dumm, auch um die Synchronisation aufrechtzuerhalten. Ich habe kürzlich mit einem deutschen Freund darüber gesprochen. Seine Antwort: Wenn ich das alles lesen muss, kann ich den Film nicht sehen/verfolgen. Unsinn natürlich. Es kommt einfach darauf an, was man gewohnt ist. Und an Untertitel gewöhnt man sich schnell und scheint mir ein wichtiger Hinweis für das deutsche Fernsehen zu sein. Geben Sie dem Schauspieler seine Stimme/den Ton zurück und hören Sie auf mit diesen lächerlichen deutschen Stimmen darunter.