Tag Archives: europe

99 objects about Europe & us by Margaret Graham

Posted on by

In this year when our political relationship with the continent has been so hotly debated, the National Trust have put together a selection of objects from their vast collections that help examine our nation’s rich and ancient cultural connections to our neighbours. This is a fascinating digital diary, and we’ve included a couple of excerpts here. It is a great idea to check in each weekday to find out what stories our objects have to tell.  But here are a couple to be getting on with.

Day 35. Campi phlegræi. Observations on the volcanoes of the Two Sicilies as they have been communicated to the Royal Society by Sir William Hamilton … Date 1776 Place of origin Italy. On show at Wimpole, Cambridgeshire, East of England, National Trust.

Not sure that I’d hang about as a live volcano does what it likes to do, but Lady Emma Hamiliton’s husband, Sir William Hamilton was made of sterner stuff. Campi Phlegraei or ‘Flaming Fields’ is a first-hand report of the spectacular eruptions of Mount Vesuvius written by Sir William Hamilton, the British envoy to the Neapolitan royal court and expert volcanologist. Perhaps he saw it as a metaphor for his wife’s raging affair with Lord Nelson which was burning strongly at the time? As a diplomat, Hamilton entertained many visitors and frequently accompanied them on the perilous ascent of the live volcano without a hard hat or flame-proof jacket in sight.  The area’s history of volcanic activity, including the recently excavated nearby classical sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, made it a popular tourist destination for wealthy travellers making the Grand Tour.   Hamilton’s text is a wonderful example of a beautifully illustrated treatise from the Age of Enlightenment – when science clearly came before health and safety.

Day 8  Harp. Sebastion Erard 1732 – 1851 On show at Lyme Park, Cheshire.

The maker of this particular harp was the Frenchman, Sébastien Erard. Prior to establishing his firm in London, Erard was closely associated with the Bourbon court including the harp-playing Marie Antoinette, whose arrival to Versailles in 1770 fuelled the rage for the instrument amongst the French elite.   But by the early 1790s, with many of his clients facing certain death by guillotine, Erard fled France for London where he established a shop on Great Marlborough Street. There he honed his craft to such a degree that by 1794 he took out the first British patent for the harp to protect his innovations. In 1800, the Princess of Wales bought one of his harps and the success of his firm was ensured; by 1810 he had sold nearly 1400 of his stringed instruments from his London outlet alone.

http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/.

 

 

Interview With a Refugee. Destination: Freedom Author Lily Amis Tells All

Posted on by
lily amis, author, refugee

Author Lily Amis

What inspired you to write the book?

When I went through difficult times as a teenager in my early years in Switzerland, I always knew that I would someday share my story with others. I just felt that what my mom and I were experiencing as war-refugees was beyond normal and that I had to become the voice for other silent suffers like us. I felt it was my duty to share our story.

Also as a teenager drawing and painting was my way of self-therapy. But through long-term unemployment the older I got the more writing became my way of self-therapy.

refugeecrisis

You experienced many setbacks. Some were because of war, bureaucracy and  medical reasons. What was the hardest and what did you learn from it?

The hardest setbacks were and still are dealing with bureaucracy. As a kid I was an outsider as a refugee. Than the older I got I felt unwanted as a foreigner. And today as an adult I still feel unwanted and not integrated because of stupid bureaucracy.

That’s why I always say once a refugee, always a refugee. Once a foreigner, always a foreigner. The problem is that I feel homeless and lost. Even though I speak fluent German, Swiss German, English and Farsi where ever I go, I feel invisible, like nobody takes notice of me.

I learned from early years on to fight for my right and this hasn’t stopped until now and yet. I’m still fighting for my right, for my freedom and my acceptance!

refugee

You use Asiacity and EUcity instead of the names of the countries. Why is this?

I used Asiacity for Iran because unfortunately I feel specially these days when you say you’re Iranian you have to deal with injustice and discrimination. People have a negative view on my birth country. They believe what they see and hear by the Media and think my country is evil.

To be honest I was afraid that readers wouldn’t show interest in my story because they don’t like my country. Which is a shame, because my birth city Tehran is actually a great city and Iranian people are the most loving, friendly and helpful people.

I used EUcity for Swiss because I didn’t want to point my fingers out on Swiss and blame them for what the refugee law has done to us. Because the law is similar in most European countries and our suffer could have happen anywhere else to. And we see that now more than ever daily on the news.

What do you think of the current migrant crisis?

There are no words to describe my feelings. I have mixed feelings. I watch the news daily and it breaks my heart to see so many desperate people, young, old, families, children coming to Europe with completely false hopes and expectations. They have NO idea that becoming a refugee basically means giving up on your life, your future, hopes, dreams and goals. You leave your identity, pride and dignity behind for NOTHING in return.

It is also the prove of Karma. Twenty-eight years ago my mom and I left our home because of war. And nobody showed any compassion. Instead we were punished with bureaucracy.

Today Millions of refugees are coming from all kinds of countries and finally EU has to act and the Refugee Law has to change. The governments finally realize that the Refugee law as it was until now can’t function any longer. They have to find a fast and human solution to integrate these people in EU ASAP. That was what I always wanted to achieve with my story: Change the Refugee law which is now happening by a higher power.

Should people use the term refugee rather than migrant?

I don’t understand why people make such a big issue out of these two words. For me a refugee is someone who’s fled from war to stay alive. For me these people are war-refugees who have lost everything they have because of war.

Than we have economic-refugees. For example people from East Europe. They have not much and wish to have a better life and future. Which is absolute legitimate. After all we all are just short visitors on planet earth and should have the same rights for a happy life.

For me Migrants are people who have a life. But for whatever reason they decide to leave their home country and start a new life in another place. They do it legally with Visas by Embassies.

So in other words all the people that we see now coming are Refugees and not Immigrants. Why? Because they have lost their existence and have no place to go back to.

What got you through the tough times?

My mums devoted Love, support, care and believe. She’s an incredibly strong woman. I admire her strength and trust in God. Also my art work was a big help. Drawing and painting was my way of getting through tough times.

I have two examples that I like to share with you. Both were done in 1996, the original size is 50X70 cm. One is expressing that my only hope to ever feel Freedom is death! And the other one is expressing how I felt as a Refugee in Switzerland.

What can be done to help refugees?

I waited for this question for twenty-eight years. The refugee law must be updated ASAP. It can’t go on like this anymore. Toying with peoples destinies must take an end. The whole process of taking or not taking refugees in must be handled faster and fair. And finding a human solution is easier than the EU believes.

Depending on the country the people are coming from and why the decision whether to take them in or not can be done in a short matter of time. It shouldn’t take fifteen years to get a proper residence permit like in our case. It shouldn’t be necessary to get married without Love just to be able to have rights.

And when the EU countries accept these people they should give them a fair chance for a normal life and future. First of all treat them with respect and not like a disease. Understanding, caring, compassion and support MUST be the main priority.

Secondly when they start a life in a new country, they should have all the possibilities that are the fundament for an independent and fearless Life. Such as education and work opportunity.

Because Education means independence and independence means liberty.

Let them become the next Albert Einstein, Freddy Mercury, Bob Marley, Billy Wilder, Marlene Dietrich or Sigmund Freud. Don’t stop them from improving just because of stupid laws and injustice.

But the best HELP of all would be to STOP the War & Weapon business by reach and greedy countries. Than we wouldn’t have any refugees at all. Every human being could stay at home and live a fearless, normal life without suffer and pain.

You returned to your home country. How did that feel?

The title of my book is “Destination: Freedom”. When you read the book you assume that I found my freedom in EUcity (Switzerland) by leaving my hometown Asiacity (Iran). But actually the opposite was the case. When I returned to my hometown Tehran after fifteen years I felt Freedom for the first time in my entire Life. Even though the circumstances were terrible and sad, I was happy and free. I felt welcomed and not like an outsider anymore.

When will the other books be out and what can we expect?

The second book “Definition of Freedom” will be out soon. It is ready for print in English and in German. I think the readers of my first book “Destination: Freedom” will be very surprised to read how my life continued as a former-refugee.

“Definition of Freedom” is a cry for help and the perfect example of how the future of a refugee kid will look like if EU don’t put an end to the refugee system and change the rights of Refugees. Otherwise the future of innocent refugee kids like me are damaged forever and filled with personal and professional setbacks.

Would you believe me if I tell you that it took me twenty-seven years to be finally a naturalized “Swiss”? And that nothing has changed and I’m still desperately looking for Freedom? A place where I feel home, welcome, accepted and integrated? Would you believe me if I tell you that I’m still struggling and fighting for a “normal” life? Well these are just a few topics that I’m sharing with my readers in the second book of the trilogy.

What is next for you?

I’m hoping to find Freedom in a country where I feel welcome.

I’m praying to be able to breathe and live an independent life without fear of existence and the future.

I wish to continue my writing and use my voice for the voiceless. I want to help other sufferers specially Woman who have to deal with issues such as long-term-Unemployment, fear of existence, bullying, emotional and sexual harassment, burn out, depression, social isolation, loneliness etc. which are the topics of “Definition of Freedom” and my third book “Definition of Love” which I’m working on right now.

Interview With a Refugee Destination- Freedom Author Lily Amis Tells All book review

Destination: Freedom is a warts and all book which tells the brutal truth about being a refugee. Lily Amis does not censor herself at all. You learn about her frustration as bureaucracy stops Lily and her mother integrating into their new environment. They escape unimaginable horrors and are held back instead of being helped. If they were helped and given visas they could work and pay tax in the country they arrived in (Switzerland). I hope people in power read this book and some changes are made. This book is timely with the current refugee crisis the world is currently facing. An interesting read from a brutally honest writer.

Destination: Freedom is available here.

 

 

Fashions Finest | London Fashion Week 2012

Posted on by

Fashions Finest

 

The strong tribal theme last seen in AW12 was resurrected in the collections showcased by Europe’s emerging designers.

 

Creative graduates were given an opportunity to exhibit their latest projects at the Fashions Finest event that sidelined the main London Fashion Week schedule.

 

And as some of the female designers played it safe with key black trends, others attempted to make their collections stand out at The Westbury in Mayfair on Sunday.

 

Here’s a summary of each designer’s catwalk lines:

 

Blackpearl’s Secrets

Elegant and formal, the runway featured shimmering floor-length dresses and fitted men’s suits with tribal motifs etched on the pockets, elbows and lapels.

 

Blackpearl’s collection imitated the split-at-the-thigh gowns worn by Angelina Jolie and the hip-revealing dresses first adorned by Cheryl Cole.

 

But the contemporary was intertwined with the past, with square buckles nipping in at the waist and lace-up detail to the front and back of the dresses.

 

The catwalk line showed off the female form, with deep v-neck lines, high-rise slits and pieces which exposed the back.

 

Agatha Hambi

Black is the signature style of the Hambi designs as each model walked out to the chilled beats of the music.

 

Sticking to a black colour scheme with silver zips for all her pieces, Hambi’s collection was again floor-length but loose fitting against the frames of the models.

 

Halter necklines were prominent but there was little in the way of detail apart from a couple of dresses with feathers on the straps at the base of the neck.

 

To make each dress unique though, she incorporated different materials, such as netted, see-through textiles to the arms, shoulders and chest area.

 

Ella Bethel

A refreshing splash of colour delighted the audience in the next line-up by Bethel.

 

With the first model dressed in fruity reds, oranges and yellows in a skirt and blazer combination, the designs that followed were anything but consistent.

 

They were glam and cute with a look of ‘cocktails in the summer’.

 

All skirts were above the knee and Bethel experimented with materials, distinguishing the top and bottom halves of her projects.

 

There was also a hint of the tribal with delicate designs at the waist to the bolder print dresses. 

 

Tribal Gem

As the name suggests, Tribal Gem featured statement tribal motifs printed on blazers.

 

Models were dressed in black leggings so the eye was drawn to the bright designs on the jackets.

 

Sitting at the waist in either a straight or curved cut, the suits often featured a single button below the breasts, exposing the midriff.

 

The standout blazer was one that looked somewhat like a pillowcase – see the picture.

 

Mademoiselle Aglaia

Using black as the base of her designs, Aglaia’s collection was more experimental than her fellow designers.

 

The male models were dressed in a futuristic, street goth trend, while the women sported soft-flowing skirts, juxtaposed with crude short cut shorts and mini-skirts exposing the flesh.

 

A memorable piece was the half sequined, half feathered ball gown with a zig-zag design to the front which wouldn’t look too out of place on the high-street.

 

Established Beauxtique

Formal but with cheeky, playful undertones, the designs also incorporated the ongoing tribal theme.

 

Bold print jackets in deep yellows and reds were matched with elegant black skirts and dresses.

 

There were gasps as a model wearing a frilly dress and sheer turquoise bodice strutted down the catwalk.

 

Eva Cammarata

As a finalist in Britain’s Top Designer, Cammarata’s collection had to match her glowing introduction.

 

And she didn’t disappoint.

 

Unusually, her collection stuck to thick-threaded/woollen jumper dresses and belly tops teamed with tweed three-quarter length trousers.

 

Sticking to rusty gold and bronze colours, there was also a touch of S&M in her clothing.

 

Belt-like straps clung to the shoulders and hugged the area below the chest in a couple of her pieces.

 

And one of her more unusual designs included white lace teamed with a thick blue-layered woollen skirt. 

 

**********

Overall, Fashions Finest gave a good glimpse of the collections London Fashion Week followers can expect from future generations of designers. The model’s timing when entering the runway and the narration of the event may not have been perfectly executed, but their projects were promising

 

Allo Darlin’: new album and live shows | Music News

Posted on by
London-based indie-poppers Allo Darlin’ are set to release their hugely anticipated second album “Europe” on 11 May by Fortuna POP! To celebrate this they’re taking themselves off to spend the next 6 weeks touring the US.
There will be a special bonus CD that comes with the new album when purchased via Rough Trade. The bonus CD includes covers of songs by Eux Autres, Darren Hayman, The Ramones, Bruce Springsteen and AC/DC.
Coming very much from a DIY approach, they inspire true dedication from their fans, many of whom will travel hundreds of miles to see them. In their brief lifetime they have toured the USA four times, sold out tours across the UK and embarked on an epic five-week European tour. The band have also been strongly supported by BBC 6music, recording several sessions including one at Maida Vale Studios.
Their self-titled debut was released to universal acclaim in 2010 with plaudits including being named No. 2 record of the year by online retailer eMusic, and a glowing 1,200 word essay by legendary Go-Between Mr. Robert Forster in the Australian critical magazine, The Monthly.
“Europe” is released on 11 May on Fortuna POP!

Titan Poker Remains Safe and Secure for Online Poker

Posted on by

Titan Poker Remains Safe and Secure for Online Poker

– The Leading Poker Room in Europe Continues to Offer a Secure Gaming Environment Despite Legal Actions Taken Against Major Online Poker Room, Full Tilt Poker.

Titanpoker.com , the leading online poker room in Europe, continues to offer its poker players a secure gaming environment in a rapidly changing industry.

While legal actions have been taken in recent months against some of the major online poker rooms, players at Titan Poker continue to play their favorite game at cash tables and tournaments, make deposits and unrestricted withdrawals, and enjoy the full functionality of a safe, secure, and graphically pleasing online poker room.

Titan Poker offers its new players an improved First Deposit Bonus [http://www.titanpoker.com/promotions/first-deposit-bonus.html ] up to a maximum level of 200% up to $1,000. This bonus is released to players automatically as they play at Titan Poker and the redemption rate is set to enable players to enjoy the full benefits of this bonus as quickly as possible.

Titan Poker and the iPoker Network withdrew from the United States market following the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006. The room continues to stage regularly scheduled guaranteed prize tournaments [http://www.titanpoker.com/tournaments/schedules.html ] with discounted entries, and has increased its standard tournament offering as an additional way of demonstrating its stability and its user-friendly software.

In response to the AGCC’s announcement regarding the suspension of Full Tilt Poker’s license and operations, Marc Kenigsberg, VP of Marketing for Euro Partners, the affiliate program behind the Titan Poker brand, released a statement saying “Online poker lost one of its major players today, and has left both poker affiliates and poker players questioning the future of our industry. As the exclusive promoters of Europe’s leading, legally-operated online poker rooms, Euro Partners is confident that the online poker industry as a whole, and our poker affiliate partners in particular, will continue to flourish. To help in jumpstarting their activity, we’re also staging a lottery during the month of July to give away a brand new Porsche Carrera to affiliates who place our brands in top position and increase their poker traffic.”

New players are invited to try out the free poker download [http://www.titanpoker.com/download.html ] and experience the exciting poker action at Titan Poker.

Titanpoker.com is the number one online poker room in Europe and part of the iPoker