A Jewish heirloom at the centre of one of the most searing images of the Nazis’ rise has returned to Germany, as political leaders pledged on Monday to combat a resurgence of anti-Semitism. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier joined in the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum used during the so-called Festival of Lights, which belonged to the Posners,…
More
Pope Francis is to return to Greece three fragments of Athens’ Parthenon temple, in what the Vatican called Friday a gesture of friendship. The fragments from the Parthenon on the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, have been held for centuries in the papal collection and Vatican Museums. Francis has decided “to donate” them to the Orthodox Archbishop of Athens,…
More
It was the Greek city where the ancients flocked in the hope of learning the secret of life after death. Now Eleusis — known to Greeks as Elefsina — aims to resurrect its flagging fortunes by becoming European capital of culture next year. Roman emperors including Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus — of “Gladiator” fame — were among the…
More
An intricately detailed balcony, a coat of fresh paint and large bay windows opening onto the street: this house, in Saint-Louis, northern Senegal, has regained its former glory. Next to it, one building has been gutted and another is about to collapse. The house is one of several that have recently been refurbished, part of a movement to renew the…
More
Egypt is using the ancient grandeur of its pyramids as a backdrop for modern pop concerts and fashion shows, hoping to boost its image, tourism and the luxury brand sector beloved by its moneyed elite. French fashion house Dior debuted its latest collection Saturday at the Giza pyramids, after Italian designer Stefano Ricci held a show at Luxor’s dramatic Temple…
More
Every year, the EU awards gives one city a massive tourism boost by awarding it the esteemed title of European Capital of Culture. This time, “city” doesn’t quite fit. In 2023 the focus is on an entire region. Healing mud awaits visitors in the west of Hungary. Cultural manager Can Togay can already feel the tingle of anticipation of welcoming…
More
New Red Bull TV documentary sheds light on Nigerian dance scenes and heritage of Afro Dance. ‘(Un)credited – The Story of Afro Dance’ is a new Red Bull TV documentary that shines a light on the contributions of Nigeria’s Afro Dance scene to mainstream pop culture featuring backstories and performances from established and upcoming artists. Here is all you need to…
More
Apollo’s Chariot Fountain was lifted from its base in the sumptuous gardens of the Palace of Versailles on Tuesday ahead of an 18-month restoration of the gilded lead sculpture celebrating the Greek god. It is the first time the iconic artwork by Jean-Baptiste Tuby has been removed from its basin since it was placed there in 1671 during the reign…
More
Three and a half years after the devastating fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, the first collapsed stone vault has been restored. Craftsmen used 14 cubic metres of stone for the reconstruction, the Établissement Public, which is responsible for the reconstruction, said on Thursday. “We are moving forward with determination towards the reopening of the cathedral in 2024,” said Jean-Louis Georgelin, special…
More
Archeologists have rediscovered a pre-Hispanic fresco depicting mythological scenes in northern Peru that they had only seen in black and white photographs that were more than a century old. “It’s an exceptional discovery, first of all, because it is rare to unearth wall paintings of such quality in pre-Colombian archeology,” said Sam Ghavami, the Swiss archeologist who led excavations that…
More
