Latest news with #MarieAntoinette
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Six EMK musicals coming to Disney+ next month
Some of Korea's most iconic homegrown musicals by EMK Musical Company are heading to streaming for the first time. The leading South Korean producer of original and licensed musical productions announced Monday that six of its biggest titles — 'Elisabeth,' 'Phantom,' 'Monte Cristo,' 'The Man Who Laughs,' 'Xcalibur' and 'Marie Antoinette ' — will be released on Disney+ this August. With this release, EMK hopes to offer longtime fans a chance to relive the experience while also introducing first-time watchers to the emotional depths of the genre, according to the company's statement. Launching the rollout on Aug. 6 are 'Elisabeth: The Musical Live' and 'Phantom: The Musical Live.' The Korean edition of 'Elisabeth," which traces the tragic life of Austria's iconic empress, premiered in 2012. The live recording of the production's 10th anniversary performance featuring Ock Joo-hyun and Lee Ji-hoon was released in cinemas last year. 'Phantom,' based on Gaston Leroux's 'The Phantom of the Opera,' was captured in 2021 with cinematic close-ups and immersive sound. The production stars KyuHyun, Shin Young-sook and ballerina Kim Joo-won. On Aug. 13, 'Monte Cristo' and 'The Man Who Laughs' arrive. Filmed in 8K with 14 cinematic cameras, 'Monte Cristo' showcases actors such as Kai and Lina in a dynamic, onstage perspective. 'The Man Who Laughs' was recorded in 2018, when the musical adaption of Victor Hugo's novel was premiered. In 2019, the 143-minute director's edition, featuring Park Kang-hyun, Shin Young-sook and Yang Joon-mo, was released in Korean cinemas. 'Xcalibur,' a retelling of the Arthurian legend, and 'Marie Antoinette,' which contrasts the ill-fated queen's life with that of the fictional revolutionary Marguerite Arnaud, roll out on Aug. 20. "We want to offer audience members who had attended the performances a chance to relive the emotions they felt at the time, while providing those who were unable to visit the theater in person an opportunity to newly experience the essence of the musical through high-definition video and immersive sound," the company said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Where luxury meets discovery: An island-hopping guide through Seychelles
For travellers seeking sun, sand and exclusivity, Seychelles promises an island-hopping experience rich in culture, nature and elegant luxury. An archipelago of 115 islands scattered like gems across the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is known for its rare biodiversity and Creole Seychelles, slow travel meets exclusivity; you are invited to explore its many facets at an unhurried pace. Imagine hiking through pristine, UNESCO protected forests, tasting freshly-caught fish that's grilled to perfection, or snorkelling amid coral reefs in turquoise waters.A direct 4.5-hour flight away from Mumbai (operated by Indigo four times a week), with visa-free access for Indian passport holders (requiring only a swift travel authorisation via seychelles. and curated stays for every pocket, Seychelles strikes a rare balance of accessibility, exclusivity, local character and a quick look at the different places to check out in Seychelles:Mahé, the largest island, serves as the perfect introduction to Seychelles's cultural and natural riches. Morne Seychellois National Park offers hiking trails that lead to sweeping views of the island. Popular beaches such as Beau Vallon provide swimming and water sport opportunities. For more secluded stretches, Anse Royale, Anse Takamaka, and Anse Intendance promise quieter moments by the taste the spirit of Seychelles, a visit to the Takamaka Rum Distillery at La Plaine St André is a must. Take the free distillery tour before indulging in rum tastings in the heritage setting. The historic Marie Antoinette restaurant in a 150-year-old plantation-style building, offering authentic Creole flavours. At Le Jardin du Roi Spice Garden, guests can enjoy a farm-to-table lunch surrounded by aromatic marine world around Mahé offers adventures that can be explored via either a private yacht or group charters. A full-day excursion typically combines glass-bottomed boat tours, snorkelling in Saint Anne Marine Park and a Creole barbecue lunch on Moyenne Island with local island tunes you won't forget. For a different perspective, you can opt for a semi-submarine ride from Eden Island.A short 15-minute domestic flight or a 70-minute Cat Cocos ferry from Mahé brings you to Praslin, home to some of Seychelles's most remarkable natural wonders. The Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shelters the rare Coco de Mer palm and the elusive black parrot. Its walking trails suit both casual strollers and more serious beaches — Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio and Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or) — regularly rank among the world's finest. Nearby, Curieuse Island is home to over 300 free-roaming giant tortoises in a protected habitat. Bird enthusiasts can plan seasonal visits to Bird Island or Aride Island to see rare species like the Seychelles warbler and the those looking to sample local cuisine, waterfront restaurants such as Mabuya and Café des Arts serve up Creole specialities with views of the ocean.A short 15-minute Cat Rose ferry ride from Praslin takes you to La Digue, the smallest of the three main islands and perhaps the most charming. Bicycles and electric buggies are the preferred ways to explore its quiet lanes and scenic coastline. Anse Source d'Argent, with its unique granite formations, remains one of the world's most photographed beaches. Other picturesque spots such as Anse Cocos, Grand Anse and Anse Reunion offer peaceful L'Union Estate, visitors can glimpse the island's past through its vanilla plantations, old copra factory and a small colony of Aldabra tortoises. Dining on La Digue is relaxed and hyperlocal. Fishtrap Restaurant and Chez Jules are well-loved for their fresh seafood and Creole from Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, Seychelles holds another, more remote dimension of luxury for those seeking further seclusion and elevated service. These havens, often on private islands, are defined by sustainable luxury; here, opulence is defined by an unwavering commitment to the environment along with bespoke such as North, Félicité, Desroches, Denis and Fregate exemplify this approach. The ultra-exclusive resorts on these islands are pioneers in ecological restoration and sustainable living. They offer an unprecedented level of privacy, where pristine beaches and lush interiors are carefully preserved to ensure maximum ecological these addresses, discerning guests are not just observers but are often invited to participate in meaningful conservation initiatives. Imagine dedicating a morning to joining marine biologists in coral reef restoration efforts, directly contributing to the vitality of the underwater world you've just explored. Or taking part in supporting the propagation and care of the juvenile Aldabra tortoises, ensuring the survival of these iconic island inhabitants. These experiences are privileged opportunities to leave a positive legacy, deepening the connection to this pristine is more than a postcard-perfect destination and it is for everyone. It's a living tapestry of African, French and Indian influences — something that is reflected in its food, music, culture and daily Indian travellers, easy flights and visa processing make this paradise surprisingly accessible, yet retains its sense of exclusive discovery, catering to the tastes of today's conscious, experience-driven whether you're hiking through Praslin's ancient forests, cycling La Digue's quiet lanes or unwinding on your own stretch of private island sand, Seychelles delivers an island-hopping adventure rich in culture, natural beauty, and genuine charm — and all remarkably close to India.
Local France
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Local France
How did July 14th become France's national day?
July 14th is France's national day - in which the country celebrates its history and its national identity and also enjoys a good party. READ ALSO : July 14th: What's happening during France's Fête nationale this year✎ The event is known in English as Bastille Day, even though this term is not used in France where the day is known as La fête nationale or simply le quatorze juillet . But, as the English title suggests, the date itself commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 - the day when a mob of freedom-loving Parisians stormed the hated symbol of monarchical tyranny and freed the political prisoners the king had locked up there, thus starting the French Revolution. Well, sort of . . It's true that the Bastille was stormed on July 14th 1789, but although the prison had in the past been used to hold political prisoners - including large numbers of protestants - by 1789 it was mostly empty. Advertisement According to contemporary records , on the date it was stormed it held just seven prisoners - four counterfeiters, two 'madmen' and a nobleman accused of sexual perversion. The early Revolutionaries may have had more practical matters in mind, as the Bastille was also a royal arsenal. They managed to seize cannons and gunpowder for the weapons that they had recently taken from Les Invalides. The following year, the anniversary of the event was marked with the Fête de la Federation - this contained some elements that we would recognise, including a military parade on the Champ de Mars (nowadays the site of the Eiffel Tower) and some that we definitely wouldn't including swearing an oath of allegiance to the King. Yes, the King and Queen were both there - a Mass was celebrated and then those assembled took an oath to the Crown, the Nation and the Law. The threefold oath indicates the power shift that had taken place within the previously absolutist monarchy of France but revolutions can be slow-moving things and it was not until three years later that Louis XVI was executed, followed by his queen Marie Antoinette. The July 14th event of 1790 proved to be a one-off, the Fête de la Federation was never celebrated again - perhaps because the revolutionaries were embarrassed at the royal oath-swearing, perhaps they simply had other things on their mind as the Revolution moved into its final and bloody form during the Terror. The idea of July 14th as a 'start date' for the Revolution is something that came about more gradually as people looked back to the event itself and what came after. But it was a nice symbol and a suitably dramatic event that soon began being immortalised in paintings, poems, songs and novels. Arguably the opening of the États généraux - the parliament that represented ordinary Frenchmen as well as nobles - in 1789 was a more significant event, but a bunch of men having a meeting is quite a boring subject for artworks. A protester clutching a copy of a painting depicting the 1789 storming of the Bastille, at a demo in France in 2021. Photo by Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS / AFP Advertisement It took almost 100 years before July 14th came back as a special day - it was finally enshrined as France's national day, and a public holiday, in 1880, after several years of discussion. During the debates on the subject in parliament several other dates were suggested including May 5th (the anniversary of the opening of the Etats généreaux) and August 4th (anniversary of the abolition of hereditary privileges) - in the event July 14th was chosen but the law formalising it does not specify whether it is intended to mark the storming of the Bastille, the Fête de la federation or both. Advertisement Since the storming of the Bastille, France had been a monarchy, a republic, a restored monarchy, an empire (under self-proclaimed emperor Napoleon) and a republic again but by 1880 it was settled into the form that it - mostly - has been in ever since; a republic with a parliamentary democracy. A military parade took place on the first event in 1880 and has been involved in most July 14th celebrations since, although it only started being held on the Champs-Elysées in 1919, when it featured World War I veterans alongside the serving soldiers. A more recent tradition was started by Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in 1978 - the presidential TV interview. This doesn't happen every year, and some presidents prefer to do a speech rather than an interview, but in most years the French president speaks to their people via the TV. The Bastille prison is no more, but the place where it once stood is in more or less the same place as Place de la Bastille. This large open space is used for various events, but it's often the site of protests or demonstrations, thus retaining its revolutionary edge.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Here Are 19 Very, Very, Very Common Historical Facts That We All Assumed Were True, But Are Actually Just Myths
Aztecs didn't call themselves Aztecs; they called themselves Mexica. The term "Aztec" was later popularized by European scholars in the 18th century, derived from Aztlán, the mythical homeland of the Mexica people. Antoinette's real name was Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna. She was, of course, Austrian, but her name was Frenchified when she married the then-future King Louis XVI of France. Mona Lisa didn't become a famous painting until 114 years ago. In fact, it was relatively obscure for centuries. Its rise to global fame began in 1911, when it was stolen from the Louvre by an Italian handyman named Vincenzo Peruggia, who believed the painting belonged in Italy. The heist made international headlines and turned the painting into a sensation. When it was eventually recovered two years later, massive crowds came to see it. Bonaparte wasn't actually short; he was about 5'6" or 5'7" (by modern standards), which was an average height for a man of that time. The reason we think he is short is that British caricatures and propaganda portrayed him as comically small to undermine his power. term "computer" actually predates the machine — it originally referred to a person who performed repetitive calculations by hand. These human computers were often employed to do complex math for science, engineering, and navigation long before electronic computers existed. The word only shifted to describe computer machines in the 1950s. were female gladiators in Ancient Rome — known as gladiatrices. Though far less common than their male counterparts, they did the exact same things. They were eventually banned, likely because their presence challenged traditional Roman gender roles. Rome and Ancient Greece were actually full of color, and not the plain white marble and stone we often imagine today. Temples, homes, and public buildings were often painted in bright colors, decorated with murals, mosaics, and intricate patterns, while white marble statues were originally covered in vivid paints. Of course, over time, the paint wore away. During the Renaissance, when artists and architects rediscovered Roman ruins, they mistook the faded marble for the intended aesthetic. The myth was further cemented by Johann Joachim Winckelmann, an influential 18th-century German art historian, who believed that the pure white look of ancient statues and architecture reflected a higher aesthetic ideal and was the pinnacle of classical beauty. He refused to accept any evidence that contradicted his belief. Salem "witches" weren't burned at the stake. They were hanged or beheaded, but their bodies were burned after the fact to make sure they didn't cast spells after death. Being burned at the stake for being a witch was actually something they did in Europe from the late 1400s through the 1700s, which is a reason we associate that with the Salem Witch Trials. van Beethoven wasn't completely deaf when he composed many of his most famous works. His hearing declined gradually over time. In his early career, he could still hear well enough to perform and conduct, and even as his hearing worsened, he continued to compose with the help of muscle memory, vibration, and written notation. The common myth we all heard was that he couldn't hear at all by the time he wrote his final symphony, Symphony No. 9. However, that isn't true — he still could hear faintly. Library of Alexandria didn't burn down in a single catastrophic event. The reality is that its destruction was a gradual process that happened over centuries. The library suffered from multiple attacks, damage (like during Julius Caesar's siege of Alexandria in 48 BCE), political turmoil, and long periods of neglect. Kennedy's iconic pink suit is, of course, forever linked to JFK's assassination. However, it wasn't a suit she had just for that trip; she wore the suit publicly at least six times before that day. Below is a photo of her wearing it to visit her sister, Lee Radziwill, in London in March 1962, and when the then-Maharajah and Maharani of Jaipur visited the White House in October 1962. Robert Haswell/Mirrorpix via Getty Images/ Tony Davis/Mirrorpix via Getty Images, Getty Images/ Kennedy Library Archives / Newsmaker didn't wear horned helmets. They likely wore simple helmets made of metal or leather. The idea that they wore them came from costume designer Carl Emil Doepler, who created horned helmets for the Viking characters in the German opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen in the 1870s. to popular belief, medieval people didn't think the Earth was flat. In fact, educated people knew it was round. Scholars in the Middle Ages, especially those influenced by ancient Greek and Roman texts, widely accepted the Earth's spherical shape. The myth that everyone thought the world was flat started in the 1830s to paint the Middle Ages as a "dark" and ignorant era that was held back by the Catholic Church. people weren't concerned that Christopher Columbus would fall off the Earth because it was flat. They were concerned that he had underestimated the size of the world, and that he would run out of supplies in the middle of the ocean before he made it to Asia. the popular myth, the Ford Model T didn't only come in black. When the Model T launched in 1908, buyers could choose from colors like red, blue, green, and gray. However, between 1914 and 1925, Ford standardized production for efficiency, and black became the standard (and often only) color the Model T came in. Although black dominated during those peak years, color options returned toward the end of production, which officially ended in 1927. pirates didn't bury their treasure — that's more legend than reality. In truth, they spent their loot quickly on things like food, alcohol, weapons, and women. Life at sea was dangerous and short, so pirates tended to live in the moment. Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island is largely responsible for popularizing the myth of pirates burying treasure. television existed in the '50s — the technology for it had been in development since the '40s. But, few people owned color TV sets because they were very pricey. A color television set cost about $1,000 in 1954, which is over $11,900 today if adjusted for inflation. Additionally, there weren't many color TV shows or specials broadcast since they were very expensive to produce. the 1980s, the Roswell UFO crash was basically an unknown event. While it was huge news in 1947, when it happened, it quickly got forgotten after the United States Air Force issued an almost immediate retraction that they had not recovered a crashed UFO in Roswell, New Mexico, and that it had been debris from a downed weather balloon. It wasn't until a 1980 book, The Roswell Incident, that the story was revived with claims of a government cover-up and alien bodies. The Roswell Incident not only further delved into the story, but it also claimed that they interviewed witnesses to the event and how the government worked at covering it up. Also, in 1980, the National Enquirer published an interview with someone who had allegedly picked up the debris from the crash. lastly, the United States didn't have an official national anthem until 1931 — more than 150 years after gaining independence. It wasn't until Congress passed a resolution and Herbert Hoover signed it into law that "The Star-Spangled Banner" became the official anthem. Before that, there was no single song that represented the nation.
Buzz Feed
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Common Historical Myths Debunked
The Aztecs didn't call themselves Aztecs; they called themselves Mexica. The term "Aztec" was later popularized by European scholars in the 18th century, derived from Aztlán, the mythical homeland of the Mexica people. Marie Antoinette's real name was Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna. She was, of course, Austrian, but her name was Frenchified when she married the then-future King Louis XVI of France. The Mona Lisa didn't become a famous painting until 114 years ago. In fact, it was relatively obscure for centuries. Its rise to global fame began in 1911, when it was stolen from the Louvre by an Italian handyman named Vincenzo Peruggia, who believed the painting belonged in Italy. The heist made international headlines and turned the painting into a sensation. When it was eventually recovered two years later, massive crowds came to see it. Napoleon Bonaparte wasn't actually short; he was about 5'6" or 5'7" (by modern standards), which was an average height for a man of that time. The reason we think he is short is that British caricatures and propaganda portrayed him as comically small to undermine his power. The term "computer" actually predates the machine — it originally referred to a person who performed repetitive calculations by hand. These human computers were often employed to do complex math for science, engineering, and navigation long before electronic computers existed. The word only shifted to describe computer machines in the 1950s. There were female gladiators in Ancient Rome — known as gladiatrices. Though far less common than their male counterparts, they did the exact same things. They were eventually banned, likely because their presence challenged traditional Roman gender roles. Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece were actually full of color, and not the plain white marble and stone we often imagine today. Temples, homes, and public buildings were often painted in bright colors, decorated with murals, mosaics, and intricate patterns, while white marble statues were originally covered in vivid paints. Of course, over time, the paint wore away. During the Renaissance, when artists and architects rediscovered Roman ruins, they mistook the faded marble for the intended aesthetic. The myth was further cemented by Johann Joachim Winckelmann, an influential 18th-century German art historian, who believed that the pure white look of ancient statues and architecture reflected a higher aesthetic ideal and was the pinnacle of classical beauty. He refused to accept any evidence that contradicted his belief. The Salem "witches" weren't burned at the stake. They were hanged or beheaded, but their bodies were burned after the fact to make sure they didn't cast spells after death. Being burned at the stake for being a witch was actually something they did in Europe from the late 1400s through the 1700s, which is a reason we associate that with the Salem Witch Trials. Ludwig van Beethoven wasn't completely deaf when he composed many of his most famous works. His hearing declined gradually over time. In his early career, he could still hear well enough to perform and conduct, and even as his hearing worsened, he continued to compose with the help of muscle memory, vibration, and written notation. The common myth we all heard was that he couldn't hear at all by the time he wrote his final symphony, Symphony No. 9. However, that isn't true — he still could hear faintly. The Library of Alexandria didn't burn down in a single catastrophic event. The reality is that its destruction was a gradual process that happened over centuries. The library suffered from multiple attacks, damage (like during Julius Caesar's siege of Alexandria in 48 BCE), political turmoil, and long periods of neglect. Jackie Kennedy's iconic pink suit is, of course, forever linked to JFK's assassination. However, it wasn't a suit she had just for that trip; she wore the suit publicly at least six times before that day. Below is a photo of her wearing it to visit her sister, Lee Radziwill, in London in March 1962, and when the then-Maharajah and Maharani of Jaipur visited the White House in October 1962. Vikings didn't wear horned helmets. They likely wore simple helmets made of metal or leather. The idea that they wore them came from costume designer Carl Emil Doepler, who created horned helmets for the Viking characters in the German opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen in the 1870s. Contrary to popular belief, medieval people didn't think the Earth was flat. In fact, educated people knew it was round. Scholars in the Middle Ages, especially those influenced by ancient Greek and Roman texts, widely accepted the Earth's spherical shape. The myth that everyone thought the world was flat started in the 1830s to paint the Middle Ages as a "dark" and ignorant era that was held back by the Catholic Church. Similarly, people weren't concerned that Christopher Columbus would fall off the Earth because it was flat. They were concerned that he had underestimated the size of the world, and that he would run out of supplies in the middle of the ocean before he made it to Asia. Despite the popular myth, the Ford Model T didn't only come in black. When the Model T launched in 1908, buyers could choose from colors like red, blue, green, and gray. However, between 1914 and 1925, Ford standardized production for efficiency, and black became the standard (and often only) color the Model T came in. Although black dominated during those peak years, color options returned toward the end of production, which officially ended in 1927. Most pirates didn't bury their treasure — that's more legend than reality. In truth, they spent their loot quickly on things like food, alcohol, weapons, and women. Life at sea was dangerous and short, so pirates tended to live in the moment. Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island is largely responsible for popularizing the myth of pirates burying treasure. Color television existed in the '50s — the technology for it had been in development since the '40s. But, few people owned color TV sets because they were very pricey. A color television set cost about $1,000 in 1954, which is over $11,900 today if adjusted for inflation. Additionally, there weren't many color TV shows or specials broadcast since they were very expensive to produce. Before the 1980s, the Roswell UFO crash was basically an unknown event. While it was huge news in 1947, when it happened, it quickly got forgotten after the United States Air Force issued an almost immediate retraction that they had not recovered a crashed UFO in Roswell, New Mexico, and that it had been debris from a downed weather balloon. It wasn't until a 1980 book, The Roswell Incident, that the story was revived with claims of a government cover-up and alien bodies. The Roswell Incident not only further delved into the story, but it also claimed that they interviewed witnesses to the event and how the government worked at covering it up. Also, in 1980, the National Enquirer published an interview with someone who had allegedly picked up the debris from the crash. And lastly, the United States didn't have an official national anthem until 1931 — more than 150 years after gaining independence. It wasn't until Congress passed a resolution and Herbert Hoover signed it into law that "The Star-Spangled Banner" became the official anthem. Before that, there was no single song that represented the nation.
