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Category Archives: Europe
Denmark is saving bookshops and inspiring readers
I was recently shocked to see many news stories about the dramatic decline in literacy in Denmark. Surveys have shown that reading skills of the nation’s children were in a steep decline. According to the New York Times, the Denmark’s … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Uncategorized, Writing
Tagged Bookselling, Denmark, literacy, Reading, Scandinavia
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How 19th century literature can help survive autocracy
I must admit that I was never a big reader of 19th century French literature, other than Jules Verne. And, I somehow didn’t read Stendahl’s The Charterhouse of Parma. However, I was intrigued by a New York Times article that suggested … Continue reading
How Amsterdam Was Built
I have visited hundreds of cities over the decades, but Amsterdam is the one place that I have returned to over and over. If you have been there, it’s probably one of your favorite cities too. And, if you haven’t … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, Europe, Film, Uncategorized
Tagged Amsterdam, Netherlands, urban planning
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Wish You Were Here
I recently discovered the dubious concept of Beforehand Postcards. The conceit behind Beforehand Postcards was that, if you were going on vacation to Europe, you could buy your postcards from them beforehand. Then you could address the cards, and maybe even write … Continue reading
The Poet Anticipated the Shortcomings of AI
The author Rainer Maria Rilke anticipated the inevitable shortcomings in the use of AI in the arts. He articulated the essential conditions for creativity in his only novel, reflecting on what it takes to compose a great poem, but also … Continue reading
Incomprehensible
Over the years I have had the opportunity to visit the UK many times and on every trip I find myself baffled by the overwhelming variety of accents and dialects. Patrick Foote of Name Explain investigated why the UK, a … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, History, Maps, Tourism
Tagged England, Great Britain, Scotland, United Kingdom, Wales
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A Tale of Two Cities
I have always been intrigued by the many cities within cities in Europe that hide traces of their early Roman incarnations. Over the years when I’ve visited London I have sought out those barely hidden remnants of ancient Londinium . … Continue reading
Posted in Architecture, Europe, History, Maps, Tourism
Tagged ancient Rome, Londinium, London
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Dickensian Celebration
To celebrate the exact 155th anniversary of Charles Dickens‘s death and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Charles Dickens Museum in London, the museum will be free of charge to all visitors on June 9 when it will … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Europe, History, Museums, Tourism, Writing
Tagged A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, London
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Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
Grossing the highest box-office of any British film in the US when released in 1975, this “cult classic” comedy from the Monty Python team loosely follows the legend of King Arthur (Graham Chapman), along with his squire (Terry Gilliam) and … Continue reading
Posted in Europe, Film, movies
Tagged Eric Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Monty Python
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