Culture

Art 02/24/19, 11:57

Old masters rarely come more venerable (and venerated) and instantly recognisable than Leonardo da Vinci. But to think of Leonardo as an Old Master – with all its connotations of being staid, traditional, somehow old-fashioned and boring – is to do this extraordinary man a grave injustice. There is nothing ...

Culture 02/22/19, 21:29

Christianity says that the course of our lives goes according to arrangements made by God. For non-believers, taking this at face value is tough - as it seems to mean that our struggles in life are meaningless -but we can see the higher truth in this idea if we look at ...

Culture 02/22/19, 20:49

Davide, a 22-year-old sociology major from Milan, Italy said his search for a spiritual path began at a young age. His interest in martial arts and meditation finally led him to take up Falun Dafa two years ago. Davide said he has been interested in Asian culture since his early childhood. He ...

Beyond science 02/21/19, 21:50

“Geometry has two great treasures; one is the Pythagorean theorem; the other, the auric ratio. The first we may compare to a measure of gold; the second we may name a precious jewel.” – Johannes Kepler The newspaper pages that you are reading, the screen of your computer, your credit card, ...

Culture 02/20/19, 21:38

Last summer a friend and I made an interesting discovery: we both have “unsocialized laughs.” At least, that’s what another friend bluntly told us. This friend went on to assure us that his observation was not intended as an insult… but we both remain unsure if it really qualifies as a ...

Art 02/20/19, 21:32

Beethoven’s music is undeniably profound. Its beautiful complexity inspires a passionate response in all who listen, especially if those listeners are lucky enough to enjoy a live rendition of the brilliant, classical work. Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56, more commonly known as the Triple ...

Art 02/20/19, 04:26

“Who is the happiest?” is a question that viewers must ponder while admiring the works of the Renaissance artists who painted King Croesus and the sage Solon, and destiny…

Art 02/19/19, 21:53

Ancient European citizens believed that cultural heritage was a precious treasure, bestowed upon us from the heavens. Western art reached its apex during the Renaissance, when Rome – city of churches, palaces, the pope, and high culture – became the unequivocal heart of fine art. Rome houses numerous Renaissance masterpieces depicting ...

Culture 02/18/19, 11:45

Winton successfully organized the evacuation and foster care assignment of 669 Czech Jewish children. Think starting up your dream business is a daunting task? Imagine going straight from being on vacation to starting up a complex refugee rescue mission under the nose of the Nazis—with no prior experience and no preparation. That was ...

Culture 02/18/19, 09:34

Men and women are complementary by nature. The characteristics that are commonly associated with the feminine and masculine genders derive from the Yin and Yang concept and are said to maintain a balance. When their qualities are inverted, the recipients might feel dissatisfied and unhappy without being aware of the possible ...

Culture 02/17/19, 04:09

If recent headlines are any indication, it seems that masculinity is destined to be the word of the year. Between shaving commercials, official guidelines from the American Psychological Association, and viral videos depicting “disrespectful” teen boys, the idea of what it means to be a decent man has become rather ...

Culture 02/17/19, 04:01

Nestled into the tropical mountain landscape of South East China's Fujian Province, lie ancient mansions of breathtaking architectural beauty. Together they cluster to create compounds of impressive and impenetrable fortresses. Built by the Hakka people from the mountain region of Fujian between the 12th to 20th centuries, these ancient dwellings served ...

Culture 02/16/19, 10:52

I recently picked up Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court for the first time. Finding the plot rather amusing, I began relaying it to my father over the weekend. Because he had never read the book, I was rather surprised when he began asking informed questions about ...

Culture 02/16/19, 05:08

Audrey Hepburn was one of the most influential fashion and beauty icons of the 20th century. Contrary to the overt seductiveness and sexuality of her modern-day contemporaries, Audrey Hepburn trod a harmonious line between elegant fashion, demure spirit, and lively personality. What did the Hollywood star say about beauty and ...

Culture 02/15/19, 12:30

If the media is “creating and fomenting” anger, this is only part of a bigger story. It may be time to take a lesson from '1984', the political allegory by George Orwell. What could be a better story for a media devoid of “journalistic ethics” than a group of Catholic high ...

Culture 02/15/19, 12:24

Do you know that there is a deep connection between tea and spirituality? According to the ancients, during the ‘tea ceremony’ people could find the deeper meaning within themselves. Tea can trace back its origin to China and has accompanied its ancient civilization for about 5000 years. However, the most significant aspects ...

Culture 02/15/19, 10:37

Every four years, in October, millions of salmon swim upstream from the Pacific Ocean to lay eggs in the Adams River. The river is the headwater of the tranquil Fraser River in Canada. The silvery salmon, upon making it all the way upstream, turn bright red, covering the entire surface ...

Culture 02/14/19, 06:20

When circumstances force couples to separate, we feel that their love is eternal. Just think of on-screen lovers Jack and Rose on the sinking Titanic, over 100 years ago. On this Valentine’s Day, we share two beautiful stories from the very same tragic episode that exemplify eternal love. On the night ...

Culture 02/14/19, 06:09

  The tragic love story of Wang Baochuan of the Tang Dynasty has been passed down in China from generation to generation. Her perseverance and loyalty have touched the hearts of many. Near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in southern Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, there is a desolate cave with three Chinese characters ...

Art 02/13/19, 05:35

The Archaic Greek Kouros brothers Cleobis and Biton were famous for their filial piety: a virtue of respect for one’s parents. The brothers’ remarkable story and the sacrifices they made for their beloved mother have been depicted by several artists of the Renaissance. Cleobis and Biton were the sons of a ...