Latest news with #CulturalConnections
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Archive will give African American veterans in the east a voice
A new research project is looking to celebrate the untold stories of African American US Air Force personnel based in East Anglia during the Cold USAF: Cultural Connections in Cold War East Anglia is being led by Elma Glasgow from Cambridgeshire, who grew up alongside personnel on the border with in life she realised the stories of black men and women on these bases during the Cold war era had not been well documented and she was determined to give them a Glasgow wants to hear voices from Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex for a new digital archive. Ms Glasgow explained she had always "thought it was very normal" to go into the American airbases and "mingle with the Americans" while growing would also hear stories from relatives about their own experiences of interacting with the was not until she left the area that she realised it was a "pretty rare experience". Ms Glasgow has been recognised for her work on the Power of Stories exhibition that featured three original costumes from the Black Panther was during this that she realised she could help bring stories to life."Telling different aspects of black history in the East of England is incredibly important because I think people have assumptions about the east - like it's all tractors and sugar beet," she continued."Actually we have an incredible cultural history and a lot of that was created by the Americans who were based here not just during the Cold War, but before that." The project launched with the story of Geno Washington, who was originally from Indiana and found himself at RAF Woodbridge in the early 1960s, before later becoming a successful soul said the Americans were welcomed into the area, and England and Ipswich were "one of my first loves"."It was a great place to be because when I was in America they told us England is a luxury assignment out of all the places in Europe. I didn't know what to expect."When I got here it felt good."Ms Glasgow said Mr Washington had spoken to the team about how Ipswich was "jumping at the time" in its pubs and clubs."He was really surprised they could mingle with the local people because segregation was still very much in force within the air force as it was back in the USA," she said."There was a Jamaican joint, he said, and he would get on stage."He would lie to people so they would invite him up on stage - he said his auntie was Dinah Washington who at that time was really famous in England."The project wants to hear stories from all aspects of life - and people can fill out a contact form online. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The National
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
UAE pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025 welcomes two millionth visitor
The UAE's pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka on Monday celebrated welcoming its two millionth visitor with an event merging Japanese and Emirati tradition. The palm tree-inspired pavilion – which pays homage to the country's rich history and enterprising vision for the future – has proven a hit with international crowds since the latest world's fair opened on April 13. The UAE team marked the milestone achievement with a special event inspired by the ancient Japanese festival of Tanabata, highlighting the pavilion's significant role in cultivating cultural connections from the Middle East to the Far East. The Tanabata – or star festival – celebrates the uniting of two deities which, according to legend, are separated by the Milky Way and can meet once a year only on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It is typically marked by wishes being hung on bamboo branches. The UAE pavilion offered an Emirati twist to the festivities by instead using palm fronds as the natural canvas on which people expressed their hopes and dreams. Shihab Alfaheem, the UAE's ambassador to Japan, said the colourful event served to symbolise the deep-rooted friendship between the Emirates and Japan. 'We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE pavilion," he said. "This reflects the world's interest, trust and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.' The pavilion's theme is Earth to Ether, which symbolises the UAE's journey towards a future guided by innovation, imagination and exploration. It seeks to tell the story of the country's work in the space sector, sustainability and health care, among other areas. The site hosts more than 40 programmes to encourage learning, collaboration and co-creation, while an on-site restaurant serves traditional Emirati food to bring national cuisine to an international audience. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited the UAE's pavilion during a tour of Expo 2025 Osaka in April. 'I was impressed by the design of our national pavilion, inspired by the palm tree, which reimagines the traditional Arish – the old homes built from palm fronds and trunks. 'However, the content of the UAE Arish showcases our space projects, future initiatives in the health sector and our progress in sustainability projects. Sharing the UAE's story 'Our pavilion embodies our commitment to our authentic past and our passion for the future. Expo 2025 opened on April 13 and runs until October 13. It provides a global platform for more than 150 countries to showcase their heritage, achievements and enterprising plans for future progress. The six-month event in Japan comes after the success of Expo 2020 Dubai, the first world's fair to be held in the Middle East and North Africa, which recorded more than 24 million visits over six months. Expo 2025 Osaka attracted five million visits in its first six weeks, putting it on track to hit its 28 million target.
National Post
09-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
What did Mélanie Joly mean when she called Canada 'the most European of all non-European countries'?
Article content Timothy Sayle, an associate professor in the department of history at the University of Toronto, says recent comments by Carney and others can be interpreted in two ways. Article content First is at face value. 'There are some basic historical and cultural connections here,' he said. 'It wasn't that long ago that Canadians stopped being British subjects, and the King of England is also the King of Canada. That's very present in our governance but also in our culture.' Article content Article content He added that Canada's bilingual nature, its connections between Quebec and France, and its social and health programs, which run closer to European models than American ones, all push Canada closer to Europe, comparatively speaking. Article content 'But there's also a political argument that these leaders are making, in that Canadian governments have often worked closely with European partners in international affairs, partially because Canadian and European governments sometimes see the world through the same lens, that the same international frameworks and cooperation is the best way to deal with the world.' Article content Finally, there may be a sense in which Carney and Joly were also talking directly to Canadians. Sayle noted an address given by Secretary of State for External Affairs Louis St. Laurent in 1947, the year before he became prime minister. He called liberty 'an inheritance from both our French and English backgrounds, and through these parent states it has come to us from the whole rich culture of western Europe.' Article content Article content Sayle explained: 'Sometimes Canadian leaders find it useful to talk about Europe as a way of hinting at national unity goals in Canada. I'm not sure if the leaders have that in mind right now, but it's an interesting twist on it.' Article content David Soberman, a professor and the Canadian National Chair of the Rotman School of Management, said one audience for whom such remarks were not intended is the rest of the world. Article content 'I would say they're trying to set us up against the United States in this case,' he said. 'I don't think it's designed as something to say we're more European than the Australians. I've spent time in Australia and New Zealand as well, and they're pretty European.' Article content But he agreed the message has a takeaway for Canadians as well. Article content 'To make us feel a little bit less stressed out, if you will,' he said. 'We are different from the United States, and we're good with that, but we also have friends in Europe that can empathize with the sorts of things that are important to us.' Article content Carney also met with King Charles III during his trip to Europe, and has invited the King to formally open parliament on May 27, the first time Canada's monarch has done so since Queen Elizabeth II in her jubilee year of 1977. Article content Joly told the BBC that the King's visit was another 'clear signal' of Canada's sovereignty. Article content 'That's pretty important,' Soberman said. 'He's a European monarch, and here he is coming to deliver what's one of the most important statements that occurs in the Canadian Parliament every year. That's a pretty strong link.' Article content
