#UNESCO Chair

[dijonbeaune]

La chaire "Culture et Traditions du vin" de l'Université de Bourgogne perd son label Unesco

Elle est la seule chaire universitaire à s’intéresser à la vigne et au vin dans le monde. L’Unesco vient pourtant de lui retirer le droit de communiquer sur son label, comme le regrette sa présidente Jocelyne Pérard. Une décision surprenante que l’Université de Bourgogne est prête à contester. La chaire “Culture et Traditions du vin” est basée à l’Institut Jules Guyot, sur le campus dijonnais de…

[germanpostwarmodern]

Gerrit Rietveld's Unesco Chair designed in 1957 for Artifort

[queenshelby]

An Illicit Affair

Part 12: The Greenhouse

Pairing: Cillian Murphy (46) x Reader (23)

Warning: Age-Gap, Taboo Relationship, Infidelity

Dressed in a black dress, you arrived at the university event early, ensuring that everything was running smoothly. 

The hall was decorated beautifully, with fairy lights strung along the walls and fresh flowers adorning each tall table. The sound of soft music filled the air, creating a romantic atmosphere while waiters walked around, offering drinks and canapes. 

As guests trickled in, you scanned the crowd, searching for the people you knew. You spotted James and Lucy standing near the entrance, laughing and chatting with others. Just like Cillian and the chair of the UNESCO board in London, James was a guest speaker at the event and since you, amongst some other students, were organizing the fund raiser, you had to act professional and polite towards everyone attending.

Your gaze then wandered across the room again and, eventually, you spotted Cillian who was accompanied by his wife Danielle and Max. 

The sight of them sent a rush of conflicting emotions through you. You wanted to see Cillian yet dreaded the encounter. 

After ignoring his text message a couple of weeks ago, following your date with James, you knew that your encounter with him might be awkward and Danielle's presence didn't ease the situation either.

She looked stunning herself and, ever since she married Cillian, she never missed an opportunity to showcase her wealth and influence as, clearly, she enjoyed his celebrity status more than he did. 

Danielle dressed up like she owned the fashion industry, wearing a white dress. Her blonde hair was styled to perfection, cascading effortlessly down her shoulders, and she flaunted her 4,000-pound designer bag with pride.

Max too was dressed to impressed, wearing a black suit and a slim tie. 

He couldn't deny that he looked good, but there was a slight awkwardness to his demeanor, a shadow of pain lurking behind his confident façade. His gaze shifted discreetly to you, a small frown creasing his forehead before he turned his attention to the person beside him.

Cillian, on the other hand, gave you a knowing smile and you knew that, at the very least, you had to greet him and his wife.

So, mustering up your courage, you approached them, smiling awkwardly.

"Y/N," Danielle greeted you, extending her slender arm, offering her manicured hand. "It is so good to see you again," she said, her voice dripping with artificial warmth just like when you had visited Max's family home in Dublin some time ago. There was always something odd about her but you knew to remain polite nonetheless. 

"It's good to see you too, Mrs Murphy," you muttered, shaking her hand briefly before also greeting Cillian and Max with a friendly nod.

"Hey," Max greeted you casually, his gaze lingering on you longer than necessary.

"You look incredible!" he added bluntly, a playful grin spreading across his lips. That remark took you aback but you smiled anyway, hoping that no one noticed Max's comment.

"Thanks," you responded shyly, your cheeks burning red in embarrassment as you quickly moved away from him.

"And, how have you been Mr Murphy?" you asked Cillian politely without making direct eye contact, simply to avoid having to further engage in a conversation with Max. 

"Good, thank you," Cillian replied, his tone low and gravelly. "You?" he asked, his gaze flickering downwards, a ghost of a smile touching his lips.

"I'm doing alright," you assured him, allowing the silence to stretch between you just before Danielle whisked her husband away, seeking an introduction to Professor Smith from the UNESCO board.

"It has been good to see you Y/N. I am glad you are doing okay," Cillian remarked coldly while casting a sideways glance at you. 

"You too," you nodded and watched him disappear into the throng of attendees as a strange mix of frustration and hope coursed through you, stirring up old memories and fantasies you had tried to suppress. 

Despite your apprehension towards engaging with Cillian again however, the event progressed rather smoothly, with various speakers sharing their experiences and insights on the importance of education and literacy. 

Cillian in particular delivered a moving speech about education and empathy, weaving together personal anecdotes, and compelling statistics that brought the audience to think of the importance of being kind to one another.

"Oh god, this is getting so old," Max murmured, standing next to you while listening to his father speak. "Didn't he say this stuff a million times before?" he asked rhetorically, rolling his eyes.

"Well, for what it is worth, I think your dad's speech is quite good and articulate," you defended Cillian, unable to help yourself despite Max's cynicism.

"Yeah, but I have heard it a hundred times before," Max countered, crossing his arms defensively.

"Fair enough," you shrugged your shoulders. "But, nevertheless, it is still relevant, isn't it?" you reasoned, raising your eyebrows. "Empathy in an education setting is important, especially nowadays, in the age of social media," you argued, catching Max's attention.

"When did you become a fucking expert on social issues like this?" Max retorted, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"I mean, I'm not an expert, but I know a thing or two about it," you responded coolly, turning to look at the stage where Cillian was wrapping up his speech. "I see many patients in hospital who inflicted harm upon themselves because of bullying. It is a big issue," you told Max as Cillian ended his presentation with a powerful call to action, urging everyone present to make a difference in the lives of others.

The room erupted in applause, and Cillian graciously acknowledged the support.

As the crowd dispersed, you caught him glancing at you from the speaker's podium. The intensity behind his eyes held a peculiar mixture of warmth and longing, which caused a tremble of anticipation to ripple through your entire body. With every beat of your pulse, you became increasingly drawn to this man again and, feeling increasingly overwhelmed by your emotions, you decided to step outside for some fresh air, hoping to find a moment of peace amidst the chaos.

You leaned against the wall, closing your eyes, letting the gentle breeze brush against your face for just a moment as, suddenly, you heard some footsteps.

When you opened your eyes, you saw Cillian approaching you with a questioning expression on his face.

"Need some fresh air?" he asked with a gentle smile, causing you to nod.

"Sometimes, the noise indoors gets overwhelming, doesn't it?" he continued, gesturing towards the open door. "Makes you want to retreat somewhere quiet," he added, a knowing spark lighting up his ice-blue eyes.

"Yes, exactly," you echoed, grateful for the understanding in his words.

You glanced back inside the room to check if anyone else had joined you outside. When you realized that nobody was paying attention to you and Cillian, you let out a sigh of relief.

The moment felt heavy with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow on the grounds. As the wind rustled through the trees, sending whispers of leaves dancing, you could feel Cillian's gaze on you. His proximity stirred a flutter in your chest, and you found yourself lost in his ice-blue eyes.

"You really enjoyed that, didn't you?" you said, finally breaking the silence.

"Enjoyed what?" he asked, puzzled by what you meant.

"Giving that speech," you clarified, biting your lip nervously. "It's empowering to see someone so passionate about something they believe in," you confessed, feeling a wave of admiration wash over you.

"Ah," Cillian nodded, his gaze flickering downward, thoughtful. "Yeah, it is something I don't mind talking about, I suppose," he said humbly, and, in that moment, his piercing blue eyes held a certain depth and maturity, making you feel drawn to him, his charisma undeniable.

"You suppose?" you giggled, unable to contain your amusement. "I thought you loved speaking in public," you teased him playfully, shaking your head in disbelief, knowing that, usually, he hated the attention.

"Well, sometimes I do," Cillian admitted, his gaze drifting away as it danced with the memory of the moments he spent addressing the audience. "But, honestly, I prefer smaller crowds," he added, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

You laughed at his honesty, sensing that he felt comfortable around you. This realization made you blush, a sudden surge of warmth enveloping your entire body.

"You should consider doing more speeches like that," you encouraged him, placing your hands on his arms gently. "People listen to you because of you who are. So they're impactful," you added, locking eyes with him.

His gaze lingered on you for a moment before he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Perhaps," he conceded, his voice barely louder than a whisper as, through the door and windows, you heard the next speaker, James, being introduced to the crowd.

"You should probably go inside and listen to your boyfriend speak," Cillian suggested, arching an eyebrow mischievously. "Or he might get jealous," he added, his lighthearted humor making you laugh.

"What makes you think that I am dating James?" you asked Cillian, a flush of heat coloring your cheeks.

"I just assumed," Cillian shrugged, his eyes flickering nervously. "You seemed close," he explained, his voice trailing off.

"He's not my type," you replied, shrugging your shoulders dismissively. "Anyway, we're just friends," you added, your voice cracking slightly.

"Well, that's good," Cillian responded, a hint of relief washing over his face. "Because I think he seems a little too arrogant for you," he then teased, causing you to furrow your brow.

"Is that so, huh?" you replied coyly, glancing at Cillian with a sheepish grin. "Well, you might be right there," you admitted, feeling a tingle of excitement course through your veins. "He is a little arrogant and I still feel somewhat drawn towards a certain kind of actor, so...," you said, your voice dropping to a hushed whisper. 

Cillian's breath hitched and the air between you crackled with electricity, and you could hear the faint thrumming of your heartbeat echoing in your ears. The tension between you was palpable, and you knew that you were playing with fire.

"A certain kind of actor?" Cillian repeated, his gaze fixated on you.

"Yeah, but unfortunately he is unavailable," you added, your voice trailing off as Cillian's ice-blue eyes bore into you, a storm of emotions brewing in the depths of his pupils.

"I really miss you, you know?" Cillian whispered quietly, his voice trembling slightly. "I just cannot get you out of my fucking head," he admitted, reaching out to touch your hand, his fingertips grazing the sensitive skin lightly.

"I know," you murmured softly, leaning closer to his ear, your breath hot against his neck. "And, I wish I could say that I hate you for ending things the way you did, but I get it. I get why you did it," you confessed, your voice thick with emotion as Cillian closed his eyes, savoring the sweet sound of your voice as it resonated in his eardrums.

"Let's take a walk," you then suggested, pulling him toward the campus gardens. "I need some space to clear my head," you confessed, eager to escape the crowd and the looming threat of discovery.

"Okay," Cillian agreed hesitantly, following you through the grand entrance of another campus building, located on the other side of the greens and the parking lot. 

"Where are we going though?" Cillian asked you cautiously, his eyes darting left and right, scanning the area warily.

"Just somewhere more private," you whispered back, the scent of your perfume wafting tantalizingly under his nose. He could feel an insistent throb beginning to stir deep within his loins, straining against the confines of his trousers.

"Alright," Cillian agreed, reluctantly releasing your hand. "But remember, we can't be seen together," he reminded you sternly, his tone laced with suppressed urgency.

"Don't worry, I got this," you reassured him confidently, slipping your hand into his and intertwining your fingers with his before pulling him into the garden nursery, a small but secluded greenhouse not far from the function hall. 

"Here," you said, stepping inside, the dimmer light of the greenhouse engulfing you both in a warm cocoon of shadows.

The greenhouse was illuminated by soft glowing lamps hanging overhead, casting eerie silhouettes on the glass panes in front of you. The smell of damp earth and decaying vegetation permeated the air, a sharp contrast to the elegant surroundings you had just left behind.

"Can you imagine what would happen if someone saw us here?" Cillian muttered nervously, his voice quivering slightly.

"No one comes in here at this hour," you responded, taking a step closer to him, pressing your body up against his. "Trust me," you added seductively, tilting your head slightly to lock eyes with him.

"Are you sure?" Cillian whispered in your ear, his warm breath fanning out against your neck, sending shivers down your spine.

"Yeah," you murmured, leaning in closer, your heart pounding wildly in your chest. "Let's just enjoy this moment," you breathed onto his shoulder, gripping his hand tightly.

"For tonight, yeah," Cillian agreed, pulling you closer, his fingers tracing lines along your bare arm before, finally, he pressed his lips on to yours. 

This time, the kiss was different - deeper, wilder, more desperate. It was almost primal as you both fell back against the nearest bench, your bodies colliding with the hard wood surface with a dull thud. Cillian pulled away from you for a second, panting heavily before gazing at you through half-lidded eyes.

"Fuck, I missed this," he gasped, his voice hoarse and strained as he traced your jawline with his fingertips delicately.

You couldn't resist the temptation any longer and kissed him back, passionately, your tongue exploring his mouth eagerly.

"Y/N," Cillian moaned, wrapping his arms around your waist tightly, pulling you even closer until you could feel his erect cock against your thigh.

You reached down, cupping his erection through his pants, and groaning in response.

"I missed this too," you panted, stroking him roughly through his trousers while he quickly unbuckled his belt. 

"Let's get these off," he whispered hoarsely, his breathing labored as he tugged your dress up past your hips, exposing your underwear.

"Hmm, but we better be quick," you told him before reaching beneath your dress and sliding off your panties and letting them fall on to the dirt covered floor.

"Agreed," Cillian grunted as you then lowered his zipper completely and slid his jeans down to his knees.

His cock sprang free, and you immediately climbed on top of where he was sitting. You then reached down in between you to stroke the tip of his cock and guide it right to your wet pussy. He grabbed your hips and helped you lower yourself onto him while he stayed seated. Your inner muscles instantly clamped down on his hardness, and he groaned loudly as his cock disappeared inside you.

"Fuck, Y/N," he gasped, watching you carefully. "You're so tight," he complimented you, squeezing your asscheeks gently.

"Oh god," you whimpered, grinding your hips against him, enjoying the sensation of being fully impaled on his cock.

"This feels fucking amazing," you admitted, looking directly into his eyes, feeling incredibly vulnerable and exposed.

"So fucking good," you repeated, rocking your hips against him harder.

"Shh, not so loud," Cillian hissed, glancing around nervously to double-check that no one had entered the greenhouse.

"I can't help it," you pleaded, burying your face in his sweat-soaked neck while trying to muffle your cries.

Cillian groaned loudly, his grip tightening around your waist as he thrust upwards into you.

"Fuck," he hissed, his fingers digging into your flesh painfully.

The rhythmic slap of your bodies smashing together sounded harsh in the otherwise silent greenhouse.

"Tell me how good my pussy feels, Cillian!" you whimpered, grinding your hips against him while his cock twitched inside you.

"Fucking perfect," he growled, his hands now resting on your ass, squeezing it tightly. His cock slid in and out of you with practiced precision, his strokes steady and deliberate. Each thrust sent a shockwave of pleasure through your entire body, and you couldn't help but cry out in ecstasy.

"Oh god, yes," you moaned, clutching handfuls of his shirt as, suddenly, you couldn't hold it any longer. 

Your orgasm came crashing down on you like a tidal wave, your body convulsing uncontrollably against his own.

"Fuck, fuck," you screamed, clawing at his skin desperately as you bucked your hips wildly, cumming all over his cock.

"That's it," Cillian growled, his voice strained and raspy.

"You're so fucking tight," he groaned, slamming his cock into you mercilessly, his balls slapping against your ass repeatedly.

"Jesus, I love it," he added, his grip tightening around your waist.

"I love it too," you moaned, running your fingers through his hair lovingly. The intensity of your lust and desire for each other seemed impossible to contain, yet you both reveled in the forbidden nature of your encounter.

"I've missed you so much," you whispered, your voice hoarse and ragged.

"I've missed you too," he responded, his voice cracking slightly under the weight of his emotions.

"I want you to cum inside me Cillian. Please," you begged as you rocked your hips back and forth, meeting every thrust with equal force. "Please fill me up with your cum," you whined, arching your back and throwing your head back, your hair falling down like a curtain of silk.

In response, Cillian buried his face in your neck, sucking and kissing the tender spot behind your ear. It drove you crazy, and you began to grind against him harder, feeling his length throbbing inside you as, eventually, he reached his climax too. 

You could feel his cock pulsing, spurting jet after jet of hot sticky cum into you, filling you up completely.

"Fuck, that was amazing," you whispered breathlessly, collapsing onto top of him, your sweat-slicked skin sticking to his.

"Definitely," Cillian agreed, holding you close, your faces mere inches apart. You could sense the beating of his heart under your cheek, the warmth of his breath on your temple. In that moment, everything felt right. You felt whole until, eventually, you had to break it up and head back to the function, which is where Danielle was already looking for her husband.

"Where have you been?" she asked him as you both returned separately, through different entrances. 

"I just needed some air after the speech," Cillian told her casually as he reached for a drink while Danielle gracefully pulled a leaf from his hair.

"Some air?" Danielle arched an eyebrow skeptically as she fixed Cillian with a scrutinizing gaze. "Okay," she added, brushing the stray strands of hair off his forehead, which is when she noticed a stain on the collar of his otherwise pristine white shirt. 

She squinted suspiciously, her lips curling into a thin line as she spotted what appeared to be some make up. Red lipstick mixed with a stain of foundation. 

To be continued...

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[feckcops]

What does it mean to erase a people – a nation, culture, identity? In Gaza, we are beginning to find out

“Earlier this month, Gaza’s oldest mosque was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes. The Omari mosque was originally a fifth century Byzantine church, and was an iconic landmark of Gaza: 44,000 sq ft of history, architecture and cultural heritage. But it was also a live site of contemporary practice and worship. A 45-year-old Gazan told Reuters that he had been ‘praying there and playing around it all through my childhood‘. Israel, he said, is ‘trying to wipe out our memories’.

“St Porphyrius church, the oldest in Gaza, also dating back to the fifth century and believed to be the third oldest church in the world, was damaged in another strike in October. It was sheltering displaced people, among them members of the oldest Christian community in the world, one that dates back to the first century. So far, more than 100 heritage sites in Gaza have been damaged or levelled. Among them are a 2,000-year-old Roman cemetery and the Rafah Museum, which was dedicated to the region’s long and mixed religious and architectural heritage.

“As the past is being uprooted, the future is also being curtailed. The Islamic University of Gaza, the first higher education institution established in the Gaza Strip in 1978, and which trains, among others, Gaza’s doctors and engineers, has been destroyed, along with more than 200 schools. Sufian Tayeh, the rector of the university, was killed along with his family in an airstrike. He was the Unesco chair of physical, astrophysical and space sciences in Palestine. Other high-profile academics who have been killed include the microbiologist Dr Muhammad Eid Shabir, and the prominent poet and writer Dr Refaat Alareer, whose poem, If I must die, was widely shared after his death ...

“As the ability to tell these stories publicly comes under attack, so do the private rituals of mourning and memorialisation. According to a New York Times investigation, Israel ground forces are bulldozing cemeteries in their advance on the Gaza Strip, destroying at least six. Ahmed Masoud, a British Palestinian writer from Gaza, posted a picture of him visiting his father’s grave, alongside a video of its ruins. ‘This is the graveyard in Jabalia camp,’ he wrote, where his father was buried. ‘I went to visit him in May. The Israeli tanks have now destroyed it, and my dad’s grave has gone. I won’t be able to visit or talk to him again.’

“A memory gap is forming. Libraries and museums are being levelled, and what is lost in the documents that have burned joins a larger toll of record-keeping. Meanwhile, the scale of the killings is so large that entire extended families are disappearing. The result is like tearing pages out of a book. Dina Matar, a professor at Soas University of London, told the Financial Times that ‘such loss results in the erasure of shared memories and identities for those who survive. Remembering matters. These are important elements when you want to put together histories and stories of ordinary lives’ ...

“This is what it would look like, to erase a people. In short, to void the architecture of belonging that we all take so much for granted so that, no matter how many Gazans survive, there is, over time, less and less to bind them together into a valid whole. This is what it would look like, when you deprive them of telling their story, of producing their art, of sharing in music, song and poetry, and of a foundational history that lives in their landmarks, mosques, churches, and even in their graves.”

[nabde-el-aiza]

يستمر الكابوس الحي الذي يحدث في غزة، باستشهاد شخص بقامة الدكتور سفيان تايه الذي يعد ضمن أفضل ٢٪؜ من الباحثين حول العالم وفقًا لجامعة ستانفورد، بالإضافة إلى توليه منصب رئيس الجامعة الإسلامية.

إن هذه الخسارة الفادحة تضاف إلى سلسلة الجرائم التي لعلها توقظ العالم، وتكون الومضة التي ستضيء طريق الخلاص من هذا البلاء.

رحمة الله على الدكتور سفيان وعائلته والشهداء الذين يرتقون، فيهزّون العالم فداءً للبشرية. ليس غريبًا أن تكون غزة كالعادة جزءاً أساسيا من شفاء الإنسانية.

#وقف_الحرب_على_غزة #غزة_تحت_القصف

Dr. Sufyan Tayeh and members of his family; killed by an Israeli air strike on their home. A respected scholar, Professor Tayeh was cited by Stanford University as one of the top 2 percent of researchers globally, and appointed UNESCO Chair of Physical and Astrophysical Sciences in Palestine.

Also devastated by bombing is the Islamic University in Gaza, of which Dr. Tayeh was President.

A family, a community and far beyond has been deprived of a cherished individual, an outstanding academic and a source of hope and inspiration for Gaza. We mourn him, as we mourn the countless victims of this brutal conflict.

#gaza_under_attack #stop_the_war_on_gaza

[intersectionalpraxis]

Latest updates from Let's Talk Palestine's free broadcast page on Instagram:

December 3rd, 5:42am, [EST]

Morning updates, Day 58:

• A staggering 700 people have been killed in 24 hours in Gaza. This is one of the highest daily death tolls of the genocide since its start

☝️Remember that the collapse of the health system means that the Health Ministry has struggled to update numbers since Nov 10

• 1.5 million people in Gaza (out of 2.3 million) have been displaced

• Hamas stated it will not conduct talks on hostage swaps until the bombing ends

• Iran warned that “the scope of the war in the [Middle East] is likely to deepen and expand” if Israeli attacks on Palestinians continue

• Israeli forces seem set to invade the south, where the Palestinian population has been concentrated with no escape from death

• Prominent Palestinian physicist Sufyan Tayeh was killed by an Israeli attack on the Jabalia refugee camp. Tayeh was president of the Islamic University of Gaza, held a UNESCO chair, and was ranked in the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University

Source 🗞️ Al-Jazeera

Ceasefire now and permanently, end the violent occupation and free Palestine!

[ptseti]

BORN ON THIS DAY IN 1918 ❤️🖤💚 Yosef Ben-Jochannan was an Afrocentric historian whose work focused mainly on the black presence in Ancient Egypt. He contends in his writings that the pharaohs came out of the heart of Africa and that the original Jews were from Ethiopia and were black Africans, and the white Jews adopted the faith and customs later. He has been accused of distorting history, and since his work contradicts the prevailing view of Egyptian and African history, it is controversial. Ben-Jochannan was born an only child to an Ethiopian father and an Afro-Puerto Rican Jewish mother in a Falasha community in Ethiopia. He attended schools in Brazil, Spain, Puerto Rico, and Cuba and earned degrees in engineering and anthropology. He continued his education at the University of Havana, Cuba, where he earned a Master’s degree in architectural engineering. He earned a doctoral degree in cultural anthropology from the same school. Finally, he attended the University of Barcelona, where he earned another doctoral degree in Moorish history. Ben-Jochannan immigrated to the United States in the early 1940s. He was appointed chairman of the African Studies Committee at UNESCO headquarters in 1945. He served in that position until 1970. Ben-Jochannan began teaching Egyptology at Malcolm King College in 1950, and then he taught at City College in New York. He was an adjunct professor at Cornell University from 1976 to 1987. He has also taught at Columbia University, Al-Azan University, and Rutgers. He led an archaeological dig in the Nubia region of Egypt in the 1990s and also led an annual trip of black people to Egypt. Ben-Jochannan is a prolific author, penning 49 books, such as Black Man of the Nile and African Origins of Western Religions. The subject of most of his books is ancient Nile Valley civilizations. He also wrote and co-wrote elementary and secondary school texts in the 1960s. He is the chair of the publishing house Alkebu-Lan Foundation and its subsidiary, Alkebu-Lan Books and Education Materials Associates. Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan died in Harlem, New York, on March 19, 2015, at the age of 96.

[film-classics]

Myrna Loy - The Queen of Hollywood

Myrna Loy (born Myrna Adele Williams in Helena, Montana on August 2, 1905 ) was an American actress who reigned as one of America’s leading movie stars in the 1930s and the 1940s. Millions of fans idolized her as ‘the perfect wife,’ a paragon of charm, sophistication and intelligence, earning her the title as "The Queen of Hollywood."

Of Welsh, Scottish, and Swedish ancestry, Loy moved to Culver City in her early teens. She first attended the exclusive Westlake School for Girls. When her teachers objected to her extracurricular participation in theater, her mother enrolled her in Venice High School.

To help the family, she wroked at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, where she performed in prologues, musical sequences that served as preliminary entertainment before the feature film. This led to work as an extra in Hollywood productions in 1925 and then a contract with Warner Bros. in 1926.

With the advent of sound films, she then became associated with musicals, and when they began to lose popularity, her career slumped. In 1934, after Loy's move to MGM, John Dillinger was shot to death after leaving a screening of her film Manhattan Melodrama (1934). She received widespread publicity, with some newspapers reporting that she had been Dillinger's favorite actress.

Loy gained further fame from the box office hit, The Thin Man (1934), which spawned five sequels. This marked a turning point in her career, and she was cast in more important pictures and became one of Hollywood's busiest and highest-paid actresses,

With the outbreak of World War II, Loy focused on the war effort, becoming an active member of the Hollywood Chapter of 'Bundles for Bluejackets,' helping run a Naval Auxiliary Canteen, going on fundraising tours, and volunteering for the Red Cross.

In the coming decades, she continued acting alongside her activism work. She organized opposition to the House Unamerican Activities Committee in Hollywood through radio broadcasts and petitions, worked with the federal government, and served in UNESCO.

In 1975, Loy was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent two mastectomies. She kept her diagnosis and subsequent treatment from the public. This resulted in her progressive retirement from acting; her last film performance was in 1980 and her last acting role on TV in 1982.

In failing health, Loy died at age 88 in a Manhattan hospital during surgery following a long, unspecified illness.

Legacy:

Received an Honorary Academy Award in 1991 in recognition of her life's work both onscreen and off

Bears the likeness of the 7-foot statue outside Venice High School, titled 'Inspiration," created in 1922 and has since become a symbol of the school and the community

Has a building named after her at Sony Pictures Studios, formerly MGM Studios, built in 1935

Named Queen of the Movies in a 1936 national poll by New York Daily News

Honored with a block in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 1936

Listed by the Motion Picture Herald as one of America’s top-10 box office draws in 1937 and 1938

Served as the full-time assistant to the director of military and naval welfare for the Red Cross from 1941 to 1945

Became a member-at-large of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO from 1949 to 1954, the first Hollywood celebrity to do so

Has been the namesake of Venice High School's annual speech and drama awards, the 'Myrnas' since 1953

Served as Co-Chair of the Advisory Council of the National Committee against Discrimination in Housing from 1961 to 1962

Became a founding board member of The American Place Theatre in 1963

Commemorated with a cast of her handprint and her signature in front of Theatre 80, on St. Mark's Place in New York City in 1971

Appeared in John Springer's "Legendary Ladies" series at The Town Hall in 1973

Presented with the 1979 Career Achievement Award by the National Board Review

Honored by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards in 1983 with the Career Achievement Award

Published an autobiography, Myrna Loy: Being and Becoming, in 1987

Was the winner of the 1988 Kennedy Center Honors

Honored by the Steel Pole Bath Tub with a song on their 1991 album Tulip that is both named after Loy and samples dialogue from one her film, The Thin Man Goes Home (1945).

Named by The Guardian named her one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination in 1991

Has been the namesake for The Myrna Loy Center for the Performing and Media Arts in downtown Helena since 1991

Honored as Turner Classic Movies Star of the Month for December 2016

Has a song named after her in Josh Ritter's 2017 album Gathering

Has a star on the  Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6685 Hollywood Boulevard for motion picture

[soon-palestine]

Israeli air strike in Gaza kills prominent scientist Sufyan Tayeh, Palestinian ministry says

Reuters

Dec 2 An Israeli air strike targeting the neighborhood of Al-Faluja, 30 km (18 miles) northeast of Gaza City, has killed prominent Palestinian scientist Sufyan Tayeh and his family, the Palestinian Higher Education ministry announced on Saturday. Tayeh, who was president of the Islamic University of Gaza, was a leading researcher in physics and applied mathematics.

In 2005, he was arrested by Israeli occupation forces at the Rafah border crossing while he was heading to Egypt to complete the procedures for submitting his PhD dissertation at Ain Shams University. Over the period from 2008 to 2011, he assumed the position of Head of Physics Department at the Islamic University and he was appointed President of the University in August 2023.

Academic activity One of Dr. Tayeh’s research works was a proposal for scientific research in the field of optical sensors submitted to the University of Montreal, Canada. With the participation of Professor Ahmed Hamdan, Dr. Tayeh presented a research study entitled “Sensitivity enhancement in optical waveguide sensors”. The research paper aimed to explore multi-layer waveguide structures (more than 3 layers) for the purpose of optical biosensing, and to study the effect of anisotropic materials on the sensitivity of plate waveguide structures, in addition to studying more photonic crystals (two- and three-layer) with different compositions as well as the number of biosensing various layers.

Awards and honors Dr. Tayeh was winner of the Palestine Islamic Bank Award for Scientific Research for years 2019 and 2020. In March 2023, he was appointed holder of the UNESCO Chair for Physical, Astrophysical and Space Sciences in Palestine. He was recipient of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Young Arab Scientists; and the winner of the Islamic University Award for Scientific Research for the year 2021. He was also ranked among the top 2% of researchers around the world in 2021. source

More than 1300 scientists from 40 countries, including physicists, mathematicians, biologists, chemists, medical doctors, engineers, and social scientists, working in academia and in industry, are compelled by the events in Gaza to call for an immediate permanent ceasefire and take a stand against war and the destructive use of science in an “International Convention Against War and Destructive Use of Science: Scientists Against Israeli Apartheid and Genocide in Gaza” on 9th December 2023. Prof. Richard A Falk, Emeritus Professor of International Law at Princeton University and Former UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine, was the keynote speaker in the Convention. He spoke ‘On the situation in Gaza.’ The Convention was moderated by Dr. Manabendra Nath Bera, a quantum information scientist from India. Dr. Flavio del Santo, a scientist from Switzerland, Dr. Niatalya Dinat, a medical doctor from South Africa, Prof. Josh Dubnau, from Sony Brook University, USA, and Prof. Assaf Kfoury, Boston University, USA, discussed possible amendments proposed by participants on the draft of the Declaration by the scientists. In the end, the amended Declaration was adopted after voting, with an absolute majority (97%).

The adopted Declaration embodies scientists’ protest against the destructive use and militarisation of science, Israeli occupation, apartheid, and genocide in Gaza, and call for an academic and scientific boycott and to stand by the Palestinian professors, scientists, researchers, scholars, and students.

[catdotjpeg]

Academics are expressing anger and sadness at the news prominent Palestinian physicist Sufyan Tayeh was killed, along with members of his family, in an Israeli attack on Jabalia refugee camp. Tayeh, the president of the Islamic University of Gaza, held a UNESCO chair and was ranked among the top two percent of scientists worldwide by Stanford University in 2021. Alison Phipps who holds a UNESCO chair at the University of Glasgow said “I am angered and saddened to hear of the killing in Gaza of Dr Tayeh, UNESCO Chair for Physical, Astrophysical and Space Sciences in Palestine at the now destroyed Islamic University of Gaza, where he was President.” Anton Muscatelli, the principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Glasgow, which shared a partnership with the Tayeh’s university said he was “deeply saddened” to hear Tayeh had died. While Nabil Iqbal, a physicist and professor at Durham University said: “I find it unbearable that he – and so so many others – will no longer be able to build anything.”

-- "Tributes to university president, physicist killed in Israeli attack" by Lyndal Rowlands for Al Jazeera, 2 Dec 2023 1:30 GMT. Photo from شهداء غزّة Gaza martyrs.

[rabbitcruiser]

International Jazz Day 

Join your community in appreciating and recognizing the rich culture and heritage of jazz. Visit a local jazz club, or revisit some of the greatest musicians in history.

International Jazz Day is a beautiful time to celebrate the gift of music and to come together as a community. It’s a chance to listen to a variety of musicians and hear their talents live all around the world.

Learning more about the day will help any musical enthusiast to appreciate all the benefits of listening to jazz. Music lovers from around the world will gather to attend jazz festivals, parties, and events to help celebrate the day and this specific type of music. Now is the perfect opportunity to take up a musical instrument such as the trumpet, saxophone, piano or clarinet and start to make music so one can understand what all the hype is about.

International Jazz Day highlights the ability for jazz to unite people from all walks of life and draw together folks from around the globe. No one is left out, as this day brings together artists, schools, communities, historians, academics, and jazz aficionados to raise awareness around this type of music and educate the public about the roots, impact, and future of jazz. There’s a deep-rooted message attached to this day of celebration, such as reinforcing international cooperation and communication.

It brings to light the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding through one of the best ways possible, music. The power of the music will be apparent when participants view people of all backgrounds, forgetting about their differences and joining together to celebrate jazz. Any adverse circumstances from the past or present are suddenly forgotten or pushed aside, and people begin to focus on friendship, freedom, hope, and dignity instead.

The day itself is intended to promote peace, diversity, respect among different cultures, and highlight the need for human rights and dignity. The music itself addresses the desire for eliminating discrimination and promoting the freedom of expression. Youth are also encouraged to participate by enacting change and helping to foster gender equality. One will have the chance to experience how much life and love emerges when the day kicks off, and musicians from all over begin to jam and play their music.

History of International Jazz Day

It all began in 2011 when the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization declared International Jazz Day as an opportunity to give recognition to jazz music and state its role to unite people all around the globe. It’s been going strong ever since and people look forward to this day each year when music lovers from around the world can share in the experience of listening to and making jazz music.

The idea itself emerged from jazz pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. Together, the UNESCO Director-General and Hancock chair the event and ensure people from all over come out to participate in the celebration each year. Cities such as Paris, New Orleans, and New York were some of the first to begin to educate the public on the event and draw excitement to Jazz Day.

The Host City goes as far as to organize an All-Star Global Concert which brings together over two-dozen jazz musicians from all parts of the world in or around a historical landmark. It’s interesting to know that the popularity of the day has grown immensely over the years. Now, nearly 200 countries participate in International Jazz Day.

You can visit just about any location and hear and experience jazz music at its finest. You’ll witness artists and onlookers expressing themselves in their own unique and individual way. Cape Town, South Africa is the Host City for 2020, so one should make a note of this if he or she wants to travel and see some of the best musicians perform their music live. Not only will there be music present at the event, but organizers are also planning an extensive educational and community outreach program for people to participate in and as a way for them to expand their knowledge.

How to Celebrate International Jazz Day

There are many ways for how people around the world can celebrate International Jazz Day. There is no right or wrong way to go about it, and all communities may have their unique take and twist on the day. For example, there may be live concerts and events to attend, and people might want to host their own parties.

Not only are there concerts and events taking place internationally, but many will also hold jam sessions and educational workshops and conferences, as well as organize community outreach programs. Anyone can locate and access jazz educational materials from the International Jazz Day website to help them run their event. The public shouldn’t be afraid to insert themselves in the conversation and start an event or discussion around the topic to help create awareness around the day.

The common denominator is that there will be a lot of jazz music to be heard and played. It’s an opportunity for those unfamiliar with this type of music to get more acquainted with it and learn about its roots and history. One can witness people of all ages and backgrounds moving to the music and enjoying themselves while the performers work hard to put on a show that anyone can appreciate.

International Jazz Day is undoubtedly a celebration to be aware of and take part in if a person is looking to expand their horizons and musical knowledge. There’s so much to see and take in around the globe when this day rolls around. There will be no choice but to participate in some sort of event that’s happening in the area. It’s a time to appreciate the musicians and their talents and bring people together to experience this particular type of music without any judgment.

Go ahead and give one of these events or jam sessions a try and see for oneself how engaging jazz music is and witness its ability to bring together people from across the globe and find common ground. Let this year be the year that people let their guards down and allow themselves to experience the day by listening, conversing, and moving their bodies to the wonderful sounds of jazz.

Source

[katoktm8]

TENT LIVING

Not many adventures to tell of today. We woke up drove two hours to pick up Julie at the airport maneuvered through unbelievable chaotic traffic. We even parked about a half mile from the airport and walked to get her because the travel was so crazy.

The photo with all the colors on the houses at night is the neighborhood our hotel is in. The other famous neighborhood is across the river.

Then we were on the way to Berat Albania. Another UNESCO world Heritage city. This is known for the hill of houses of 1000 windows. We had a quick lunch because we wanted to keep Julie moving and then climbed about a mile up a hill to a castle where people actually are still living. It is similar to Taos, New Mexico Pueblo. We wandered around there for quite a while then headed back down and then it was almost evening.

There’s a big wide street in town and people in the evening go on walks up and down the street to visit with friends walk with boyfriends and girlfriends and be seen. So we sat and had a drink and watched people saunter along the street eating ice cream, holding hands, laughing, and enjoying the first cool evening in quite a while. The best people watching so far.

After that we went back took a quick shower and then out to an absolutely delicious dinner at a traditional house down the street. This was the first beautiful sunset we’ve seen. See the photos.

The adventure of the day is trying to survive in our room. Our hotel is a traditional house. The brother and sister who own the hotel grew up in this house as did their parents as did their grandparents. And it’s been converted into a hotel. The triple room that I booked for us only has two beds. Not only does it have just two beds. It is about the size of a tent. So we are stepping over each other being very quiet, and trying not to interrupt each other’s space. I am sitting in the bathroom as I write this blog to try and give Julie and Caroline space to get organized for the day. My head on my pillow is about 1 foot from the bathroom door. It is a beautiful room, but it is certainly testing my anxiety levels with space. And Julie this morning says I feel like we are living in a tent. If you’ve ever been tent camping, you know how we are doing.

Dogs, of course. And I had to post the last two pictures of me saying goodbye to mama Dog in. Gjirokastër

Tomorrow is Caroline‘s last day and I think we are going to walk about 7 miles to a famous Albanian winery. Do a winetasting and then get a Taxi back. Then the big soccer game Albania versus Italy is at 9 o’clock in the night. We are very excited to be part of the local culture. TVs are already set up on streets in front of businesses All over big screen, TVs, and regular TVs and tons of chairs set out to watch this game tomorrow 🇦🇱🇦🇱

[mikem-dawnm-japan]

Saturday 18th May - Day 12

This morning we visited three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all of which were temples. Having visited a number of countries with very many temples I expected today to become ‘templed out’! However, happily each temple was very different to the others the main downside of today was that it was Saturday and so many local families were also visiting the sites, everywhere was very busy. The month of May is also extremely popular for school trips and we are certainly finding this to be so!

Kinkaku-Ji Temple was our first stop, this site is also known as the Golden Pavilion, this richly decorated temple is beautiful. This site is a zen-Buddhist temple close to Kyoto, it was originally designated as a holiday villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitzu in 1397. The temple has three levels, the first is the noble peoples style, it is open in style, the second is in the samurai style and the top is in the Buddhist style. The second and third stories are covered in 200,000 gold leaves. The gardens are very beautiful, in the centre and surrounding the temple is the Kyoko-chi pond also called the mirror pond.

Our second visit was to the rock garden of the Ryoanji Temple. Originally the temple was an aristocrats villa which was converted into a Zen temple in 1450. The rock garden is a piece of cultural heritage, the deceptively simple garden consists of 15 rocks spread out on white sand. The rocks are supposed to be arranged so that at no point can you see all 15 rocks at the same time, however it is possible to view them all in one go, if you look carefully!

The final site was the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple. Founded in AD778, the most famous feature of the temple is its wooden veranda, standing 13 metres above the ground. From the veranda there is a good view of the many maple and cherry trees which look stunning in their autumn colours. It is also known as the Pure Water Temple and was founded on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills in the east of Kyoto. Due to the 15 minute uphill walk in the heat we decided not to visit this site but instead to remain around the shops and restaurants. We took the time to enjoy some local food, stick tempura in the following flavours; pumpkin & sweet potato, cuttlefish & cheese … they were interesting! We followed these with a delicious chocolate ice cream .. they do ice cream very well here and then a beer to wash it down.

Back on the bus and we headed for a traditional tea ceremony, something that most of us were looking forward to although with some apprehension about having the matcha tea. The tea house was enormous and was the most beautiful wooden building with very pretty, traditional gardens. Inside the tea house was a large shrine and low tables and chairs were set out for us all along with the tea making equipment, we had, of course removed our shoes before entering the building. We were introduced to our host and another lady who would be the guest for the ceremony, they guided us through the ceremony, which can take up to 3 or 4 hours, there is a strict procedure to be carried out and it takes a number of years to learn how to conduct these ceremonies correctly. Once we had observed and tasted their tea it was time to make our own, which we all did and tried to follow the procedure. Some people enjoyed the taste but I think that the majority found it too bitter for their tastes. However, it was an interesting experience to learn about. We drove on to Gion, the geisha district of Kyoto and walked the streets to see the traditional houses. The temperature today was 29 degrees, so a long and busy day, along with the heat wiped us all out but there would be no time to rest!

Back to the hotel for a very quick turnaround before 10 of us headed out for an optional excursion of a Japanese BBQ. Well, what an evening! 90 minutes in which we could cook, eat and drink as much as we could. We sat on cushions on the floor but there were pits below the table to put your legs into, so more comfortable than just sitting on the floor. Two braziers were already heating up and the table was laden with platters of different cuts of meat and vegetables, there were sauces and cooking utensils so we set to work cooking our supper. Kas was able to order drinks and more food on the app so she was kept busy ordering extras including octopus and scallops, salads more meat, more drinks whilst the rest of us cooked for the whole group. It was a very sociable evening, helped along by a copious supply of plum wine, beer and red wine. Once our time was up we headed for the hotel and some went to the bar for a nightcap.

[moononmyfloor]

Hi Producer (正好遇见你) Infodump

Disclaimer: I have no idea about the accuracy of the information shared in the drama, I'm merely transcribing for future reference purposes. Proceed with caution!

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Ep 32-33: Ming-Style Carpentry and Landscaping

Canglang Pavillion and Ke Yuan

Known for the unique landscaping art, before you enter the garden of Canglang Pavilion there is a pond surrounding the garden. Inside it, rocks are the main element of the scenery. You'll be greeted by a hill. Pavilion is right on top of it. At the foot of the hill is a pond. The body of water is connected to the mountain with a winding corridor. Southeast of the fake mountain is Mingdao Hall. It's the main building of the garden. In 2000, the UNESCO listed it as a world heritage site.

Keyuan garden isn't very big. It's only 0.741 acres. But it has a long and rich history. The characteristics of Keyuan can be described with five lines, which are, "An azure pond in the middle, a spacious construction, a full-circle corridor, a bright and clear view, a tranquil and vast yard."

Landscaping art boasts so many details. The buildings, rocks, plants, and ponds that form the scenery come from nature and transcend nature. It's an extraordinary fusion of picturesque scenery and craftsmanship. This goes perfectly with the saying, "The garden owner's disposition is represented and told by the well-arranged landscape."

In spring, you can appreciate the blooming crabapple. On a summer day, you can enjoy the coolness under a pipa tree. On autumn nights, you can hear raindrops hitting the banana leaves. And in winter, you can enjoy the warmth of a fire while admiring the plum blossoms. It's such a serene and relaxing life.

Ming era Furniture and Carpentry

The unearthed cultural relics in Wang Xijue's tomb from the late Ming Dynasty, such as garments, jewelry, accessories, embroidery, furniture used as funeral objects, and items used in daily life not only reflect the advanced level of craftsmanship and technology at that time but also shed light on the political, economic and cultural conditions of that period.

When the powerful official Yan Shifan's property was confiscated, a total of 657 beds made of marble, mother-of-pearl inlay, and colored lacquer were collected, along with 7,444 items of chairs, cabinets, and tables. This shows officials and the rich at the time preferred using Ming-style furniture as a symbol of great wealth.

The scholars sought a refined and simplified living environment that was skillfully natural in its arrangement. A miniature Ming-style furniture set discovered in the joint tomb of Wang Xijue, a Senior Grand Secretary, and his wife. These things are so tiny and delicate. Chinese in ancient times thought of death as another life. After the passing, replicas of items used in life were buried as funeral objects. When Wang Xijue's tomb was unearthed, this set of miniature funeral objects was placed on his coffin. There is a hanger, a wooden basin, and an alcove bed. There is a stand for the basin and so many kitchen wares. You can find almost anything you need in real life.

The palaces in Hengdian World Studio are one-to-one replicas, but they aren't made with traditional mortise and tenon joints.

Suzhou Museum recreated a Ming-style study based on the literature "Chang Wu Zhi".

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Tanyangzi and the Alcove Bed

She's a legendary young woman from Ming Dynasty, whose proposed future husband died and the in-laws demanded that she live the rest of her life in seclusion as a widow. Then she apparently cultivated Taoism and ascended at mere age of 23, which resulted in an entire niche religion of people worshipping her.

It's a very interesting story for sure, when you consider how Ming Dynasty was the most restrictive towards women and how this girl stood her ground and found her salvation in her own way. History says that Tanyangzi's death might have been from a hunger strike or poisoning from an elixir. But in the "Miscellaneous Morsels from Zaolin", Tan Qian wrote Madam Zhu was able to marry her daughter to a scholar from Shaoxing with a hefty dowry. And she claimed that her daughter had ascended in daylight.

It's irrelevant if she truly attained immortality or played a trick to get the society forcing their norms on her off of her back. Either way, you go Gui'er!!

I tried looking up sources in English but could only find some old articles by some Western universities, I think you can get a better summary by even just machine translating the Baidu Baike page which is linked below.

Hi Producer narrates this story by incorporating her mother's unconditional love and support into it and provides a "realistic explanation".

The alcove bed is a type of large bed that came into being in the late Ming Dynasty. It is also known as the eight-step bed and the platform bed. The alcove bed came in two styles. The colonnade style and the enclosed colonnade style. A small "room" is built on top of a four-post bed with three low panels to form a cloister-like structure. A shallow colonnade of about two to three chi is installed at the front of the bed, with a footrest in the centre. The left and right sides are used to place small cabinets, tables, stools, and even dressing tables. It is a clever and intricate design. The hardwood alcove bed requires a lot of materials and manual labor. It is a luxurious and exquisite piece of furniture. It was popular in the Jiangnan area during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Many wealthy families in the area would have such a bed made for their daughters the moment they were born to be included as part of their dowry, taking years to complete. To have a piece of furniture encompass parental love is also a unique way the Chinese show love.

The segment is timestamped below immeadietely followed by the Documentary part:

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More Hi Producer posts

[grandmaster-anne]

Sir Tim Laurence, head of English Heritage, on the challenges of conservation in the 21st century

By Henry Mance | Published 27 May 2022

English Heritage’s chair is Sir Tim Laurence, a former naval officer who happens to be married to Princess Anne. Laurence is a non-fusty, patrician figure. “Most people call me Tim. Even the gardeners call me Tim,” he tells me, over coffee at the Marble Hill café. In royal terms, he has a low enough profile that he even travels by Tube. (Don’t expect to see his wife: “I don’t think she’s been on an Underground for a long time, if at all. She has security issues which I don’t. I’m expendable.”)

While some English people feel threatened by the new historical narratives, particularly around slavery and empire, Laurence — sitting near the top of the Establishment — is not.

“History is what happened,” he says, upper lip duly stiffened. “Telling the story of Marble Hill without making the link to the slave trade and to mahogany would be wrong, in my view. We’re telling it like it is [ . . .] The transatlantic slave trade was one of the most appalling things in British history,” he adds.

“But there’s another important side of it, which is: it shouldn’t dominate. This place is all about how you build a beautiful house, what was going on at the time, the design of that wonderful garden, and making all of that available to the local community.”

The National Trust has been lambasted by some rightwing commentators for its approach; a recent article tried to depict English Heritage as a non-woke competitor. Laurence closes ranks: “We’re very close to the National Trust. I’ve been a National Trust member practically since I left school.” Like many British people, he tempers his revulsion at the slave trade by pointing to Britain’s role in ending it. “I’m extremely proud that my background is in the Royal Navy, and the Royal Navy battled for 60 years to try and stop it.” Some of the backlash to historical research “has become too extreme”.

English Heritage’s underlying challenge is financial. Since 2015, it has been an independent charity; it no longer receives a block government grant. Only about 20 of its sites — led by Stonehenge and also including Tintagel Castle in Cornwall — make a profit. The other 400 or so are either free to access or tickets don’t cover their cost. So it relies on its 1.2mn members, its cafés and gift shops, and grants from the lottery and others.

Covid has been “a really tough time”. Visitor numbers are expected to be near 5mn this year, down from 6.2mn pre-pandemic. “We need people to come back,” says Laurence. Foreign tourists in particular. “We do make quite a lot out of inbound tourism, so that’s a worry.” The charity has missed its target of breaking even in 2022, and is now aiming for 2025.

Despite financial constraints, he wants English Heritage to expand. “We’re not very strong on the industrial revolution, and we’ve got a couple of cold war bunkers. I would hope my successor would look to acquire more sites, probably more contemporary sites.”

For the moment, many English Heritage properties are either in ruins or threatening to become so soon. Last year part of Hurst Castle(opens a new window), an English Heritage property built in the 1540s on a shingle spit in Hampshire, collapsed into the sea after years of erosion.

“We haven’t absolutely got a long-term plan,” says Laurence. “Part of the problem is because the shingle from the spit comes from the shoreline along Christchurch Bay, and gradually over the decades Christchurch Bay has been concreted in with more and more habitation, so the shingle supply is not coming in at the same rate. So we’re fighting against the tide there. But we will go on trying to protect it as long as we can.”

Critics say that English Heritage is itself eroding its greatest asset, Stonehenge, by backing a motorway tunnel. Unesco has threatened that the site will lose its world heritage status if the project goes ahead. “I very much hope when Unesco look at it, when it’s finished, they say, ‘Actually, from a heritage point of view, this is a vast improvement on what was there before,’” says Laurence. But losing the status would probably be only symbolic: “Would it really make a difference to the people wanting to go there?”

In general, Laurence argues that the focus on heritage should not impede developments: “People are very anxious about change,” but “you’ve got to modernise.” He thinks people are “a bit over-precious” about the transformation of Liverpool’s docks for Everton’s new football stadium. (The docks have lost their Unesco heritage status.)

At Marble Hill, there were objections — ranging from “those who felt we shouldn’t be talking about Henrietta at all, because she was a harlot” to those who wanted a smaller café and assurance that there would not be regular concerts.

Such resistance is part of England’s history. When the land for Marble Hill was acquired piecemeal in the 1720s, some locals initially refused to sell “because they were frightened of this incomer”. The lesson of our heritage is that conservation works, but it’s also that someone had to work to create these sites in the first place.

[tajmahaldaytour]

Taj Mahal Tour by Superfast Train By Taj Mahal Day Tour Company

`Taj Mahal Tour by Superfast Train by Taj Mahal Day Tour Company Visiting the Taj Mahal is a dream for many people, and taking a train ride adds an extra element of adventure and comfort to the experience. The Taj Mahal Day Tour Company offers a unique package that allows guests to go to Agra via superfast train, providing a speedy and effective method to see one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. If you're searching for a convenient and time-efficient method to explore the Taj Mahal, this package is great for you.

Why Take the Superfast Train? The rapid rail service from Delhi to Agra, such as the Gatimaan Express or Shatabdi Express, is one of the finest options for those intending to visit the Taj Mahal in a single day. This means of transport not only saves time but also gives a comfortable journey with modern conveniences. In around 90 minutes, you can reach Agra from Delhi, which makes the rail ride a swift and enjoyable option.

Key Features of the Taj Mahal Tour by Superfast Train The Taj Mahal Day Tour Company has devised this package to ensure a seamless and delightful experience. Here’s what you can expect:

Speed and Convenience: The superfast trains operate between Delhi and Agra in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, making it one of the quickest ways to visit Agra. comfy travel: The trains feature air-conditioned accommodation, onboard cuisine, and comfy reclining chairs, making your travel restful and enjoyable. Well-Organized Itinerary: The firm takes care of everything, from train tickets to transfers and guided tours, ensuring that your day works smoothly. Itinerary of the Taj Mahal Superfast Train Tour Here’s a breakdown of the average itinerary for this thrilling tour:

1. Early Morning Pick-Up in Delhi Your day begins early with a pick-up from your accommodation in Delhi. A private vehicle will drive you to the New Delhi Railway Station, where you’ll join the superfast train to Agra. The Taj Mahal Day Tour Company assures that all train tickets are pre-booked, and your guide will assist you with the boarding process.

2. Superfast Train Journey to Agra Once on the train, enjoy a relaxing ride with onboard breakfast supplied at your seat. The train ride offers a sight of the gorgeous Indian landscape as you approach towards Agra. The travel lasts around 90 minutes, ensuring that you reach in Agra in time for a full day of exploration.

3. Arrival in Agra and Visit to the Taj Mahal Upon arriving at the Agra Railway Station, a private car will be waiting to bring you to the Taj Mahal. You’ll meet your local guide, who will share insights into the history, architecture, and cultural significance of the Taj Mahal. You’ll have plenty of time to roam around, take photos, and absorb yourself in the magnificence of this white marble masterpiece.

4. Visit to Agra Fort After your tour of the Taj Mahal, the agenda continues with a visit to the Agra Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This red sandstone fortress is a superb specimen of Mughal architecture and offers a stunning perspective of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River. Your guide will discuss anecdotes of the Mughal emperors who governed from this fort and how it played a crucial role in India’s history.

5. Lunch at a Local Restaurant The Taj Mahal Day Tour Company organizes you a fantastic lunch at a nearby restaurant, where you may experience traditional Indian cuisine. This provides a peaceful pause in the middle of your day, allowing you to refresh before resuming your sightseeing.

6. Explore the Local Markets and Handicrafts Agra is noted for its marble inlay work, jewelry, and handicrafts. After lunch, you’ll have time to tour the local markets and shop for souvenirs. Your guide may take you to some of the top artisan stores in Agra, where you can buy original handmade things to recall your visit.

7. Return Journey on Superfast Train After a full day of visiting Agra, you’ll head to the railway station to board your train back to Delhi. The evening train travel includes a light supper served onboard, giving a comfortable and peaceful end to your day. Upon arrival in Delhi, a private car will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel.

Why Book with Taj Mahal Day Tour Company? The Taj Mahal Day Tour Company delivers a well-organized and hassle-free experience. Here are a few reasons why booking with them ensures a wonderful trip:

Expert Local Guides: The firm provides expert, multilingual guides who bring the history and architecture of the Taj Mahal to life. Comfort & Convenience: From train tickets to transfers and sightseeing, every detail is taken care of, so you can rest and enjoy your day. Flexible Itineraries: The organization offers flexible alternatives to fit your schedule, whether you prefer an early morning start or a leisurely afternoon tour. Affordable Pricing: Despite giving a premium experience, the tour is priced competitively, making it accessible for tourists looking for both quality and value. What to Expect on the Tour Efficient Transport: Travel by superfast train ensures that you spend less time traveling and more time exploring the Taj Mahal and Agra. Expert Guidance: Professional guides offer in-depth expertise about the sites, bringing context and depth to your tour. Cultural Immersion: The tour not only covers the key attractions but also allows you time to experience Agra’s local culture and handicrafts. Conclusion The Taj Mahal Tour by Superfast Train from the Taj Mahal Day Tour Company is the perfect option to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World in a single day. With its blend of speed, comfort, and expert supervision, this trip ensures that you experience the beauty and history of the Taj Mahal without any worry or hassle. Whether you’re a lone traveler, couple, or group, this tour offers a great blend of convenience and discovery.

FAQs

What time does the tour start? The tour normally starts around 6:00 AM with a pick-up from your hotel in Delhi.

Are meals included in the package? Yes, both breakfast and a light dinner are offered on the train, and lunch is provided at a local restaurant in Agra.

How long does the train ride take? The train travel from Delhi to Agra takes roughly 90 minutes each way.

Do I need to reserve my train tickets separately? No, the Taj Mahal Day Tour Company handles all train ticket arrangements as part of the package.

Can the tour be customized? Yes, the firm offers customisable alternatives if you’d like to adjust the itinerary or add other locations to your stay.