Post Tagged with "Germany"

The meaning of Weltverbesserungswahn

Test your cultural expertise with our weekly quiz question.

Last week we talked about how to address an Indian colleague. This was an interesting discussion and we’d still like to hear your comments if you have experienced how this works in practice. Here’s the answer:

Although he is junior to you, he is older and hence you should address him as Mr. Mehta to show him the respect due to his being older. You would also address an older, though junior, female colleague by her title and family name.

The next question is about Germany:

Which of the following German behaviors might be attributed to a national Weltverbesserungswahn:

A. A passion for recycling waste products.
B. The high number of Bioladen (natural food stores).
C. Both A and B
D. None of the above.

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Portugal abroad: a historical journey through Europe

Today Portugal celebrates Our Lady of Conception’s Day. She was proclaimed the godmother and Queen of Portugal on March, 25, 1646, by the Portuguese King D. Joao IV, during the Independence Restoration wars (1640-1668) and after sixty years of Spanish rule (1580-1640). The kings of Portugal have never worn the Portuguese Crown again. The Portuguese monarchy ended in 1910.

In this post we’ll explore some historical traces of Portugal around Europe.

Zamora (Spain): birth of the Portuguese nation

The 5th of October 1143, in Zamora, in the Kingdom of Castilla y Leon (Castile and León) a treaty was signed between the King of León and Castile, Alfonso VII, and the King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. By this treaty, Portugal became an independent country and the oldest European nation. Last summer vacation, on my way to Portugal, I visited Zamora Cathedral, where the treaty was signed and my country, legally, was born. As you may guess, it was a very special moment for me.

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Slow travel's Berlin chapter

Advocates of slow travel argue that all too often the potential pleasure of the journey is lost by too eager anticipation of arrival. Slow travel, it is asserted, is a state of mind which allows travellers to engage more fully with communities along their route, often favouring visits to spots enjoyed by local residents rather than merely following guidebooks

This is what Wikipedia says about the philosophy behind slow travel movement, and it’s a philosophy we here at PocketCultures completely identify with – as we aim to relate culture from all over the world through the voices of our local contributors.

I found myself positively surprised when discovering that there is even a local chapter of slow travel in one of the hippest European capitals, Berlin. Or maybe I should not be surprised at all, because if there’s one city in Europe that has it all, it must be Berlin.

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The Hand of God and other World Cup drama

The Hand of God can have many different meanings.

The Hand of God – La Nacion

And although soccer is like a religion for some, it has nothing to do with divine intervention in this case. It is, rather, the name of a controversial goal scored by Argentina’s Diego Maradona against the English side in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Footage shows Maradona touching the ball with his hand; however, the goal was allowed and Argentina went on to win the match 2-1 and eventually the tournament. The name was coined when, during a press conference, Diego Maradona said the goal was scored “un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco con la mano de Dios” (“a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”)

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A marriage that’s music to the ears

See them together and they seem like any other ‘normal’, cross-cultural couple. Undergo a rapid change of opinion the moment you put them on stage with Sitar and Cello. Subhendra Rao from India and Saskia Rao-de Haas from Holland have not only married each other but have also succeeded in marrying Hindustani music with world classical music.

Shubhendra is a disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar and plays the classical Indian sitar. Saskia Rao-de Haas on the other hand is credited with introducing the cello to north Indian classical music. She has trained under the renowned Hari Prasad Chaurasia.

When they play together the result is mesmerizing. This is a performance by both in London. It has perfect accord, resonance and harmony. Essential ingredients for creating uplifting music. And enduring relationships.

Video: RolfKillius

Read more:
Eating right, the Indian way: how to behave in an Indian home
An introduction to Afghan pop music
Thai folk music remixed: Morlam DJ

The value of (European) art

When it comes to the valuation of art, I’m a pessimist. Especially after the experiences I made as a musician in Germany, before moving to Ireland.

In direct comparison (although I’m not an expert) I would say there is a noticeable difference between Germany and Ireland when it comes to the valuation of art and acceptance of new artists. From what I’ve seen, the independent artists here in Ireland are much more easier accepted as artists by the public than in Germany, where most artists are only considered so when this is declared as profession on their tax declaration.

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