UK

100 websites to learn about the UK

A group of the UK’s most prestigious libraries have put their heads together to select a list of 100 websites which will be essential reading for future generations trying to understand the UK in 2013. That means they are probably good reading for those in other countries trying to learn more about the UK.

Camberwell, London has a lively online community

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An Italian in Europe

Today we welcome a new contributor to People of the World. Simona Morachioli is from Italy but currently lives in Germany, and she put her cross cultural experience to work in this interview with a fellow Italian living abroad, Cecilia.

Cecilia, tell us a bit about you. How would your friends describe you?

I am Cecilia, I am 28 years old and I come from a small & beautiful town in Italy. Since 2009, due to my studies or to business reasons, I have been living in 5 different Countries: Holland (Amsterdam), Belgium (Brussels), Germany (Frankfurt), England (London) and Spain (Barcelona- where I currently live, pursuing my second Master degree).

My friends would describe me as an outgoing person, who loves travelling and experiencing new things all the time. In my free time, I enjoy attending fitness classes, hanging out with my friends in front of a glass of Bailey’s and Skyping with my family.

Cecilia in Amsterdam

What is the pitch and the peak of being always on the move
?

The pitch of being always on the move is that after a while it gets difficult to understand where you belong to. But that is a peak as well.
On one hand, I am exposed to a lot of different inputs that continuously enrich me. On the other hand, I became a sort of cultural hybrid who does not have defined boundaries.

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Meet Guillaume, designer and champion of made in Britain

Continuing our local business series on People of the World, today we’re talking to Guillaume Lyons, founder of Kaigami Ltd, a UK company which produces innovative folding lampshades. Kaigami’s designs are loosely inspired by the Japanese art of origami, but the company also aims to “maintain Britain’s reputation for producing classic designs”.

Guillaume in his workshop

Please tell us a bit about yourself

From a young age I have always been a creative person, I can remember whilst in primary school picking up elastic bands and other bits from the playground and arranging them to form some kind of mechanical toy.

I studied art at GCSE level and at A-level I chose art and C.D.T. (Craft, Design and Technology), from this point in my life it was clear to me that I would study design to the end of my educational life and that is what I have accomplished. I would like to be involved in education later in my career to give seminars about design in business.

What is your business?

Kaigami designs houseware items and offers laser cutting services to other professionals. We currently have a collection of 8 designer light shades for sale on the high street and online.

Where are you based?

Kaigami is based in Lewes, East Sussex. The company is dedicated to reducing its carbon foorprint and we produce all our designs in the UK, using laser technology in our own production facility .

How do you reach your customers? How do your customers find you?

Kaigami attends trade shows to reach potential clients, we also advertise through Google Adwords, also we have a great web presence so clients find us that way.

What’s a typical day like?

A typical day consists of replying to emails from clients requesting information on Kaigami, processing orders. Managing the student interns and writing invoices.

Kaigami's Nautiply lampshade

What’s the best thing about what you do?

The best thing about what I do is creating new designs and having the freedom to do so.

What’s the hardest thing about what you do?

The hardest thing about what I do is creating structure so that the business runs with efficiency. Since I am a start up and have limited cash flow it’s hard trying to grow the business.

What part of your job gizes you a buzz?

Making sales, because that means having the cash flow to develop new designs.

Read more:
Meet Sevcan, working mum bringing organic skin care to Turkey
5 fun facts about the UK
Giuseppe Boschetti, portrait of the artist

From our contributors: week of February 4, 2013

Here’s some material our contributors have written on their personal blogs in the past few days.

Happy reading!

Mike, our contributor from Japan, published a photo essay on the 2013 Okinawa International Orchid Show. Let the photo speak for itself.

Anu, our contributor from India, wrote about the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai.

I have been attending the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival since its inception in 1999. I was then fresh out of college, had time on my hands, and I loved the opportunity to experience something as different as an Arts Festival in Mumbai. Over the years, I have seen the festival grow, become more popular, the addition of a variety of events offering something of interest to people of all ages. And I have enjoyed attending the festival, year after year….. Discovering something new each time, and of late, opening up an entire new world of art and creativity to my son. I still love attending the festival, and look forward to it each year, but it gives me even more pleasure when my 9 year old son opens the newspaper and yells out – “Amma, the Kala Ghoda festival has started! When are you taking me?”

Meeting the one you love, after long- time-no- see is always a test. A test for how true, stable and worthy the feelings are. It’s always a test for how true you or the party is. It’s a test for love. But when is happens in a right way there is nothing that as amazing and fulfilling. And you walk around drunk with happiness.

The Kirby Building (1509 Main St.) was built in 1913 in the Late Gothic style by Adolphus Busch, he of Budweiser fame. Originally, it housed offices and a department store. The lobby reminds me of a church with the decorative ribs of its ceiling and the marble staircase. The

views of Dallas from the 18^th floor terrace are spectacular, including that of the red Pegasus.

Some things I found strange the first time I went to England

All Italian people love England, especially London: many of my friends tell me that their plan for 2013 is to go there, at least for a weekend or a short period, but definitely all parts of England (and United Kingdom) are a “must go 2013 destination” for someone.

I was lucky to spend 6 months in Manchester for my Exchange (Erasmus) experience, and I must say it was the first time I set foot in England.

Obviously, as a language student, I previously made my research, and I was also obliged -during my secondary school years – to learn by heart not only all the main monuments in London, but also the most important historical events and the main capital cities of the UK.

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Guy Fawkes, Traitor Or Framed?

The story and reputation of Guy Fawkes is well established. Part of the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James in 1605, Fawkes and his co-conspirators’ failure led to the tradition of Bonfire Night. As a symbol, Fawkes is remembered through effigies, and has more recently been used as part of the Occupy Movement to represent anti-establishment feeling, an image that is derived from Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta. However, is there more to Fawkes’ story than being a traitor, and is there evidence to suggest that Fawkes was framed?

Bonfire night celebrations in the UK

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