In the past week writ large across the world, we have seen how millions of people have protested extradition laws in Hong Kong. This would allow Hong Kong authorities to extradite Hong Kong residents to China for crimes they have committed instead of being tried in Hong Kong. Why the uproar? Because China has anContinue reading “Political and cultural freedom in New Zealand has reached its most vulnerable point in history”
Tag Archives: war
Book Review: In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
Yeonmi Park has to be the bravest girl/woman in the world. She was born in the North Korean city of Hyesan which is separated by a river to the Chinese border and at the age of 13, she boldly and bravely managed to escape from there and gain her freedom. Yeonmi Park’s autobiography written at theContinue reading “Book Review: In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park”
Every Picture Tells a Story: Dni Głogowa
One day while walking along the lovely Odra river in Głogow on a hot and sunny day, I came upon the Museum of Archaeology and History in Głogow. Teenagers were reenacting some kind of WWII scene. This was done in conjunction with a yearly festival they have in the town called Dni Głogowa or DaysContinue reading “Every Picture Tells a Story: Dni Głogowa”
Film Review: The Distant Barking of Dogs
Another film that featured at the New Zealand International Film Festival was The Distant Barking of Dogs. It’s the story of a young boy and his family who live on the Ukrainian and Russian border, on a slice of disputed land that is being fought over tooth and nail, for years. The people in thisContinue reading “Film Review: The Distant Barking of Dogs”
Every Picture Tells A Story: King George Military Hospital Chapel, 1915.
A still, melancholy and hushed photo of a vacant military hospital chapel in 1915, prior to the outbreak of the Great War. The King George Military Hospital opened in October 1915 in London. At the height of the Great War, in October 1917, it was said to be the largest military hospital in Britain with 1900Continue reading “Every Picture Tells A Story: King George Military Hospital Chapel, 1915.”
Every Picture Tells A Story: A Lady and Her Pupper during the London Blitz (1940)
The Art of Illusion: The Panorama of the Battle of Racławice
The Panorama of the Battle of Racławice (Panorama Racławicka) is a definite must on any trip to the city of Wrocław. The panorama is as iconic to Wrocław as Wawel Castle is to Kraków. The Wrocław Panorama is a gigantic 114 metre long and 15 metre high painting that depicts the battle of Racławice. This was an epic battle ofContinue reading “The Art of Illusion: The Panorama of the Battle of Racławice”
Every Picture Tells A Story: Samurai Warrior, 19th Century
Who were the Samurai? For roughly a thousand years, from about the 800s to the late 1800s, warfare in Japan was dominated by an elite class of warriors known as the samurai. Horses were their special weapons: only samurai were allowed to ride horses in battle. Like European knights, the samurai served a lord (daimyo).Continue reading “Every Picture Tells A Story: Samurai Warrior, 19th Century”
Every Picture Tells A Story: Le Monocle of Montmartre during the roaring 20’s
If you lived in Paris and particularly Montmartre during the 20’s and 30’s of last century then you were in for a night of debauchery and decadence after dark at a bar called Le Monocle. This part of Paris was where artists, bohemians, can-can dancers from the Moulin Rouge, business men, and the queer community allContinue reading “Every Picture Tells A Story: Le Monocle of Montmartre during the roaring 20’s”
Documentary: Australia in the year 2020 (as envisaged in 1990)
This documentary from the late 80’s/early 90’s Australia offers fascinating insights into what the pre-internet world thought the new century i.e. right now would be like. As a child I remember watching this TV show and pondering about what 202o would be like. It felt like a pipedream to me, as inconceivable as driving a moon rocketContinue reading “Documentary: Australia in the year 2020 (as envisaged in 1990)”
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