Latest news with #EpicofGilgamesh
The Province
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Province
Coquitlam high school teacher reprimanded for discriminatory remarks
Evgueni Melnik was teaching comparative civilizations when he made statements critical of Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ identity File photo of a classroom Photo by Getty images A Coquitlam high school teacher has been reprimanded for making racially insensitive and discriminatory statements during classroom discussions and chats with students. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Evgueni Vladimirovitch Melnik was teaching a comparative civilizations class in May 2021 when he talked about the Epic of Gilgamesh and the concept of immortality. 'Melnik drew a line graph on the blackboard with 'Animals,' 'Humans,' 'Jesus' and 'God.' This was meant to illustrate the material and non-material nature of all human beings,' said a summary of the punishment on the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation website posted online Tuesday. 'In discussing humans, Melnik said that humans were complex thinkers. With respect to God, Melnik said, 'Everyone wants to reach this.' At some point during the lesson, Melnik referenced Black Lives Matter protesters and circled 'Animals' at least three times. In a conversation with a student outside of class time, Melnik said he believed all lives matter and that police were not the problem.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He also questioned an emphasis on gender diversity and inclusion in the culture and media. 'In a discussion about the influence of the media through the use of language, Melnik said: 'The media has you believe there are more than two genders when using the words 'bisexual' and 'binary' … there are so many labels, who cares?' A student in the class was a member of the LGBTQ community and reported being 'very upset and impacted by this comment.' Melnik also questioned the reality of racism. He told the class it didn't exist and that 'a lot of what is described as racism today comes from cultural differences.' He talked about anti-Asian sentiment among railway workers in the early 19th century and said they were 'resented because they worked for less money and followed direction.' Late in 2021, Melnik was given a letter of discipline and suspended by the district for eight days without pay, which he served before the end of the year. He was also ordered to take a course on diversity and sensitivity training. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An investigation was ordered by the teacher commissioner in 2023 that led to the signing of a consent resolution agreement, in which Melnik admitted to professional misconduct. He accepted the reprimand and was ordered to complete a course on creating positive learning environments by the start of the coming school year. The commissioner said the penalty was considered appropriate because Melnik shared views with students 'that did not align with the district's expectations that teachers refrain from engaging in conduct or comment which disparages or discriminates against others,' and that he 'did not foster a safe environment for his students, nor did he role-model respect for diversity.' jruttle@ Read More NHL Vancouver Canucks World Vancouver Canucks Sports
Vancouver Sun
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Coquitlam high school teacher reprimanded for discriminatory remarks
A Coquitlam high school teacher has been reprimanded for making racially insensitive and discriminatory statements during classroom discussions and chats with students. Evgueni Vladimirovitch Melnik was teaching a comparative civilizations class in May 2021 when he talked about the Epic of Gilgamesh and the concept of immortality. 'Melnik drew a line graph on the blackboard with 'Animals,' 'Humans,' 'Jesus' and 'God.' This was meant to illustrate the material and non-material nature of all human beings,' said a summary of the punishment on the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation website posted online Tuesday. 'In discussing humans, Melnik said that humans were complex thinkers. With respect to God, Melnik said 'everyone wants to reach this.' At some point during the lesson, Melnik referenced Black Lives Matter protesters and circled 'Animals' at least three times. In a conversation with a student outside of class time, Melnik said he believed all lives matter and that police were not the problem.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. He also questioned an emphasis on gender diversity and inclusion in the culture and media. 'In a discussion about the influence of the media through the use of language, Melnik said: 'the media has you believe there are more than two genders when using the words 'bisexual' and 'binary' … there are so many labels, who cares?' A student in the class was a member of the LGBTQ community and reported being 'very upset and impacted by this comment.' Melnik also questioned the reality of racism. He told the class it didn't exist and that 'a lot of what is described as racism today comes from cultural differences.' He talked about anti-Asian sentiment among railroad workers in the early 19th century and said they were 'resented because they worked for less money and followed direction.' Late in 2021, Melnik was given a letter of discipline and suspended by the district for eight days without pay, which he served before the end of the year. He was also ordered to take a course on diversity and sensitivity training. An investigation was ordered by the teacher commissioner in 2023 that led to the signing of a consent resolution agreement, in which Melnik admitted to professional misconduct. He accepted the reprimand and was ordered to complete a course on creating positive learning environments by the start of the coming school year. The commissioner said the penalty was considered appropriate because Melnik shared views with students 'that did not align with the district's expectations that teachers refrain from engaging in conduct or comment which disparages or discriminates against others,' and that he 'did not foster a safe environment for his students, nor did he role-model respect for diversity.' jruttle@
Observer
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
An artist's bold reimagination of the Epic of Gilgamesh at Stal Gallery
Stal Gallery opened its latest exhibition on 13 April in Muscat, presenting 'Gilgamesh: Symbols and Connotations' by acclaimed Iraqi artist Dr. Sabeeh Kalash. Held under the patronage of Engineer Saeed Al-Saklawy, President of the Omani Society for Writers and Literati, the event brought together artists, writers, and cultural enthusiasts for an evocative evening where ancient myth met contemporary vision. The exhibition runs until 22 April. Rooted in the cultural wealth of Mesopotamia, Gilgamesh: Symbols and Connotations presents the world's oldest epic through a strikingly modern visual language. 'This exhibition unfolds the timeless Epic of Gilgamesh through the expressive strokes of a contemporary brush,' Kalash explains. 'Inspired by Mesopotamian heritage, the works portray Gilgamesh not merely as a legendary king, but as a universal symbol of humanity's eternal search—for meaning, friendship, transcendence, and immortality.' An artist's bold reimagination of the Epic of Gilgamesh at Stal Gallery Each painting offers a poetic exploration of key moments from the epic: Enkidu's creation, the battle in the Cedar Forest, the Great Flood, the serpent, and the quest for eternal life. These themes emerge through symbolic forms, abstract compositions, and layered visual metaphors that invite deep reflection. Kalash's artistic vision is as personal as it is historical. 'The inspiration behind Gilgamesh: Symbols and Connotations was born from a profound connection to the cultural legacy of Mesopotamia—the cradle of civilisation and my ancestral land,' he shares. 'The epic offered a timeless mirror reflecting the essence of human existence: the struggle with mortality, the thirst for knowledge, the power of friendship, and the eternal quest for meaning.' An artist's bold reimagination of the Epic of Gilgamesh at Stal Gallery What sets this collection apart is how Kalash treats the myth as a living narrative that still resonates today. 'Amidst the noise of modern life and the fragmentation of identity, Gilgamesh emerged as a symbol of continuity, introspection, and resilience,' he notes. That introspection is tangible across the canvases, many of which resemble ancient ruins brought to life—etched with bull horns, faded inscriptions, and fractured forms. One piece features a kneeling, blue-hued figure caught mid-transformation, surrounded by symbolic orbs and grids. Another overlays winged beasts and warriors with stamp-like motifs and vibrant colour, echoing the epic's chaos and complexity. 'The creative process was fuelled by personal experiences of exile, longing, and the search for belonging—parallels to Gilgamesh's own journey of loss and discovery,' Kalash reflects. 'Each canvas became a meeting point of memory and imagination—a conversation across centuries.' An artist's bold reimagination of the Epic of Gilgamesh at Stal Gallery Dr. Sabeeh Kalash, born in Baghdad in 1948, is one of the Arab world's most respected contemporary artists. He holds a PhD in Contemporary Art History from Sorbonne University in Paris and has taught at leading institutions including the University of Baghdad, Yarmouk University, Al-Mustansiriya University, and Sultan Qaboos University, where he chaired the Art Education Department until 2014. His work—shown in over a dozen countries—is widely recognised for exploring themes of memory, mythology, and identity. In 2020, he received first prize in Oman's international art competition on the COVID-19 pandemic. An artist's bold reimagination of the Epic of Gilgamesh at Stal Gallery Presented at Stal Gallery, known for fostering cross-cultural dialogue through contemporary art, this exhibition offers more than an artistic reinterpretation—it is a thoughtful excavation of meaning and myth. Gilgamesh: Symbols and Connotations reflects the enduring power of storytelling and the timeless relevance of the human journey. The exhibition is open to the public until 22 April at Stal Gallery, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat. Visitors are invited to step into a world where memory and myth converge—where the figure of Gilgamesh walks again, not through ancient clay tablets, but across canvases alive with colour, symbolism, and emotional depth.
The Independent
16-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
Ancient stone tablets show government red tape goes back 4,000 years, say scientists
Red tape may feel like a modern-day frustration, but according to archaeologists, it's been a part of governance for millennia. Evidence from ancient Mesopotamia reveals that bureaucratic systems were in place as far back as 4,000 years ago. Over 200 administrative tablets and around 50 cylinder seal impressions of Akkadian administrators have been uncovered by archaeologists from the British Museum and Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, shedding light on the early foundations of government bureaucracy. The texts reveal a complex bureaucracy that went into running the ancient civilisation. These were the state archives of the ancient Sumerian site of Girsu, in modern-day Tello, while the city was controlled by the Akkad dynasty from 2300 to 2150BC. While the texts may not be great masterpieces of Sumerian literature, like the Epic of Gilgamesh, the British Museum's curator for ancient Mesopotamia, director of the Girsu Project, Sébastien Rey told The Independent they are 'nonetheless incredibly important.' 'They record all aspects of Sumerian life, and above all they name real people, their names, their jobs,' he said. 'The new tablets and sealings provide tangible evidence of a Sumerian city and its citizens under Akkad rule which will last about a century and half before the fall of the empire.' Girsu, known as one of the world's oldest cities, was once revered as the sanctuary of the Sumerian heroic god Ningirsu. At its peak, it covered hundreds of hectares worth of land, but it was one of the independent Sumerian cities that were conquered around 2300BC by the Mesopotamian king Sargon. Sargon originally came from the city of Akkad, whose location remains unknown but is thought the be near modern Baghdad. The Akkadian empire lasted for 150 years, ending with a rebellion. These administrative tablets, containing cuneiform symbols, an ancient writing system, record the affairs of the state, including issues relating to land management and the movement of goods and service. There are accounts of various commodities, including deliveries and expenditures, birds, fish and domesticated animals, flour and barley. They also deal with goods such as bread and beer, ghee and cheese, wool and textiles. He said: 'The names and professions of the citizens of Girsu are recorded in lists. Sumerian cities were known for their complex bureaucracy.' 'Among the many examples for concrete imperial control is the use of the newly imposed standard system of measures, the so-called 'Akkad-gur' for flour and barley,' he continued, comparing it to the British Imperial Unit.' The tablets were found at the site of a large state archive building, which was made of mud-brick walls divided into rooms or offices. Mr Rey added: 'We also found a group of tablets containing architectural plans of buildings, field plans and maps of canals. These were drawn by surveying scribes of the administration and are among the earliest known in the world.' The finds will go to the Iraqi Museum in Baghdad. It's possible they could be loaned to the British Museum in the future once further research and study has been carried out on them.
Arab News
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: ‘There Are Rivers in the Sky'
Author: Elif Shafak This historical novel by Elif Shafak, 'There Are Rivers in the Sky,' was published in 2024 and is a meditation on life, loss and love. Anchored by the Tigris and Thames rivers serving as motifs, the story drifts across centuries, stitching together fractured lives bound by intimacy, trauma, and the quiet power of water. There are three characters at the heart of this story. Arthur is a 19th-century linguist whose passion for Mesopotamia's ruins eclipses his ability to connect with the living. Narin is a Yazidi girl surviving genocide in 2014 Iraq, her spirit as unyielding as the ancient lands she is forced to flee. And then there is Zaleekhah, a hydrologist in modern London, drowning in family secrets until she learns to swim toward redemption. Their stories collide, ripple and reshape one another. Water is not just a metaphor here, it is a character. The rivers breathe life into memories, erode pain, and carry the weight of history. Arthur's obsession with the 'Epic of Gilgamesh' mirrors his own loneliness as a man chasing immortality through dusty texts while real love slips through his fingers. Narin's resilience, rooted in Yazidi traditions, becomes a lifeline in a world determined to erase her people. As for Zaleekhah, her journey from guilt to grace feels like watching a storm clear — messy, cathartic, and utterly human. Shafak's writing is lush, almost tactile. You can taste the silt of the Tigris, feel London's rain, and ache with the characters. But here is the catch: this book demands your attention. The timelines —switching between Victorian letters, wartime horror, and modern angst —are a high-wire act. While the layers add depth, some readers might stumble over dense historical nods or Yazidi cultural nuances. (A glossary would have been a welcome raft.) Yet, even its flaws pulse with intention. The same complexity that overwhelms also rewards. This is not a book you breeze through. It is one you wade into, letting the currents tug you into deep, uncomfortable places. The pacing does drag at times, and Shafak's ambition occasionally outruns clarity. In the end, Shafak asks: Can we ever truly outrun history? Or do we, like rivers, carve new paths while carrying the scars of where we have been? This novel does not answer so much as invite you to sit with the question, long after the last page turns.
