#european 2007 sunday

[umlewis]

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lewis hamilton, p9, speaks after the race, nürburgring, germany - july 22, 2007

[vavuska]

Every European kid asking why it's called “Palms Sunday” If we bless everything except real palms:

Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday. As you might have guessed from the name, it’s on a Sunday — always the Sunday before Easter. That’s because it’s meant to commemorate Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, a week before Easter Sunday.

However, plams doesn't grow up everywhere, so each Christian country adopted their own version.

In the memes I summarize some of the European traditions I know:

North Italy, Slovenia and Croatia: small olive branches are blessed and distributed to the faithfuls at Churches. In Slovenia there are also “butarica”, that is traditionally a bundle of greenery, flowers or colored wood shavings. In Ljubljana, they are made of colored wood shavings, similar to the Polish tradion illustrated below

South Italy: interweaving palm leaves

Germany, Austria, Finland and Hungary: pussy willow or catkin branches

Bulgaria: Willow twigs, something weaved into crowns with other flowers

Poland: the faithful bring to churches their own “palms” generally made from willow branches decorated with evergreen plants colorful and vibrant crepe paper flowers and green bilberry or juniper bushes affixed to the top of dried flowers and colorful dyed grasses.

Source: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, 2007, dir. by Gore Verbinski

[umseb]

The Secret Life of… Sebastian Vettel

Q: Apart from driving a Formula One car, what is your favourite buzz? Sebastian Vettel: Speed in general. Q: Which film last made you cry? SV: Lion [the 2016 film starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman] Q: What are you afraid of? SV: Tyre degradation! (Laughs) Q: What was the last book you read? SV: I don't read much … Q: What did your teachers say about you in your school report? SV: As I just said: I don't read much! Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures? SV: Chocolate. Q: Do you collect anything? SV: No. That’s something I’ll keep for later. Q: What do you miss most about home when you’re travelling? SV: Home, and everything that belongs to it: my bed, my pillow… Q: What was your worst buy? SV: For sure some electronic gadget, maybe another phone charger - a bit of useless stuff… Q: What’s your ideal non-race Sunday? SV: Being at home, sleeping late and spending time with family and friends. Q: What’s the most embarrassing mistake you’ve ever made? SV: Fuji 2007 [when Vettel crashed into the back of future team mate Mark Webber, eliminating both men from the race]. Q: When was the last time you were really angry? SV: When Germany’s football team lost against France in the semi-finals of the European championships last year. Q: Which superpower would you prefer: being able to fly or being able to become invisible? SV: Being able to fly. It would make life a lot easier! (Laughs) Q: What do you sing in the shower? SV: I don't sing… Q: Do you believe in love at first sight? SV: Not anymore - I am in love. Q: What’s the worst thing about being famous? SV: Being famous! (Laughs) Q: Outside of F1, what brings you the greatest satisfaction? SV: Just unwinding and using the free time with family and friends. Q: What is on your ‘bucket list’? SV: Travel, with more time. Q: You can invite three people to dinner, living or dead. Who do you invite? SV: Enzo Ferrari, Audrey Hepburn, and Albert Einstein. Should make an interesting dinner conversation! Q: What was the best thing about being a child? SV: Not knowing how to worry. Q: What should everyone try once in their lifetime? SV: Spending a few months offline.

[mariacallous]

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Three opposition parties that vowed to restore democratic standards in Poland together won over 54% of the votes in the nation’s weekend parliamentary election, putting them in a position to take power, according to a complete ballot count reported Tuesday.

The conservative Law and Justice party, which has governed the country for eight turbulent years, won slightly over 35% of the votes, making it the single party with the most votes. But the party and its leader Jarosław Kaczyński lost their majority in parliament and appeared to have no way to hold onto power.

The official ballot announced by the National Electoral Commission aligns closely with an exit poll released after voting ended Sunday.

Turnout was nearly 75%, a record that surpassed even the 63% turnout of 1989, a vote that triggered the collapse of the oppressive Soviet-backed communist system.

Law and Justice had been moving the country down an illiberal path, taking control of courts in a manner that violated the country’s constitution. The party politicized state institutions, including taxpayer-funded public media which it used as a crude propaganda tool to praise itself and vilify opponents.

The result was a huge victory for Donald Tusk, the head of the largest opposition group, Civic Coalition. He appeared likely to return to his past role as Polish prime minister, a job he held from 2007-14. He also served as the European Council president, a top job in the EU, from 2014-19.

Tusk’s success is all the more remarkable given that state media went into overdrive to portray him as a stooge of Germany and Russia. That portrayal, which appeared baseless, also won him much sympathy.

Tusk himself won more than half a million votes running for a seat in parliament. His party said it was the best result in the history of parliamentary elections in Poland.

The result was a huge relief for Poles concerned about the country’s international isolation at a time of war across the border in Ukraine and the constant bickering with the European Union. Many feared it could cause the country’s eventual exit from the 27-member bloc.

The LGBTQ+ community also suffered a smear campaign in recent years, being portrayed as a threat to the nation by the conservative ruling party. Liberal critics were sometimes depicted as disloyal to the country. Over the years, massive protests led by women rocked the country as the party restricted the abortion law to prevent the termination of pregnancies with fetal abnormalities.

Young people and women were among those who voted in droves to get rid of the Law and Justice party, which won in 2015 vowing to fight corruption and help even out economic inequalities. While its social spending did help many Polish pensioners and families, solidifying a solid base of support, the party has increasingly faced allegations of corruption.

The National Electoral Commission said that Law and Justice won slightly over 35% of the votes, and the far-right Confederation party, a possible ally, about 7%.

Three opposition groups won a collective of 53.7%, enough for a comfortable majority of 248 seats in the 460-seat lower house of parliament, or Sejm; The Civic Coalition garnered 30.7% of the vote while the centrist Third Way got 14.4% and the New Left about 8.6%.

The three ran on separate tickets so they are not formally part of the same coalition, but all promised to cooperate to restore the rule of law.

Law and Justice will have 194 seats, far short of the majority it held for eight years.

Confederation increased its presence from 11 in the outgoing parliament to 18 seats in parliament. It had hoped for more after a brief summertime surge in the polls.

The opposition, which had a razor-thin majority in the outgoing Senate, has now obtained an overwhelming majority of 66 out of 100 seats in that upper chamber. The Senate is far less powerful than the Sejm, but still has some limited influence over the legislative process. Law and Justice will only have 34 seats.

In another sharp blow to Law and Justice, a referendum held alongside the vote failed to reach the 50% needed to be valid. Many voters boycotted it to protest loaded questions on migration and other fraught issues which appeared aimed mostly at mobilizing the ruling party’s supporters.

Although the voting is over, it might still take weeks for a new government to be in place.

President Andrzej Duda, an ally of Law and Justice, must call for the first session of the new parliament within 30 days of election day and appoint a prime minister to form a government.

In the meantime, the current government will remain in a caretaker role.

[brookston]

Holidays 10.29

Holidays

Black Salsify Day (French Republic)

Bob Ross Day (Abeldane Empire)

Candies Day

Coronation Day (Cambodia)

C6HO Day (Kentucky)

Cumhuriyet Bayrami (North Cyprus, Turkey)

Cyrus the Great Day (Iran)

Feed the Birds Day (UK)

Festival of Global Climate Change

Fiestas Patrias begins (Honduras)

Halloween Eve Eve

Hermit Day

Hide From Everyone Day (a.k.a. Hermit Day)

International Internet Day

Laugh Suddenly For No Reason A Lot Today Day

Naming Day (Tanzania)

National Boner Day

National Book Day (Brazil)

National Cat Daddy Day

National Cat Day

National Hermit Day

National Martina Day

Oatmeal Day

PSC Awareness Day

Sea Slug Day

Separation of Church and State Day

Turkish Republic Day (Turkey)

World Online Networking Day

World Psoriasis Day

World Stroke Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Disgusting Little Pumpkin-Shaped Candies Day

National Oatmeal Day

Poperinge Beer & Hop Festival begins (Belgium) [Every 3 years, 3rd Friday, but postponed from 2021]

5th & Last Sunday in October

European Summer Times Ends (EU) [Last Sunday]

International Creole Day (Dominica, Saint Lucia) [Last Sunday]

Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day; Dominica, Saint Lucia) [Last Sunday]

National Grandparents Day (Australia) [Last Sunday]

National Student Baptism Day [Last Sunday]

Reformation Sunday [Last Sunday]

Visit a Cemetery Day [Last Sunday]

World Swim Hat Day [Last Sunday]

Independence Days

Turkey (from Ottoman Empire, 1923)

Westarctica (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Abraham of Rostov (Christian; Saint)

Andrei Ryabushkin (Artology)

Chef (a.k.a. Theuderius; Christian; Saint)

Chiara Badano (Christian; Blessed)

Colman mac Duagh (Christian; Saint)

Douai Martyrs (Christian; Saint)

Gaetano Errico (Christian; Saint)

Ghatasthapana begins (Nepal)

Isis/Osiris Mysteries II (Pagan)

James Hannington (Anglicanism)

Kojagrat Purnima [15th Day of Dashain]

Lazarus Long Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Mary of Edessa (Christian; Saint)

Maximillian (Christian; Saint)

Narcissus of Jerusalem (Roman Catholic Church)

Nut Day (Pastafarian)

Robertson (Positivist; Saint)

Warren the Warthog (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Historically Unlucky Day [10 of 11]

Historically Bad Day (Stock Market Crash, Hurricane Sandy & 8 other tragedies) [10 of 11]

Lucky Day (Philippines) [58 of 71]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

All I Want for Christmas Is You, by Mariah Carey (Song; 1994)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, with Alex Haley (Biography; 1965)

Being John Malkovich (Film; 1999)

Blue Moon, 24th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2019)

Bullwinkle Busts a Brush or The Cleft Palette (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 226; 1963)

BUtterfield 8, by John O'Hara (Roman à clef Novel; 1935)

Create Dangerously, by Albert Camus (manifesto; 1957)

Don Giovanni, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Opera; 1787)

The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour (Radio Series; 1929)

Get Nervous, by Pat Benatar (Album; 1982)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (Film; 2010)

Hemispheres, by Rush (Album; 1978)

Hulu (Streaming Network; 2007)

The Huntley-Brinkley Report (TV News Show; 1956)

Jingle Bell Rock, recorded by Bobby Helm (Song; 1957)

Keeping Up Appearances (UK TV Series; 1990)

Last Night in Soho (Film; 2021)

Man of the Century (Film; 1999)

Mind Games, by John Lennon (Album; 1973)

My Generation, by The Who (Song; 1965)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Animated Film; 1993)

The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (Novel; 1880)

Portrait of a Moose or Bullwinkle Gets the Brush (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 225; 1963)

Princess Mononoke (Anime Film; 1999)

Ray (Film; 2004)

Red Riding Hoodwinked (WB LT Cartoon; 1955)

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now! (WB Animated Film; 2021)

The Sentinel, 25th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2020)

Trip for Tat (WB MM Cartoon; 1960)

Welcome to the Pleasure Dome, by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (Album; 1984)

What’ll I Do?, recorded by Frank Sinatra (Song; 1947)

Wild Target (Film; 2010)

Today’s Name Days

Ermelina, Hermelindis, Melinda (Austria)

Časlav, Honorat, Ida, Narcis (Croatia)

Silvie (Czech Republic)

Narcissus (Denmark)

Alf, Alfred, Fred, Fredi (Estonia)

Alfred, Urmasimo (Finland)

Narcisse (France)

Ermelinda, Franco, Grete, Melinda (Germany)

Abramios, Melina (Greece)

Nárcisz (Hungary)

Ermelinda, Michela, Massimiliano (Italy)

Elva, Elvijs, Fortuna, Laimonis (Latvia)

Gelgaudas, Narcizas, Tolvydė, Violeta (Lithuania)

Noralf, Norunn (Norway)

Euzebia, Franciszek, Longin, Longina, Lubogost, Narcyz, Teodor, Wioletta (Poland)

Anastasia (Romania)

Zinaida (Russia)

Klára (Slovakia)

Narciso (Spain)

Viola (Sweden)

Garrison, Cyrano, Cyrena, Narcissa, Narcissus (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 302 of 2024; 63 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 43 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 27 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Ten-Xu), Day 15 (Geng-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 14 Heshvan 5784

Islamic: 14 Rabi II 1445

J Cal: 2 Mir; Twosday [2 of 30]

Julian: 16 October 2023

Moon: 99%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 22 Descartes (11th Month) [Robertson]

Runic Half Month: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 3 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 36 of 89)

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 6 of 29)

[rockislandadultreads]

In Memoriam: Authors We Lost in 2023

Master of Disguises by Charles Simic

In this volume of poetry, Charles Simic shows the height of his poetic powers, as its poems mine the rich strain of inscrutability in ordinary life, until it is hard to know what is innocent and what ominous. The face of a girl carrying a white dress from the cleaners with her eyes half-closed. The Adam & Evie Tanning Salon at night. A sparrow on crutches. A rubber duck in a shooting gallery on a Sunday morning. And someone in a tree swing, too old to be swinging, blowing a toy trumpet at the sky. Simic served as poet laureate of the United States from 2007-2008.

Charles Simic passed away on January 9th. 

Passage to Juneau by Jonathan Raban

In this volume, travel writer Jonathan Raban takes us along the Inside Passage, 1,000 miles of often treacherous water, which he navigates solo in a 35-foot sailboat. Throughout, Raban offers captivating discourses on art, philosophy, and navigation; an unsparing narrative of personal loss; and insight into the immeasurable divide between the Northwest's Indians and its first European explorers over a gulf of centuries. 

 Jonathan Raban passed away on January 17th. 

Avid Reader by Robert Gottlieb

After editing The Columbia Review, staging plays at Cambridge, and a stint in the greeting-card department of Macy's, Robert Gottlieb stumbled into a job at Simon and Schuster. By the time he left to run Alfred A. Knopf a dozen years later, he was the editor in chief, having discovered and edited Catch-22 and The American Way of Death, among other bestsellers. At Knopf, Gottlieb edited an astonishing list of authors, such as Toni Morrison, John le Carré, and Michael Crichton. In this memoir, Gottlieb writes with wit and candor about the challenges and satisfactions of running America's preeminent magazine.

Robert Gottlieb passed away on June 14th. 

A Village Life by Louise Glück

In her eleventh volume of poetry, Louise Glück begins in the topography of a village, a Mediterranean world of no definite moment or place. Glück was known as a lyrical and dramatic poet; while her manner was novelistic, she focused not on action but on pauses and intervals, moments of suspension (rather than suspense), in a dreamlike present tense in which poetic speculation and reflection are possible. She also served as poet laureate of the United States from 2003 to 2004. 

Louise Glück passed away on October 13th. 

[davinellicson]

Join American photographer Davin Ellicson in the Maramures region of northern Romania 12-19 April 2023 for a week of enchantment during Orthodox Easter in one of the most traditional villages left in Europe.

For decades Romania’s closed border policy under the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu as well as a natural fortress of mountains kept Maramures isolated from the rest of Europe. Even after the fall of communism change was slow to enter the region. The area is renowned for the strength of its traditions, folk costumes, idyllic landscape and is considered the heart of Romanian culture. In 2007 Romania joined the European Union and Maramures is at last changing. Come savor this rural life before it vanishes forever!

Davin is offering a seven day documentary photography workshop based in the village of Valeni where he lived for a year with a family and fell under Romania's dark spell. It is the subject of his first book coming out in 2023, designed by Dutchman Sybren Kuiper and Davin will explore his book making process for those interested. In his eighth workshop in the village, he will be sharing his passion for Romania with students. We will explore neighboring villages during Orthodox Easter week as well as attend three days of Easter ceremonies culminating with Easter Sunday on 16 April.

Davin will be working closely with workshop participants and providing daily critiques and group discussions. We will begin with a review of participants' past work. The goal of this workshop is to learn to create strong personal photographs about summer peasant life. We will shoot during the day and edit in the evenings. It’s a workshop open to amateurs and professionals alike. Technical, theoretical and aesthetic issues will be discussed as attendees work towards honing their individual visions.

Everyone will enjoy great access and homestays will allow for an immersive experience with local villagers and the opportunity to sample distinctive traditional Romanian food and 110 proof homemade plum brandy. It will be an opportunity to witness the last peasants in Europe living life as they have for millennia albeit with a few aspects of modern life mixed in! The week promises to be an intense, intimate and unforgettable experience where students will get to know the villagers first hand and live a romantic way of life forgotten in the rest of Europe more than a century ago.

It is an all digital workshop limited to 6 students and everyone should come with their own laptop and editing software. Knowledge of your digital SLR or rangefinder and workflow is essential.

DATES: 12-19 April 2023.

WORKSHOP LOCATION: Valeni, Maramures, Romania Homestays and all meals are included. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to Romania and up to Maramures although the option is available on a first come first served basis for three students to accompany Davin from Bucharest and back by SUV for an additional cost which includes food and accommodation one night each way in a restored Saxon house in Transylvania. A few airlines now fly from western Europe to the cities of Bucharest, Cluj and Satu Mare from where there are daily trains to the city of Baia Mare in Maramures.

REGISTRATION: The workshop is open to any professional or committed amateur who has knowledge of digital cameras and editing software. Participants must come with their own camera, laptop and editing software. All ages welcome!

PRICE: 995 euros.

Add 200 euros for round trip transport from Bucharest to Maramures with Davin by SUV including food and accommodation one night each way in a restored Saxon house in Transylvania. Limited to three participants.

For booking please contact Davin at: davin@davinellicson.com

ABOUT: Photographer Davin Ellicson, American, born 1978, works from Bucharest, Romania. His first major project was "Țăran" about the period during which he lived and farmed with a peasant family in the remote Maramures region of northern Romania. Davin went for a year without running water, drinking milk straight from the cow while photographing Romanians' fidelity to the earth and folk traditions that he knew were about to vanish. It is the subject of his first book coming out in 2023, designed by Dutchman Sybren Kuiper and with a text by Romanian/American writer and poet Andrei Codrescu. A psychological portrait of the city of Bucharest comprises the second part of Davin's trilogy of photographic works about Romania. Currently, he is working on the final volume, “The Dacia Project”, a retrospective journey around the country by car in both a 2002 Dacia 1310 (a rebadged 1970s Renault 12 and a symbol of Ceausescu's Romania) as well as Dacia's latest 4x4 SUV, the Duster. Davin's work has appeared in The New York Times, Le Monde M, The Guardian and The Official Ferrari Magazine among others. Awards include two grants from The Romanian Cultural Institute in Bucharest.

[jayessentialsblog]

After Spain and Argentina triumph, Messi and Yamal will face off in the 2025 Finalissima

Spain and Argentina will compete in the 2025 Finalissima. On Sunday, Albiceleste won the Copa America title for the second time in a row. Argentina defeated Colombia 1-0, with Lautauro Martinez scoring the lone goal. Conversely, La Roja defeated England 2-1 in the 2024 European Championship final.

In 2022, the inaugural Finalissima, sometimes known as the "grand final," took place. In the first-ever Finalissima, Argentina and Italy faced off; the South Americans prevailed 3-0. Lionel Messi is anticipated to captain his nation once more the next year, this time against a developing Spain squad that includes 17-year-old wonder Lamine Yamal. Messi had previously only seen Yamal once, during a now-viral photo shoot in 2007. Read the full article

[seattle-wa-first]

Yesler Towers in Seattle, WA

When it comes to 2-bedroom residences in Seattle, you should be mindful about Yesler Towers. Aside from its interesting features, there is the opportunity to live in a safe, accessible, and well-designed place. Moreover, their apartments in Seattle are buzz-worthy. Why is that so? First, it is positioned strategically along Interstate 5. Then, you are immediately greeted by the towers. In addition, you are led into a hub of activity, with its central location providing easy access to Seattle's cultural, educational and social offerings. Besides, being the first ever high-rise in the area, the tower's prominence is not just a view. It's a legacy. It’s amazing, right?

Seattle, WA

These days, talking about the educational background of Seattle, WA area is inspiring. For those who are planning to move there soon, you can also familiarize yourselves with the educational institutions in the city. Basically, Seattle Public Schools is the school district for the vast majority of the city. Moreover, that school district desegregated without a court order but continue to struggle to achieve racial balance in a somewhat ethnically divided city, the south part of town having more ethnic minorities than the north. Furthermore, Seattle is home to the University of Washington, as well as the institution's professional and continuing education unit, the University of Washington Educational Outreach.

Seattle Art Museum

Have you visited the Seattle Art Museum in the past? Well, many people visit the beautiful tourist spot. Besides, the said place that is commonly known as SAM is an art museum located in Seattle, Washington, United States. Apart from that, it operates three major facilities: its main museum in downtown Seattle; the Seattle Asian Art Museum or SAAM in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, and Olympic Sculpture Park on the central Seattle waterfront that opened in January 2007. In addition, parts of the museum's notable exhibitions are a 1954 exhibition of 25 European paintings and sculptures from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation.

Seattle police investigating deadly shooting early Sunday morning

Let’s talk about the shocking news reports in Seattle, WA area. One of the stories is about a shooting incident. Based on the news, Seattle police are investigating a deadly shooting in the city's Mount Baker neighborhood early Sunday morning. Based on the report by Seattle Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 3600 block of 34th Avenue South just after 2:00 at dawn. Besides, arriving officers reportedly found a 22-year-old man with a gunshot wound in the stairwell of a building. Then, the victim was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Lastly, Seattle police homicide detectives are investigating the shooting.

Link to Map Driving Direction

Seattle Art Museum 1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, United States

Head southeast on 2nd Ave toward University St 0.5 mi

Turn left onto Yesler Wy 0.4 mi

Turn right onto S Washington St Destination will be on the right 112 ft

Yesler Towers 809 S Washington St, Seattle, WA 98104, United States

[sociologyonthemove]

The Close Proximity of Cardiff’s Class and Culture Contrast by Sadie Mullis

It is 11.34am when I approach the four-way junction at the top of Albany Road. My attention is immediately drawn to the flashing blue lights coming from a parked ambulance on my left. The driver is sat on his phone in the front seat, seemingly unfazed by what could be unfolding in the back. It is just another day at the office for him, after all. It is a Sunday in April, and the sun is restrained by the grey clouds, occasionally peeking through to tease us with the hope of summertime in Cardiff. At least it’s not raining. A group of four lads surge past me, breathing heavily but still able to gossip. Clearly in the middle of their ‘Sunday long run’, which will inevitably end with a pint at the pub. The aggressive beeping of the traffic lights brings me back to reality, and I cross the road. Hearing this prompted my human sensory perception and reminded me why so many researchers choose to use ‘listening walks’ (Gallagher and Prior, 2017). I walk down the left-hand side of the street, as I normally would, on a mission or with a particular goal in mind. But this walk is different. I feel mixed emotions; more present, but also more conscious of my surroundings. Eager to explore and note the close proximity of class and culture differences present. 

People are all around, some walking at a leisurely pace matching mine, others clearly with an end destination in mind. I notice I am one of the only young girls around, which makes me slightly more vigilant than usual. A middle-aged woman in a khaki tracksuit exits Savers on my left, toilet roll in hand. On my right, an elderly couple board the bus, both wearing smart attire. On reflection this is the first contrast which emphasises the sociological focus of my walk. Classes and cultures can be significantly different yet be in such a close proximity to one another. The clothing these individuals chose to wear on Albany Road in some ways provide a visible process of distinction between these classes (Bourdieu, 1984). What might their typical Sunday look like? And would it differ considerably? I find myself wondering. My stomach rumbles, an automatic response to the smell of Indian cuisine emanating from Pooja Sweets & Savouries. The window of the independent store is filled with spring rolls and samosas, bhajis and pastries, offering a cultural alternative to the mass produced but perhaps unimaginative Tesco meal deal that is available only a few metres down the road. I stop to look through the window at the impressive array of treats. Regular consumers perhaps wouldn’t think twice about this mix of cultural options on the street (Macklin, 2007). I pass by a slightly run down looking dry cleaners and dodge the shards of broken glass on the street. Litter and what I assume (and hope) to be a spilt chocolate milkshake surround the overflowing bins, seagulls lurking around hoping for any leftovers. I dodge three drains on the pavement. An Eastern European looking man, whom I presume to be the owner, unlocks the door of Pookie Delicacy. He mutters on the phone in a language I am unfamiliar with. He embodies the ‘assimilationist hero’ (Rhys-Taylor, 2013). I become aware of a chill in the air when a gust of wind emerges, regretting the thin sweater I chose to wear. My attention is drawn to the large, yellow poster presented inside one of the many Iceland chain stores that can be accessed around Cardiff. ‘HUGE HALF PRICE REDUCTIONS!’, it seemingly screamed. The advertising team had earnt their wages; it certainly caught my attention (Lange et al. 2016). I move beyond the first of many charity shops, before dodging a group of male teens all dressed in black, sporting large chains around some of their necks. I cough, trying not to inhale the sickeningly sweet strawberry second hand vape smoke that clouds behind two of them. 

I near the halfway point of the first part of my walk down Albany Road, passing the infamous Andrew Buchanan pub. The smell of cigarette smoke immediately transports me back to summer evenings abroad (Verbeek and van Campen, 2013). I am filled with excitement at the thought of my post exam period getaway. This excitement is quickly surpassed by reality as the two elderly males standing outside, clutching half empty pints of Guinness, stare at me walking by. I move on towards the post office, and flinch at the flock of pigeons at my feet. They are always here; I don’t know why I am surprised. The clunk of a bicycle changing gear can be heard over my right shoulder, and the line of cars waiting for that green light surge past. On my left I notice the break in shops, replaced by lines of terraced houses visible far into the horizon. I open the maps app on my phone, and discover that these slightly run down, sandwiched houses lead onto those surrounding Roath Recreational Ground which boast large gardens and grand front porches. One may wonder where the boundary is that signals the difference between residents, and whether this is individually subjective to them (Barth, 1969). Speaking of boundaries, the prominent metal gate to my right creates a distinct physical one. It separates Albany Road Primary School from the potential dangers of a busy road and popular street. 

Despite being aware of my dawdling, I remember I am to try and embrace Walter Benjamin’s concept of ‘flâneur’ throughout the duration of my walk (Bates and Rhys-Taylor, 2017), so I continue at a leisurely pace. Walkers are the practitioners of the city, after all (Solnit, 2001). I take a left turning onto Wellfield Road. The time is now 11.46. Loud music erupts from a trailer parked outside a slightly run down but grand old building labelled ‘Rainbow Bargains’. Its advertising boasts an impressive array of different e-cigarette and disposable vape flavours. The combination of catchy tunes and colourful flashing lights glamourising the unhealthy habit. I stroll on, the sound of the music dulling behind me. The area already seems less crowded and quieter. Perhaps because the road is one way, halving the number of cars, I note. A fresh fruit and vegetable stall is closed beside me. It is positioned next to an in-bloom cherry blossom tree which sways lightly in the breeze. I stop and stand for a moment. Behind me is a noisy street, packed with everything a consumer could want. Its occupants ranging in age and culture, most seemingly in a rush. In front of me is much more picturesque. The selection of shops is perhaps more limited, but much less cramped. Couples sit leisurely outside of cafes and coffee shops. The average age is higher, and predominantly white. 

“Oooh, they’ve got loads of iced buns”, a man exclaims to his female acquaintance as we cross paths next to Parsons bakery. They are both dressed in athletic wear, like a few others around, takeaway coffees in hand. I presume they have been for a run around the nearby lake, now seeking their reward. Dainty outside tables and chairs are all occupied by laughing customers, clearly comfortable with their surroundings despite being sat next to a road and on a pavement. They have claimed and chosen this area, manifesting their sense of elective belonging (Savage et al. 2005). I can’t help but wonder if a mere half a mile behind them they would feel so at ease. Whereas most of the food outlets on Albany Road were takeaway, Wellfield Road boasts many restaurants with waiters lurking eagerly to serve. Flats above the shops have intricate balconies and I imagine residents relaxing with a drink in the summertime. I continue at my unhurried speed and acknowledge the luxury of wandering I am able to experience (Shortell, 2015). The wind has dropped slightly, and the sun is straining to get through the clouds. I feel at ease. But this ease is quickly replaced with guilt as I pass a homeless man outside of Tesco Express, unable to offer any loose change. Unknowingly, he is an obstacle in a regular shopper’s guilt-free experience (Rhys-Taylor, 2017). This physical juxtaposition of poverty and wealth emphasizes just how flawed society is. A seemingly wealthy and more exclusive area still homes those with nothing.

An independent boutique store, homing exclusive garments that clearly only appeal to both the middle class and middle-aged woman, neighbours another bakery. The church on the other side of the road looks quiet, despite it being a Sunday. Rubbish bags pile up its fence, which also holds a Slimming World banner. The sound of a child’s scooter trails the tarmac. The four-way crossing I need to use is surrounded by road works and barriers. I don’t change my tracks and chance that I can cross the road further down, following the narrow path obstructed by large red boulders. I cannot! Turning back around humbly, I follow a woman who had made the same mistake. She acknowledges a man waiting so she had room to pass by with a genuine thanks. I retrace my steps back to the crossing and wait for the familiar beeping of the green man. I overhear a friendly looking elderly woman with a young child on a bike, tassels swinging from the handlebars, wonder if they too can cross by the roadworks. An elderly gentleman overhears and politely explains that they in fact cannot. A car horn blasts: maybe they too are frustrated with the building works. I cross the road and we all go our separate ways, and I think about how in the space of a minute I had witnessed two exchanges compared to the none on Albany Road. Could it be that these people had subconsciously recognised one another as members of the area’s collective group identity (Cohen, 1985) and consequently been friendly?

I progress off Wellfield Road and approach the vicinity of Roath Recreational Ground. Building works veer me away from my planned route yet again, so I am forced to take the path adjacent to the grass area. The dump trucks and piles of materials are deserted, workers nowhere to be seen. To my left, tall, grand houses occupy the space, front gardens perfectly groomed and full of greenery. They all boast front room views of the park and pleasure gardens. A man sporting a fluorescent yellow quarter zip exits the front gate of one of these houses and proceeds to cross the road and start jogging around the park, presenting a real-life example of how the middle class choose their place of residence in order to fit their habitus (Jackson and Benson, 2014). The building works tapering, I decide to head onto the grass area, embodying both rural and urban identities (Moles, 2008). My feet sink into the wet and muddy forage underfoot, and I quickly hop back to the path. A harsh reminder of the copious amounts of rainfall Cardiff has experienced lately. The blue sky can be deceiving. Clearly, as some people are wearing shorts, others woolly hats and puffer coats. The time is now 12.04 and the sun is out. I hear a dog barking, followed by laughter. An aeroplane echoes faintly overhead. More runners overtake me, both male and female, some in groups trying to chat, others solo and focused. With running being a highly gendered practise in general, I feel a sense of relief that women feel comfortable enough to run in this area (Cook and Larsen, 2022). The end of my route nearing, I wander into Roath Pleasure Gardens. There is no litter to be seen. The river flows unassumingly, it’s many uses often overlooked by the average eye (Bates and Moles, 2023). Wet pawprints dot along the dry path and an elderly couple soak up the sun on one of the benches. An idyllic scene set in front of me, I reflect how in the space of an hour I have experienced vast cultural and class differences provided by the city of Cardiff. 

Methodological Note

I used a literary sociology approach to my walk through Cardiff, in order to demonstrate and capture the creative and imaginative spirit of the walk itself (Back, 2007). Small details the regular walker would perhaps miss were of high importance to me in order to sustain the bigger picture and sociological focus of my walk. These small details can be used to both make connections and recognise differences, which is necessary in order for me to explore the class and culture contrasts presented. I recorded my sensory experiences in the form of taking rough notes and pictures of my surroundings, which helped to prompt my memory when it came to writing this essay. I recorded my thoughts and feelings along with the physical sights presented throughout my walk, which emphasised some of the social structures I had predicted. Walking as a method has become hugely popular with researchers as it enables them to personify the transient, embodied and multi sensual aspects of walking (Bates and Rhys-Taylor, 2017). Further, listening walks have become appealing as they can be used to understand peoples in situ experiences of different sound environments (Gallagher and Prior, 2017), which in turn helps to feed the researchers sociological imagination (Mills, 1959). 

The aim of my walk was to explore the class and culture differences present in the short distance between Albany Road and Roath Pleasure Gardens. A key piece of literature relating to the focus of this walking essay was Jackson and Benson’s (2014) article based on the middle classes and how they often perceive people as ‘others’, despite inhabiting the same neighbourhood. Separate group identities are formed which thrive off of the recognition of similarities between members and the distinction of differences between others (Cohen, 1895). Using the combination of my senses enabled me to pick up on some of the distinctions invisible to the regular walkers untrained eye, and I found embracing the sensory walk to be an efficient technique. The use of our senses, particularly smell, play a significant role in the transmission of culture through different areas (Seremetakis, 1996). In addition, the art of really listening can unlock hidden and deeper meanings (Back, 2007). The fusion of being familiar with the area and being alone also contributed to the success of my walk and gathering of ideas to compile this essay. Despite my physicality being opposite to that of the traditional ‘flâneur’ occupier, I was able to embody this concept which was a welcome break from the usual pressures of everyday life (Bates and Rhys-Taylor, 2017). The act and freedom of wandering, with no time constraints or particular goal in mind, can therefore be viewed as a privilege when compared to the pressures and stresses of my third-year student reality. 

References 

Back, L. 2007. The Art of Listening. Oxford: Berg.

Barth, F. 1969. Ethnic groups and boundaries. Boston, MA: Little Brown and Co. 

Bates, C. and Rhys-Taylor, A. 2017. Walking through social research. New York; London: Routledge.

Bates, C. and Moles, K. 2023. Living with Water: Everyday Encounters and Liquid Connections. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Bourdieu, P. 1984. Distinction: a social critique of the judgement of taste. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Cohen, A. 1985. The symbolic construction of community. London: Routledge.

Cook, S. and Larsen, J. 2022. Geographies of running cultures and practices. Geography Compass 16(10).

Gallagher, M. and Prior, J. 2017. Listening Walks: A Method of Multiplicity. In: Bates, C. and Rhys-Taylor, A. eds. Walking through social research. New York: Routledge, pp. 163-177. 

Jackson, E. and Benson, M. 2014. Neither ‘Deepest, Darkest Peckham’ nor ‘Run-of-the-Mill’ East Dulwich: The Middle Classes and their ‘Others’ in an Inner-London Neighbourhood. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research38(4), p. 1195-1210.

Lange, F., Rosengren, S. and Blom, A. 2016. Store-window creativity’s impact on shopper behaviour. Journal of Business Research 69(3), pp. 1014-1021.

Macklin, G. 2007. Very Deeply Dyed in Black: Sir Oswald Mosley and the Postwar Reconstruction of British Fascism. London; New York: I. B. Tauris. 

Mills, C. 1959. The sociological imagination. New York: Oxford University Press.

Moles, K. 2008. ‘A Walk in Thirdspace: Place, Methods and Walking’. Sociological Research Online 13(4), pp. 31-39.

Rhys-Taylor, A. 2013. The essences of multiculture: a sensory exploration of an inner-city street market. Identities 20(4), pp. 393-406.

Rhys-Taylor, A. 2017. Westfield Stratford City: A walk through millennial urbanism. In: Bates, C. and Rhys-Taylor, A. eds. Walking through social research. New York: Routledge, pp. 105-128

Savage, M., Bagnall, G. and Longhurst, B. 2005. Globalisation and belonging. London: SAGE. 

Seremetakis, C.N. 1996. The senses still. Chicago: University of Chicago Press

Shortell, T. 2015. Walking in Cities: Quotidian Mobility as Urban Theory, Method, and Practice. Philadelphia: Temple University Press

Solnit, R. 2001. Wanderlust: a history of walking. London: Verso

Verbeek, C. and van Campen, C. 2013. Inhaling Memories: Smell and Taste Memories in Art, Science, and Practice. The Senses and Society 8(2), pp. 133-148.

[club-pera]

Fatma Turgut

Sunday 28 April 2024 in Tolhuistuin Doors open at 19:00, Starts at 20:30

Info & Tickets

The Turkish rock pop singer Fatma Turgut is coming to Europe for a long-awaited Europe tour. Fatma Turgut is one of the most prominent female rock artists in Turkey and is acclaimed for her distinctive voice. With this concert, she will be making her first European debut.

The singer got off to a flying start in Turkey in 2007 with her band "Model" of which she was the lead singer. The band was very popular in Turkey. After the band broke up, Fatma Turgut continued as a solo artist. Her debut album "Elimde Dünya" (the world in my hand) was released in 2019 and received high praise. Since then, she has collaborated with big names like Sertab Erener, Sabri Tuluğ Tırpan, Emre Aydın is a well-respected artist in her home country. Now, it's Europe's turn to get acquainted with this exceptional artist.

[umlewis]

nürburgring, p9 // july 22, 2007

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 10.29

Holidays

Black Salsify Day (French Republic)

Bob Ross Day (Abeldane Empire)

Candies Day

Coronation Day (Cambodia)

C6HO Day (Kentucky)

Cumhuriyet Bayrami (North Cyprus, Turkey)

Cyrus the Great Day (Iran)

Feed the Birds Day (UK)

Festival of Global Climate Change

Fiestas Patrias begins (Honduras)

Halloween Eve Eve

Hermit Day

Hide From Everyone Day (a.k.a. Hermit Day)

International Internet Day

Laugh Suddenly For No Reason A Lot Today Day

Naming Day (Tanzania)

National Boner Day

National Book Day (Brazil)

National Cat Daddy Day

National Cat Day

National Hermit Day

National Martina Day

Oatmeal Day

PSC Awareness Day

Sea Slug Day

Separation of Church and State Day

Turkish Republic Day (Turkey)

World Online Networking Day

World Psoriasis Day

World Stroke Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Disgusting Little Pumpkin-Shaped Candies Day

National Oatmeal Day

Poperinge Beer & Hop Festival begins (Belgium) [Every 3 years, 3rd Friday, but postponed from 2021]

5th & Last Sunday in October

European Summer Times Ends (EU) [Last Sunday]

International Creole Day (Dominica, Saint Lucia) [Last Sunday]

Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day; Dominica, Saint Lucia) [Last Sunday]

National Grandparents Day (Australia) [Last Sunday]

National Student Baptism Day [Last Sunday]

Reformation Sunday [Last Sunday]

Visit a Cemetery Day [Last Sunday]

World Swim Hat Day [Last Sunday]

Independence Days

Turkey (from Ottoman Empire, 1923)

Westarctica (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Abraham of Rostov (Christian; Saint)

Andrei Ryabushkin (Artology)

Chef (a.k.a. Theuderius; Christian; Saint)

Chiara Badano (Christian; Blessed)

Colman mac Duagh (Christian; Saint)

Douai Martyrs (Christian; Saint)

Gaetano Errico (Christian; Saint)

Ghatasthapana begins (Nepal)

Isis/Osiris Mysteries II (Pagan)

James Hannington (Anglicanism)

Kojagrat Purnima [15th Day of Dashain]

Lazarus Long Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Mary of Edessa (Christian; Saint)

Maximillian (Christian; Saint)

Narcissus of Jerusalem (Roman Catholic Church)

Nut Day (Pastafarian)

Robertson (Positivist; Saint)

Warren the Warthog (Muppetism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Historically Unlucky Day [10 of 11]

Historically Bad Day (Stock Market Crash, Hurricane Sandy & 8 other tragedies) [10 of 11]

Lucky Day (Philippines) [58 of 71]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

All I Want for Christmas Is You, by Mariah Carey (Song; 1994)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X, with Alex Haley (Biography; 1965)

Being John Malkovich (Film; 1999)

Blue Moon, 24th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2019)

Bullwinkle Busts a Brush or The Cleft Palette (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 226; 1963)

BUtterfield 8, by John O'Hara (Roman à clef Novel; 1935)

Create Dangerously, by Albert Camus (manifesto; 1957)

Don Giovanni, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Opera; 1787)

The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour (Radio Series; 1929)

Get Nervous, by Pat Benatar (Album; 1982)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (Film; 2010)

Hemispheres, by Rush (Album; 1978)

Hulu (Streaming Network; 2007)

The Huntley-Brinkley Report (TV News Show; 1956)

Jingle Bell Rock, recorded by Bobby Helm (Song; 1957)

Keeping Up Appearances (UK TV Series; 1990)

Last Night in Soho (Film; 2021)

Man of the Century (Film; 1999)

Mind Games, by John Lennon (Album; 1973)

My Generation, by The Who (Song; 1965)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Animated Film; 1993)

The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James (Novel; 1880)

Portrait of a Moose or Bullwinkle Gets the Brush (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 225; 1963)

Princess Mononoke (Anime Film; 1999)

Ray (Film; 2004)

Red Riding Hoodwinked (WB LT Cartoon; 1955)

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now! (WB Animated Film; 2021)

The Sentinel, 25th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2020)

Trip for Tat (WB MM Cartoon; 1960)

Welcome to the Pleasure Dome, by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (Album; 1984)

What’ll I Do?, recorded by Frank Sinatra (Song; 1947)

Wild Target (Film; 2010)

Today’s Name Days

Ermelina, Hermelindis, Melinda (Austria)

Časlav, Honorat, Ida, Narcis (Croatia)

Silvie (Czech Republic)

Narcissus (Denmark)

Alf, Alfred, Fred, Fredi (Estonia)

Alfred, Urmasimo (Finland)

Narcisse (France)

Ermelinda, Franco, Grete, Melinda (Germany)

Abramios, Melina (Greece)

Nárcisz (Hungary)

Ermelinda, Michela, Massimiliano (Italy)

Elva, Elvijs, Fortuna, Laimonis (Latvia)

Gelgaudas, Narcizas, Tolvydė, Violeta (Lithuania)

Noralf, Norunn (Norway)

Euzebia, Franciszek, Longin, Longina, Lubogost, Narcyz, Teodor, Wioletta (Poland)

Anastasia (Romania)

Zinaida (Russia)

Klára (Slovakia)

Narciso (Spain)

Viola (Sweden)

Garrison, Cyrano, Cyrena, Narcissa, Narcissus (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 302 of 2024; 63 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 43 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 27 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Ten-Xu), Day 15 (Geng-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 14 Heshvan 5784

Islamic: 14 Rabi II 1445

J Cal: 2 Mir; Twosday [2 of 30]

Julian: 16 October 2023

Moon: 99%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 22 Descartes (11th Month) [Robertson]

Runic Half Month: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 3 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 36 of 89)

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 6 of 29)

[juliansiegel]

UPCOMING DATES 2023

CLICK BELOW FOR TICKET LINKS

TUESDAY 7th FEBRUARY BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL STAGE

THURSDAY 9th FEBRUARY TURNER SIMS, SOUTHAMPTON

FRIDAY 10th FEBRUARY SHEFFIELD JAZZ

SATURDAY 11th FEBRUARY DERBY JAZZ, DEDA STUDIO THEATRE

SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY LONDON, RONNIE SCOTTS JAZZ CLUB

BBC Jazz Award winning saxophonist Julian Siegel embarks on a major tour in February 2023 with the Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra celebrating his acclaimed album Tales from the Jacquard (Whirlwind Recordings). The Orchestra features some of Julian's favourite musicians from the UK and European scenes and presents a rare opportunity to see this handpicked, stellar line-up perform together (see full tour line up below).

The tour will feature Julian’s music for Jazz Orchestra from the new album, from expansions and arrangements of music written for small band to the suite commissioned by Derby Jazz composed especially for the orchestra ‘Tales from the Jacquard’ plus new arrangements and compositions written for this tour. ’Tales from the Jacquard’ draws inspiration from the lace-making process and the Jacquard cards, which controlled the lace knitting machines. (Julian’s parents and family ran a lace manufacturing business in Nottingham for over 50 years).

Julian gratefully acknowledges the support of Arts Council England in making this tour possible.

“One of the major highlights of this year’s jazz calendar”  London Jazz News

“Essential listening”  The Jazz Mann 

"A beautiful balance between an open writing and more traditional pictures." ★★★★ All About Jazz 

"Razor-sharp section work and a string of superlative solos." Bebop Spoken Here

The JULIAN SIEGEL JAZZ ORCHESTRA contains renowned bandleaders, composers and soloists in their own right. Conducted by Nick Smart, the band features saxophonists Stan Sulzmann, Tori Freestone, Nathaniel Facey (Feb 7, 10 + 11 ) Paul Booth (Feb 9 + 12), Michael Chillingworth and Gemma Moore, Trumpeters Tom Walsh and Steve Fishwick alongside Claus Stötter and Percy Pursglove from NDR Bigband Hamburg, Trombonists Mark Nightingale, Trevor Mires, Harry Brown and Richard Henry, Guitarist Mike Outram, all based around the dynamic and creative rhythm section of his long standing group the Julian Siegel Quartet, featuring pianist Liam Noble (Feb 7 + 12), bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Gene Calderazzo. The highly in-demand pianist Ross Stanley also features on three dates of the tour (Feb 9, 10+11)

(see below for full line up)

JULIAN SIEGEL JAZZ ORCHESTRA - LINE UP

Saxes / Clarinets / Compositions / Arrangements   Julian Siegel

Conductor  Nick Smart

Trumpets Tom Walsh, Percy Pursglove, Steve Fishwick, Claus Stötter

Alto Saxophone Mike Chillingworth, Nathaniel Facey (7th, 10th, 11th) Paul Booth (9th, 12th)

Tenor Saxophone Stan Sulzmann

Tenor Saxophone and Flute Tori Freestone

Baritone Sax and Bass Clarinet Gemma Moore

Trombones Mark Nightingale, Trevor Mires, Harry Brown

Bass Trombone and Tuba  Richard Henry

Guitar Mike Outram

Piano  Liam Noble (7th, 12th) Ross Stanley (9th, 10th, 11th)

Double and Electric Bass Oli Hayhurst

Drums Gene Calderazzo

JULIAN SIEGEL SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Julian Siegel is an in-demand saxophonist on the UK and European Jazz scene who has worked with many of the top figures in the music. In 2007, he was awarded the BBC Jazz Award for Best Instrumentalist. He is currently touring with the Julian Siegel Quartet, featuring pianist Liam Noble, bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Gene Calderazzo.

As a sideman Julian has played in large ensembles led by Kenny Wheeler, Andrew Hill, Hermeto Pascoal, Michael Gibbs, Django Bates, John Taylor, Nikki Iles, Stan Sulzmann, NDR Big Band, Colin Towns and Jason Yarde to name a few. Inspired by these great experiences and coupled with a long standing wish to write for larger ensemble, Julian formed the Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra embarking on its debut UK tour in March 2017.

READ MORE ABOUT THE WRITING OF TALES FROM THE JACQUARD

COMPOSER BLOG

[mariacallous]

WARSAW, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Poland's opposition parties led by Donald Tusk's Civic Coalition (KO) prepared for coalition talks on Tuesday after official results from Sunday's election showed they had won enough seats to oust the ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party.

A new government led by pro-EU centrists will mark a massive shift in Poland after eight years of conflict between PiS and Brussels over democratic standards, media freedom, minority rights and migration.

"In the coming days, after the (final) results are announced, we will talk," said Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, a leader of the centre-right Third Way, which along with the New Left is expected to join a KO-led coalition.

The Electoral Commission confirmed on Tuesday that PiS remained the largest party in the lower house of parliament, the Sejm, after winning 35.38% of the vote. This would give it around 190 seats in the 460-seat chamber.

Tusk's KO won 30.70% of the vote. Third Way took third place with 14.40% and the New Left had 8.61%, the Commission said. The far-right Confederation won 7.16% of the vote.

KO, the Third Way and the New Left, combined, will have around 250 seats, the results suggested, enough for them to form a stable coalition government.

However, that prospect could still be weeks, if not months, away. President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, said before the vote that he would give the first shot at forming a cabinet to the group or party that won most ballots.

With no party indicating a willingness to join a PiS-led government, the nationalist party led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski seems unlikely to be able to secure a third term at the helm of the European Union's largest eastern member state.

"Evil has prevailed in Poland, temporarily," Marek Suski, a senior PiS official, told public broadcaster TVP. "PiS is likely moving into a really democratic opposition."

MASS MOBILISATION

Turnout in Sunday's election exceeded 74%, the highest in Poland since the collapse of communism in 1989, after the parties managed to galvanise large numbers of especially younger voters for the first time.

But the election campaign was marred by harsh, divisive rhetoric, reflecting deep polarisation within Polish society.

Vowing to protect Polish borders and sovereignty, PiS cast the vote as a fight against unfettered migration and against unwarranted interference in national life by remote, unelected EU bureaucrats.

Opposition leaders including Tusk, a former European Council president, said PiS would take Poland out of the EU if it won a third term - a charge denied by the ruling party despite its constant legal and political feuds with Brussels.

The opposition parties have yet to name a candidate for the post of prime minister but Tusk, 66, is widely expected to be their nominee. He served as premier from 2007 to 2014.

"Nobody doubts today that without Donald Tusk's energy and determination, change in Poland would not have been possible," Marcin Kierwinski, a senior KO official, told Polsat News broadcaster.

Still, the three parties are likely to face complex talks over issues such as abortion and LGBT rights.

On abortion, Kosiniak-Kamysz of Third Way said on Tuesday his party would support reversing a 2021 near-total ban on terminations by reinstating the right to abortion in cases of fetal defects, but would not agree upfront to further liberalisation.

KO and the New Left also want to allow abortions up to 12 weeks without limitations. Third Way wants Poles to decide the matter in a referendum.

"No ideological issues can be part of any coalition agreement," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

[trylkstopocket]

Top economist Mohamed El-Erian says the everything bubble is over. It’s a paradigm shift away from a ‘silly’ artificial economic world

Wednesday’s decision by the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates by 75 basis points was its biggest hike since 1994, and economists are starting to digest what a paradigm change it is. 

One of the world’s most prominent Fed watchers, Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic adviser of financial services firm Allianz and president of Queens’ College at Cambridge, says it’s part of a “great awakening” for central banks, as several others took action this week. 

For instance, the Swiss National Bank imposed a 50 bps increase, its first since 2007, and the Bank of England initiated a more modest hike of 25 bps. The European Central Bank (ECB) recently announced at an emergency monetary policy meeting that it would initiate its first rate hike in over a decade next month and continue with another in September.

Before this spate of dramatic hikes, central banks had been significantly leading investors astray, he said on CNBC’s Squawk Box on Thursday.

“It’s about time we exit this artificial world of predictable massive liquidity injections, where everybody gets used to zero interest rates, where we do silly things where there is investing in parts of the market we shouldn’t be investing in, or investing in the economy in ways that don’t make sense,” he said. “We are exiting that regime, and it’s going to be bumpy.”

El-Erian is referring to the fact that for most of the past 14 years, monetary policy in the U.S. and internationally has been consistently loose, with the Fed and other central banks setting interest rates low and letting money flow to commercial banks by buying up assets and stocks. (Some critics argue that the 1990s were also extraordinarily loose.) That spurred economic growth in the face of several economic crises but also led to multiple economic bubbles—from housing to crypto to VC-backed subsidies for things like cheap Uber prices—existing at once. Now, all those bubbles are poised to dissipate as banks tighten their policies and stop the free flow of cash.

The impetus for the shift was obvious. Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that the inflation rate for all consumer goods increased in May to 8.6%, after a slight decrease to 8.3% in April, following a peak of 8.5% in March.

“8.6% is a day of reckoning,” said El-Erian. “You cannot ignore 8.6% inflation.” Wednesday’s 75 bps hike followed two previous increases this year, a 25 bps hike in March and a 50 bps hike in May.

Thursday’s comments are not the first the economist has made about inflation this week. On Sunday, he appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation to explain that expert predictions had been too optimistic with regard to inflation. “And I fear that it’s still going to get worse,” he said. “We may well get to 9% at this rate.”

On _Squawk _<em>Box</em>,” El-Erian said the Swiss National Bank’s interest rate hike was actually more significant than the Fed’s. “The Swiss National Bank always fights a strong currency,” he said. “For it to get ahead of the ECB and hike not 25, but 50, shows you that we are in the midst of a secular change.”

In terms of the U.S. specifically, El-Erian said there are three tests to determine whether the Fed has gotten control of inflation. The first is to ask if financial conditions have tightened, which El-Erian said they have. The second is to ask whether they’ve tightened in an orderly way; El-Erian said it’s been slightly disorderly.

The third is to ask whether the bank has been leading or lagging with regard to its approach to inflation. “As long as the Fed lags the process, it’s going to be problematic for markets,” he said.