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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Three-day magical theme park visit rivals Disneyland
It might be a two hour flight away, and a five and a half hour drive, but a growing number of Brits believe Efteling is well worth the journey. Most Brits have a love-hate relationship with theme parks, often finding themselves grumbling about the long queues, exorbitant prices, and less-than-stellar food. We've all been there, shelling out a small fortune for a day of standing in line, only to enjoy a few fleeting moments of rollercoaster excitement, while simultaneously trying to keep pesky wasps away from our overpriced fast food. But fear not, there's an alternative. If you're up for a bit of a journey, you can find yourself at Efteling, located near Tilburg in the Netherlands, in just three and a half hours from Calais. You might be thinking, is it really worth the extra effort and cost? Well, an increasing number of Brits certainly think so - including Nottinghamshire Live executive editor Sam Dimmer. Sam recently embarked on a trip to the park to see if it lived up to its growing reputation, reports the Express. He shared: "My family and I spent three nights at Efteling, travelling from the East Midlands. Our hotel room included park passes for four days. It cost £1,200 in total, but considering park tickets cost around £180 a day for a family of four, I think that represents good value." Sam had previously visited the park but only stayed one night, which he felt wasn't enough. Plus, the park had recently unveiled a new ride he was eager to try. He added: "We felt that three nights was just about enough this time around, but still very nearly missed an entire section of the park because it wasn't where all of the main rides were." Initially, Sam planned to keep track of how many rides we went on, but that idea was quickly abandoned. He said: "The theme park is open from 10am until 10pm and the queues rarely go above 30 minutes, so you're going to be quite busy, particularly late in the evening. "Also the virtual queuing on two rides, and the app advising you how long queues are, mean you can plan your day to spend as little time as possible queueing. "When you've got younger kids, or kids with additional needs, that's a lifesaver." Efteling is a family-friendly theme park and last year Sam's eight year old was able to go on all the rides, including the Baron, a vertical drop coaster similar to Oblivion at Alton Towers but with superior theming. This means that around 7pm, many visitors start heading for the exit and the queues for the bigger thrill rides and the darker new ride, Danse Macabre, only take 10 to 15 minutes. Those rides? They're absolutely brilliant. Sam said: "Yes, it's a family park, with brilliant playgrounds, a fantasy forest, incredible theming and based around fantastic stories. But my oh my, the rides are good. The aforementioned Baron, wooden race coasters Joris and the Dragon and water coaster the Flying Dutchman are tremendous fun, but the best ride is the newest - Danse Macabre." Danse Macabre was Sam's favourite - in fact, he and his family rode it seven times. He said: "Yes, it broke down on the last day and the queues were long, but this is a special ride. Guests sit in rows of church pews, before the whole room goes dark. Then you're spun around the room, like you're dancing, watching an orchestra of ghosts and ghouls went on it seven times and each time we saw something new. Every time people applauded when the ride ended. It's that good. It's beautifully put together, exceptionally clever, and so fun." The food is delicious Typically during Sam's theme park adventures he packs his own lunch to dodge the pricey and often disappointing food - but at Efteling there were no complaints about the cuisine. He said: "The park is famous for many things, and the food is definitely one of them. The chimney cakes, pastry cones filled with an assortment of fruit, cream, chocolate, candy floss etc etc are a delight, although I wouldn't recommend eating one before hitting a big ride, and you can also sample Dutch treats like poffertjes (little pancakes) and kibbeling (deep fried spiced fish with a delicious dip). "If anything the food is better than last year. Pinnokio's pizza and pasta restaurant was a hit with my family, as was the meal at Het Eethuys, a hotel on site. "My favourite though was Polles Keuken, a pancake restaurant that served huge sweet or savoury pancakes against a brilliant backdrop." Nevertheless, it's crucial to reserve these restaurants beforehand as they can become extremely packed. Allow yourself plenty of time to wander Efteling isn't a massive park but you'll definitely miss something if you're not paying attention. Sam said: "We only spotted the huge playground because I saw a post on the incredibly helpful Efteling Fans UK Group and decided to go on the monorail at 9.30pm. "We also spotted the Efteling museum and a great self-serve restaurant in the area that we returned to the next day. This was on day three of four in the park, and we weren't planning on doing as much on our final day, but decided to stick around because we kept spotting new things to do." For visitors who fancy a gentler experience or youngsters not quite prepared for breakneck thrills, the Fairytale Forest provides a charming escape. This magical zone boasts a collection of breathtaking exhibits, some motionless and others moving, presenting guests with an array of peculiar personalities, including Long Neck, a chap with an remarkably stretched neck. Efteling is enchanting Sam was thoroughly taken with the attraction, explaining: "The thing about Efteling is it doesn't feel like a place designed to suck money out of you. It feels like they genuinely care about you having a great time. The staff, for example, are unbelievable. I clumsily asked one in Dutch if he spoke English and he looked at me and told me he spoke five languages and was learning a sixth. "It's clean, the music is wonderful and it smells so good they actually sell Efteling scents in the gift shop. My wife's salon now smells very much like Efteling. I love Alton Towers, but I don't think I'd particularly want to bottle the smell of a day out in Staffordshire." Anton Pieck, an artist and illustrator, was one of the founders of Efteling and his work continues to inspire the park today. His influence is still felt, making visitors feel as though they are truly walking through a fairytale. It's worth considering an overnight stay. Not many theme parks necessitate an overnight stay, as usually a day is sufficient. Alton Towers in the UK might be an exception, but at Efteling, three nights didn't seem excessive. Sam's hotel was a picturesque ten-minute stroll from the park entrance, passing lakes, playgrounds and a fairytale castle. He said the rooms were "ideal", offering ample space for a family of four, with comfortable beds, a large bath and a powerful shower. There's even a swimming pool, perfect for younger kids. Be prepared for a good deal of walking This won't come as a surprise to seasoned theme-park visitors, but you will certainly clock up the steps. Sam said: "There's a beautiful little steam train that takes you around the park, but we didn't use it as the park itself isn't huge. "It's a decision I regretted at the end of day four as we prepared to drive to Calais, although a decent pair of trainers helped me just about get through. We were averaging between 25,000-30,000 steps a day, which is a good old shift, but we were going from 10am to 10pm. "We're a family who enjoys being active, but for those who find walking challenging, this might not be as enjoyable. However, there are measures you can take to make it easier, and we do enjoy a good walk."
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘To create Olympic warriors' – India's new Archery Premier League aims for bull's eye
The myth that India just cannot win an Olympic archery medal, has taken root with each heartbreak and fourth place disappointment at subsequent Games. But the mythology – and separately the history – of India being an ancient land of great archers, however, will provide the inspiration for the Archery Premier League, with the first edition set to kick off on Dasra, the last day of Navratri, October 2, which is also Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. Modern-day mental demons of India's finest archers tend to be the performance pressure that drags them down at every Olympics, and it is this mythical beast that the Archery Association of India seeks to prepare them against, through the league. The 6-team league is expected to run from October 2 – 14, and the likely venue would be the Yamuna Sports Complex. While Dr Joris doesn't disclose the teams which will be announced in coming days, social media activity points to possible franchises from Ranchi, Delhi, Telangana, Chennai, Bangalore and possibly a team from either Maharashtra or Rajasthan to honour the western flank warriors of the country. The team match will be contested over mixed team duels – each in Recurve and Compound (now an Olympic event) – and a total of 10 days will be devoted to round robin fixtures, with 3 matches per day. Each match will last 20 minutes, and the arrow shooting time has been reduced to 15 seconds from the internationally allotted 20 seconds, 'to pile the pressure and get them used to tension.' It must be recollected that many big names in Indian archery have wilted in the competition cauldron of Olympics, falling to nerves, even while winning in minimal pressure 'World Cups'. Korea, the world's premier Archery nation is known to simulate pressure tactics for its archers and put them under intense stress, in their domestic competitions. This promises to be a trial by fire, for Indian archers too, as crowds will be encouraged to create a noisy din. 'We want to make the event much faster so that it's a sterner Test,' Dr Ummacherial says. While Doordarshan will loyally broadcast the league, talks are underway for OTT presentation with JioStar and Sony both. Teams have been nudged to enlist brand ambassadors, and film stars and famous sportspersons will be unveiled in coming days, aligned to every team. While the doctor didn't divulge any details, a corporate that has been part of Indian archery's journey for many decades, is expected to take up the Ranchi franchise. The other franchise owners are not historically associated with archery. The inaugural season will see players drafted, and not auctioned, and each squad of 8 members (4 women & 4 men), can have 2 foreign archers on their roster, and are mandated to field 1 of them, amongst the 4 that will make up the team. An archer ranked in Top 10 in the world stands to earn USD 10,000, while someone that is Top 8 in India, but not Top 20 in world, will earn USD 8000. A few other rules, not part of international archery, have been included. Besides the shorter drawing and pull time, a shootoff in case of a tie, will have a sudden death, though an extra point will be given for a smack bullseye – besides the inner/outer points system of the concentric rings. The target distances remain 70 metres and 50 metres. It is also learnt that one point of contention at the ideating stage of the APL was the competition gear of archers. One idea floated was that teams will cosplay and pick a regional, traditional outfit to create the cultural vibe. Archery's technical officials with their sights on the ultimate goal of Olympic medal, though, insisted that archers stick to their international standard competition gear, but could turn up for interviews in ethnic wear, that highlights Indian culture. It's time for mythology to pave the path for the country's top archers to bust myths of their non-medalling and become modern day history-makers.
News18
17-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
Indian Archery League Set To Launch In October 2025; AAI Hires Lee As India Coach
Last Updated: The Indian Archery League, with six city teams, starts in October at New Delhi's Yamuna Sports Complex. Delayed since 2020, it has sponsorship and is in talks with broadcasters. The highly anticipated franchise-based 'Indian Archery League' is finally set to commence in October at the Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi, featuring six city-based teams, as confirmed by Archery Association of India (AAI) treasurer Joris Paulose Ummacheril on Tuesday. Initially conceptualised in 2020, the league faced delays due to a lack of sponsors. However, the AAI has now secured sponsorship and is in discussions with broadcasters, including Sony Sports and JioHotstar, to launch the league this year. This will be the world's first franchise league in archery, and the federation is hopeful of a strong response that will significantly aid in the development of Indian archers, who are yet to win an Olympic medal. 'Everything will be finalised by the end of this month, and we are hopeful of launching the league in October. We are calling it the Indian Archery League, but the name is not yet finalised," Joris told PTI. Three teams from Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru have already been confirmed, with the remaining franchises to be decided soon. Each franchise will represent a city, depending on ownership and league plans. Each team will consist of eight archers, with four in recurve and four in compound, including two men and two women in each category. It will be mandatory for each team to include two overseas archers. 'We've seen how the IPL has revolutionised Indian cricket, and we are confident this league will do something similar for archery," another AAI official said. As reported by PTI last week, Lee's appointment has now been formally approved, and the contract, running until the LA Games, has been sent to him for signature. 'The Sports Authority of India has accepted all his terms and conditions after the final round of interviews. He is expected to sign the contract in the next couple of days," Joris confirmed. Lee is expected to join the Indian team after the World Championship in September and before the inaugural Archery League. Aged 67, Lee has an impressive coaching legacy, having guided archers to over 300 World Cup medals, including more than 150 gold, and three Olympic podium finishes during his tenure with the USA from 2006 to 2024. He also coached Australia's Simon Fairweather to gold at Sydney 2000 and Tim Cuddihy to bronze at Athens 2004. His most decorated protégé is Brady Ellison, a five-time Olympic medallist, widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest names, thanks in large part to Lee's structured training programmes and innovative techniques. 'Initially, we wanted to offer him a contract until the 2032 Olympics, but considering his age, we'll review things after Los Angeles," Joris added. Lee is expected to work across both the elite and junior recurve programmes, further strengthening India's Olympic prospects. Rahul Banerjee likely to travel as women's coach Former Olympian and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rahul Banerjee, currently the personal coach of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, is likely to travel with the Indian team for the World Cup Stage 4 in Madrid (July 8–13) and the World Championships in Gwangju (September 5–12). If confirmed, Banerjee will replace long-serving women's coach Poornima Mahato. 'As per the current policy, the coach of the top-ranked Indian archer travels with the team. Deepika topped the qualification round, so Banerjee is tipped to go," Joris said. (with agency inputs)
New York Times
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Pierre Joris, Translator of the ‘Impossible' Paul Celan, Dies at 78
Pierre Joris, a poet and translator who tackled some of the 20th century's most difficult verse, rendering into English the complex work of the German-Romanian poet Paul Celan, died on Feb. 27 at his home in Brooklyn. He was 78. His wife, Nicole Peyraffite, said the cause was complications of cancer. Mr. Joris was the author of dozens of volumes of his own poetry and prose. But much of his life's work was spent grappling with the poetry of Celan, whom many critics considered, in the words of one scholar, 'arguably the greatest European poet in the postwar period.' That greatness comes with a hitch for readers, though: the fiendish difficulty of a writer whose lyrics were formed and deformed by the crucible of the Holocaust — 'that which happened,' as Celan termed it. Both his parents were murdered by the Nazis in what is now Romania. Less than 30 years later, Celan put an end to his own life in France, jumping into the Seine river in 1970 at the age of 49. In between, he felt he had to invent a new version of German, the cultured language he was brought up in as a member of the Jewish bourgeoisie in Czernowitz (now part of Ukraine). But it had to be cleansed of Nazi barbarism. The result would be 'truly an invented German,' as Mr. Joris (pronounced JOR-iss) wrote in the introduction to 'Breathturn Into Timestead' (2014), his translations of Celan's later works. A public reading of Celan's best-known work, the hypnotic 'Death Fugue,' was 'an epiphany' for Mr. Joris as a 15-year-old high school student in his native Luxembourg, he told the New York State Writers Institute in 2014. The poem was inspired by the murder of Celan's mother in 1942. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
