By Gloria Borroni The literary world is divided into two groups, fans who gather together in trepidation to discover whether their favorite writer won the prestigious Nobel Prize for literature, and people who disregard the award completely. Kazuo Ishiguro received the award for 2017. The Swedish Academy decided to give the prize to Ishiguro, because,…
Camera In Love – Ed van der Elsken in Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
You might have already seen it if you went on the CultureCo Amsterdam trip in February, but if you haven’t already, make sure you get to Amsterdam as soon as possible. Stedelijk Museum, a museum for contemporary art, is hosting an exhibition on Ed van der Elsken, a Dutch street photographer. Ed van der Elsken…
Your New Italian Playlist
By Gloria Borroni Contrary to popular belief, Italian music is not about the mandolin and accordion, at least, not all of it. Music is a crucial cultural aspect of Italy, after all, Italy was the home of some of the greatest classical music composers and opera authors of all times. Nonetheless, parallel to this so-called…
“Girlboss” (2017): Funny, Yet Uninspiring And Narcissistic
The past couple of weeks, the Internet, audiences, Selena Gomez-fans and young adult psychologists have been under the spell of Netflix hit series 13 Reasons Why. Now, if you ask me, there are 13 reasons why and why not the watch the show, which is a story for another time. Today, we’re talking about the latest…
Your New Chinese Playlist
Beyond Beyond is a rock band from Hong Kong. Unlike in most western countries, rock music was not well appreciated in China until the late 90’s, when Beyond managed to popularize it through their music. There are still fierce arguments about whether or not rock was Beyond’s music style. From what I can see, they…
Your New French Playlist
Always wanted to learn more about what trendy music French people listen to? Here’s your chance! From hip-hop to folkloric, there is music for everyone on this playlist. Julien Doré Young, handsome, and talented Julien Doré debuted his solo career on the French musical television show Nouvelle Star in 2007. He is known for his…
Chabon’s Moonglow – A Reader’s Review
Michael Chabon’s Moonglow (2016) takes on the challenge goal of condensing the author’s complex family history into one engaging read. One part autobiography, one part fiction, multiple parts speculation and embellishment, the end product makes for a satisfying read. Chabon manages to interweave the sting of his family’s hardships with that of a larger collective…
Life Imitates Art – A Film, A Poem, And A Song
“Why do we need to have this GSA-week?” It’s a good question. It’s also a convenient question because the very act of asking it, provides the answer. If LGBT visibility were more integrated in popular media, a week like this would perhaps not raise such instant resistance. By isolating LGBT-media, a lot of people might…
Your New Polish Playlist
The line “take me to the place where techno resonates” from the new Coals’ song “Rave03” perfectly reflects the contemporary music scene in Poland; but, before our night escapades, let’s start the day with a bit more joyous rhythms. Make yourself a cup of coffee, turn your speakers on, and drift away with The Dumplings….
Your new Dutch Playlist
Kensington This band of four is seen by many as the biggest Dutch rock band of the moment. Kensington’s lyrics are written in English, making them accessible for non-Dutch speakers, and as a result, the band is currently playing shows in other countries outside the Netherlands. Kensington’s lyrics are successful in representing life in an…
Be Our Guest: “Beauty and the Beast” (2017)
Following the current trend of Disney live-action remakes, the latest edition has now hit theaters all over the world: “Beauty and the Beast” (2017). A tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, the film follows the all-too familiar love story of the beautiful and adventurous Belle and the cursed Beast. Set in a…
UCR Musicians #1: Hannah Davita Ludikhuijze
My name is Hannah Davita Ludikhuijze, and I play the cello. What is your earliest music-related memory? Music was always very central in the house where I was growing up, it was always playing in the background. Music was and is very much my idea of home. Apparently, when I was just learning to walk,…
Synopsis of Two Recent Voices
Much of today’s music works in tune with the 21st century vogue, celebrating the ego and promoting dull highs of living. This can especially be seen in the tracks that surface in the charts, centering on the semantics of dance-floors, mood-pushers and libido. At the top of the chain stand some aloof mega-stars fishing in…
The Van Gent Experience
These students tried to take notes during a history class, but what appeared on the board will shock you! Forget Rembrandt van Rijn’s Night’s Watch, forget Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring. The Dutch master painters of the Golden Age can eat their heart out over this monumental piece. Because lo’ and behold before…
Ode To Bikes in New York City
by Tsjalline Boorsma I LOVE bikes. They help humanity to transport itself. What would we do without bikes? Take a car and get stuck in traffic jams? Take a train and be forced to get out halfway through? (I am sure enough students know the agony). Walking is great, but in a big city it…
The Elliott Food Team
How fridges and Chilling Chickens became part of daily life by Tessa van Hoorn “CHILLING Chicken”, “Healthy Hummus”, “Mag-nificent Mozzarella” and more; these are not ways to teach children some-thing about either food or linguistics (alliteration awesomeness), but are some of the heroes of the Elliott Food Team. They have become part of my daily…