Latest news with #Gift
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial Russian literature prize sparks debate on separating culture from war crimes
Launched to promote Russian literature on the global stage during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the new Dar ('Gift') literary prize is already mired in controversy — and not just for its troubling timing. After Ukrainian author Maria Galina declined the award for her wartime chronicle of Odesa, attention shifted to shortlisted Russian author Denis Beznosov over his past affiliation with the Russian State Children's Library — an institution that hosted multiple 'cultural' events for abducted Ukrainian children during his time there. Since the full-scale war began, Ukrainian officials have documented the abduction of nearly 20,000 children by Russian forces. While in Russian territory, these Ukrainian children are subjected to systematic Russification, a deliberate effort to erase their heritage. Beznosov has rejected the allegations that he was directly involved in any events with abducted Ukrainian children despite his senior role at the Russian State Children's Library through the first year of the full-scale war, sparking a heated debate within Russia's exiled cultural sphere over the broader issue of societal complicity during wartime. Founded in 2025 by exiled Russian author Mikhail Shishkin, the Dar literary prize aims to spotlight Russian-language writers and foster a space where 'literature in Russian takes its rightful place in the world, being responsible to humanity, and not to dictatorships.' Shishkin has lived in Switzerland since 1995 and has long been an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the same time, he has repeatedly called for separating Russian culture from the Russian state. Writing in an op-ed titled 'Don't Blame Dostoevsky' for the Atlantic in 2022, Shishkin expressed the hope that a Ukrainian writer 'will speak up for (19th century Russian poet Alexander) Pushkin' whose statues were being dismantled across Ukraine. While the Dar literary prize was launched by its organizers with the intent to signal that the Russian government does not hold exclusive claim to Russian culture, the initiative has faced criticism for promoting Russian language and culture 'regardless of their place of residence and citizenship,' as it states on its website. 'The prize is structured in such a way that, on behalf of dissenting voices, it continues to transmit the official Russian narrative about a borderless Russian culture.' Critics argue that this approach overlooks the Kremlin's long-standing use of the Russian language as a tool to suppress Ukrainian and other national identities throughout the region, especially during wartime. 'The prize is structured in such a way that, on behalf of dissenting voices, it continues to transmit the official Russian narrative about a borderless Russian culture,' Ukrainian cultural commentator Bohdana Neborak told the Kyiv Independent. The one-line biographies omit the authors' nationalities, making it difficult to differentiate them beyond their shared use of the Russian language — the implication, intentional or not, is that they all might as well be Russian. 'It seeks ways of reconciliation within a dialogue that takes place in a single language but across different countries — thus creating a unified space similar to what is promoted by Russian propaganda. Such a dialogue is impossible, regardless of the goals stated by the prize,' Neborak added. Ukrainian author Galina, who is among those in the country's cultural sphere to have distanced themselves from writing in Russian since the full-scale war, was initially named the winner of the Dar literary prize for her book on the war's impact in Odesa, but declined it. In an open letter published on the award's website, she argued that Russian-language literature is not in need of such institutional backing abroad, citing its long-standing role as a successful tool of soft power abroad for Russia. 'Perhaps, when all the funding flows from Russia are finally cut off, Russian literature will eventually take its rightful place among other world literatures,' Galina said. 'And even that — only after it is cleansed of the crimes of the state.' Speaking to the Kyiv Independent, Galina acknowledged Shishkin's overall pro-Ukraine stance since Russia's invasion of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and the annexation of Crimea in 2014. While she mentioned the sincerity of his intentions in granting the award, Galina also cautioned that the realities of the ongoing full-scale war cast the award in a different light. 'Any attempts to sew the Russophone space are doomed now,' she said. Shishkin did not reply to the Kyiv Independent's request for comment. Amid renewed debate over whether Russian culture can be meaningfully disentangled from the crimes of the Russian state, the Dar literary prize's greatest controversy stemmed from allegations that shortlisted author Beznosov may have been complicit in the state's forcible deportation of Ukrainian children. Beznosov served as the deputy director of the Russian State Children's Library until November 2022, according to his LinkedIn account. However, he wrote in a post on his Facebook on May 29 that he left his position in September 2022 because 'the events of 2022' made it impossible for him to continue his work. During the first year of the full-scale war, the Russian State Children's Library participated in a number of events involving Ukrainian children displaced by the Russian authorities from Ukraine's occupied territories. Photo albums uploaded to the organization's Flickr page — including one from late March of 2022 titled 'Meeting with children who were evacuated from Donbas' at a camp retreat — document the events, which were also covered by local media. 'People involved in crimes against humanity, in the deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, or in the genocide of the Ukrainian people have no place near the Dar literary prize.' Additional albums uploaded to the Russian State Children's Library's Flickr account document the Kitovras Festival, which took place in August 2022 in Vladimir, a city located to the east of Moscow. During the festival, there was an event for abducted Ukrainian children at a local library. Beznosov is photographed at the event, as is Russian children's book author Andrei Usachev, who has been a vocal supporter of Putin and the war against Ukraine. In his Facebook post, Beznosov claimed that he had curated the children's program at the local park that year but denied any involvement in organizing the event for abducted Ukrainian children. He added that he was present at the event because he was 'asked to announce the participating writers' in the capacity of his role at the Russian State Children's Library. 'I had no involvement with the (event with abducted Ukrainian children in Vladimir), have never been to Donbas, and did not compile any guidelines for promoting the Russian language or other similar recommendations. I never received or saw any such materials,' he wrote. Beznosov did not respond to the Kyiv Independent's request for comment. Given the controversy surrounding Beznosov was sparked by his nomination for the Dar literary prize, Shishkin wrote on Facebook that 'to what extent Denis Beznosov participated in these crimes — and whether he participated at all — must be determined by (the Ukrainian authorities), not a literary prize.''People involved in crimes against humanity, in the deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, or in the genocide of the Ukrainian people have no place near the Dar literary prize.' Read also: Because of Russia, my child understood fear early Beznosov's professional background came under renewed scrutiny after Galina Rymbu, a Russian writer based in Ukraine, publicly alleged his complicity in the genocide of Ukrainians during his tenure at the Russian State Children's Library. In her posts, Rymbu highlighted that a closer examination of the events held by the library revealed that they were part of a larger, deliberate campaign to Russify abducted Ukrainian children. 'These camps (where children are brought) impose propaganda, cultural, educational, literary, and military-patriotic programming designed to erase Ukrainian identity and instill 'great Russian culture and language,' with the aim of convincing children they are now 'Russian,'' Rymbu explained in her initial post. 'Not just the deportation itself, but also these 're-education' camps and the propaganda and 'cultural' activities conducted in them are classified as acts of genocide by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe resolution.' Given the context of the full-scale war, the organization of events with abducted Ukrainian children would have been impossible without direct communication between the Russian State Children's Library and the Russian security services, Rymbu wrote. Photographs from the retreat with Ukrainian children posted in March 2022 on the Russian State Children's Library's Flickr page show a vehicle belonging to the Russian Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies, and Disaster Relief on the grounds. Rymbu also shared in her post a link to the grant application for 'The First Book Goes to the Children,' the Russian State Children's Library's program associated with 'cultural' events involving abducted Ukrainian children. The application is publicly available on the Russian Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives' website. It is presented as a project dedicated to preserving the 'all-Russian cultural identity' and 'counteracting the phenomenon of cancel culture.' The Russian State Children's Library proposes in the grant application that the "great Russian culture" can be a form of "psychological support" for Ukrainian children who 'relocated' to Russian territory. "The involvement of highly qualified specialists in children's reading engagement and child psychologists will help children and teenagers not only connect with great Russian culture through books but also comprehend the foundations of Russia's spiritual and moral code," the proposal reads. 'Anyone even remotely connected to Russia's occupation practices should be considered persona non grata.' Following Rymbu's investigative posts, several Russian artists in exile have rallied behind Beznosov, with Russian poet Dmitry Kuzmin even hinting at 'provocations orchestrated by Russian security services' behind the issue rather than engaging with the gravity of the allegations levied against Beznosov. Mikhail Edelstein, a Russian literary scholar who is listed on the expert council of Dar's website, even went as far to call Rymbu's posts 'disgusting manipulation and clout-chasing.' According to Russian author Sergei Lebedev, the absence of a clear anti-war, pro-Ukraine position among some members of the Russian literature community in exile reflects a deeper unwillingness to fully confront the scale of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. 'The key problem is that for many Russian cultural figures, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine started in 2022, not in 2014,' Lebedev told the Kyiv Independent. 'And between 2014 and 2022 lies a gray zone of silence and moral compromises that most participants obviously don't want to look into. However, Lebedev argues that it's important to confront those in Russian society who were complicit with Russia's war against Ukraine, regardless of the scale. 'Anyone even remotely connected to Russia's occupation practices should be considered persona non grata,' Lebedev wrote on social media. Hi, this is Kate Tsurkan, thank you for reading this article. The Kyiv Independent doesn't have a wealthy owner or a paywall. Instead, we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism funded. We're now aiming to grow our community to 20,000 members — if you liked this article, consider joining our community today. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
West Australian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Community spirit at the heart of Leonora Golden Gift
This year's Leonora Golden Gift was again one to remember as some of nation's fastest athletes joined Goldfields residents in a series of races that kept spectators entertained. The gold mining town's main drag came to life on Saturday with the much-anticipated work boot sprint, as well as children's activities, a fireworks display and performances from Coterie and Renegade. Sunday played host to junior athletics events and 120 metres, 600m and mile events for all ages before the headline men's and women's elite mile races. The total prize pool this year was $65,000. The iconic competition was formed in 2003 when athlete Raf Baugh and former Shire of Leonora president Graham Dawes floated an idea for a running race to reinvigorate the Goldfields town. Current shire president Peter Craig said this year's carnival went off without a hitch with perfect weather and a bumper field of competitors from all age groups. 'This is an opportunity for everybody, regardless of what age you are and your ability, to partake in the running,' he said. 'There's a lot of money on the table for the (elite runners) but there's certainly opportunities for the younger generation to show their wares and come through them as well.' On Friday, a youth basketball tournament took place and the Leonora Art Prize was opened. A bowls tournament and emergency response challenge also took place at the weekend. The neighbouring ghost town of Gwalia was also a popular attraction with visitors wishing to explore the hessian miners' cottages. Cr Craig said the Gift boosted the region's visitation and highlighted Leonora's rich outback history and heritage. 'Leonora has got a great history, we have Gwalia, the museum and Hoover House,' he said. 'It gives people an opportunity to visit our region. 'We certainly want to promote it and put it out there that the doors are always open to Leonora so come and have a look.' The Golden Gift usually takes place in conjunction with the annual Goldfields Cyclassic, however this event was cancelled this year. Cr Craig said Gift organisers hoped to see the return of the historic road race. 'Hopefully that does come back on the radar in coming years,' he said. 'We all know that everything costs a lot of money and you've got to have some good sponsors. 'We would certainly like to see it back on the cards again.'
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Fifth Third and Indy 500 Driver Graham Rahal Present Indiana Family With College Savings Plan
GREENSBURG, Ind., May 20, 2025 /3BL/ - Two cousins in Indiana are marking their shared birth date with a celebration that's a Fifth Third Better. That's because the babies – both born on 5/3 in different years – each are getting a $1,053 head start to their college funds, thanks to Fifth Third Bank and the Gift of College. Fifth Third Indiana President Mike Ash and Indy 500 driver Graham Rahal invited the families of those cousins to visit Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday, where the newest baby in the family, Emersyn, and her parents were gifted a care package. The package included a $1,053 gift card for a 529 College Savings Plan, as well as some goodies from Rahal Letterman Lanigan. It was a special extension of a unique program the Bank launched several years ago to welcome infants who arrived on 5/3. 'We are thrilled to be part of this incredible event once again with Fifth Third! Thinking about our experience with Fifth Third Babies in 2022 brings back such wonderful memories, especially since it happened right after we announced my wife was pregnant with our second daughter,' Rahal said. 'One of the many reasons we value our partnership with Fifth Third is their generous donation of $1,053 to start these kids on the right path toward college savings. This act of kindness and foresight is something we deeply value and it aligns perfectly with our own beliefs at Rahal Letterman Lanigan.' The Fifth Third Babies program is one of several ways the Bank celebrates a holiday that is all its own. Employees also mark May 3, or 5/3 on the calendar, with volunteerism and service in their local communities. Since 2017, the Fifth Third Babies program has also delivered more than $730,000 in 529 plan funding to the families of nearly 700 babies born on 5/3 through partnerships with 125 hospitals across seven states. The program rotates to new communities across Fifth Third's 11-state footprint each year. This year, Fifth Third worked with hospitals in Eastern Michigan and Southwest Florida to welcome Fifth Third Babies. In 2022, the Indiana market was part of the program. That's when Rylee Balser – Emersyn's cousin – received the college boost and other gifts. Three years to the day later, Emersyn McQueen came into the world at Columbus Regional Hospital, where mother Braelyn is a labor and delivery nurse. Mother and nurse, Braelyn, shared, 'Emersyn decided to make her entrance early! I was actually working a shift when I went into labor. My team was urging me to get in a hospital bed, but I told them I wasn't finished writing my reports. Needless to say, they won, and I ended my shift early to welcome my daughter Emersyn into the world!' 'When we heard about this remarkable coincidence, we knew we wanted to do something special for the family,' Ash said. 'And what better way than being on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Indy 500 driver, Graham Rahal. Graham was a large part of the program when Indianapolis hosted the event in 2022, so we're excited he is able to join us as he prepares for the 109th running of the Indy 500!' From May 3-29, members of the public also can participate in a social media sweepstakes to win one of 53 $1,053 Gift of College cards to be redeemed through state 529 college savings plans and a Fifth Third Babies bag. Winners will be selected on 529 Day, or May 29 on the calendar. More information and full sweepstakes rules are available online at 1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of the U.S., excluding New York. At least 18 years old to enter. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins May 3, 2025, at 12:00 AM EST and ends May 29, 2025, at 8:00 AM EST. For complete sweepstakes rules visit Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Meta Platforms, Inc. ### About Fifth ThirdFifth Third is a bank that's as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we've been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it's one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation's highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust. Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol 'FITB.' Investor information and press releases can be viewed at Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC. CONTACT: Carrie Hagovsky, Regional Marketing Manager(317) 383-2106 | [email protected] Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Fifth Third Bancorp
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Obituary: Rick Buckler, musician
Rick Buckler of The Jam outside the Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo, Japan, May 15, 1981. Rick Buckler was the business-like drummer in British band The Jam, an outfit which racked up four No 1 singles and four top 10 albums in the late 1970s and early '80s. The Jam (Buckler, Paul Weller on vocals and guitar and Bruce Foxton on bass) started out at the forefront of the punk explosion, but as the trio matured they embraced influences from Northern Soul, Motown and the British invasion bands to become an influential pop trio in their own right. Born in Woking, Buckler was a year or more ahead of his future bandmates at secondary school: a self-taught drummer, he joined Weller's band for an early show at a local youth club. He quit school when he was 17 and threw himself full-time into what had become The Jam. A hard-working band which would play anywhere and everywhere, they showed more polish and more endurance than most of their punk contemporaries, going on to score 18 consecutive top 40 singles in the UK. After the band split in 1982, Buckler played in various short-lived bands before deciding in 2005 to capitalise on his history and formed the Gift to play material from The Jam. Foxton briefly played in the Gift, the rhythm section having earlier collaborated on a book about their Jam experiences. Rick Buckler died on February 17, aged 69.
New York Post
29-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
Celebrate Mom in style with Clinique's top picks for Mother's Day
New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. I clearly remember the first time I stepped foot in front of a Clinique counter at my local mall. During each mall trip, I'd walk through Macy's with my mom, land at the glass counter with the large 'C' display and gaze at the rows of floral-embossed makeup bags. For years, Clinique has been a favorite beauty brand among many. Whether you're a 40-something-year-old mom or a 13-year-old girl (as I was) purchasing her first mascara, it's a brand that's unbeatable for sensitive skin and for providing a natural glam finish. There's still time to pick up Clinique's Spring Gift for mom, too.. Enjoy a 10-piece gift free with an eligible $85 order (worth up to $204) until May 4. Advertisement So, this Mother's Day, it's only natural for me to suggest the top gifts for Mother's Day to consider from Clinique. Ahead, find all of the Clinique gifts that mom will adore this Mother's Day. After reviewing hundreds of products as a beauty editor, the below are all top-tier suggestions to snag before May 11. Clinique Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is a cult-favorite lip product that offers a sheer, glossy tint with a natural finish to enhance your lips' natural color. Its deep burgundy hue in the tube transforms into a universally flattering berry shade upon application, making it suitable for all skin tones. Namely, this lightweight, moisturizing balm-lipstick hybrid provides a subtle, just-bitten look and is easy to apply without the need for a mirror. Clinique One of my favorite moisturizers, revealed. Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is a dermatologist-developed moisturizer designed for dry to dry-combination skin, which is ideal for my skin type. Its lightweight, silky texture absorbs quickly, providing 8-hour hydration, thanks to its formulation containing glycerin. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid — the ingredient widely proven to add suppleness and hydration to the skin — along with a blend of barley, sunflower and cucumber. With its ingredient mix, it delivers a healthy-looking glow that's 100% fragrance-free. Clinique Is it me, or is every mom obsessed with eye creams these days? Grab the Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream. It's a dermatologist-developed formula designed to strengthen and rejuvenate the delicate skin around the eyes, and one of the best I tested. It's powered by the brand's proprietary CL1870 Peptide Complex and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and smooth fine lines. It also visibly de-puffs the eye area. Amazon Clinique's Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips is an *amazing* product designed to gently and effectively remove makeup from the eyes and lips. Its non-irritating, non-stinging formula dissolves even long-wearing and waterproof makeup without tugging, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and clean. It's ophthalmologist-tested and is excellent for sensitive eyes, especially. Amazon There's something about gifting someone you love a lipstick shade that'll soon become their new favorite. For that reason, I recommend the Clinique Pop Longwear Lipstick. It offers long-lasting, full-coverage color in three finishes: Satin, Matte and Shine. Infused with a built-in primer, it ensures smooth application and comfortable wear, delivering ultra-pigmented color that lasts up to 8 hours without fading. This lipstick is also allergy-tested, 100% fragrance-free and with a lovely finish. Clinique Clinique Happy Eau de Parfum Spray is a vibrant and uplifting fragrance that combines fresh citrus notes with a rich floral heart. It's a scent that mom will adore — with a bottle that's simple and pure. Clinique To celebrate the advent of summer drawing near, the Clinique Sunny Day Staples Set will make mom's day. Inside, she'll receive the brand's Moisture Surge Face Spray to replenish her skin, the Superdefense City Block Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Face Sunscreen for all-day protection, a lip gloss and a contour stick — all encased in a gorgeous carry-all makeup case. Yes, yes, yes and yes. Clinique Another gift set that'll allow mom to sample a smorgasbord of Clinique is its Clinique Makeup MVPs. For less than $50, it contains the Take the Day Off Makeup Remover, an eyeliner, lip product and mascara that are all revolutionary. This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what's truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria's latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored. Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted.
