Birdsong battle: meet the finch fanciers reviving a medieval competition
Once the flag goes up, a reverential hush descends on the finch fanciers.
None of the contestants hunched over boxes in this corner of Flanders not far from Ypres makes a sound, not even a cough. Then, one by one, their birds burst into song.
The crowd that gathers to watch the curious events in the Belgian town of Geluveld on Saturday will be witnessing one of the world's oldest competitions, in which finches are encouraged to sing the most songs in an hour by their owners.
Although next to nobody has heard of his hobby, even at home, Gino Welvaert says it is growing popular to become a vinkenier, or finch fancier, a centuries-old Flemish tradition. For elite competitors, he explains, the moments
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Tatler Asia
27-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Art-inspired journeys: 8 travel destinations that capture the spirit of famous masterpieces
2. 'The Starry Night' by Vincent van Gogh – Iceland Above A starry night in Iceland would be a dream for Van Gogh lovers. (Photo of Iceland: Jonatan Pie/Unsplash) Van Gogh's swirling skies and emotional intensity find their match in Iceland's untamed beauty. With its stark volcanic landscapes and chance of witnessing the Northern Lights, Iceland offers a celestial spectacle that mirrors the dreamlike quality of the painting. Visit Þingvellir National Park to walk along tectonic rifts, or take in the icebergs drifting across Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Here, the elements feel alive—a cosmic drama playing out under the stars. Also read: Want to see the Arctic Circle's northern lights? You can right here in Hong Kong 3. 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Johannes Vermeer – Bruges, Belgium Above The cobbled roads of Bruges, Belgium would appeal to fans of Vermeer's depictions of a quiet, timeless world. (Photo of Bruges: Dana Andreea Gheorghe) Vermeer's intimate portrait evokes a quiet mystery—an everyday moment imbued with grace. Bruges, with its medieval streets, serene canals and soft Flemish light, offers the same sense of timelessness. Meander through the lace shops near the Markt, take a boat ride under arched stone bridges or visit the Groeningemuseum to see masterpieces by the Flemish Primitives. The city's hushed beauty and quiet charm echo the gentle stillness captured in Vermeer's work. 4. 'American Gothic' by Grant Wood – Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Above Minneapolis offers a modern, creative take on Midwestern roots, echoing Grant Wood's nuanced portrait. (Photo of Minneapolis: Josh Hild/Unsplash) 'American Gothic' is often read as a stern portrait of traditional values, but Grant Wood's subtle satire also hints at performance and persona. Minneapolis, a progressive cultural hub in the American Midwest, offers a travel destination that contrasts with the painting's severity while staying geographically and thematically relevant. Visit the Walker Art Center and its iconic sculpture garden, explore the dynamic Mill District along the Mississippi, and discover the city's vibrant design, music and food scenes. Minneapolis honours its roots while looking to the future—reframing rural Americana with wit and imagination. 5. 'The Creation of Adam' by Michelangelo – Petra, Jordan Above Petra's ancient rock-cut architecture embodies the human spirit and divine connection Michelangelo captured. (Photo of Petra: Michael Mitrakos/Unsplash Michelangelo's fresco is a visual metaphor for divine spark and human connection. Petra, hewn from rose-red rock by the ancient Nabataeans, radiates that same spirit of awe and transcendence. Walk the Siq to the dramatic façade of the Treasury, or ascend to the Monastery for sweeping desert views. Nearby Wadi Rum invites travellers into a vast, almost biblical landscape, where silence reigns and the heavens feel close. This is a place where human creativity and the sublime meet. Also read: A travel guide to Jordan: What to see, eat and do on your first visit 6. 'The Scream' by Edvard Munch – Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Above Las Vegas' neon frenzy and sensory overload channel the raw anxiety and intensity of Munch's 'The Scream'. (Photo of Las Vegas Strip: aestelle/Unsplash) Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' captures a moment of existential panic—overwhelmed by sensation, unsure of what's real. Meanwhile, Las Vegas, with its neon delirium, surreal architecture and manufactured realities, is one of those travel destinations that channels this same disorientation. It's a place where overstimulation is the point: from the slot machines to the Strip, the city is a cacophony of lights, sound and spectacle. 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'Nighthawks' by Edward Hopper – Tokyo, Japan Above Tokyo's late-night solitude and urban quietude capture the mood of Hopper's iconic 'Nighthawks' scene. Hopper's 'Nighthawks' is all stillness and solitude—strangers sharing space but not connection, framed by fluorescent quiet. Tokyo, with its late-night convenience stores, glowing vending machines and tucked-away izakayas, mirrors that exact sense of urban isolation. Add this to your list of upcoming destinations if Hopper is your vibe, and if you prefer places where silence is part of the architecture. Wander Shibuya after midnight, take the last train from Ikebukuro, or find yourself alone in a ramen shop at 2 in the morning. There's a kind of intimacy in the anonymity here—precisely what Hopper captured in paint. Don't miss: What you should know about Shibuya Sakura Stage, Tokyo's latest must-visit destination These travel destinations align with the spirit of their corresponding artworks, prompting journeys beyond the familiar and into atmospheres that echo art's deepest impressions. Whether seeking contemplation, drama or quiet elegance, your next trip can be a dialogue between place and painting.
Vogue Arabia
05-05-2025
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A Century of Glamour, Restored: Inside the Rebirth of Madrid's Iconic Palace Hotel
It's called The Palace, and it could not be any other way. At the beginning of the last century, Madrid was a booming city, but there wasn't a single luxury hotel to host the well-heeled visitors who came to town. This was noticed by King Alfonso XIII – great-grandfather of the current king of Spain, Felipe VI – who, during the horse races in Deauville, challenged Belgian entrepreneur Georges Marquet to do something about it. Marquet's team moved to Madrid, acquired the plot previously occupied by the Palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli and began the construction of The Palace. The first stone of the hotel was laid in March 1911, and in only 18 months, the building was completed, opening its doors on 12 October 1912 and becoming the most modern hotel in Europe. Over the decades, an array of star guests stayed at the legendary venue, adding a layer of glamour to its reputation. World-famous American author Ernest Hemingway always booked the closest room by the bar, even mentioning its famous dry martini in the novel Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises . Picasso stayed several times in 1917 while designing sets for the Russian Ballet in Madrid. The mysterious spy Mata Hari enjoyed her last days of freedom at The Palace, before being arrested while trying to cross the border into France. The list goes on and on, including the double Nobel Prize winner in physics and chemistry Marie Curie, as well as Einstein, Salvador Dalí, Stravinsky, Strauss and so many more. The hotel has undergone several renovations over the years, with the most significant being finalised in 2024. The Palace has completed its restoration after nearly two years of work, and its rebirth is felt as soon as you approach its surroundings, right by the Plaza Mayor. After being repainted so many times, the facade lost its original colours and design, erasing some of its most important characteristics. And when it was built, only black-and-white photography existed. To rediscover the building's original colours – a warm beige tone with terracotta detailing – the Ruiz Larrea Arquitectura studio invested in a complex scientific analysis that penetrated 10 layers of old paint, also restoring floral ornaments and garlands. When The Palace first opened its doors, it had 800 rooms. Today, it offers 470 rooms and suites. The hotel was the largest and most advanced hotel in Europe, and the first in Spain to offer a bathroom and telephone in every room. Naturally, when it was time to refresh its interiors, star architect Lázaro Rosa Violán sought to preserve this important historical essence. Violán is one of Spain's most reputed names in design, having created El Nacional, Cotton House Hotel and Amazónico. His influence also extends to the Middle East, where he worked on Dubai's Gattopardo, Bar des Prés and Bâoli Beach Club. 'We wanted to create something modern, but not trendy,' Violán explains,noting that the inspiration for the rooms came from the hotel surroundings. 'Blue is the dominant colour, referencing the skies of Madrid,' he says. 'There are also botanical elements inspired by the surrounding gardens, and even mythological creatures referencing the Neptuno Fountain next door. We also added fireplaces to all units, to make guests feel really at home.' If you visit The Palace, you will quickly discover that its ex libris is the glamorous La Cúpula, the restaurant under a dramatic glass dome designed in 1912 by Eduardo Ferrés I Puig and executed by the master glass-makers Mauméjean – also involved in the glasswork of Barcelona's monumental Sagrada Familia. With a cascade of bright and romantic floral motifs, the structure is made up of 1,875 panes of glass, which were completely dismantled, catalogued and restored to their original colours. Moving from the lobby, the iconic palm chandelier was reinstalled in its original position beneath the dome, crowning the space with its original grandeur. 'When you have a project of this calibre, you need to respect history and let it always lead the process,' concludes Violán. 'The Palace is an icon, not just a hotel.' Rooms start at 550 Euros per night.
Times
27-04-2025
- Times
Feathers fly as Derbyshire siblings go head to head in gull-screeching contest
Sibling rivalries are peculiar things. While some brothers and sisters show their competitive streak on the football pitch, in the exam hall, or by arguing over Sunday lunch, others opt to travel to Belgium to decide who is the best at screeching like a seagull. As tens of thousands of their compatriots flocked to London for the marathon, Cooper Wallace, ten, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and his sister Shelby, seven, were showcasing the extremities of the human physique in a different contest. Contestants travelled from all over Europe to take part in the screeching championship at the Belgian coastal resort of De Panne. The contest aims to build greater harmony between humans and gulls. Last year Cooper won with 92 out of 100 points,
