WATCH: Grand collapse at the museum - tourist sits on a priceless crystal chair and breaks it!
That was my logic years ago when I lovingly ran my fingers over an ancient Egyptian stone tablet in the Nubian Museum in Aswan. The hieroglyphics were breathtaking, and I was completely entranced… until a very polite curator tapped me on the shoulder and explained (with a smile that said 'you silly tourist') that no, the artefacts are not meant to be stroked like a golden retriever.
The priceless crystal chair incident that has sparked online cringe
Fast-forward to today, and it turns out I'm not alone in my museum misdemeanours. In Italy, a crystal chair inspired by Vincent van Gogh's famous 1888 painting Van Gogh's Chair was recently damaged by a tourist who did more than just look - he sat. Yes, really.
CCTV footage from Palazzo Maffei in Verona shows a man and woman taking turns to pose next to the museum's prized piece, a Swarovski crystal-covered chair by Italian artist Nicola Bolla, created between 2006 and 2007.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Cruising in style: Sorisha Naidoo's family voyage through Europe's hidden gems
Sorish Naidoo with her husband Vivian Reddy and their two children, Saihil and Kalina. Image: Instagram. Reality star and businesswoman Sorisha Naidoo, known for her role in "The Real Housewives of Durban", has taken to the waves for an enchanting European holiday alongside her husband, Vivian Reddy and their two children, Saihil and Kalina. The family set sail with award-winning cruise line, Celebrity Cruises, and their journey has been nothing short of spectacular. Documenting their unforgettable trip through a series of vlogs on her social media platforms, Naidoo has given her followers a front-row seat to their adventures. From luxurious days at sea filled with yoga classes and artistic glass sessions aboard the cruise ship, to explorations of historic destinations on port days. "Day one on the cruise, we boarded and watched the ship sail away ... Lots to do on the Celebrity Cruise ship, and I think for me it was about the yoga classes, the hot glass sessions, but we decided to take it easy into the night and have a little bit of sushi ... "Our first port day, we got to go to Pompeii. We saw tons of things," said Naidoo during the video. As the ship made its first port stop in Pompeii, the family was eager to embark on their exploration. The vlogs reveal Naidoo and her family experiencing the enchanting ruins of this ancient city, where history and architecture intertwine beautifully. "There's probably a million tourists at this time that we're here, so everything is packed," she continued. In a separate vlog about their excursion to the iconic Tower of Pisa, Naidoo expressed her admiration for historical structures. About a beautiful ancient church, she said: "It is so gorgeous, the attention for detail is incredible, why don't we build things like this now. I want to see more buildings like this. "I'm so tired of these glass fronts. These modern, boring, no imagination buildings, I think we need to go back in time. We need to step it up ... It's so detailed, it's unbelievable." Offering practical advice for fellow travellers, Naidoo advised to 'hold tight to your bag and keep your belongings safe,' while noting the hot Italian sun during this season. Her choice of attire, a lightweight linen ensemble, was both stylish and practical, keeping her comfortable as they explored stunning cities filled with charm and history. 'When you're going out to Italy or Europe in the prime of summer, linen is the way to go,' she recommended. Culinary experiences were also a highlight of their trip, as Naidoo described every dining experience as 'pure bliss". From fine dining aboard the cruise to sampling delectable local cuisine ashore, the family indulged in the flavours of Italy, making the most of their time together.
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Drip check! Kaizer Chiefs unveil 2025/26 kit - style tips to slay it on the streets
Whether you're cheering from the stands or stepping out in style, there are countless ways to rock your Amakhosi jersey with fashion flair. Image: Supplied The 2025/26 football season is here, and with it comes one of the most exciting traditions in the sport: new kits. Leading the charge in the Betway Premiership are Kaizer Chiefs, who recently unveiled their striking new home and away jerseys in collaboration with Italian technical sponsor Kappa. More than just match-day gear, the new designs draw inspiration from African culture, creativity and identity, making them a celebration of both heritage and style. The home jersey is a powerful nod to tradition. Dominated by the club's iconic gold, it features bold black sleeve patterns and a sleek black collar. It's a design that proudly honours the team's legacy, described by the club as 'unapologetically Kaizer Chiefs'. The away jersey, on the other hand, takes a daring step into fashion-forward territory. Featuring a stylish grey and gold colourway with camouflage-style textures, it draws influence from animal hides used in traditional African shields - a subtle yet strong reference to battle-readiness and pride. South African actor and a proud Amakhosi supporter, Wiseman Mncube, was among the first to showcase the jersey to fans. Sharing a photo of himself in the new kit, accessorised with dark shades, Mncube gushed: 'Allow me to introduce our beautiful new Kaizer Chiefs jersey... ishuuuu Motauuuuuuuuuung! Kaizer Chiefs and Kappa, you outdid yourselves. It's too much!' The jerseys have also drawn praise from fans across social media. One user wrote: 'Love this, I'm definitely getting it for Saturday's game.' A second user wrote: 'I rate it 10/10. As always, @kappa_sa never disappoints.' Another wrote: 'Okay, I like it. It might be my first ever Chiefs kit that I buy in my entire existence.' While a fourth stated: 'I'm not a Kaizer Chiefs fan, but Kappa ate here. The away jersey is 🔥.' Jessica Motaung, Chiefs' marketing and commercial director, highlighted the emotional connection behind the kits: 'We returned to our roots with the home jersey, staying true to the colours we are known for. The away jersey always allows us to play around a bit … it's a symbol of fashion, art and creativity.' Fans won't have to wait long to see the kits in action. The club will debut the new look on Saturday, July 26, when they face Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Whether you're watching the match or hitting the streets, here's how to wear your Amakhosi jersey with fashion flair: Go oversized A size up is a style win. Rock an oversized jersey with baggy jeans or cargo pants. Add sneakers, and don't forget the confidence. This laid-back look channels effortless cool with a sporty edge. Crop it Cropped jerseys are trending hard, especially among Gen Z. DIY your jersey into a crop top or tie it in the back. Pair with high-waisted jeans, pleated mini skirts or bike shorts for a fashion-forward, sporty-chic moment. Accessorise Channel Mncube's look by adding shades, chains or a bucket hat. The jersey is your canvas - make it pop with personal flair. Mix it with tailored pieces For a high-fashion twist, pair your jersey with a blazer or tailored trousers. It's bold, stylish and front-row ready.
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Cooking up connections: how a New York restaurant is preserving grandmothers' recipes and healing hearts
In Scaravella's words: 'Every dish has a story. And those stories keep people alive, even long after they're gone. Image: Los Muertos Crew /pexels Growing up, I never had much of a relationship with my grandmother. Yet watching my mom pour love, laughter and gentle discipline into my daughter has quietly healed something in me. Suddenly, all the stories about gogos (grandmothers), their warmth, their love, their quiet power started making sense. That's why when I saw a viral Instagram post shared by thishowthingswork about Enoteca Maria, a New York restaurant that hires real grandmothers, not chefs, to cook in its kitchen, it stopped me in my scroll. It wasn't just a sweet gimmick; it was a comforting reminder of how food, family and memory can keep us stitched together, even across oceans and generations. A table set by love and loss Enoteca Maria isn't your usual trendy New York spot. Opened in 2007 by Joe 'Jody' Scaravella, the restaurant began as a tribute to the two women who taught him the language of love through food: his Nonna Domenica and his mother Maria. Scaravella, 70, told "TIME" magazine: 'This is not a restaurant. It walks like a restaurant, smells like a restaurant, talks like a restaurant, but it's not. It's a cultural exchange.' After losing his grandfather, father, mother, grandmother, and sister in quick succession, Scaravella fell into a deep depression. He used part of his inheritance to buy a storefront on a quiet Staten Island street, near the St. George Theatre. His vision was to fill the space with the same warmth, stubborn pride, and homemade recipes that had once filled his childhood kitchen. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Grandmothers behind the stove Scaravella didn't want professional chefs; he wanted real grandmothers, each carrying family recipes shaped by memory, migration, and maternal love. He placed an ad, and soon, grandmothers from every corner of the world responded. At Enoteca Maria today, half the menu is consistently Italian. The other half changes daily, shaped by whichever grandmother is cooking that night. From Nonna Diana's Mexican dishes to Sri Lankan curries or Senegalese stews, each meal becomes a living history lesson. Scaravella explained to "The New York Times", 'They're taking what their mother taught them to make, what their grandmother taught them to make, and every time these ladies are in the kitchen, you have all of this culture coming out of their fingertips.' This idea goes beyond nostalgia. Food anthropologist Dr Krishnendu Ray, chair of Nutrition and Food Studies at NYU, notes that recipes passed through generations act as 'archives of memory'. They're living proof that our identities aren't just built on what we eat, but how we share it. That sharing can heal, too. According to a study in "Appetite", cooking family recipes with loved ones can reduce loneliness and strengthen intergenerational bonds, something Scaravella's restaurant embodies every single night. Beyond dining, Enoteca Maria hosts free cooking classes where guests can learn directly from the grandmothers. Scaravella dreams of building an online community where anyone, anywhere, can share and preserve their family's recipes. According to a study in Appetite, cooking family recipes with loved ones can reduce loneliness and strengthen intergenerational bonds, something Scaravella's restaurant embodies every single night. Image: olia danilevich/pexels On screen and in spirit This remarkable story even inspired a Netflix movie, "Nonnas", released in May this year. Although I haven't seen it yet, it's definitely on my binge list now because of Vince Vaughn. Vaughn plays Scaravella, while Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro bring the grandmothers to life. But behind the Hollywood sparkle, the film honours something deeply human: how food can keep us connected to people we've lost, and to those still beside us. Watching my mom bake with my daughter, giggling over too much flour on the counter, I see what Scaravella saw. Grandmothers carry more than recipes; they carry stories, lessons, and gentle reminders of who we are. In our culture, we call them gogo or oomakhulu, guardians of memory, laughter, and sometimes stubbornness too. Whether in a New York kitchen or a village home in the Eastern Cape, their love tastes the same: patient, warm and deeply healing. Enoteca Maria isn't just about food. It's about reminding us that growing older shouldn't mean becoming invisible. And those family recipes, much like family stories, are most powerful when shared around a crowded table. In Scaravella's words: 'Every dish has a story. And those stories keep people alive, even long after they're gone.'
