A hidden gem in Lisbon: Museo Nacional dos Coches

Belem is one of the most visited areas of vibrant Lisbon and there I headed on a sunny Sunday to visit the maybe biggest cultural attraction of the city: The Monasterio de los Jeronimos.

However as a newbie in the Portuguese capital, I was not aware of the insane queues to access the building (the cathedral part seems to have free entrance) and I tried to find the tickets stands to buy a ticket for the other areas. It was impossible, I could not find any ticket stand open around so I guess I will have to purchase online and visit in the future when the amount of tourists lower down a bit.

I still wanted to make the most out of my Sunday, and as Belem does not lack of other interesting and beautiful sights to explore, I headed to the Museo Nacional dos Coches.

Now, mind not to being confused with the content of such a museum, as it is not about classic or sports cars. You will not see Ferraris, BMWs or racing tuned Porche there. The museum is dedicated to old historical royal carriages in Portugal (though due to its interlinked history with Spain, you will also be able to see a bunch that belonged to the Spanish royal family) and actually the museum per se is divided into 2 buildings, one that is very close by the Presidential Palace Residence and that used to be the old royal stables, which I found more beautiful and charming, although it contains less pieces of exhibition that its adjacent more modern brother, that is situated in a modern building across the street.

The combined ticket to visit both buildings costs 15 euro, and although it is not supremely expensive, I think a price of around 8-10 euro could be more fair.

In the first old stables building you will be mesmerized by the beautiful decoration in the cellar. The place is not very crowded and you can roam quite easily on the ground floor contemplating beautiful carriages, or climb the ladder up to the second floor to admire some paintings and an overhead view. The visit will not take long, but it is a very charming and photogenic place.

Once you are done with that first building, across the street you can visit the second part of the museum, where the displays are taken care in a more modern and sophisticated way, and you can see not only amazingly beautiful carved carriages that belonged to kings, queens and ambassadors, but also some other peculiar carriages that differ in styles like the Berlinesas, or jail and post services carriages, and even a couple of very beautiful vintage engine cars that were the first ones used in Portugal.

If you are a fan of history and old automotive items, you might enjoy this museum very much and the entrance is totally worthy for both places. Besides, you will be able to see some other historical items like weapons or uniforms worn by the conductors centuries ago. And even if you are not a lover of old carriages, the buildings still make up for some fantastic social media and memories photos.

Wanna discover other hidden gems in Lisbon? Explore:

https://www.freemagazine.fi/a-hidden-gem-in-lisbon-lisbon-city-museum-palacio-pimenta/

A Hidden Gem in Lisbon: Lisbon City Museum – Palacio Pimenta

Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe to visit, due to its culinary and cultural offer, good weather, beauty of its streets and good plane connections with an airport that is located very near the city centre.

Among its cultural offer, we bring you today a cosy small museum that although might be not in the top 5 of the most visited ones, it is totally worthy to pass by if you spend a few days in the city or you are a newly arrived citizen, as it is my case.

The Lisbon City Museum is very easy to reach from the central areas just by a pleasant walk, or if you take the Metro Yellow Line and stop in Campo Grande, as it is located in a beautiful historic palace (Palacio Pimenta) built in the XVIII Century just around 250 meters away from the metro station.

Its normal ticket fee is quite affordable, 3 euro, and they have discounts for journalists, students, etc. The staff also seemed pretty friendly and they explained you the building tour when you purchase your ticket.

The palace/museum goes through the history of the city along 2 floors, where you can see different artifacts, drawings, pottery and miniatures from prehistoric or Roman period to more modern times, which teaches you a bit more about the history of Lisbon and the history of Portugal.

I found the section with the Roman antiques pretty nice as I love Roman/Greek history, and of course the museum does not lack of a lovely display of Portuguese pottery, as the city has gained historical fame for the production of wonderful ceramics.

But nevertheless, maybe the highlight of the place is not inside its walls, but in the lovely adjacent garden, an oasis of peace in the city where you can enjoy a nice drink or a bit of food, as counts with a lovely kiosk, surrounded by beautiful and colorful peacocks that roam freely all over the grounds and will come peacefully close to you searching for some food.

It is a beautiful place to escape the traffic and stress of some more crowded touristic areas of Lisbon and enjoy a good conversation over a coffee in its garden, apart from learning a bit about the history of Lisbon. As the museum is not very big, you will not feel very tired losing focus visiting it, and the entrance ticket is pretty fair for what is offered. Being so easily connected by transportation, you have no excuse to give it a try!

For more information about the Lisbon City Museums Network:
https://museudelisboa.pt/en/

Silent Tourism’s Irony: Quiet Spots Draw Crowds

The Allure of Quiet Spots

In our noisy world, quiet spots have become increasingly attractive. Rising noise pollution contributes to health issues like sleep disturbances and high blood pressure, sparking a demand for serene environments. The uptick in searches for ‘quiet places’ reveals a societal yearning for tranquility away from the daily din. Quiet Parks International (QPI), founded by Gordon Hempton and Vikram Chauhan, serves as a beacon for those seeking silence. QPI offers an interactive map guiding travelers to urban, wilderness, and marine parks globally, raising awareness about preserving natural soundscapes for humans and wildlife alike.

Silent travel is gaining traction, encouraging tourists to visit destinations emphasizing tranquility and mindfulness. This travel form offers a chance to unwind, enhancing mental and physical well-being by connecting deeply with nature. Activities like stargazing, wild swimming, and forest bathing highlight the appeal of these tranquil locales. Quiet tourism aligns with the rise of wellness retreats and practices like yoga and meditation. Amplified by social media, these practices offer moments of empowerment, attracting those seeking stress relief and well-being.

Impact of Growing Popularity

Silent tourism, initially lauded for tranquil escapes, now faces the irony of its popularity leading to overtourism. Increased visitors disrupt the silence and peace these destinations offer, turning tranquility into chaos. The environmental impact is significant: natural landscapes suffer from litter, trail erosion, and marine pollution. Tourist influx strains local resources, leading to infrastructure challenges, affecting both preservationists and local communities.

Socially, silent tourism alters local cultures, leading to commercialization and gentrification. The influx dilutes local traditions, making it difficult to preserve heritage. Sustainable tourism models advocate for equitable benefit-sharing and community involvement, aligning heritage preservation with local values. The shift from quiet retreats to bustling hubs can change local attitudes towards tourists.

Overtourism in silent spots exposes tourists and locals to risks, as seen in places like Halong Bay, where safety lapses lead to environmental issues and accidents. The focus on profit over preservation results in irresponsible practices endangering life and habitats. The irony lies in silent tourism’s transformation into the phenomenon it sought to escape, highlighting the need for thoughtful management and sustainable practices.

The Role of Social Media

Social media has reshaped travel, transforming quiet spots into bustling destinations. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow travelers to share experiences, turning hidden gems into must-visit locations. Influencers play a key role, inspiring followers to visit serene destinations, contributing to overtourism as viral posts draw crowds without considering ecological impacts.

Social media influences travel experiences, with user-generated content providing authentic insights. Every traveler becomes a potential brand ambassador, democratizing travel inspiration. While this presents challenges, it also offers opportunities, bringing economic benefits to local communities by highlighting lesser-known areas. The challenge is balancing becoming an Instagram-worthy location with sustainable travel experiences.

Balancing Tourism and Preservation

Preserving quiet destinations requires a balance between tourism and protection. Silent tourism’s allure can attract crowds, risking degradation. The impact on local culture and environment becomes evident, with commercialization threatening traditions. Sustainable tourism models focus on equitable benefit-sharing and community involvement, aligning preservation with local values.

Community-based tourism (CBT) offers solutions, managing visitor numbers and preserving heritage. Ensuring economic benefits remain local promotes a sustainable model, mitigating excessive tourism effects. Involving communities and stakeholders in decision-making fosters education and awareness, respecting traditions and natural richness.

Embracing slow and quiet travel can preserve destinations. Longer stays in fewer places emphasize cultural connections, aligning with quiet travel ethos. Influencers and platforms promoting sustainable practices ensure silent tourism doesn’t compromise serene spots’ integrity.

Case Studies

Addressing overtourism challenges, a report featured 18 case studies from global cities. These studies guide cities balancing resident and visitor needs, with insights from stakeholders through interviews. The National Park Foundation received a $100 million grant to combat overtourism, implementing reservation systems in popular parks to limit visitors.

These case studies reveal challenges like overcrowding, misconduct, and environmental burdens. Increased noise disturbs local tranquility. Examining global examples provides insights into balancing tourism with cultural and environmental preservation.

Future of Silent Tourism

Technological Integration

Technology, despite its irony, plays a role in silent tourism. Platforms like SmartGuide provide AI-generated recommendations aligning with slow tourism, respecting the environment and communities. This evolution allows deeper exploration without disturbing tranquility.

In this realm, tools like the International Drivers Association make global travel more accessible by providing international driving permits, ensuring tourists can explore remote and tranquil destinations with confidence and ease.

Environmental and Community Benefits

Silent tourism benefits extend to the environment and communities. Longer stays reduce carbon footprints and noise pollution, fostering appreciation for nature and conservation efforts. Travelers contribute economically while engaging in meaningful cultural exchanges.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite benefits, silent tourism faces overtourism risks. Destination management organizations may promote shoulder season travel and lesser-known attractions to distribute traffic evenly and preserve peace.

The Role of Social Media

Social media’s impact on tourism, including silent tourism, is significant. While it can draw crowds, platforms can promote sustainable practices and lesser-known spots. Responsible sharing and storytelling ensure silent tourism spots remain peaceful.

For more information, visit the original source at: International Drivers Association 

Perfect Days: the best movie of the last decade?

You know the drill, Sunday evening at home, feeling lazy and overwhelmed with the idea that Monday is around the corner. You choose some movie that have never heard of before in Netflix and that happened to be “Perfect Days” by director Wim Wenders.

After watching it, I cannot stop talking about it. The movie is just wonderful, depicting the “monotonous” life of a mature public toilets cleaner in Tokyo, Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho, who is also superb in the Japanese series Rikuoh which I also strongly recommend).

Nothing much seems to happen in the life of Hirayama, who puts a great effort in the simple tasks of his everyday life, but at the same time a lot of happens even when he speaks very little through the movie. There are unsolved layers there about his past and his relation with his family, but in any case the movie does not focus on past dramas or non reciprocated love or any other tragedy, it just flows with the thrill of enjoying the little good things in life like the early morning coffee from the vending machine, the good music from some old cassette, or the beautiful reflection of the lights in between the trees in a park.

In a period of time where society is struggling with a lack of satisfaction, a continuous search for the next dopamine shot and when people always want to have more and more, this movie is refreshing. Not only for the beautiful depiction of Tokyo, an amazing city that can also alienate people easily, but reminding us that sometimes the joy of life is in the small details that make us smile everyday.

Perfect Days might not be the cup of tea for every viewer, and probably there will be many that can feel bored with it after 20 minutes, but if you enjoy a slow pace quality movie that is degustated like an onion, layer after layer, you will find this film amazing. So far, the best movie I have watched in a very long time.

New authorized official Nintendo store in Bangkok

Nintendo, the most famous videogame company in the world, has just recently opened in Bangkok, the Thailand capital, the first authorized shop in all SouthEast Asia. One more gem to the amazing array of options for the visitors of one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

The shop has a very easy access, as it is located on the 3rd floor of the famous Siam Paragon mall. So the visitors can go there just stopping at Siam BTS stop, which has a direct exit to Siam Paragon, and taking the escalators to the 3rd floor.

I visited there last Sunday, and on the positive side, one has to say that the shop looks gorgeous. The fans of Nintendo will salivate with the beautiful displays of consoles, merchandising, videogames and toys.

The shop also counts with some official cabinets where people can try some of the newest releases for Nintendo Switch. So it is a total candy for the gamer’s eyes.

On the sides to improve, I found missing some more exclusive products to purchase. There is nothing linking there Nintendo with Thai culture, which would be really cool if they would release some specialized exclusive products.

Also the prices are not cheap at all. Be ready to burn your wallet if you want to purchase there. One exception could be some of the Amiibo figures related to Nintendo videogames, that at 790 baht per unit were not so bad for market prices. Once again, I am missing that they could have some cheaper products, like sometimes they offer in the Nintendo pop up stores in exhibitions around the world, or some outlet products. If for the foreign visitor the prices are expensive, for most of Thai pockets this is a shop to look but not to buy, when for sure they could find the products much cheaper online or in the second hand market.

Give it a try if you are in Bangkok or planning to visit and you are a Nintendo and/or videogames fan. But do not expect any bargains there!

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A Hidden Gem in Madrid: Lazaro Galdeano Museum

Madrid, the Spanish capital, is a city bursting with cultural attractions, and some of the highlights for a visit to this marvelous city is the huge offer in top world class museums that you can see around.

Some international famous and referenced ones are without a doubt The Prado Museum, which could be easily considered in the best top 5 in the world related to classical art collections, The Reina Sofia which offers a fantastic collection more focused on contemporary art or The Thyssen Museum, which has an impressive private collection that touches a wide array of art periods for the general public to admire.

A much lesser known, but pretty interesting museum in the centre of Madrid is the Lazaro Galdeano Museum, which displays in the beautiful palace of “Parque Florido” the amazing private collection gathered through the years by Jose Lazaro Galdeano, a Journalist, businessman and culture lover who also founded a famous editorial firm.

The entrance fee to the museum is 8 euro for normal visitors, offering discounts for pensioners and students. Quite a fair price for what has to offer.

Inside the 3 floors of the museum, the collection is indeed pretty impressive, gathering a big amount of drawings, but also many other interesting items like swords, jewelry, statues, tapestries or a very impressive cabinet of old rare coins.

The drawings are nonetheless the peak of the visit, and the visitor will have the opportunity to see amazing original pieces of the most famous Spanish local painters like El Greco, Velazquez or Goya (The Aquelarre paintings are one of the highlights of the museum).

It also has a very impressive collection of international painters, with special mention to Flemish school, where you can admire some works from El Bosco or Lucas Cranach (The Young).

Another highlight of the collection “El Salvador Adolescente” was, for many years, commented to be the only piece of work by Leonardo Da Vinci exposed openly in Spain. Most recent studies point indeed to a design by the Italian genius, but the execution is attributed to some of his pupils in his workshop and not to the master himself.

All in all, a very pleasant museum to visit, both for the beautiful gardens and palace where is located and for the variety and quality of the art collection gathered there. I personally prefer museums that are big, but not huge, because after a couple of hours of visit, it is difficult to keep the attention and focus on what is displayed. This museum is perfect for a half a day excursion, and affordable to most pockets. So if you are an art lover and you happen to be in Madrid, go to discover it!

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Official website of the museum:

https://www.museolazarogaldiano.es

MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art. A delight for the senses in Bangkok

One of my hidden pleasures when I am in a new city is visiting its art museums. I have wandered around most of the famous museums in the world: El Prado, Louvre, Hermitage, Vienna Museum Quarters, Metropolitan in NY, etc.

So as an art aficionado, I have to say that MOCA, Museum of Contemporary Art, in Bangkok, is my favorite museum in Thailand, and probably one of the best I have visited nor just in Asia, but around the world.

Moca Bangkok is located in the north area of the capital, and unfortunately not so easy to reach by public transportation, so probably the easiest option to arrive there is by taxi, but believe me, it is worth the trip.

With 20.000 sqm, it is an experience to be visited for quite an affordable price (280 baht for normal adult entrance) from the moment you step into the lobby.

Although due to its quality if might look like a state museum, in fact this is a private museum put together by businessman and art lover Boonchai Bencharongkul, and as in some other impressive private collections open to the public like the Thyssen one in Madrid, you notice the special care with the tight security with floormen watching in every of the 5 floors.

However, the museum space lets you breathe and bathe in art, the building is spacious and bright, with a lot of places also to sit and rest while contemplating the art in its rooms, so you really feel welcome there, and the personnel is pretty polite and speaks English.

The array of art forms displayed there is notable, from sculptures to cinema posters, a huge collection of Thai Ramayana and other Asian masks, shadow puppets, drawings and pictures

Some of the highlights that you can see around is an extensive collection of one of the most famous Thai artist, Thawan Duchanee with his trademark style of black and white or red beasts drawing and tools carved from animals teeth and fangs that is beautiful and unsettling at the same time. Also it is notable the huge space, similar to the chapel of a church, dedicated to contemplate the modern triptic “The Three Kingdoms“.

One thing that can be shocking for some visitors is that, even when located in a country such as Thailand that can be very conservative in some areas, nudity is all over the art work here, sometimes even full nudity in some of the pictures displayed. So this museum is not for the conservative minded.

I also love that the museum is big, but not huge, as I usually start to lose focus roaming rooms when a museum contains too many works to contemplate. It is perfect to spend a couple of hours and fully bathed in its art, but you will not end up tired or unable to concentrate anymore, so it makes it perfect for a half day visit.

Besides, when the visit is done, it counts with a very cosy cafe on the ground floor and some tables on the outside terrace with a beautiful view of outdoors amphitheater garden and a couple of beautiful permanent installations there, perfect for a coffee and a snack before leaving the venue.

As I said, not just for the quality of the artwork, but for the sense of meticulously care given in arraying the collection, the beautiful architecture of the building and the space to roam in peace around, this has become one of my favorite museums in the world. And the best part is that every time I visited, it was not crowded at all (apart from the annoying youngsters and teenage girls that do not care about contemplating the art and just want to shoot a million pictures for their instagram). In a way, it is a hidden gem in Bangkok standing in plain view. If you like art, or just feel bored one day and want to discover one more nice spot of the Thai capital, go and visit it. It will not disappoint!

MOCA official website: https://mocabangkok.com/

For more awesome museums in Bangkok, check:

Bangkok hidden gem: Batcat Museum & Toys
A Bangkok hidden gem: Bangkok Dolls Museum
Bangkok Hidden Gem: Royal Thai Air Force Museum
Bangkok Hidden Gem: Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum

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Vilnius Dresses its Sculptures in Cozy Knits for Holiday Season

ImageVilnius’ Monument for Lithuanian Hound Dogs. Photo by Ahoy

Vilnius is celebrating the holiday season by dressing its iconic monuments in hand-knitted Christmas attire–eleven sculptures are wrapped in festive red garments. This creative initiative highlights the city’s cultural spirit, contributing to its recent title of European Christmas Capital 2025. Visitors can locate and visit the decorated sculptures with the help of an interactive map.

December 5, 2024. While many are searching for the perfect Christmas sweater this season, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is dressing up the city’s monuments in hand-knitted holiday attire for the Christmas season.  

The sculptures in the capital are dressed in scarves, socks, hats, capes, and various other festive accessories. The project aims to create a cozy feel by bringing warmth and festive cheer to the city. And in line with its motto “Unexpectedly Magical,” Vilnius channels a sense of wonder through these adorned sculptures, transforming them into symbols of festive magic.

ImageVilnius’ sculpture “Lithuanian Ballad”. Photo by Ahoy

According to Vilma Daubarienė, Head of the Tourism Department at Vilnius Tourism and Business Development Agency Go Vilnius, during the holiday season, we all want to believe in miracles, and Vilnius will help make that happen.

“Next year, Vilnius will become the European Green and Christmas Capital, and we are already preparing for this by combining sustainability with the holiday spirit and adding a touch of magic,” says Vilma Daubarienė. 

By dressing historical figures–beloved national symbols–and quirky urban art in festive, handcrafted outfits, Vilnius celebrates its creative energy, cozy festive season, and also draws on a pagan belief that animals and inanimate objects can come to life on Christmas Eve, adding an extra layer of magic to this project.

The initiative to create cozy outfits for monuments quickly gained popularity among the local knitting community–out of 30 applicants, 10 talented knitters were selected to bring this vision to life, who then created decorations crafted from eco-friendly materials like wool and rope. 

Jūratė Jaseliūnienė, one of the knitters involved in the project, expressed excitement about the idea and the opportunity to dress up the city’s sculptures.

“I had been thinking for a while about how fun it would be to decorate Vilnius’s sculptures with patterned scarves for Christmas, and this project gave me the chance to wrap one of my scarfs around Kristijonas Donelaitis himself—a very important Lithuanian writer whose monument is at the Vilnius University. The book he holds in his hands also connects to one of my favorite activities,” shared journalist and Knitted Lines founder Jūratė Jaseliūnienė.

Highlights of the initiative also include the Grand Duke Gediminas Monument in the Cathedral Square, now elegantly draped in a Christmas scarf.

The wings of the Vilnius Užupis Angel sculpture, often associated with the city’s image, have been dressed with a red sweater.

A famous Lithuanian woman writer Žemaitė is remembered not only for her distinctive writing style but also for embodying the image of a traditional Lithuanian grandmother. To honor her legacy, the initiative creators adorned her monument with a knitting basket and scarf.

The modern-day Lithuanian writer Jurga Ivanauskaitė, known for her love of cats and angels, inspired a sculpture of a cat, made in her honor. For the Christmas Knits project, the cat is playfully depicted caught in a checky mishap with a fallen Christmas tree and a bright red hat.

ImageVilnius’ Monument for Lithuanian Writer Jurga Ivanauskaitė. Photo by Ahoy

The monument featuring Lithuanian hound dogs reimagines them as Santa’s reindeers. This dog breed, native to Lithuania, dates back to the medieval Grand Duchy. Known for their energy, Lithuanian Hounds are perfectly suited to the role of Santa’s helpers.

In the newly developed Paupys district of Vilnius stands a striking sculpture of a gorilla, inspired by a motif from the painting of Čiurlionis, an internationally known Lithuanian painter and composer. Normally resting in a bath, for this Christmas, the massive gorilla has been playfully reimagined sitting in a festive sleigh.

To help visitors explore these and many other decorated sculptures, Go Vilnius has created an interactive Vilnius Christmas Map, guiding everyone to the key landmarks, activities, and photo spots throughout the city.

With its festive spirit, artistic flair, and cultural heritage, Vilnius offers a special holiday experience, where iconic sculptures and landmarks come to life in a way that celebrates both the season and the city’s vibrant community.

The city has been honored as European Christmas Capital 2025 by the Christmas Cities Network, which is supported by the European Parliament. This recognition celebrates the city’s embrace of sustainable and endearing holiday traditions that brings back the cozy, unifying feeling of community and connection.

Revisiting a hidden gem cinema classic: The Bear

The Bear, released in 1988 by famous French director Jean Jacques-Annaud is a movie that not so many of the younger generations have heard about, even when was relatively famous title in the 80s when released.

For many, the movie is considered one of the best “animal” movies ever shot in cinema history, following the story of a bear cub that gets orphaned, losing the bear mother in a tragic accident at the beginning of the film, and then ending following and pairing up with a huge alpha Grizzly bear male while they are tracked and hunted by some human hunters in astonishing beautiful forest and mountain landscapes.

But I think the movie is just much more than an “animals” movie, even when is starred by animals.

First is already to raise the hat to the director and the crowd to create such a beautiful film when is well known that movies starring animals and children are the most difficult to shoot and control. The landscapes and movie pictures are beautiful and outstanding, some of the most beautiful nature shots you will ever see on film, and the little cub is just totally cute and adorable all over the movie.

But if you forget for a second that the movie displays mainly bears and it has not much dialog, apart from the scenes when humans communicate, the movie is really an amazing tale where you have everything you would have dreamed in a classic drama starred by only humans: you have tragedy, you have humor (the scene when the cub eats some magic mushrooms and hallucinates with grotesque frogs is hilarious), it has sex encounters, it has revenge and it has redemption.

On top of that, it also has 2 of the best cinema scenes ever filmed that will be forged into your memory forever: the epic scene when the huge grizzly bear confronts one of the hunters and lets him go, and the scene when such a hunter stops his colleague from shooting, one that has made more than 1 tear fall from my eyes.

The Bear is a sublime cinema opera, and it is just amazing that with so little dialogue was able to accomplish so much. A masterpiece, and one that I cannot stop encouraging you to discover if you never watched it, or revisit it again.

798·751 On Site Music Project: An Electronic Music Festival in a Post-Industrial Setting

From November 8th to 10th, 2024, the On Site Music Project took over the 798 Art Center, delivering Asia’s largest modular synthesizer music event to an enthusiastic crowd.

On Site Music Project 1

On Site Music Project 1

The On Site Music Project is a newly launched cross-genre music festival by 798·751. It spans over 2,000 square meters, featuring eight distinct zones brimming with opportunities to connect, explore, and celebrate electronic music. It also seamlessly blends music and contemporary art, while highlights the raw power of live performance. On Site created a dynamic cultural space where art, music, and the audience converge, each became an integral part of the “on-site” experience.

On Site Music Project 2

On Site Music Project 2

As an extension of the International Art Season, the three-day event showcased more than 100 electronic musicians from 13 countries and regions, delivering nearly 100 electrifying performances.

Notable music labels, including DAWless Teahouse, Metasonar, and Pantheon, collaborated to present an exhilarating lineup of live performances, offering an unparalleled “on-site” experience for the audience.

The On Site Music Project also enlisted two visionary artists to elevate the event beyond sound, creating fully immersive installations that redefined the boundaries of space, perception, and emotion.

Artist chenshizen explored the dialogue between humanity and nature through plant-based installations, while Yang Song used metal sculptures to reflect on the interplay of speed, light, time, and space. These installations added a tactile and conceptual dimension to the festival, transforming music into a multi-sensory journey.

Installation View, Yang Song, Net, 2024

Installation View, Yang Song, Net, 2024

Installation View, chenshizen, Leafy Mud Resembling, 2024

Installation View, chenshizen, Leafy Mud Resembling, 2024

Speaking at the event forum, Miranda Yan, Deputy General Manager of Beijing 798 Culture Technology Co., Ltd., emphasized the festival’s mission: to showcase Beijing’s vibrant creativity. “Whether it’s through the cool exhibitions or through music, theater, or dance, they provide rooms for inspiration, encouraging people to cross boundaries and explore new creative frontiers,” Yan said.

798·751 community is hosting a diverse array of cultural and tech events, offering unique experiences to the public while fostering international cultural exchange. Through these efforts, 798·751 continues to contribute to Beijing’s growth as a global cultural and exchange hub.

Kuopio Dance Festival full programme announced!

The nine-day festival will feature a celebration of street dance, an iconic environmental art piece and new venues at Olvi Arena. 
Kuopio Dance Festival has announced performers for next summer throughout the autumn, and now the full main program is revealed, excluding the Gala. 

This festival marks Kenneth Kvarnström’s first year as the artistic director. The program he has curated revolves around street dance and poetry. 

“Street dance has recently brought new perspectives and techniques to contemporary dance. Many choreographers started as street dancers and are now creating diverse works,” he explains. 

“Street dance and poetry are an intriguing combination. Poetry appears in each performance in its own way – it may be ‘silent’ or hidden yet filled with various experiences.” 

The city’s 250th anniversary celebrations will also be reflected in the festival’s program in many ways. The event expands from the usual week-long duration to nine days, crossing over two weekends. 

To mark the milestone year, the festival will also bring one of Finland’s most famous environmental art piece to the city: Reijo Kela‘s iconic The Silent People will have its own version in Syvänniemi, with 250 figures installed.

Compagnie Hervé Koubi – Sol Invictus (© Mélanie Lhôte) &  Reijo Kela – The Silent People (© Hannu Huttu)Grand performance will dazzle at the Arena
 
Furthermore, the city’s 250th anniversary is celebrated with new performance venues, as the festival expands to Olvi Arena. 

At the Arena, French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi’s stunning production Sol Invictus will be performed by 17 dancers. This piece celebrates the passion for both dance and life, fusing intricate acrobatics with elements of street and contemporary dance. 

“Koubi creates something magical that speaks to many senses. I dare say Sol Invictus is one of the top five productions currently touring the world,” says Kvarnström. 

“I dare say Sol Invictus is one of the top five productions currently touring the world.” – Kenneth Kvarnström

German Miller de Nobili will present PACK, a dynamic and virtuoso performance with five male dancers that incorporates elements of urban and contemporary dance while challenging masculine stereotypes in breaking culture. 

The Gala is a festival’s classic, which takea place 13th–14t of June. The performers and content will be revealed in the spring. As usual, the Gala showcases a diverse range of dance art interpreted by both international and Finnish dancers. This year, a well-known TV personality will host the Gala.
 
Elle Sofe Company (© Lars Opstad) & The Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s ballet school (© Roosa Oksaharju)Nordic expertise and family-friendly program 

Miller de Nobili will also present another piece at the festival, There Was Still Time, which blends street and contemporary art inspired by Samuel Beckett’s famous play Waiting for Godot. 

Fernando Melo’s mystical LEANING TREE, performed by Dansk Danseteater, takes the audience to a dreamlike world combining contemporary dance to magical and illusory elements. 

Norwegian Elle Sofe Company will also showcase their powerful piece, drawing inspiration from Sámi traditions and experiences. The performance brings the traditions of northern indigenous peoples to the stage, combining dance, music and joik. 

The Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s ballet school charmed its audience last summer with a sold-out performance and will return next summer. 

For the youngest members of the family, Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth will present The Four Seasons, choreographed by Jyrki Karttunen. This creative and entertaining show follows the journey of garden gnomes as they travel through the changing seasons, promising to put a smile on every face. 

In addition to the main program, Kuopio Dance Festival offers a wide range of events, courses, camps, seminars, and much more dance-related programme. Other program will be announced throughout the spring of 2025. 

Tickets for all performances are now available at lippu.fi! 

Movie Review: Gladiator II

Taking opportunity that I have an excellent cinema theater 15 minutes walking from my place, with affordable prices and always empty seats (sadly people hardly go to the movies anymore) I spontaneously decided 1 hour before the show started to buy a ticket for Gladiator II, the must awaited return for director Ridley Scott to the blockbuster from year 2000.

As many other people, I love the original Gladiator movie. From the amazing initial sequence of the battle, its cinematography, the outstading and powerful performance of Russell Crowe, the dialogues, the unforgettable duels in the arena… so many moments to be remembered in cinema history.

So Gladiator II had a very high bar to reach if wanted to be close to the quality of its sequel. Did it succeed? Well…sadly no.

Let’s start with the positives, as not everything is negative here: the initial naval attack battle has some outstanding photography and it really kicks to a promising start of the movie, and Pedro Pascal‘s performance as Marcus Acacius is pretty strong (as almost everything this actor does in the last years). And I was also happy to see Lior Raz, an actor that I really love from the series “Fauda” casted pretty nicely as Viggo, the ruthless trainer of the slave gladiators.

Also some winks to the original movie here and there will cast you a smile.That’s about it about the good.

For the non so good part, the script and history feels like put together in a night of heavy drugs involved, same as most of the battles scenes in the arena and Coliseum (crazy monkeys, rhinos that act like trained warhorses, sharks with a higher IQ than most of your co-workers invading a flooded Coliseum (yes, the Romans did naval battles in the arenas, but I never hears of a highly superior intelligent race of sharks inhabiting there…). It just feels ridiculous most of the times, instead of epic, and the cuts between the scenes feel sometimes like an intern was the one putting the cuts together.

About the rest of the cast, Paul Mescal as Lucius does just not feel right to the role, he is not charismatic, powerful or likable, even when you try to. Even Denzel Washington, one of my favorite actors in Hollywood, feels hateful in his histrionic performance of Macrinus.

So, if you are really a hardcore Gladiator fan, well, you can give it a shot and be disappointed. If not, better skip this one. The 250 million of production cost were really not well used here.

Rating: 1.5/5

Finland Ranks 2nd Globally for Winter Depression Risk

Healthnews has released an extensive study that ranks 194 countries based on their winter-pattern Seasonal Depression Disorder (SAD) risk.

SAD begins in late autumn and continues through winter. Google Trends data from the past decade show that searches for “SAD” peak globally each November, highlighting significant public interest and the optimal timing for articles on this topic.

Trustworthy Authors and Rigorous Methodology

Our report — prepared by a specialist with a life sciences background and peer-reviewed by a psychology expert from our internal research team — uses carefully selected metrics based on reliable medical and scientific sources (encompassing all known risk factors), resulting in findings that are closer to reality compared to similar reports.

Finland Ranks 2nd Globally for SAD Risk

Finland, ranked second, has a SAD risk index score of 69.3.

With a latitude rank of third in the world, Finland is quite far from the equator, contributing to its exposure to seasonal light variations.

Finland is among the top 50 countries for the prevalence of depressive disorders and bipolar disorder.

According to Google Trends analysis, over the past five years, it has ranked 15th in Google search volume for the term “SAD. “

The Full Report is Available Here: 

https://healthnews.com/reports/a-global-map-of-winter-depression-2024-index-reveals-top-risk-nations

Interactive Tools and Visuals for Further Exploration

Healthnews offers an interactive global map and country-specific data tables to help readers explore the study’s insights.

Feel free to use any of the visuals available in the report. Please contact us if you require assistance embedding our interactive map into your website. We will be happy to help.

“Antonio López y los maestros del Realismo español” Exhibition Opened at 798·751 Community

On November 6, 2024, as part of the “Beijing Design Week Guest City” program, the art exhibition “Antonio López y los Maestros del Realismo Español” officially opened at Train Street in the 798·751 Community. This exhibition showcases 45 exquisite works by eight renowned Spanish artists and will be open to the public from November 6 to December 15.

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The installation view of the exhibition (1)

The exhibition is organized by the Embassy of Spain in China, in collaboration with the Spanish National Tourist Office and Instituto Cervantes. It also benefits from the professional expertise of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museo Nacional and Estudio de Antonio López y María Moreno, with additional support from Beijing Design Week and 798 Culture Technology Co., Ltd.

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Antonio López, a leading figure in Spanish art history, is often referred to as a “maverick of the Spanish art scene.” Known for his unparalleled ability to bring reality to life on canvas, López’s profound depictions of urban landscapes and portraits have earned him the title of “the greatest living realist painter.” His work bridging traditional techniques with modern contexts. Alongside López, works by seven other contemporary realism masters across various media offering a comprehensive view of Spanish realist art.

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Guests visiting the exhibition (1)

This exhibition provides Beijing residents with a rare opportunity to experience the exceptional artistry and profound themes of Spanish realist masters up close, fostering deeper insights into Spain’s history, culture, and social realities.

As China’s largest cluster of art and creative industries, 798·751 has long been dedicated to promoting cross-cultural exchange. The “Antonio López and Spanish Realist Masters” exhibition at Train Street embarks on a new cultural journey, reinforcing 798·751’s reputation as a “Global Art Destination” and deepening the dialogue between Chinese and Spanish artistic spirits.

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Guests visiting the exhibition (2)

This year, through the “International Art Season,” 798 Culture Technology Co., Ltd. has hosted a variety of international and multicultural events. Leveraging its contemporary art strengths and Chaoyang District’s role as an “international pioneer” and “cultural innovator,” the International Art Season fosters global exchange and cooperation. It also attracts more international cultural and artistic institutions to the community, driving industrial upgrades and further solidifying its global influence.

Movie review: We Live in Time

Sometimes I still cherish the small pleasure when I have a free evening to spontaneously buy a ticket for the nearest cinema theatre to enjoy a newly released film.

Last week, that urge brought me to see “We Live in Time“, the new romantic drama movie starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, and I spent quite an entertaining 1:45 minutes going through the up and downs in the relation of Almut and Tobias.

Firstly, I have to see that the non linear timeline of events can make the movie a bit difficult to follow at first until you get used to it. The movie jumps back and forth in the timeline of the couple, before they met, when they met, through the adversities, parenthood, arguments, etc. It does not harm the overall picture of the movie, but it is true that sometimes it is harder for the spectator to empathize, or you can purely guess how is gonna be the outcome in the future of a discussion (for example having a child or not) when it was already previously shown that they have a daughter.

The acting of both Garfield and Pugh is very good and you can feel that they have quite a nice chemistry in the film. Truly Garfield can come up sometimes like too nice on the edge of silly, and Pugh’s rebellious side can come up sometimes like a bit hateful, but all in all we are not perfect humans in a not perfect world, and the relation dynamic is plausible. I got myself inmersed both in moments when a tear was escaping my eyes or when you have a good laugh to some bizarre comical situation that they encounter.

One feels that even the 1:45 length is not enough and would have loved if the movie would explore deeper in some branches like the relation of Tobias with his father, Almut with her daughter, her passion for cooking, Tobias’s divorce, etc but all in all, the movie is entertaining, it will touch the hearts of the spectators and the acting is solid, so I would totally recommend it to give it a worthy try!

Rating: 4/5