SoCultures Magazine November 2018
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India & Russia<br />
Russia with Ajay<br />
Kamalakaran<br />
Enrico<br />
Garff<br />
Robert Owen<br />
Emmanuel Cherki<br />
Hipstory Radio Taiffa<br />
Indialucia<br />
SOCULTURES MAGAZINE<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Editorial<br />
Welcome to <strong>November</strong>!<br />
<strong>November</strong> is here! That auspicious time of the year, when the weather starts to<br />
cool and fallen leaves look like works of art in mellowed delicate sunshine. There<br />
is a festive glow before the arrival of Christmas, Diwali, and New Year...and it has<br />
begun to brighten up smiles on the faces of children, flowers like Orchids, Pansies,<br />
Roses, Lilies and the surroundings... <strong>November</strong> is also the time of pale sunlight,<br />
sweaters, coats, snow, warm socks and thick soups.<br />
There are many important days which fall in this month – World Kindness Day<br />
(Nov 13), America Recycles Day (Nov 15), to World Peace Day (Nov 17) and<br />
many more. And <strong>SoCultures</strong> feels that all days are beautiful and it’s also the time<br />
of the year when we can add more beauty to these quickly passing by times.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong> and its featured stories wish to add more<br />
meaning, creativity and inspirations to the beautiful days.<br />
The Christmas cakes and Diwali savouries waft the familiar earthy, salty, sweet<br />
aromas all around. The intermingling outlandish aromas of cinnamon, freshly<br />
baked apple pie cake or coffee are delicious and full of warmth.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> has ample “Food for thought” to relish in this <strong>November</strong> issue.<br />
The stories from Russia, Mexico, America, and France are sure to fill in the<br />
reading hours with smiles, thoughts and insights and we recommend reading with a<br />
hot cuppa of coffee and our story on Russian breads in “Breads! Slices! Story!”<br />
Russia is a country with rich past and great culture and this month issue has the<br />
Cover Story on Russia. We invite you to take a metro ride and praise the opulent<br />
décor of its metro stations in “Opulent and Palatial”, know more about the<br />
grandeur of Russian heritage in theaters, in a story titled “Russian Theater.”<br />
Experience the real Russia in “Russia Beyond the News”, a detailed interview with<br />
Ajay Kamalakaran, the celebrated, globetrotter author and journalist, who shares<br />
his views and experiences of Russia.<br />
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There is an eclectic mix of supercharged<br />
interviews with the dynamic personalities<br />
from the world over. <strong>SoCultures</strong> is more<br />
assured that the different people, places and<br />
cultures make an interesting read. All the<br />
stories are presenting varied perspectives,<br />
views, attitudes and cultural landscape. The<br />
detailed and insightful interviews with the<br />
legendary artist Enrico Garff, Founder of<br />
Radio Taiffa, Ponxo Taiffa, , Indialucia<br />
band, ace photographer Emmanuel Cherki,<br />
and Body Painting artist Robert Owen are<br />
insightful and interesting.<br />
Make the<br />
world a better place!!!<br />
With this belief, <strong>SoCultures</strong> watches with glittering eyes the whole world with you<br />
and it assures us to believe in its magic.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong><br />
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Contents<br />
Editor: Rakhee Kaushik<br />
Website & magazine Design<br />
Email: soculturesstory@gmail.com<br />
Amit<br />
Marketing Rachit K.<br />
Advertizing<br />
Sagarika and Shrey<br />
For any inquiries, please visit soculturesstory@gmail.com,<br />
socultures9@gmail.com<br />
Founder <strong>SoCultures</strong> Media & Events<br />
Rakhee Kaushik<br />
While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of<br />
all the information published in this magazine, they will not be held<br />
responsible for any errors therein. All rights reserved. Reproduction in<br />
whole or part is prohibited.<br />
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Contents<br />
Cover story<br />
russia<br />
Russian breads are as varied as our lives... Bread! Slice! Story! Pg<br />
Explore Russia with Ajay Kamalakaran Russia Beyond News Pg7<br />
The most loved travel route in Russia…The Golden Ring Pg67<br />
The museums present history so magically Majestic Museum Pg58<br />
Russia and India continue their glorious friendship Russia in India<br />
Pg…50.<br />
Theaters, stories and methods of<br />
acting...Russian Theater Pg 45…<br />
These Russian metro stations are<br />
simply breathtaking Opulent n<br />
Palatial Pg 22<br />
Culture Curators<br />
Read stories of people from<br />
around the globe who continue<br />
to inspire us…<br />
Enrico Garff shares his artistic sensibilities and<br />
some beautiful memories The world of Garff<br />
Pg73<br />
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Contents<br />
These photographs about mundane life create complete stories<br />
…..Captures! Pg 107<br />
The fusion of cultures and music with Indialucia Fusion Music Pg100<br />
Why the music needs no language, tells<br />
Ponxo Taifa about his music<br />
venture..Music of Universe Pg84<br />
Robert Owen explores artistic inspirations<br />
in paints, nature, photographs, real<br />
models…Body Painting Art Pg91<br />
Cultural innovations<br />
These leaders are cool and love fashion Hipstory Pg118<br />
Cultural ManageMent<br />
Encouraging new as well as old talents, Sala Dante from Spain shows us<br />
HOW…Sala Dante Pg128<br />
Culture Café<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> had a chit-chat over a cup of coffee with the people from<br />
around the world to discuss cultures, and the so much more that<br />
matter in the world… Culture Café Pg134<br />
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India & Russia<br />
RUSSIA BEyONd ThE NEwS!<br />
wITh AjAy KAMALAKARAN<br />
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RUSSIA BEyONd ThE NEwS!<br />
wITh AjAy KAMALAKARAN<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> is curious to know about Russia. Russia! As a country beyond the<br />
headlines! How is it to live in this beautiful country and feel the breeze wandering<br />
around, eat Borodinsky bread at a bakery in Moscow or read a book in a library?<br />
And to know Russia as real as it is, beyond the regular headlines….<br />
We ask several questions to Ajay Kamalakaran about almost everything in Russia.<br />
He is an international journalist and writer based in Mumbai, India. He is the<br />
author of two books about Russia. He was also RBTH’s Consulting Editor for<br />
Asia.<br />
His first work of fiction 'Globetrotting for Love and Other Stories from Sakhalin<br />
Island' was published by Times Group Books in 2017. Ajay speaks fluent Russian,<br />
French and Italian, and a few other European and Indian languages.<br />
You have lived in both the countries – India and Russia. Can you tell us what are<br />
the most vibrant and interesting factors in their respective cultures? Any<br />
similarities?<br />
While India’s ethnic and linguistic diversity is well known around the world, many<br />
people are surprised to find out that Russia has one hundred and sixty different<br />
ethnic groups. Ethnic Russians form eighty one per cent of the country’s one<br />
hundred and forty five million-strong population, but the sheer diversity among the<br />
remaining nineteen per cent of the population can be mind-boggling. This is<br />
reflected in the country’s architecture, cuisine, art and crafts, and even to an extent<br />
in its musical traditions.<br />
Like India, Russia has also absorbed foreign influences and made them her own.<br />
The Russian cultural space is essentially Eurasian, combing the best elements of<br />
East and West. The same country that has produced the great classical music<br />
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composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky also has some of the largest and most stunning<br />
Buddhist monasteries in the world.<br />
Russia and India also have great literary traditions and the countries have produced<br />
literary icons who now belong to all of humanity, such as Alexander Pushkin and<br />
Rabindranath Tagore.<br />
Tell us your day-today life in<br />
Russia. What do you<br />
remember as sweet<br />
memories?<br />
I have lived in Russia over<br />
various periods of time,<br />
enjoying life both in the Asian<br />
end of the country, as well as<br />
in Moscow.<br />
Living in a small town like<br />
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in the<br />
Sakhalin region (north of<br />
Japan) was a great<br />
opportunity to explore the<br />
great outdoors. The city is surrounded by temperate forests and has a large central<br />
park that borders a deeply-wooded mountain range. Winters provide a wonderful<br />
opportunity to go cross-country skiing, ice skating, and fishing on lakes, rivers and<br />
the sea, where the top levels are frozen. Temperatures regularly drop to below<br />
minus 20 degrees Celsius, but the buildings are warm. Thanks to centralized<br />
heating! Each capital city in Russia has a thriving cultural season in the colder<br />
months, with drama theatres and classical music concert venues, as well as some<br />
contemporary<br />
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forms of entertainment. I would regularly go for such events in the autumn and<br />
winters.<br />
Moscow is as busy as Mumbai with people always running to get somewhere and<br />
the hustle and bustle of life being visible everywhere, but the quality of life in the<br />
Russian capital can be significantly better than in most major global cities. It has<br />
one of the world’s cleanest and safest (and visually appealing) metro systems.<br />
There are also great museums that have the works of Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet,<br />
Manet and other great artists. Not to forget the Bolshoi Theater - stages opera and<br />
the ballet! Despite being a big and busy city, Moscow has large and expansive<br />
parks that are open to the public. It’s impossible to get bored in the city and I make<br />
sure that I enjoy every moment when I am in the city.<br />
I particularly enjoy being in Russia in late-June when the sun sets very late in most<br />
parts of the country. In cities like St. Petersburg, there is a phenomenon called the<br />
White Nights when there are more than twenty hours of daylight. It almost feels<br />
like the sun never sets on those days. I treasure such long days and enjoy staying<br />
up and enjoying the endless daylight. Few experiences can compare with spending<br />
long summer evenings in the northern Russia.<br />
Do you think the intellectual-cultural dialogues can be a big catalyst to end the<br />
conflicts in the world?<br />
I am all for a world without major travel barriers. The more people interact with<br />
those from different cultures, the better it is for the world as a whole. Hatred is<br />
rooted in the fear of the unknown. If more people travel, cultural barriers and<br />
misunderstandings will fade away. Unfortunately we can’t wish away conflicts<br />
since there are powerful interests that ensure that the world is in a state of<br />
confrontation. Certain countries will always stay in a state of confrontation thanks<br />
to these vested interests. People to people interaction can help reduce, hate, fear<br />
and ignorance, but the rich and powerful arms lobby will always do what it can to<br />
aggravate global tensions.<br />
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How can we make our young generations more culturally sensitized?<br />
First of all, we in India, have to show greater respect for other cultures and points<br />
of view. It’s India’s traditional openness towards new ideas and our ability to<br />
absorb the best of what the world has to offer that led to the growth of great ancient<br />
civilizations here. India is growing more and more insular every single day. It’s<br />
high time that we thought more global. Let school children learn foreign languages<br />
from primary school, expose them to exchange students from other countries, help<br />
them cultivate a deep interest in both India and the rest of the world. Bring in<br />
foreign teachers and encourage our children and youth to learn what the world has<br />
to offer.<br />
What really inspired you to start a never-ending voyage to understand the<br />
Russian soul?<br />
I was partly raised in the United States and knew very little about Russian culture.<br />
As a child, I always equated Russia with communism and after the USSR<br />
collapsed I didn’t know what to think of Russia. It was only when I met a highly<br />
cultured and spiritually evolved Russian diplomat at the Russian Consulate in<br />
Mumbai in 2001 that I began to develop a deep interest in Russian culture. This<br />
diplomat, who could speak flawless Hindi and very good Tamil, introduced me to<br />
the works of Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Nikolai Berdyaev. I can never express<br />
enough gratitude to this diplomat for the journey that he set me on. Seventeen later,<br />
I am still on this voyage of discovery.<br />
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We would like to know more about your book “Globetrotting for Love and Other<br />
Stories from Sakhalin Island.”<br />
Globetrotting for Love and Other Stories from Sakhalin Island is an essentially a<br />
fictionalized account of life in the Russian Far Eastern island of Sakhalin. The<br />
short stories are set in the last decade<br />
when the island was in the midst of<br />
an oil and gas boom. Sakhalin was<br />
isolated from the rest of the world for<br />
more than three centuries. During the<br />
Soviet period, no foreigners were<br />
allowed to visit the island. In the late<br />
1990s foreign companies were invited<br />
to exploit its oil and gas reserves<br />
and this led to a large number of<br />
foreigners moving to the island, and<br />
creating the most interesting period in<br />
the history of the island.<br />
first time.<br />
I look at the impact of an oil and gas<br />
boom on a place that had previously<br />
suffered economically on account of<br />
the collapse of the Soviet Union.<br />
Then there is the question of the<br />
cultural clash that takes place when<br />
many foreigners interact with<br />
erstwhile isolated Russians for the<br />
The book is essentially a humorous look at Sakhalin of the 2000s. Those who lived<br />
on the island at that time had a good laugh reading the book. Others found it to be a<br />
fascinating window into one of the most unknown places in the world.<br />
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Do you think that Nivkh people of Russia’s Sakhalin Island are slowing moving<br />
away from their language and traditions?<br />
Indigenous peoples worldwide are moving away from their traditions. There is<br />
always pressure from within in indigenous communities to embrace modernity and<br />
live like the “rest of the world.” The Nivkh, number less than five thousand, but<br />
are still trying to preserve their traditions. I wish luck for this challenging and<br />
daunting task in a rapidly globalizing world.<br />
A Nivkh village in the early-20th century<br />
By Unknown - photoarchive REM, Public Domain,<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8784864<br />
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Anton Chekhov museum in Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, Russia (It is the house<br />
where he stayed in Sakhalin during 1890 By Unknown - photoarchive REM, Public Domain,<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8784864<br />
Central part of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. 2009By Btibbets at English Wikipedia (Transferred from<br />
en.wikipedia to Commons.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons<br />
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You have written an article on Russian pianist Aleksandr Scriabin, the famous<br />
messiah of experimental music.<br />
Scriabin is the only famous western classical music composer who wanted to stage<br />
a concert in India. He actually worked on a major composition for India and<br />
wanted to stage an extravagant sound and light performance on the banks of the<br />
Ganges. He died in 1915, with his great dream unfulfilled.<br />
Russian countryside, nature-rich rich villages, rivers, green fields are simply<br />
incredible. The twilight in Khabarovsk, Amur river, the dawn of a new day on<br />
the Peter the Great Bay, near Vladivostok are things you have described in your<br />
writings…please share your beautiful moments spent there<br />
The Russian Far East is one the most sparsely populated places on earth. The<br />
region has almost twice the landmass as India, but with a population of just six<br />
million people. Since the nature is so pure in this part of the world, the landscapes<br />
are breathtaking to say the least.<br />
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The Amur River is known for its biodiversity, and the mountains and the valley<br />
surrounding it are home to the world’s largest tigers, as an endangered species of<br />
leopards. The area is at its best in the autumn when the leaves change color. The<br />
forests and landscapes are a visual treat with foliage that is red, yellow, green,<br />
orange and brown. I love the warm and glorious autumn days with their blue skies<br />
and cool breeze. It’s a great feeling to just bask in the sun on a cool day and enjoy<br />
a good picnic in the forest.<br />
As for the Peter the Great Bay, near Vladivostok…it’s an ideal venue for yacht<br />
races. I took part in one such race in 2017 and while it can be a bit scary for those<br />
who are not used to spending a few days at sea, the experience itself was<br />
wonderful. You develop a great amount of respect for the ocean when you take on<br />
the elements and compete to win a yacht race. It’s also a great opportunity to meet<br />
people from all walks of life.<br />
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How do you find modern Russia?<br />
Modern Russia is like a giant that has woken up from a deep slumber. After<br />
waking up, the giant realized that it was left behind by the advances of the rest of<br />
the world and decided to play catch up. Russia is one of the cleanest, safest and<br />
beautiful countries in the world. It’s cities have been completely restored to their<br />
old glory, the infrastructure and technology are among the most advanced in the<br />
world, the education system is fast approaching the high standards set by the<br />
Soviet Union and people are witnessing the kind of living standards and prosperity<br />
that seemed unimaginable two decades ago.<br />
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india<br />
&<br />
russia<br />
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Take a ride in the Russian metros and witness the<br />
magnificent architecture of its metro stations.<br />
There are beautiful places in Russia .many of them will attract you for their sheer<br />
grandeur and amazing beauty but metros of Moscow are opulent, palatial and<br />
classy. They have this amazing and incredible architecture which chronicles the<br />
history and cultures.<br />
Once there, one might feel if they have come to a museum or a palace or an art<br />
gallery ...yes, it’s indeed so spectacular.<br />
It’s the city’s beating heart…a life line! These metro stations are stunning from<br />
inside and outside views. People are introduced to the vibrant, space warping<br />
geometric forms, artistic figures, intricate designs, sparkling stars, vast sky...all<br />
looking more beautiful with the rhythms of arriving and leaving metro trains.<br />
Mayakovskaya Station https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66369784<br />
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1. Mayakovskaya southern vestibule<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1251583<br />
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Komsomolskaya station Chandelier and mosaics upstairs from the platform<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66369818<br />
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Every day on a busy day when it’s the peak hour in Moscow, crowds of people<br />
pour out into the streets reaching stations in hurry, waiting for their destination<br />
trains, entering and leaving the station. Looking at their watches…adjusting to the<br />
demands of a busy life...<br />
The scene at the metro station is buzzing with all the hustle – bustle…with people<br />
of all looks and personalities in colourful fashions and colours can be seen<br />
hurriedly walking around. Oh! It’s really an interesting scene at any station —some<br />
sipping tea, some reading newspapers, some chatting, some looking worried and<br />
some pacing up and down the platform and when the train stamps in, there is huge<br />
noise and commotion everywhere. But there is something more to the Russian<br />
metro stations apart from this regular scene at a metro station; it’s the stunning art,<br />
murals and breathtaking beautiful architecture all around you. And it’s indeed<br />
worth talking about.<br />
Metro, Murals and Marvels<br />
It’s huge! The Moscow Metro transportation system has earned its incredible<br />
status of one of the busiest, beautiful and efficient systems in the world.<br />
Sometimes, on weekdays, the number goes up to nine million. There are whooping<br />
number of stations - approximately two hundred stations and more than three<br />
hundred sixty kilometers of tracks. The great story is that forty four of these<br />
stations are cultural monuments.<br />
Moscow metro stations’ architecture has almost recreated the history, cultures<br />
and heritage of Russia. The visions of the 1930s, the years that stood between<br />
the changing times…actually these stations have frozen time. It has elevated<br />
subjects like the importance of particular districts and development directions<br />
over the years.<br />
Started with Stalin?<br />
So the words of appreciations can go on and on..Cause it’s difficult to put in the<br />
words the grandiose and magnificence of the arts works and intricate carvings,<br />
rhythm and symmetry of designs…but then how did it all start?<br />
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The planning and ideas about Moscow Metro dates back to the Russian Empire.<br />
The construction started in 1931 and when the stations were opened for the<br />
public to use on a historic day, it was 1935! The first line of the Moscow Metro<br />
was eleven meters long.<br />
Lazar Kaganovich! The man behind the Moscow Metro project! He was a very<br />
prominent Bolshevik Soviet politician, once a very towering personality in<br />
Kremlin politics, and very close to Stalin. He was a staunch Stalinist, his vision<br />
to create metro stations was not only super dynamic transportation system but<br />
also which will showcase the vision of history and development, cities, cultures<br />
all from 1930s to the later times.. He also saw transportation and the<br />
organization of war industries during World War II.<br />
Let’s take a ride<br />
Mayakovskaya station: Stalinist architecture<br />
It’s full of aviation based murals and a perfect example of pre world war II<br />
Stalinist architecture. The design elements covey the Futurism and personality of<br />
famous Russian poet Vladimir Mayakovskya who apart from being a poet and<br />
playwright also become a leader of Russian Futurist movement.<br />
The walls are streaking with murals that have Soviet aircrafts as beautiful<br />
designs. All around it’s the celebration of sky and the aviation and it’s no less<br />
than the mysticism of a star-lit sky or a light blue bright sky with white fluffy<br />
patches of clouds scattered all over.<br />
It was opened in 1938 and had a spectacular treat for the visitors. A total of thirty<br />
four oval niches featuring ceiling mosaics by A. Deineka embellish the walls.<br />
And no wonder the beauty of this station has earned it a reputation of one of the<br />
beautiful museums in the world. It’s a delight for all the creative, cultural<br />
enthusiasts - photographers, artists, sculptors all. The statuesque pillars decked<br />
up with steel and pink rhodonites, these massive structures served other roles<br />
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well - air raid shelter during the World War II, anti aircraft command post. There<br />
is also a bust of poet Soviet exponent Vladimir Mayakovsky. The Mayakovskya<br />
station project also won a Grand Prix at the world’s Fair in New York.<br />
Komsomolskaya station Escalators to interchange tunnel By Mikhail (Vokabre)<br />
Shcherbakov from Moscow, Russia<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23659288<br />
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Komsomolskaya (Circle Line) metro station in Moscow By<br />
A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace) - Own work, FAL,<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66369728<br />
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Komsomolskaya Station:<br />
Komsomolskaya station is prominently adorned with dramatic ceilings,<br />
cartouches and mosaics of famous military commanders.<br />
The theme of the design is the great Russian fight for freedom. The victory over<br />
Nazi Germany is dedicated to the southern section of the station, and the theme of<br />
post war labour is dedicated to northern segment. It’s said that lead designer<br />
Alexey Shchusev designed it as an illustration of a historical speech by Joseph<br />
Stalin given on <strong>November</strong> 7, 1941. After his death, there are eight large ceiling<br />
mosaics designed by Pavel Korin who said his inspiration came from great Stalin<br />
speech at the Moscow Parade in 1941<br />
This station was constructed to act as a type of “gateway” to Moscow because it is<br />
located under the three busiest Moscow railway terminals. Show the grandeur and<br />
the pathos of the victory in forms of Russian Baroque," said Vassiliev, pointing<br />
to Komsomolskaya station. Today, the station is adorned with eight mosaic<br />
panels, designed in the style of ancient temple architecture. They depict famous<br />
Russian warriors, commanders, and the leader of the Russian Revolution, Vladimir<br />
Lenin, whose bust is situated at the end of the platform, under an arch covered with<br />
gilt floral designs, portrayed giving a speech in Red Square.<br />
Novokuznetskaya Station<br />
It’s the pride of central area of Moscow. It was opened on 24 th <strong>November</strong> 1943.<br />
It’s located next to “Novokuznetskaya” street which explains the reason behind<br />
the name of the station.<br />
The architects I Taranov and N Bykova have used Sculptures, bronze casting,<br />
smelt mosaic, subtle light lamps which give a unique reflective subtle lighting to<br />
the design theme. There are extraordinaire arts, seven octagonal ceiling mosaics<br />
by V. Frolov on the theme of wartime history, works of the artists N V Tomsky,<br />
A F Zelensky, S. M. Rabinovich, N M Shtamm meticulously describing warriors<br />
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Novokuznetskaya Metro Station<br />
By Ludvig14 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia<br />
Commons<br />
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of the Russian Red army in combat with their arts, the Russian war heroes like<br />
Mikhail Kutuzov, Alexander Nevskty are also paid tribute in the pink and white<br />
marble pylons decorated with cast bronze portraits. The grandeur of<br />
ornamentation of the architecture is dedicated to the brave Soviet fighter men.<br />
Avtozavodskaya Station<br />
Opened in 1943, the station got its name Avtozavodskaya only in 1956 and its<br />
theme has memories and association with the events of the Great Patriotic War<br />
in pinkish widening columns. The architect Alexey Dushkin has used tall pillars<br />
and walls done in graceful pinkish Oraktuoy marble.<br />
By Ludvig14 - Own work, CC BY-SA<br />
4.0,<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/<br />
index.php?curid=66157697<br />
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METRO STATIONS IN ST.<br />
PETERSBURG<br />
Avtovo<br />
It’s a wonder in artistic beauty. All graceful..the grand columns, marble interior,<br />
the ceiling of the station is supported by 46 columns, 30 are made of marble and<br />
rest of glass People who come to the end of the platform are greeted with a large<br />
mosaic mural of a woman holding a child.<br />
Narvskaya<br />
It celebrates the different lines of work, occupations, from the Soviet Union.<br />
Celebrating and honoring the skills and hard works of doctors, builders, farmers,<br />
sailors and many others through stunning haut-reliefs. The station got its name<br />
from the Narva Triumphal Gate; it was built to pay tribute to the Russian victory<br />
over Napoleon in 1812. Its located outside the station.<br />
Pushkinskaya<br />
The whole world knows about legendary poet Alexander Pushkin, who has penned<br />
several poems like “Friendship”, “The Drowned Man” etc. This station is named<br />
after him and one can see a glorious, outstanding sculpture of Pushkin with flowers<br />
laid beneath it.<br />
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Avtovo station Pavilion<br />
Avtovo station<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22706655<br />
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Design Legacy<br />
The magnificent metros its architecture, the murals, paintings, sculptures the<br />
spectacular details fulfill its many purposes: commuting people to their<br />
destinations and treat them to a visual history of art and architecture.<br />
Pushkinskaya metro station in Saint Petersburg, Russia<br />
. By A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace) - Own work, FAL,<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71558339<br />
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BREAdS! SLICES! STORy!<br />
Breads from Kurmaeva<br />
By Alshatov2017 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia<br />
Comm<br />
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Borodinsky! Darnitskiy! Rye! Nareznoy Baton! These are the names of Russian<br />
breads. These warm, tasty loafs made with grains, flours, nuts and raisins are not<br />
only tempting but also a part of the rich history, traditions of the Russian cuisine.<br />
There is an old Russian proverb, “Bread is the staff of life.” And it’s indeed true<br />
for a Russian household to have a variety of breads on their dining tables. It’s part<br />
of the traditions, history, cultures and in a way and also of climate..Earlier in old<br />
days, Russians used to bake warm loafs in their stoves at home especially to beat<br />
the cold climate. The golden brown, crusty or white breads with divine aromas of<br />
cheese, flours, sesame<br />
seeds, garlic, and<br />
rosemary are actually<br />
complete meals.<br />
(White rye-type bread) ,<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/<br />
w/index.php?curid=597244<br />
They unusually would<br />
have breads and loafs as<br />
accompaniments with<br />
warm soups, traditional<br />
drinks like Kvass.or beers.<br />
A sacred and a must have<br />
on the Russian dining table, these breads and their aromas transport them to the<br />
happier times when the whole process of cooking these hearty loafs with a varieties<br />
offering from honey coated to cheese filled sometimes cooked on a large rock over<br />
an open fire, or in the home stove or wrapped professionally in the canvass<br />
packaging in a supermarket…these breads are delicious.<br />
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Let’s talk of these different types of breads from<br />
Russia as varied as life itself<br />
Darnitskiy:<br />
It’s also called ‘the black bread’, finds its roots in Leningrad and yes, it’s really<br />
historical as it was created in 1930. In Russia, it is called the “Black Bread” though<br />
not every time, the colour comes out exactly the black. So, this hearty bread with<br />
black brown crumbs with homely and heavenly aroma is prepared with rye and<br />
wheat flour. Usually the yeast is not used but Zakvaska (a fermentation starter)!<br />
And it’s popular for not only being healthy and affordable but also because it’s low<br />
calorie properties. The bread on the table is not only meant to be just food but a<br />
symbol of family values and prosperity. It’s also popular as it’s easy to grow Rye<br />
in harsh cold climate of Russia.<br />
Stolichniy:<br />
A real classic treat, this sour-dough rye bread is divine in taste without using any<br />
yeast. The bread top is usually ly crunchy but at the same time supple, frail…and<br />
even more soft and delicate with vibrant colours of baked flours in side, only one<br />
loaf of this bread is sufficient to fill the appetite and senses. This delicious bread is<br />
often served to the friends, well wishers, and family. It’s the bread for bonding!<br />
Finnish ruisreikäleipä is a kind of Finnish bread (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from<br />
Wikimedia Commons<br />
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Nareznoy Baton or Bulka<br />
So, if you happen to be visiting a Russian bakery shop and you spot written<br />
“Khleb” in glittering neon lights, which in Russian means bread, don’t be surprise<br />
d if you are not able to resist yourself. Well the Nareznoy bread stand out as it has<br />
the distinct looks. Nazernoy has found its name from “Narezat” which means - to<br />
slice…<br />
A fairly chewy, and at times decorated with large notches, it’s a white bread. Its<br />
top crusts and edges are called Gorbushki. The very end of the loaf bursting with<br />
flavours, bursting with aromas, this bread is mostly used to make delicious Russian<br />
sandwiches topped with butter called, Buterbrod. Russians keep themselves warm<br />
in harsh winters eating hot soups like Shchi and Borscht, now these breads are<br />
natural add ons.<br />
Kalachi<br />
It’s so much part of life in Russia. It’s indeed a favourite of all, making the dining<br />
tables look more tempting with buttery -brown colours overshadowing. This is one<br />
of the bakery products eaten in the mundane meals as well as a super delicacy too.<br />
The villagers would buy Kalach returning from their works or ordinary town<br />
people would enjoy the family gatherings with super delicious Kalach to also be<br />
served in Porcelain crockery on impeccably decorated magnificent huge dining<br />
tables of the Tsars. In fact, Kalachi was considered a very prestigious gift to be<br />
offered to high dignitaries and patriarchs. In olden days, it would be given to the<br />
servants going on a leave as a coin to be spent on a Kalach. This bread is ancient,<br />
traditional with rich history. For some it’s not the bread but it’s a bun.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
A merchants's wife is drinking tea, 1923. A kalach in the form of a kettle bell is depicted as was common<br />
in central and northern parts (Boris Kustodiev [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)<br />
Kalach Bread By Лобачев Владимир [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/3.0)],<br />
from Wikimedia Commons<br />
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Gingerbread<br />
It’s stunning and simply heavenly! A loaf worth trying for! And mind it; it’s not<br />
only bread it’s a very creative way to make life easier. In fact the Tula Gingerbread<br />
is been proposed by the Russian government to be included in the UNESCO<br />
intangible heritage list. Its recipes are varied and different from families to families<br />
and are kept a secretly guarded passed down to the sons and heirs…decades after<br />
decades.<br />
It was included in the family meals as a learning resource for young ones. Children<br />
would learn alphabets and letters before eating it. It would also act as a match<br />
maker in weddings. The groom not sure of being accepted would send loaf of<br />
gingerbread to the brides. If she accepts the bread, it would be considered her<br />
approval of the proposal. There is giant monument in Tula and the writing on it<br />
says, “The Tula gingerbread has been famous since 1685.”<br />
Borodinsky<br />
1. Boroninsky By Saboteur [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from<br />
Wikimedia Commons<br />
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Quite a treat!!! This bread has got a very interesting past some say they are not aware<br />
of its origins, some point out the relevance to the battle of Borodino where a brave<br />
general Tuchkov was killed and his wife built a monastery on the death field of his<br />
martyred husband. This monastery started manufacturing the Borodinsky bread...still<br />
its origins are shrouded in mystery but not its charismatic sour aroma! And this<br />
glorious square rye loaf has a typical look which comes after long fermentation of the<br />
dough. Usually its crust is topped with coriander. There are hundreds of varieties of<br />
breads...all sweetened with beet sugar molasses, flavoured and infused with spices,<br />
salt, coriander, caraway seeds, barley malt syrup. They have stood the test of times in<br />
Russia and have won a special place in the hearts of its people.<br />
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Russia is an outstanding name in the world of classical<br />
music, drama, ballet and theater… It has a very rich<br />
and incredible history behind its journey. And it<br />
continues to impact the world cultures with its glory.<br />
When we explore the Russian world of theater, its roots find some relevance with<br />
the pagan shows, which are full of dramatic recitations of fables, tales, proverbs,<br />
singing , dancing usually performed by the Skomorokhi ( minstrel entertainers in<br />
Kievan and Muscovite Russia and they performed for public and Tsar alike).<br />
Though exact details are not known but it is said to be during the 1644 during the<br />
Michael I of Russia that the theaters begun.<br />
It was during 1672, which saw the opening of the first theater and it was during the<br />
court of Tsar Aleksey Mikhailovich.<br />
In the 19 th century, Moscow and St. Petersburg became the center of theatrical life.<br />
The 1824 saw the popularity of the beginning of Maly (small theater) and Bolshoi<br />
(big theater) in around year 1825. Sergei Diaghilev’s ballet company captured the<br />
minds and hearts of the world which also left incredible mark in Europe. It later<br />
came to be known as the Ballets Russes. This helped making Russian culture<br />
become popular with the English ballet dancers getting familiarized and adopting<br />
Russian pseudonyms.<br />
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Stanislavski and Knipper (centre) in A Month in the Country (1909), the earliest recorded instance of the<br />
analysis of action in discrete "bitshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51136124<br />
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There was a burst of the theatrical activities and new styles at the turn of the 20 th<br />
century. These were the times when the vibrant and ingenious radical changes<br />
were added to the rather conventional functioning of Russian ballet. And the<br />
Alexandrinsky Theater created magic with it. No wonder it exists now for more<br />
than two hundred sixty years. It earlier looked up to the European traditional<br />
models but later embarked upon and established its own full expressions. Its<br />
Russian school of theater!!!<br />
The Alexandrinsky Theater introduced very famous names in theater personalities<br />
and produced some memorable theatrical products associated with dramatists<br />
Nikolai Gogol, Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky, and a very famous story<br />
writer Aton Chekhov.<br />
SOME DISTINCT NAMES IN THE RUSSIAN THEATER<br />
The plays of Anton Chekhov<br />
Chekhov’s plays brought immense depth of psychological aspects in the first<br />
quarter of the century.<br />
.<br />
By Osip Braz - [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=258685<br />
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His plays urged the viewers to relate more with the characters of the drama. His<br />
plays like “The seagull”, “Heartbreak House”, “Three Sisters” and “The Cherry<br />
Orchard” are memorable<br />
years after years.<br />
They have been staged<br />
many many times all<br />
over the world and been<br />
appreciated and adored<br />
by the likes of<br />
Tennessee Williams,<br />
Bernard Shaw...<br />
Stanislavsky's theory of theater<br />
Chekhov with Leo<br />
Tolstoy at Yalta, 1900<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w<br />
/index.php?curid=1969331<br />
His theory of theater and the strict ways to coach actors are admired by all. He<br />
advised his actors to “live the role”. He encouraged the actors to evaluate and study<br />
the character, nature and identity of the heroes, realize the similarities of their own<br />
inclinations, behaviors and identity and find the synergies and bring them on in<br />
front of the spectators.<br />
Vsevolod Meyerhold and a special kind of theater<br />
He introduced “Grotesque” and "Biomechanics" terms in the world of theatre.<br />
His methodology of acting and theater involves cumbersome and complex physical<br />
movements, vibrant settings, a combination of dance and circus.<br />
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Biomechanics refers to the physical development of the role - which encouraged<br />
actors mastering the gestures inherent to their characters.<br />
Members of Stanislavski's First Studio in 1915, a pedagogical institution in which elements of<br />
the system were first developed and taught.<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3183081<br />
49
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50
<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
The spectacular concert by “Kalinka”, the National Children’s Dance Ensemble from Moscow,<br />
Russia, overwhelmed the people of Delhi at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC) in<br />
New Delhi on October 29, <strong>2018</strong>.<br />
51<br />
The “Days of Russian Cinema in India” was opened at a<br />
colourful ceremony at the Russian Centre of Science and<br />
Culture (RCSC) in New Delhi on October 12, <strong>2018</strong>
<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
The Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC) in Trivandrum<br />
organised a seminar on the influence of Tolstoy on world<br />
literature and, his role in moulding Gandhi's' perspective to social<br />
work. The function was held on September 9, <strong>2018</strong><br />
The photo documentary exhibition dedicated to the 75th<br />
anniversary of the Battle of Kursk in New Delhi On July 5, <strong>2018</strong><br />
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The annual concert by the students of the School of Russian Classical Ballet<br />
RCSC) was held on April 28, 2017, it was dedicated to the memory of the<br />
great Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya.<br />
53<br />
First Russia-India Youth Parliament “Vision for Future” dedicated<br />
to 70th Year of diplomatic relations between India & Russia was<br />
held on the from 6 th to 8 th of March, <strong>2018</strong> in New Delhi.
<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
With the launching of the new organization entitled “India-<br />
Russia Foundation”, instituted by the Unity International<br />
Foundation, Russian-Indian relations would certainly receive an<br />
inspiring boost<br />
H.H.Mr Nikolay Rishatovich KUDASHEV Ambassador<br />
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to<br />
the Republic of India<br />
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DRUZHBA”, a year-long Festival to mark the 70 th anniversary of the Establishment of<br />
Diplomatic Relations between Russia and India, began in Trivandrum on January 10,<br />
2017<br />
The unique scientific feat of Valentina Tereshkova, the first Soviet woman in<br />
space, was remembered at a function at the Nehru Planetarium in New Delhi<br />
on June 19, <strong>2018</strong><br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Mr<br />
Modi shaking hands on an official visit to India on October 4-5.<strong>2018</strong>.<br />
https://newstime.win/russian-president-vladimir-putin-to-visit-india-nextmonth/<br />
56<br />
A collection of works by Russian authors in Hindi translation, as well as a textbook on Russian grammar, were<br />
released at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi on July 26. The event was graced with the presence of<br />
translators, writers, public figures, diplomats, compatriots living in India, as well as students from Delhi<br />
universities studying Russia and the Russian language
<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Russian Ambassador to India H.E. Mr Nikolay R. Kudashev met with Indian<br />
students from Amity International School, who are to participate in the<br />
international conference “Young Researches in Natural Sciences” devoted to the<br />
topic of “Sustainable city development, an ecological approach” in Magnitogorsk<br />
on April 25-30<br />
Russian Ambassador to India H.E. Mr Nikolay R. Kudashev met with Indian students from Amity International School,<br />
who are to participate in the international conference “Young Researches in Natural Sciences” devoted to the topic of<br />
“Sustainable city development, an ecological approach” in Magnitogorsk on April 25-30<br />
Pictures Courtesy: Embassy of Russia website<br />
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These museums in Russia are cultural gems…<br />
The iconic, unbelievably beautiful, cultural gems, these Russian museums are<br />
worth visiting. Art is loved everywhere in this beautiful country called Russia.<br />
These magnificent museums are the most sought after cultural destinations in the<br />
word. Preserving and describing the cultural evolution in the most artistic and<br />
creative displays. The artifacts, documents, sculptures all presented in the<br />
museums, in the most innovative way. They are indeed the delights to the eyes of<br />
the visitors..<br />
58<br />
Kremlin Armoury Museum
<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
The Hermitage Museum complex. From left to right: Hermitage Theatre – Old Hermitage – Small Hermitage –<br />
Winter Palace (the "New Hermitage" is situated behind the Old Hermitage).<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
By Leonard G. - Image taken June 2003 and contributed by Leonard G.., CC SA 1.0,<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1689940<br />
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Kremlin Armoury:<br />
Kremlin Armoury is one of the most famous museums in the world and it is<br />
ancient too. It opened its door some two hundred years back in the year 1851 and<br />
is located in the Moscow Kremlin. It a sparkling gem in the crown of the Moscow<br />
museums, a gateway to experience the Russian royal and military life. Most of the<br />
displays here are the ones which belonged to the Russian Tsars. Way back, it was<br />
in charge of producing, purchasing, storing weapons, jewellery and various<br />
household articles of the tsars. And before one starts appreciating the masterpieces<br />
kept inside the museums, it is impossible to miss and not appreciate the intricate<br />
designs on the façade’s columns too..<br />
The articles, which are at the museum, come from some rare collections of the<br />
Russian, Western European and Eastern applied arts spanning the period from 5 th<br />
to 20 th century. The ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and other regal thrones, the<br />
helmet of Yaroslav II, gold and silver tableware, etc are some of the highlights.<br />
State Hermitage Museum<br />
The sheer grandeur of this museum has earned it a top slot among the top ten of the<br />
world most visited art museum. The area of the museum is so vast that it’s<br />
considered the second largest museum in the world. The Neva River flowing by,<br />
the building’s beauty is adorned with the brilliant baroque, pleasant looking skyblue<br />
and white, ornamental architecture. Also known as the White Palace, this<br />
dreamy structure has richly decorated iconic columns, parapets of the building are<br />
decorated with statues and vases…and it is spread in almost six buildings and four<br />
hundred rooms. The museum displays exquisite and the culturally rich collection<br />
and boasts to have the artworks by Raphael, Rambrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso,<br />
sculpture by Michelanglo, ancient armour and weapons…many many more.<br />
Erarta Museum<br />
The Erarta (Era and Arta or Era of Art) came into existence in the year 2010 with<br />
a purpose to make exquisite contemporary art accessible to as many as possible.<br />
61
<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
The Pavilion Hall of Hermitage museum (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons<br />
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The building of the museum is neoclassical Stalinist building with approximately<br />
three thousand works are on display. Erarta also creates its own creative<br />
independent projects designed to encourage emotions of the visitors, where they<br />
feel and see the paintings as the characters.. The museum has objectives to<br />
promote the creative instincts of the visitors with organizing the concerts,<br />
screenings, lectures and live performances…<br />
The Rubens Room. Hermitage museum By Nagyman - Flickr.com - image description page, CC BY-SA 2.0,<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1284668<br />
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Vincenzo Petrocelli, Hermitage Museum, Portrait of Young Duke N.B. Yusupov.jpg<br />
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Moscow Museum of Modern Art<br />
This is the first state museum in Russia it has exclusive collection on the art of the<br />
20 th and 21 st century. It enjoys the grandeur status of highly dynamic and vibrant<br />
center of cultural activities. Zutrab Tsereteli, a painter, sculptor, architect is also the<br />
President of the Russian Academy of Arts.<br />
He brought his private collection for the public display which comprised more than<br />
two thousand works by some legendary and masters artists from the 20 th century<br />
like Kazimir Malevich, Marc Chagall, Natalia Goncharova and Mikhail Larionov,<br />
Aristarkh Lentulov, Vladimir Tatlin, Pavel Filonov, Wassily Kandinsky, Alexander<br />
Archipenko, Niko Pirosmani, Ilya Kabakov, Anatoly Zverev, Vladimir Yakovlev,<br />
Vladimir Nemukhin, Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid. What’s interesting is<br />
that the collection continues to grow through acquisitions and donations.<br />
The one main building among the three main buildings is situated in Petrovka<br />
Street which has the pride of displaying permanent collection. This building is in<br />
the former 18 th century mansion house of merchant Gubin , an imposing marvel of<br />
the neoclassical architecture by Matvey Kazako, who was known for his expertise<br />
in neoclassical architecture.<br />
65
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Erarta Museum<br />
By Peterburg23 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12061834<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
India & Russia<br />
Golden Ring of Russia has so much to offer to its visitors and remains most<br />
favorite travel route for the domestic as well as foreign tourists… A circular route<br />
created during Soviet era which takes you on a tour of picturesque history,<br />
heritage, ancient onion-domed churches, gingerbread cottages and picturesque<br />
churches, gold domes and untouched green, nature-rich countryside, come and<br />
explore the most loved tourist route not far from Moscow…called GOLDEN<br />
RING.<br />
Why the name Golden Ring?<br />
It’s easy to understand when you take a brief look at the map of this famous tourist<br />
itinerary that encompasses the oldest, historic and cultural heritage sites from<br />
central part of European Russia that looks like a breathtakingly beautiful large<br />
golden circle. The Golden Ring, connecting all the cities in a big large circle, holds<br />
a distinct place because it takes you through the hearts of present city life and<br />
Russian history, its people and it’s so enchanting and absorbing.<br />
As though there are no fixed names of cities that come under the Golden Ring, still<br />
traditionally eight names are definitely associated with this famous route- Sergiyev<br />
Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, and<br />
Vladimir.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Korostl river https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1011501<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
India & Russia<br />
There is another story which goes like in the year 1967, an art historian and<br />
journalist Yuri Bychkov thought of writing a series of travel articles and decided to<br />
visit Vladimir Oblast...and as he travelled further his route looked like a Golden<br />
Ring. And later he published his works under the name “The Golden Ring.”<br />
What’s so rich about these places?<br />
Yaroslavl<br />
A remarkable century old historic city with churches, museums, monastery and the<br />
Volga! A riverside! There is a place called Strelka at the river junctions, where<br />
river Volga meets Kotorosl river. The historic part of the city is located at this<br />
confluence. A walk along the Volga is a cultural ural experience in itself.<br />
There are many two-lane highways roads that connect Yaroslavl to Moscow and<br />
beyond and also there are areas where one finds coniferous forests around<br />
Yaroslavl. Yaroslavl is full of beautiful places like churches, universities,<br />
institutions, museums, like Transfiguration monastery founded in the 11 th century,<br />
and a museum now, the Governor’s house museum, old citadels, Yaroslavl<br />
paintings and so much more..<br />
Dormition cathedral https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21405155<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
India & Russia<br />
Vladimir<br />
It’s surrounded by the river loop so that during spring, it’s not flooded. The<br />
graceful monumental cathedrals - “The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl”,<br />
“The White Stone Cathedral” are some of the ancient landmarks of Vladimir…<br />
The most famous landmarks of them is the Golden Gate, which leads one into the<br />
old town. “The Museum of Crystal and Lacquer Miniatures” displays some<br />
traditional art works and souvenirs. And yes, people love to gorge on Russian<br />
crepes, Blini and other delicacies from the museum café called Blinnaya Izba. But<br />
people also love to see the “Gingerbread Museum”, where the café is located.<br />
Views along the upper Volga River, between Yaroslavl, Vladimir, and Kostroma<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1714325<br />
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India & Russia<br />
Kostroma: By Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskiihttps://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23787<br />
Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiyev Posad<br />
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21424792<br />
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Sergiyev Posad<br />
It has the privilege to have one of the largest monasteries in the universe dating<br />
back to the 14 th century. Its name is “The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius!” And when<br />
you feel tired walking around Larva’s huge buildings, head straight to a nearby<br />
restaurant which serves Russian food made from monetary produces. There are<br />
amazing treats available, one must try but the local specialties are homemade<br />
bread, pastries and kvass..<br />
Kostroma<br />
It also had a glorious history; a home to the Romanov Dynasty that ruled Russia<br />
from 1613 to 1917…the Ipatyevsky monastery with its 16 th century architecture<br />
also has unique wall paintings telling ancient stories with colours and arts. There<br />
are cathedrals with its medieval frescos. The Resurrection Church (1652)<br />
represents 17 th century Russian art and it’s superb. Though exact times of<br />
foundation of Kostroma are not known but it’s said to be nine hundred years old.<br />
Kostroma is a major jewellery center of Russia. For centuries, a home to<br />
craftsmen from all over Russia especially of lacquer painting, painted enamel and<br />
many others. Want to get a feel of mundane life? Take a dive in the traditions and<br />
routine lives of the ancient Rus at Shchurovo Gorodishche Museum in the city of<br />
Suzdal. . The most daring of the visitors can even have a whack in farm work.<br />
It’s difficult to put together each and every detail about all the places of the Golden<br />
Ring…but one thing is sure that the Golden Ring has charms and beauty of long<br />
standing Russian culture and history as well as the natural character of a country<br />
life.<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
Italy<br />
Enrico Garff<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Italy<br />
Enrico Garff<br />
Enrico Garff born on 26 th <strong>November</strong> 1939, is an Italian portrait painter and artist.<br />
His works include oils, watercolors, acrylics, gouaches and paintings on silk. The<br />
beautiful images of humans, horses and mythology find their expressions in his art.<br />
His art works are displayed in several world exhibitions and also in the home s of<br />
art lovers, museums, Government organizations, galleries wining him laurels and<br />
awards. A true ‘figlio d’arte, his father, Emilio Boffi, was an opera singer and<br />
mother, Gertrud Garff, had studied lyrical singing and belonged to a family of<br />
poets, musicians and artists.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Italy<br />
Enrico Garff<br />
His paintings have won the hearts of commoners and critics alike, they seem to<br />
converse directly to the senses, establishing a material and spiritual connect. They<br />
have an ethereal air around them with intelligence encouraging the unrestrained,<br />
analytical thinking.<br />
Many a prominent personalities had some precious words to say about Garff<br />
paintings.<br />
“Looking at his paintings, one can sense a tension vibrating between Nature and<br />
human figure, which I dare to call, “Mythical.”<br />
Lassi Nummi is one of the beloved Finnish poets of his times,<br />
“His art is invigorating like a strong pure wind and at the same time it is mild and<br />
full of aesthetically educational finesse.”<br />
By Sophie Sievers.<br />
“As you know, I have a little time with Enrico…but he is a great painter.” By<br />
Mary Mandelin – Dixon.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> is ecstatic and honoured to publish this piece where Enrico Garff<br />
ponders over his thoughts, memories, views, and life journey as an artist, family<br />
person and pens down in these beautiful words.<br />
My first playground<br />
My first play-ground mate was a tree. I grew up in a rather lonely childhood<br />
surrounded by nature in my mother's private garden secluded from the mayhem of<br />
the world. My deep connection with nature, combined with the loneliness<br />
stimulated my fantasy to build up an imaginary world. The vacuum of a human<br />
relationship filled by my growing creativity triggered to fulfill the emptiness with<br />
colours, stories, imaginary beings and fantasy shapes.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Italy<br />
Enrico Garff<br />
Drawing artistic sensibilities<br />
An arid soil was my foundation for a fertile imagination where I developed my<br />
artistic perception like a "third eye" shedding light into the darkness. I started early<br />
just after overcoming the age of a toddler drawing horses, pirates, Zorro and other<br />
marvels.<br />
I grew up mainly surrounded by female figures: by the record my mother, my<br />
cousins, and nine aunts. My father who was unanimously recognized mastering an<br />
outstanding singing voice vanished quite suddenly out of my life. His artistic<br />
sensibility is something I although inherited. I can still recall waking up in the<br />
morning at the echo of his soothing and harmonious voice sounding in my mind<br />
like a warm embrace while singing a beautiful Neapolitan an tune named la "La<br />
Montagna" (the Mountain). However excelling in a different artistic field, I can<br />
feel how he transmitted his musical pathos into the touch of my brush through his<br />
DNA, influencing my way of painting with the ancient Italic classical heritage, still<br />
running in my veins.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Italy<br />
Enrico Garff<br />
At that time, when I still hadn't developed much awareness of my skills and<br />
knowledge of what I was doing, the first recognition of my dawning talent came<br />
from a Lady deemed to be an art connoisseur by the pictorial circles of the time. I<br />
remember how she claimed to notice already plenty of action and dynamos<br />
embedded in my early stage drawing and painting attempts.<br />
Appreciating art<br />
In my nineteenth year, I learnt to appreciate the French impressionists and then the<br />
renaissance masters, especially Masaccio. Driven by passion and total devotion to<br />
shape and colours my pictorial ability took a remarkable leap towards a constant<br />
growing inspiration. I didn't paint to chase fame, accolades nor money, left alone<br />
one exception when at the age of 14; I remember that a compelling thought popped<br />
up from nowhere: I didn't want to end up my life anonymously or die without<br />
leaving a legacy to the world. Surely I yearned to be remembered for having<br />
delivered during my existence something of substantial value to humanity.<br />
Creating a legacy<br />
In the late 80s, I started a classical Greek-inspired cycle, portraying scenarios with<br />
sculptures in a wide range of styles, including Classical, Hellenistic, Minoic and<br />
Cycladic art. The inspiration gained from the full immersion in those historical eras<br />
was overwhelmingly corroborating: the statues appeared to take life under my<br />
brush while the mystical atmosphere of those eras captured my soul in rapture.<br />
The liberation of thoughts<br />
I never lacked the inspiration, to be honest, but during that period the creative flow<br />
was so powerful that I perceived it as an uncontrolled flow of energy streaming<br />
down to the painting. In conjunction with that blessed inspirational connection, I<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Italy<br />
Enrico Garff<br />
was practicing a spiritual discipline regarding the "liberation of the thought". A<br />
meditational technique based on disciplining the clarity of thinking. The discipline<br />
stands in between the Hindustan Yoga and western logic and reason. The<br />
encounter with Lassi Nummi and Riita Harjunen wasn't by chance. They were both<br />
on the same wavelength and on a similar spiritual pathway.<br />
Humanity<br />
A common purpose united us regarding inner freedom, liberty and independent<br />
thinking. In Marcus Aurelius eyes, I could see the tragic of the ancient world, the<br />
incapability of the human being, trapped into subjectivity to reach a higher<br />
consciousness and develop a more objective insight.<br />
The objectivity of a crystal clear reason controlling the overemotional wave. Today<br />
his message is more than ever of the actual importance: the survival of our<br />
civilization based on evidence, reason, and liberty is heavily compromised.<br />
My artworks:<br />
My favourite artworks have secret meaning and logic: the meeting point between<br />
earth and heaven. "Five persons walk in the night", "The future is coming towards<br />
us", "Sintesi", "La Domenica delle Palme", are my most representative paintings<br />
forming the backbone of my core artistic values. I won't pretend to reach the heart<br />
of every person on earth. I hope my contribution to the art will add an objective<br />
standard of beauty and aesthetics reflecting the necessity of objectivity in the<br />
modern world, to counterbalance the fallacy of relativism and subjectivity of the<br />
postmodern world vision. Predictions on the trajectory of the art market are<br />
Hard to make but coherently to my previous statements, I wish that the art market<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Italy<br />
Enrico Garff<br />
Inflated by subjective evaluations due to the subjectivism of relativism that<br />
hijacked the art will get back to common sense.<br />
East & West<br />
I think that western culture and Indian culture have much in common. A<br />
continuous exchange of values has been enriching each other through centuries.<br />
West and east still need each other if they want to continue to thrive.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> is thankful to the great words of Enrico Garfff.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Mexico<br />
Ponxo Taifa<br />
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind,<br />
flight to the imagination and life to everything.”<br />
Music! Its indeed the soul of life. And when it’s about the global music…the music<br />
in different languages, instruments, intonations, rhythms…it is just music! No<br />
barriers of languages and cultural contexts.. Absolutely the blissful melodies,<br />
beats, emotions and voices that connect you to your heart and soul connect. It’s so<br />
healing! So spiritual! Meet Ponxo Taifa Angeles who is<br />
an Expert Panelist at Transglobal World Music Chart<br />
(TWMC) and Director at<br />
Radio Taiffa…..<br />
He introduces himself as,<br />
percussionist), photographer, cultural<br />
journalist, short story writer, survivor<br />
of the war and drugs, the crusade<br />
against hunger, six<br />
devaluations of the Mexican peso and<br />
much more.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Mexico<br />
Ponxo Taifa<br />
Radio Taiffa is the Radio project that appreciates the cultures of other latitudes<br />
through its music. It plays various musical styles that allow us to know and<br />
appreciate cultures – from ancient to modern cultures. In their sound library, one<br />
can find music from Rock, Jazz, Blues, Tango, Fado, Flamenco, Celtic, Gipsy,<br />
Afrobeat etc. With the support of many Record Labels, independent producers and<br />
the artists RADIO TAIFFA is creating a global audience for the global music.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> talks with Ponxo Taifa about music and his global radio ventures.<br />
Do you think that it is important to think of our lives, purposes and works in<br />
the global context? What is role of cultures there?<br />
Cultures are social features that distinguish us and give an identity in a global<br />
framework,.<br />
The most rooted cultures not only propose but recompose this socioeconomic<br />
dynamics that allows us not only to be part of a consumer industry, but with the<br />
new trends and digital tools available easily, spread our cultures, traditions, roots<br />
and customs. It seems very interesting to me as most of the music we listen to,<br />
have kept alive their oral and musical traditions with a history of not less than<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Mexico<br />
Ponxo Taifa<br />
hundred years. Although Rock (more recently) allows us to fuse all styles as well<br />
as imbibe their ideologies of each region, literality!<br />
The inherited music with its roots intact, becomes part of the daily life of many<br />
societies in the world and reaches more audiences, generating a musical<br />
community without borders.<br />
Tell us about your venture of Online Radio? The concept! How it’s executed<br />
and what is its impact?<br />
I have the opportunity to see different Online Radio websites and although many<br />
of us have different styles and designs, the main thing is that we seek to expand,<br />
communicate, entertain... the content is what differentiates us or makes us similar.<br />
Radio Taiffa has no more pretensions than playing the music that does not have<br />
access or is very scarce in traditional radios, we bet for the intelligent public that<br />
does not conform to sticky melodies and prefabricated artistic designs. In addition<br />
to the musical programming, we offer is a faithful reflection of our own tastes.<br />
Who all are your resources?<br />
The music comes to us through specialized agencies, the labels and the artists<br />
themselves as well, we are a part of the critics panel of Transglobal World Music<br />
Chart since January 2016, where it gave us worldwide visibility as well as<br />
networking groups. We also have programming from different countries of the<br />
world and it is very interesting how sometimes without agreeing with all<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Mexico<br />
Ponxo Taifa<br />
presenters, we got to schedule the same albums in the same week. This way, the<br />
dissemination of the albums is reinforced from our station.<br />
I have perceived that we all receive the benefits ---- the musicians, labels, agencies,<br />
announcers, and our own station. Because although the pop industry pervades us<br />
commercially, the inclusion from our different cities keeps us united under this<br />
concept -- Online Radio Station!<br />
What are the statistics of global music industry? How it’s expanding its<br />
reach?<br />
I think it is on the rise, the world music has opened up many channels of<br />
information and dissemination of it, generate groups of diffusers, festivals, new<br />
labels, reinforce existing ones and position this as a more reinforced industry. I<br />
suppose that the musicians, agencies and labels must receive good income, because<br />
they generate more albums every time. The artists if they are not composing are on<br />
tour, the agencies always working, so I guess their income is in movement, that<br />
part I do not know because the Radio Taiffa service is free.<br />
How does it expand? Well, with the union and inclusion of all platforms, online<br />
stations, traditional radio, print and digital media, with audio or video programs for<br />
dissemination and move it around the world.<br />
How do you observe the music trends in differ cultures? Give us some<br />
examples with interesting stories?<br />
There is always a preference for the local music of each region but there is always<br />
opening for new currents or fusions that allow to expand each rhythm, I have<br />
listened to music from France or Spain where they resume the tropical music of<br />
America, the salsa or the Colombian Cumbia, the fusions of Arabic music with<br />
flamenco, Tango with Balkan rhythms or with electronic music, this also makes<br />
the different cultures continue to amalgamate musically.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Mexico<br />
Ponxo Taifa<br />
My country has adapted very well the Rock n 'Roll of the USA with lyrics that<br />
reflect the moments of daily life in Mexico. The Mexican Rock was flagging with<br />
a social force for a large part of the young people coming from different cities and<br />
following a mix of other styles.<br />
Name a few of music icons who are able to make impact worldwide?<br />
I think Paco de Lucia! But it also seems to me that Peter Gabriel when he left<br />
Genesis began to make more interesting music, but many a local musicians ended<br />
up being great pop artists. Niña Pastori, Lila Downs, Chavela Vargas, Cigala, Ravi<br />
Shankar, Buena Vista Social Club, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Piazzolla, etc.<br />
What it takes to create soulful music for a musician/singer/ artist?<br />
Many artists comment that they create music from their experiences or even adapt<br />
traditional music from their countries or take inspiration from others to make new<br />
versions. Well, I think it simple like for writers to write first, they have to read.<br />
Similarly to play first, the new musician has to listen a lot of music.<br />
Name a few Indian music artists who are listened and loved by the world<br />
audiences?<br />
Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar seem to me to be the most loved and listened<br />
widely. Recently I listened to Anandi Bhattacharya and the flamenco fusion of<br />
Indialucia, I loved both albums<br />
Share your own experiences of working with music artists of different<br />
languages and cultures?<br />
It has been amazing, musicians from Sweden, Italy, France, Spain, Colombia,<br />
Argentina, Venezuela, USA ... I think that through the distance we have achieved a<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
Mexico<br />
Ponxo Taifa<br />
a friendship, I am very pleased when I share the podcast of my program, they<br />
listen it and share even if they are not included in that broadcast.<br />
Radio Taiffa has always given me moments of immense joy and satisfaction.<br />
Meeting people, their art, to have their music in my music library, talking a little<br />
and achieving coincidences across the seas has been a fabulous experience, there is<br />
no money/ treasure that could buy these meetings, there are no borders that stop<br />
us, That's how I met this magazine too.<br />
Please write about you and your venture story.<br />
Radio Taiffa was founded in 2014, as a world music radio program. In 2015<br />
created the Online station RADIO TAIFFA (The Music of the World).<br />
Ponxo Taifa is a producer, announcer, programmer and director of it.<br />
My best wishes to India from Mexico.<br />
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An artist finds inspiration from everywhere. Robert Owen, who<br />
is an engineer by schooling and trade, but also pursues his artistic interests and<br />
does so with aplomb! His art involves nature, paints, photographs and real<br />
models, mix of performance art, different painting techniques of pieces in each<br />
set, loads of imagination. “I’ve mastered a technique that utilizes engineering<br />
technology with art and I can now build a multi-layer piece of art.” Says, Owen.<br />
He has also introduced Body Paint Art… let’s chat with the creative Owen about<br />
his life, muses, art, trees, sea. He is an artist and a Writer/Photographer/Artist<br />
at Iconique <strong>Magazine</strong>.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
USA<br />
Robert Owen<br />
What is that you find fascinating with different cultures?<br />
Each culture views the world differently based upon their heritage. These<br />
varying looks at life allow other cultures to see their own life differently. Every<br />
culture can learn something new from another culture, values, heritage, lifestyle,<br />
music and art.<br />
How can we create a more beautiful world with cultures?<br />
We can create a more beautiful world through embracing our differences, and<br />
making efforts to understand other cultures. Like, what is important to their world<br />
and respecting their traditions.<br />
Beauty has a universal theme, each culture views beauty differently, but taking<br />
the time to understand and at times assimilate varying pieces of other cultures<br />
into your own will open up new ideas of what beauty and values are shared in our<br />
world.<br />
What are the major sources of inspiration for you?<br />
Nature allows me to create a positive mindset for the art that I create through<br />
flowers, foliage, impressionist nature scenes and such. Since every person has a<br />
natural beauty, I strive to incorporate their soul and being into each piece and<br />
bring to life the true soul of the art.<br />
Art has many forms! What makes you to explore the options as a mixed media<br />
artist?<br />
I started off my artistic journey in photography but soon realized that the market<br />
for photography in galleries was limited. I researched and envisioned art<br />
installations that were a mix of performance art, different painting techniques of<br />
pieces in each set, then started mixing those creations with photography.<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
USA<br />
Robert Owen<br />
My technique utilizes engineering technology with art and produces a multilayer<br />
piece of art that combines a variety of artistic skills.<br />
The characters in<br />
striking especially the<br />
background…what<br />
execution?<br />
I decide on a concept,<br />
models that fit the<br />
being created. I feel<br />
its own soul and that<br />
by a character that has<br />
emotional skills to fill<br />
I believe we are able<br />
meaning and soulful<br />
your works are very<br />
way they are set in the<br />
goes behind the<br />
I research specific<br />
personality of the art<br />
that each creation has<br />
needs to be portrayed<br />
the physical and<br />
that role. In doing so,<br />
to truly pass on the<br />
feeling of each piece.<br />
Paining and photography, how do you combine then effortlessly?<br />
Once I find something that piques my interest I begin to procure pieces for the 3D<br />
installation set. I select a performance model that fits the subject matter, I<br />
purchase wardrobe specifically for the model and project. The process then<br />
moves to painting the individual items in the set, piece by piece, backdrops,<br />
furniture, props and clothing. We select the venue, build the set, set up the<br />
lighting to suit the pieces need, take a few images of the set without the,<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Culture Curators<br />
USA<br />
Robert Owen<br />
performance model in the set to make sure I am happy with the look, lighting,<br />
line of sight, composition and content. At that time, I start to paint the model<br />
using brushes and body paint. We take several hundred to thousands of images<br />
from each set, from different angles and positions of the model, different<br />
hairstyles and painting touch ups throughout the shoot. The next phase is of<br />
reviewing images on large screen computers to find the exact look then the final<br />
ones are sent to our printer and once we receive those pieces back, we either add<br />
more acrylic paint to the painted and photographed image or send them straight to<br />
framing. Then these are placed in designated galleries or exhibits around the<br />
country for sale.<br />
What is Body Painting art?<br />
Body Paint Art utilizes performance art models in conjunction with painted sets,<br />
wardrobe, props and photography to create unique and inspiring pieces of artistic<br />
expression. The color palette, lighting, model , expressions, the vision of the<br />
artist, brush strokes and capturing photograph images, are all parts of the process.<br />
Subtle and uninspiring on its own, but once put together, the entire process play<br />
like a world class symphony orchestrated to perfection.<br />
Who are your favourite artists?<br />
Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Dan Gagen, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir,<br />
Jackson Pollack and many more.<br />
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Painting the<br />
models<br />
I let the brush<br />
follow the body<br />
lines of each<br />
contour, accenting<br />
each person’s<br />
individual<br />
character, colours<br />
flowing with<br />
shape, light and<br />
shadow dancing<br />
on each pore,<br />
crevice, muscle<br />
and sinew. These<br />
few images are then lightly cleaned up for color, contrast, saturation, hue and<br />
such to build the final image. These images are then printed on flexible PVC or<br />
aluminum with a UV stabilized ink that allows me to paint more features onto the<br />
images with acrylic until I have created the artistic vision that had been trapped in<br />
my mind.<br />
How much time it takes to finish these projects?<br />
Some pieces take as little as five hours and others will take upward of hundred<br />
hours. It truly depends on the complexity of the project.<br />
Are you interested in incorporating others mediums/ different types of paints etc?<br />
What will be the natural progression?<br />
Yes, I hope to expand these creations with light painting added to my Body Paint<br />
Art installation pieces. I want to push the boundaries of using light to paint in 3D<br />
and see how I can incorporate that medium into my current skill set of artist<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
USA<br />
Robert Owen<br />
I also plan to incorporate more abstract painting onto my photographed images<br />
of the Body Paint Art.<br />
How it makes life so fun?<br />
The joy I receive by creating this art comes in so many fashions, first, the<br />
amazing people whole new level of peace and joy to my life. Second, I am<br />
always trying to get better at my art and I love that challenge. Last, the thought<br />
that something, I’ve been a part of creating. will reside in someone’s home and<br />
hopefully be passed down for generations gives me the sense that possibly part of<br />
me will live forever.<br />
Please share your favourite and beautiful memories in your journey of life.<br />
The birth of my son, Robby! That feeling of being connected to someone that is<br />
a part of myself, nurturing that life, watching him grow, learn has been<br />
mesmerizing and truly the most beautiful and rewarding part of my journey<br />
through this life. Ada Olszewska and I are expecting another beautiful newborn<br />
creation next year and I know that experience will be just as rewarding if not<br />
more. I’ve been blessed to be able to experience life to the fullest in so many<br />
ways, bring mechanical visions to life for utilitarian purposes, and bring artistic<br />
visions to life for ethereal purposes. And I wouldn’t go back and change anything<br />
in my life.<br />
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Art by Robert Owen<br />
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Indialucia<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
Spain<br />
Indialucia<br />
Music is a dream for and Polish renown flamenco guitarist Miguel Czachowski<br />
who believes strongly that world is full of melodious music… it’s true that when<br />
Bono had said, Music can change the world because it can change people. He talks<br />
about Indialucia…<br />
Indialucia is a project that started to exist back in 1999 in Nagpur, where I came to<br />
study Indian classical music. I and my sitar teacher Avaneendra Sheolikar started<br />
learning together. Soon after, we prepared the first few tracks with my<br />
percussionist friend from Spain - Pierluca Pineroli and his tabla guru Sandesh<br />
Popatkar. This is the beginning of our career. A few years later, we released our<br />
first album where we played together Flamenco music and Indian classical and<br />
Qawwali as one form of music. The word “Indialucia” has two meanings. It’s the<br />
fusion of two words "India" and "Andalucia" - two lands where the music from is.<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
Spain<br />
Indialucia<br />
And the second one is that the word "Indialucia" we can translate as "India<br />
enlightened" that is more of the spiritual meaning.<br />
flaMenCo<br />
Flamenco is the music of southern part of Spain from Andalucia. It was born by<br />
the end of XVIII century and was created mainly by Gypsies (their origin is from<br />
India). It's music of simple people who by playing Flamenco music wanted to find<br />
relief from their hard life. So in this historical context, it started to be the very<br />
emotional type of music.<br />
Cultures<br />
I think the most beautiful element in travelling the world is to explore other<br />
cultures. By culture, I mean the way of life, the art, the music, the food, and the<br />
traditions. Anywhere I travel, I always want to know about the place I visit. The<br />
history, the language, the cuisine, the architecture and of course music, there is so<br />
much to explore. I am a musician so naturally, I focus mainly on music, but as<br />
being an architect I also like to feel the cities, buildings and art. And as a food<br />
lover, I like to explore and experiment with new tastes. So far the best food of the<br />
planet is Indian, and I am a very big fan of all the Indian vegetarian dishes.<br />
global Context<br />
I am very much concerned about our environment and sustainability. We are all<br />
part of this world and only it depends on us what will happen to our planet in the<br />
next decades. Nowadays people think more about economic growth than spiritual.<br />
We should stop for a while and think why we are here and where we all go to. By<br />
playing music I believe I can ignite people's hearts and somehow contribute to their<br />
spiritual life.<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
Spain<br />
Indialucia<br />
global<br />
MusiC<br />
industry,<br />
its reaCh,<br />
the<br />
beauty of<br />
fusion<br />
MusiC…<br />
Global music<br />
and especially<br />
the World<br />
Music is<br />
nowadays<br />
growing very<br />
fast. There is a<br />
huge market<br />
for this kind of<br />
music almost<br />
everywhere.<br />
All over the<br />
world, we have<br />
festivals.<br />
Indian music<br />
has a very<br />
strong position,<br />
and so is<br />
Flamenco<br />
music too. And we are the only band that plays those two genres combined.<br />
Wherever we play, we always have standing ovations and cheered by full house.<br />
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. Muzyczna Owczarnia in beautiful mountains.<br />
Indialucia With Anandita Basu, Miguel Czachowski, Kiureli Sammallahti, Julia Davidko, Avaneendra<br />
Sheolikarand Kamal Sabri<br />
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Concert in Warsaw<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
Spain<br />
Indialucia<br />
a few of My favourite MusiC iCons Creating an<br />
iMpaCt worldwide<br />
Oh! There are many..There will be the group “Shakti” formed by John<br />
McLaughlin, L. Shankar, Vikku Vinayakram and Zakir Hussain. They are the<br />
examples of fantastic fusion and collaboration between the cultures. Another<br />
source of inspiration I could name, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Niladri Kumar and<br />
many others.<br />
My MusiCal journey<br />
I started playing guitar at the age of 12. As a flamenco guitar player, I am a selftaught<br />
guitarist. I formed my own flamenco group in 1992, but the career took a<br />
turn, when I started to play with the Indian musicians. Together, we started to<br />
travel the world. So far we have visited thirty countries and five continents with<br />
our music.<br />
Message for My indian friends and MusiC lovers<br />
I am glad to be part of Indian culture by playing with all the Indian artists I had the<br />
privilege to. I am happy that I visited India twelve times and I got addicted to<br />
Indian masalas (spices). I am very happy that Indian audience accepted the<br />
flamenco fire we added to fantastic Indian music.<br />
dhanyavaad hindustan! naMaste!<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
France<br />
Emmanuel Cherki<br />
These black and white photographs<br />
capture all the vibrant colours, varied<br />
moods and dramatic scenes with acute<br />
and sharp CAPTURES. Let’s ask the<br />
ace photographer how he does it all…<br />
Emmanuel Cherki is a renowned award winning<br />
photographer; he is also a journalist with AFP<br />
press agency since twenty years. He studied<br />
philosophy at the University of Aix-Marseille<br />
in the south of France.<br />
He is excited about the interesting works and assignments, he could take up as a<br />
journalist, and it led him to work in the "Culture" department of the agency. It gave<br />
him so much exposure and interaction with so many creative people. He was<br />
always passionate about the photography; He integrated the "photo" service of<br />
Agence France Presse for several months. He captures some very “out of the<br />
world’ pictures...all breathtakingly beautiful, presenting a cutting edge sharp<br />
narrative and tell a story which is so relevant with our lives.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> pursues the talented photographer and journalist to reveal the<br />
process and secrets of his brilliant captures.<br />
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(All the photographs are clicked by Emmanuel Cherki)<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
France<br />
Emmanuel Cherki<br />
What is your vision around your work?<br />
The central idea is that the city is at the heart of human activity. It is the place of<br />
exchange but also of solitude. The absurd meets every street corner, day, night. In<br />
the midst of the calculated regulations of a rational architecture is sometimes born a<br />
situation which contradicts this organization<br />
What is the creation process for you?<br />
The process is essentially to look for "non-coincidence" between the real and the<br />
idea that we have. The photo is the sign of this deregulation. Each person's hot<br />
object is able to create this "non-coincidence". The beauty of a face, the shape of a<br />
building, an attitude can take us out of the real world.<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
France<br />
Emmanuel Cherki<br />
How do you get your best works? What are your inspirations?<br />
I do not know what the best pictures are. Sometimes I am amazed by what others see<br />
when showing them my work. Some pictures that I considered less successful were<br />
much appreciated. Conversely, some that seemed interesting to me did not find<br />
echoes. Another "non-coincidence”.....<br />
Your photographs are mostly in the<br />
shades of black and whites. Why do<br />
you find these colours so<br />
fascinating? Well! No doubt that<br />
they are amazing captures.<br />
There is a terrible dilemma between<br />
black and white and colours. B/W is a<br />
way of insisting on things or people, it<br />
requires attention. It gives<br />
a thoughtful image, out of<br />
immediacy. Colour reflects the movement of the world. It gives the movement, not<br />
that of the street or the event, but that of the thought of a "before" and an "after".<br />
Your captures are around different aspects- architecture, street, minimalism,<br />
portraits, sea, offbeat etc.. How is it different to capture these images technically?<br />
The colour is fascinating in itself. When you look at a colour it makes you think,<br />
imagine objects of the same colour and even feelings of the same colours. It disturbs<br />
the image because it is image itself. There is no "refuge" in the black and white; the<br />
obstacle is the meaning of the image under t<br />
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Culture Curators<br />
France<br />
Emmanuel Cherki<br />
Who is your favourite pictures from your collection and why? Also name a few<br />
from your award winning photographs as well<br />
It is very important to try all photography styles. I absolutely do not want to lock<br />
myself into a genre. I receive awards in all categories and it is very important for<br />
me. All the categories are part of a photographic process that I like to borrow.<br />
What are the differences between black/white and colourful pictures; you kind of<br />
capture your own beliefs, attitude for life in them?<br />
The photo testifies to my vagabond spirit. I like this idea of being a gypsy in the<br />
world. By making photos I do not try to freeze events but rather offer crossroads for<br />
those who live them. It an alert to what seems to me to be a non-coincidence between<br />
the idea and the image that interests me. For that you have to roam here and<br />
elsewhere. Being a stranger everywhere, be amazed all the time. In this sense,<br />
Koudelka's work is essential for me. In his life, as in these images, he is travelling.<br />
Your idea of cultures and also your vision of appreciating each other’s cultures to<br />
create global inclusivity.<br />
I would like to add what should have been the beginning of my reflection. The photo<br />
cannot stop the "living", cannot freeze it. The photo does not say anything about<br />
what's going on, happened or will happen. It is a bifurcation, it opens other<br />
possibilities. It does not offer solutions but poses questions and problems --Aesthetic,<br />
moral, political and social! It is a revealing accident of a "not everything goes without<br />
saying”....<br />
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<strong>SoCultures</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
(All the photographs are clicked by Emmanuel Cherki)<br />
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Cultural Innovations<br />
Israel<br />
Amit Shimoni<br />
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Cultural Innovations<br />
Israel<br />
Amit Shimoni<br />
Hipstory through its vibrant colourful pop arts wishes to re-imagine the great<br />
leaders of modern history and place them in different times and culture era.<br />
A cultural innovation!<br />
Hipstory is the brainchild of Amit Shimoni, who is from Tel Aviv, Israel. He<br />
is a professional illustrator who was raised in the Mediterranean country.<br />
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Cultural Innovations<br />
Israel<br />
Amit Shimoni<br />
Shimoni brings sense of adventure and boundless creativity in his namesake art<br />
series “HIPSTORY” - world's greatest leaders of modern history recreated and<br />
conceptualized as nowadays hipsters.<br />
His journey began in 2014 and throughout this period of time he has received over<br />
two hundred media coverage worldwide including leading magazines and several<br />
television Shows like The Guardian, Stern published from Germany, Wired<br />
magazine, Vice magazine, Forbes, Entertainment weekly etc<br />
Shimoni has also worked with top brands around the world including the New<br />
York Times, the New York Observer and lately with the Norwegian leading<br />
political party. Shimoni was also selected for the most promising people 30 under<br />
30 -Israeli list of Forbes<br />
Today he operates his design studio “Amit Shimoni Illustration”, which<br />
collaborates with corporations from all around the world.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> in conversations with the artist himself, Amit Shimoni...<br />
He lives with his wife Noga and their adorable dog Adam in Tel Aviv.. We<br />
urge the innovative artist to draw a lively picture of his life, works,<br />
inspirations, projects and future life for our readers in the interview..<br />
Lets head straight to the artist and ask about his incredible<br />
works...who are you, Amit Shimoni?<br />
“I always loved art; I used to draw on my bedroom walls as a teenager. During my<br />
military services when I was hardly nineteen or twenty, I started painting abstract<br />
art expressing my emotions of that chapter. After my military service, while<br />
backpacking Northern India for a few months, I finally acknowledged the purpose<br />
of my life and it was creating an affordable art.<br />
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Cultural Innovations<br />
Israel<br />
Amit Shimoni<br />
What inspired you to create Hipstory series?<br />
Once I had an assignment to create communication through a preferred art. That's<br />
when Hipstory was born. I was looking for a way to connect generation Y to<br />
history's finest leaders. Googling, searching like any random teenager, for pictures<br />
of hundred years old world leaders, all I could find were black & white, faded, old<br />
pictures of leaders. Then the idea to “Hipsterize” them struck me This reality<br />
frustrated the me deeply and brought to life this art series Hipstory – my way to<br />
connect the Y generations with political and cultural visionaries of our past and<br />
giving them a new way of expression in modern times.<br />
What is a “Hipster”? Define it please!<br />
"Hipster" is not a specific fashion way of dressing or acting like most people<br />
would say. How I see it, it reflects the imbalance the Y generation is experiencingwhile<br />
everybody around is trying hard to be more unique, in reality, it seems<br />
everybody is more and more of the same.<br />
What does Hipstory wish to covey? What it talks about?<br />
Let me clear what Hipstory doesn’t want to talk about.<br />
It doesn't talk about politics, it talks about generation Y. I often find myself<br />
wondering how different my generation, Y generation, is from the generation of<br />
these great leaders of modern history. How different their belief system, the way<br />
they thought and what motivated them, compared to our more self-centred<br />
generation which is in a constant chase after fashion, style and trends as a way of<br />
self-expression while steering away from the big ideologies and meanings of life.<br />
I wanted HIPSTORY to re-imagine these great leaders and place them in a<br />
different time and culture - ours. I wanted to create a sort of mirror- a mirror that<br />
on the one hand is supposed to make one smile, but on the other, to make them also<br />
think.<br />
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Cultural Innovations<br />
Israel<br />
Amit Shimoni<br />
What is the creative process for each new character?<br />
"For every character I try putting my own interpretation, but I'm always leaving a<br />
place where the viewers get their own interpretation, their own story. During my<br />
thinking process, I study each character as a leader and as a person for at least a<br />
few days. I try bringing a new twist to the smallest details that define the character.<br />
For example, on Obama’s picture, you can find the words "Hope" and "Change"<br />
which are slogans anyone can immediately realize. But I also try painting details<br />
that are less notable and less recognized by most viewers, like the tattoo on<br />
Obama’s right shoulder which represents a scene from the book Moby – Dick,<br />
which is Obama's favorite reading book.<br />
It will be interesting to see how pop icons such as Marilyn Monroe or Michael<br />
Jackson will fit in with this respectable bunch in my next series titled - Hipstory II.<br />
It will be presented on the internet and social media and printed on items like<br />
Smartphone cases and coasters.<br />
Amit sums up, “I think that art belongs on one's phone or coffee table just as it<br />
belongs in a museum<br />
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CULTURE MANAGEMENT<br />
As <strong>SoCultures</strong> aspires to connect the world with cultural stories and collaborations,<br />
it’s extremely interesting and inspiring to see the initiatives like Producciones<br />
Dante SL.<br />
Now Sala Dante is about doing cultural management in a new and innovative<br />
ways. Let’s get the world more clued in about how Sala Dante is doing it —<br />
What is Producciones Dante SL? What is the vision and inspiration ,about<br />
starting this unique project?<br />
This project was born from the need of young artists to show their progress on<br />
stage. The theatres of Palma de Mallorca are rarely open for inexperienced artists,<br />
or amateur groups, so they have to go to spaces outside the city to obtain this<br />
experience. The Dante Room, as a private company, is always open to anyone who<br />
wants to show what they know to the public<br />
What is your assumption about the cultures? How it is a major catalyst to<br />
connect the world as <strong>SoCultures</strong> strongly believes in it.<br />
Today, thanks to globalization and the media, any artist is able to find sources of<br />
inspiration in all cultures, leading to unexpected merger of creative ideas, projects,<br />
new creations based on traditions and cultures that ultimately help the culture<br />
remain alive in the hearts of art and society.<br />
What is CULTURAL MANAGEMENT?<br />
Cultural management is that professional work of those who put culture and<br />
society in alliance, in rhythmic balance and do not do so as critics or as educators,<br />
but rather through cultural programming and cultural projects. A cultural manager<br />
fulfills the functions that many times an artist does not know how to perform,<br />
especially that of showing art to the public.<br />
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Great atmosphere in the complete total of Lolo Cervera & Norbert Fimpel<br />
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Culture ManageMent<br />
Armand Abraham! He is the founder partner of Sala Dante. How he<br />
envisioned about bringing in change in the area of cultural management?<br />
Armand thought that the city lacked a space of free access for all artists. His<br />
training as a professional pianist led him to look for his own performances, and all<br />
the times the theaters closed the doors on him, those were as an inspiration to him.<br />
All artists have the right to teach what they know, not only those who are already<br />
known nationally. Surely it is not the most lucrative way, but it is something<br />
necessary in our country.<br />
Albert Serra- Producciones Dante SL<br />
cofounder<br />
Sandra Gaspar - MAX Teatro Musical<br />
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Culture ManageMent<br />
You means Albert Serra, Artistic Director, have initiated viable programs to<br />
run the organization; can we know more about that?<br />
Of course! My first musical training was at the Principal Theater of Palma, where I<br />
also formed part of their choirs, participating in the opera seasons until 2008. I<br />
studied the Higher Degree of Musical Composition at the Superior Conservatory of<br />
the Balearic Islands with the composer Josep Prohens, receiving the "Extraordinary<br />
End-of-Degree Award".<br />
Now I am currently the co-director of MAX Musical Theater together with Sandra<br />
Gaspar, a musical theater academy that develops its activity inside Sala Dante.<br />
How do you offer the most conducive and inspiring atmosphere to the<br />
promoters and artists?<br />
Through economic conditions that favour both parties. We are aware that the artists<br />
who start can not pay certain amounts of money for the theater rental, so we offer<br />
the possibility of acting at zero cost, earning only through percentages of the ticket<br />
revenue.<br />
What is MAX Teatro Musical School?<br />
It is the first training center specialized in Musical Theater in Mallorca. Our school<br />
aims to provide comprehensive training of the three fundamental disciplines<br />
(singing, dance and theater) with the possibility of performing stage practices and<br />
participate in professional shows.<br />
.<br />
What makes you different from other cultural organizations?<br />
The immediate access to our space at the zero cost and the way and the speed of<br />
cultural management.<br />
The Message to the world …<br />
Do not let the culture die!<br />
Lastly, please add your inputs to add value to the concept of cultural<br />
management<br />
To assure the future of art and culture is safe, it is essential to help young artists,<br />
and provide a good environment for their performances so that they can gain<br />
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The musical “the hairspray show ", based on the famous “Hairspray “of Broadway, in Sala Dante!<br />
"The House of Bernarda Alba", in musical adaptation at Sala Dante<br />
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experience and ensure the next generations of artists. Many times this is not<br />
possible from government institutions sometimes.<br />
So, we believe that initiatives like ours are the good options.<br />
Piano Concert with the award-winning Hugo Button at Sala Dante<br />
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Welcome to the Culture Café!<br />
Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, flower freedom in life, and<br />
also coffee! Well also… of course! Conversations too! For lots of issues of the<br />
world can be solved over a cup of coffee.<br />
<strong>SoCultures</strong> had a chit-chat over a cup of coffee with the people from around<br />
the world to discuss cultures, and so much more that matters under the sky<br />
in the world. Let’s brainstorm issues, philosophies and views with the people<br />
from around the world.<br />
balogun olalekan<br />
Country: Ibadan, Nigeria<br />
He has studied science and technology and is<br />
an Executive Director at Photographer.<br />
Let’s discuss the cultures? What is your<br />
definition?<br />
I think that culture is a way of life. It’s our<br />
lives...<br />
Do you think in today’s globally connected<br />
scenario, cultures can be main agent to bring<br />
in the positivity and peace?<br />
Oh yes, the technology is doing wonders. It’s<br />
connecting the world. It’s easier to stay<br />
connected in these times. I feel that culture can<br />
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be an agent to spread peace and positivity..Hmmm...Unfortunately not all<br />
cultures promote that.<br />
The biggest culture shock you ever lived?<br />
The biggest culture shock, I have received when I realize that the certain<br />
cultures deny the widow the rights to own her husband’s properties.<br />
Tell us about your favourite film, book or art anything which fascinates you<br />
from your culture?<br />
What fascinates me most about my culture<br />
is, the traditional dresses worn by our<br />
women and men. Oh yes, I love my native<br />
language too.<br />
Photographs clicked by Balogun Olalekan<br />
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siyabonga sikosana<br />
Country: Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal<br />
(He is an acclaimed artist, and studied<br />
at Durban University of Technology.)<br />
Let’s discuss the cultures? What is your<br />
definition?<br />
Culture is something that I find in my<br />
roots, the way I live! Even the way I<br />
think! I dance! It’s there in my art! It’s<br />
like Ubuntu! It’s the “HUMANITY” in<br />
everything.<br />
Do you think in today’s globally connected scenario, cultures can be main agent<br />
to bring in the positivity and peace?<br />
Culture is important for growth. If we stay away from our culture, it would<br />
mean that we can’t go forward and that we have lost our identity, it means that<br />
we are living in a nation which is not developing. For me, culture is Ubuntu! I<br />
like the positive values of the cultures.<br />
The biggest culture shock you ever lived?<br />
I don’t know which culture has given me the shock but I can definitely say, if it<br />
is about killing innocent people, abusing or doing bad to people that will be<br />
really shocking to me.<br />
Tell us about your favourite film, book or art anything which fascinates you<br />
from your culture?<br />
The book I love to read is time and again, “Long Walk to Freedom” , a book<br />
about life of Nelson Mandela. Humanity is to forgive and building afuture for<br />
nation. Film, “Battle of Isandlwana” this film taught me that one must die, if he<br />
has to die, moving forward but not running away no matter what<br />
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Art works by Siyabonga Sikosana<br />
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ogbu anuriChukwuka<br />
Country: Owerri IMP State, Nigeria<br />
(An artist who is constantly<br />
experimenting and innovating<br />
with the brushes and colours)<br />
Let’s discuss the cultures? What<br />
is your definition?<br />
Culture is dynamic, it changes, so<br />
as people change too because it<br />
people's way of<br />
life. It varies from generation to<br />
generation.<br />
Do you think in today’s globally<br />
connected scenario, cultures<br />
can be main agent to bring in<br />
the positivity and peace?<br />
Yes! When viewed in these<br />
perspectives (CULTURE), it is an<br />
open-ended and unclear<br />
definition which is not specific to any experience, activities, ideas, which is<br />
present in the society for the creation of art. My views -<br />
1. Culture is been dynamic in nature.<br />
2. It also enters in a marriage.<br />
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3. One can borrow other people's culture which can bring positively changes in<br />
them, in their lives.<br />
The biggest culture shock you ever lived?<br />
A woman is handed over to her late husband’s brother for marriage forcefully.<br />
It’s really something very disgusting in any culture.<br />
Tell us about your favourite film, book or art anything which fascinates you<br />
from your culture?<br />
“The Joys of Motherhood” by Buchi Emecheta! It’s a novel published in 1979.<br />
A painting by Ogbu Anurichukwuka<br />
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eva Maria friese<br />
Country: Lacchiarella, Italy, An extremely talented artist.<br />
Let’s discuss the cultures? What is your definition?<br />
Culture or cultures takes place when a group of humans are evolving by striving<br />
for survival, for progress, for producing things, clothes, food and art. And also its<br />
in the developing the thoughts and technologies in spite of what is offered by the<br />
nature, people, resources and territories. Irrespective of the differences of one<br />
group of culture to another, the cultural solitarily always encourages intelligence,<br />
positivity and security, also helps in<br />
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solving conflicts. To develope and grow a high quality of culture, it needs good<br />
education of each individual person. If that isn't possible for everyone then it<br />
should be taken care by the others, the society, the government and anyone who is<br />
able to help. The cultural education can be spread not only with material products<br />
but above all with love.<br />
Do you think in today’s globally connected scenario, cultures can be main<br />
agent to bring in the positivity and peace?<br />
It's a mystery for me how much negative power can grow in humans by one's own<br />
choice to destroy and kill other human beings. I feel that in most of the cases it’s<br />
also due to the political and sociological problems.<br />
It's not a supernatural power. It can be achieved by learning from each other,<br />
integrating thoughts, technologies and also religions of other cultures for<br />
expanding horizons and improve problematic situations. It's wonderful and<br />
stunning how people are different but also much similar to each other and how<br />
much beauty exists around the world. In our technological present it's not difficult<br />
to interchange the most important and intelligently ideas for creating a better world<br />
and so a harmonious globally culture. It needs more education of loving and<br />
respecting each other.<br />
The biggest culture shock you ever lived?<br />
When I had been in The Holy Land, in Israel and Palestine I had gone through a<br />
really cultural shock. Especially in Gerusalemme (Jerusalem) a holy, treasured but<br />
also fought over place by three great monotheistic religions and rebuilt again and<br />
again over the years. There, every stone has a story to tell of events that it had<br />
seen… words and voices it had heard. But the inhabitants of this much-contested<br />
old ---- Muslim, Christian Armenian, Jewish live so happily and raising their<br />
families with much love. I compare it with many parallel universes which exist<br />
without interacting and barely respecting each other. But I’m sure that there are<br />
intelligent people<br />
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who make difference by loving and accepting the others. But these three great<br />
cultures in the Holy Land have one thing in common, that they respect the great<br />
culture of tourists and pilgrims.<br />
Tell us about your favourite film, book or art anything which fascinates you<br />
from your culture?<br />
One night I had a dream of a person I didn’t know before. A boy led me through<br />
countryside to an old house with a room with many children, a long old wooden<br />
table and many chairs. We all had to sit down and then entered a man who looked<br />
at me and began to teach the children. The day after, on television, they were<br />
telling the story of this man. I thought, ‘Oh look there, I saw him in my dream last<br />
night’. The TV was showing old photographs of this old house, the room with the<br />
wooden table and many children and this man teaching them. This person was Don<br />
Lorenzo Milani, a catholic priest who lived during the war and fought for the rights<br />
of the poor children who had no possibility to go to school and had to work hard in<br />
the fields. He was an intellectual person and so he founded a school of himself<br />
teaching poor children in this old house in the countryside of Barbiana, Italy. But<br />
he had a lot of difficulties. Months later I found a book which talks about his youth<br />
and his choice to become a catholic priest. But there was a period of his live the<br />
television did not talk about it. The title of the book is, ‘Lorenzo Milani,<br />
l’artistachetrovòDio’ which means Lorenzo Milani, the artist who found God<br />
written by Valentina Alberici. He was an artist, a painter like me. He taught the<br />
children painting. He studied art in the “Accademia di Belle Arti” of Brera in<br />
Milan, where I live actually. What a surprise! He or God wanted to tell me this in<br />
my dream. I bought the book. But no one talks about him like an artist. Neither is<br />
he known as a saint. Perhaps one day people will call him that. But for me he is a<br />
saint now<br />
Below is a painting by Eva. .titled… God’s Perspective<br />
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