Month: May 2020

Festa do Divino (Festival of the Divine Holy Spirit)

Portuguese colonists brought their Pentecost celebration, the Festa do Divino, to Brazil in the 17th century. This religious festival is still celebrated today in many Brazilian cities. In Alcântara, Maranhão State, and Paraty, Rio de Janeiro State, the townspeople dress up in colonial costumes of figures from Brazilian history. The climax is a visit from the “Emperor,” who arrives with his servants for a procession and mass at the church square. He symbolically frees prisoners from the town jail, and strolling musicians known as Folias do Divino serenade the townspeople.

Source: The Free Dictionary

Abdus Salam

Salam was a Pakistani theoretical physicist who helped develop the electroweak theory explaining the relationship between electromagnetic and weak forces. For this work, he shared a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1979. He was the first Pakistani and the first Muslim scientist to be so honored. To support physicists from developing countries, he founded the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in 1964. He died in England and was brought back to Pakistan for burial. Who defaced his grave?

Source: The Free Dictionary

Kallemooi

Observed in the North Coast Islands of the Netherlands, the custom known as Kallemooi represents the fishermen’s welcome to spring. A tall pole with a transverse arm near the top is erected in the center of the village. A live cock is suspended in a basket from the apex of the crosspiece. It is decorated at the top with the Dutch flag, a green branch, and a placard bearing the word “Kallemooi.” For three days and three nights before Pentecost, or Whitsunday, people feast, make merry, and play Whitsun games. After the fun is over, the rooster is released and returned to its owner. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Living Statues

Living statues are mimes who stand perfectly still for hours on end, pretending to be statues. They are sometimes painted with a metallic sheen or another color so that they appear to have been cast from metal or carved from stone. Often, they are so still that bystanders believe they are actual statues and—as has been shown on many a hidden-camera television show—create quite a commotion among startled onlookers if they disrupt the illusion by moving. When did the first living statues perform? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Glyndebourne Festival Opera

Now considered one of the most prestigious opera festivals in the world, the Glyndebourne Festival was founded in 1934 by music lover John Christie and his wife, Audrey Mildmay. During the current 11-week season, several full-length operas are presented, at least one of which is by Mozart. The London Philharmonic Orchestra has been the main ensemble since 1964. The performances start in the late afternoon, and opera-goers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner so they can eat outdoors and enjoy the grounds during the 85-minute intermission. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Eugène François Vidocq

Vidocq was a career criminal who became a spy for the Paris police while in prison in 1809. After 21 months of spying, he was released and organized a plainclothes unit. In 1817 alone, he played a role in 811 arrests. In 1832, accusations that he was instigating crimes for the purpose of uncovering them forced his resignation. He recounted his exploits in his memoirs, inspiring several fictional accounts. Considered the father of modern criminology, Vidocq pioneered what investigative methods? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary