Latest news with #folklore
CBC
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Brian Cherwick has been playing music for 50 years. Here are some of the highlights
Brian Cherwick has worn many hats throughout his life. He's a folklore professor, has taught music, and can play almost any style of music. He's setting out to revisit his 50 years worth of songs for a special show with The Kubasonics.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
South-east Asia's folktales get a fresh remix in new ‘Penglipur Lara' anthology
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — The publication of the book 'Penglipur Lara: Cerita Rakyat Asia Tenggara' is hoped to impart moral lessons and foster a love for culture, thereby strengthening national identity and self-awareness of the nation, especially among younger generation. National Oral Literature Association (Persalina) president Ninot Aziz said folklore, which is rich in cultural values, language and heritage, should serve as a primary source of inspiration in cultivating a narrative that reflects love for the country and its cultural roots. 'I want them (young readers) to take pride not in Western works but in our own folktales as these stories originate from our land, from our own history,' she told Bernama after the launch of the book in conjunction with the 2025 Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (KLIBF 2025) here today. The event was launched by Persalina advisor and Sixth National Laureate, Prof Emeritus Muhammad Salleh and was also attended by KLIBF 2025 organising chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron. Ninot said the process of gathering stories for the book, which was inspired by Muhammad and co-published with Hikayat Fandom, began during the Covid-19 pandemic with members of the association traversing the country to meet storytellers such as Awang Batil in Perlis to 'wayang kulit' and 'mak yong' maestros in Kelantan. 'We are not merely rewriting these folktales, but also taking into account the original dialects and storytelling delivery style to preserve authenticity and strengthen our oral heritage,' she said, adding that efforts are underway to translate the works into English and other languages. In conjunction with Malaysia's Asean chairmanship, Ninot said Persalina has also invited writers from South-east Asian countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei to contribute their folktales. 'We have 25 writers and all of them are writing folktales from their own states and countries. This gives us a true sense of regional kinship and cultural unity, as these are stories from South-east Asia,' she said. Ninot also noted that some stories are shared among several countries, such as 'Bidasari', which is known not only in Malaysia but also in the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei. 'The story of 'Batu Bertangkup' is also included in this book, but it was written by an Indonesian author, not a Malaysian. This shows that these tales are shared among us and through storytelling, we can strengthen our bonds with one another,' she said. Additionally, Ninot mentioned the association is planning to bring the book to the Beijing International Book Fair next month in hopes of attracting Chinese publishers to translate it into Mandarin. 'Penglipur Lara: Cerita Rakyat Asia Tenggara' is available at a special price of RM99 during KLIBF 2025, compared to its original price of RM120 per copy. — Bernama
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Historic Castlemorton six-day rave turned into stage show
The story of a six-day rave, which saw more than 20,000 people turn up in rural Worcestershire in 1992, has been turned into a stage Tobin's play, The Last Free Rave, is touring local venues this August and is based on the Castlemorton rave, which started as a small free festival near Malvern and became the largest illegal rave ever held in the Tobin said she wanted to tell a fictional story, based on tales she has heard over the years, of an interaction between a reveller and a married farming production will be part of the Malvern Ink & Curtains Festival. Ms Tobin said she had lived in the area for 20 years and had discovered "so much folklore" locally about the rave, which started during a bank holiday weekend on 22 May 1992."The whole play is set in a farmhouse," she said, "and the rave is happening around the farmhouse."So it's only when the doors are open, the windows are open, that you hear the rave going on."She said the production also included footage from the time, and interviews with people as the event made news headlines. 'Absolute chaos' Ms Tobin said tales from the rave included stories about things disappearing, fenceposts vanishing, sheep going missing, but added: "I don't think some of it probably even happened, but it gets a little exaggerated generation to generation.""It was absolute chaos for six days," she said. "The police, of course, were powerless, so they were sitting around on the outskirts trying to just keep everything calm."After the rave, injunctions and road blocks were used to prevent a similar event happening 1994, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act was passed, giving police powers to stop vehicles anywhere within five miles (8km) of a rave and turn them away. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- BBC News
Bluebells: The folklore helping protect the wildflower
Bluebells, in case you didn't know, are protected by law. You shouldn't pick them, damage them or transplant the that wasn't enough to put you off perhaps the idea of being visited by a bad fairy might do the Gallagher, from the Woodland Trust , is a Community Development Officer at Mourne Park in Kilkeel, which has the aptly named 'Bluebell trail' for people to has a couple of cautionary tales from folklore. One says: "If you hear the bluebell ring you might be visited by a bad fairy and things don't go too well for you after that."Or if you "pick a bluebell - the fairies being mischievous may come along and lead you astray and you may end up wandering around that woodland for a very long time, very, very lost." Bluebells are a very "delicate flower" that tend to bloom between the middle of April and the middle of May in Northern Gallagher says the native bluebell "are found in places of great significance" and are "an indicator of an ancient woodland" which is why they are often associated with being "magical"."It's funny that the cultural stories and the folklore around it are all based around the protection of them as well." She believes it shows that "we've always loved bluebells and understood the need to protect them". At Mourne Park in Kilkeel they've been removing the non-native invasive species like rhododendron and laurel to make room for the Green is Site Manager for Woodland Trust which owns the park. She says plants like those "block out any sunlight getting to the woodland floor and they out compete any of the native species that you'd get like bluebells".There are more than 100 acres of woodland there, 73 of them ancient. "So far we've made our way through 60 hectares of woodland, restoring it."She says seeing the bluebells "come back after we've done the removal work shows that the work we are doing is worth it and it's worthwhile". The main danger to the future of the bluebells now is humans."As soon as you step on them and break them then you can ruin quite big swathes of bluebells."Ms Green says they understand that people want to take pictures with them "but we ask that people keep their dogs on leads and keep themselves to the paths as well."She says it's vital that these "seeds can go all the way from going into flower to then going into seed to then going through their life cycles".There's still a small window left for people to see bluebells this year before they reappear next spring.
UAE Moments
17-05-2025
- Health
- UAE Moments
7 Fiery Facts You Didn't Know About Redheads
World Redhead Day on May 26 celebrates the uniqueness of red-haired individuals across the globe. With only about 2% of the population having natural red hair, these fiery-haired wonders are surrounded by fascinating myths, science, and culture. Let's uncover 7 fiery facts you didn't know about redheads! Fascinating Redhead Facts for World Redhead Day on May 26 Red hair is more than just a striking hue—it carries with it rare genetic traits, cultural significance, and surprising science. In honor of World Redhead Day on May 26, here are 7 fiery facts that spotlight what makes redheads truly one-of-a-kind. From folklore to genetics, redheads have always sparked curiosity and admiration. 1. Red Hair Is the Rarest Natural Hair Color Only about 1-2% of the global population has natural red hair. This unique trait is caused by a mutation in the MC1R gene. Most commonly found in people of Northern or Western European descent, red hair makes its bearers instant standouts. 2. Redheads May Have a Higher Pain Tolerance Studies show that redheads may have a different pain threshold. Some research suggests they require more anesthesia but may tolerate certain types of pain better. This trait is also linked to the MC1R gene mutation. 3. They're More Sensitive to Temperature Changes Redheads are often more sensitive to temperature shifts, especially cold. Scientists believe this may be due to the same gene mutation that affects pain sensitivity and skin pigmentation, highlighting how interconnected our genetics truly are. 4. Redheads Don't Go Gray Red hair typically fades to a silvery blonde or white as people age, rather than turning gray. The pigments responsible for red hair—pheomelanin—diminish differently than other hair pigments, giving aging redheads a graceful silver glow. 5. Redheads Need More Vitamin D Because redheads produce less eumelanin, they have a harder time absorbing vitamin D from sunlight. Their bodies, however, are naturally more efficient at producing vitamin D in low-light conditions, giving them an edge in northern climates. 6. They Have Unique Reactions to Anesthesia Redheads often require more anesthesia during surgery. Anesthetic drugs interact differently with the MC1R gene variant, which can affect how their nervous systems respond. It's a small but critical detail doctors must consider. 7. Red Hair Comes With a Cultural Legacy From fiery Irish folklore to modern media icons, redheads have always drawn attention. Though historically misunderstood or stereotyped, today they're celebrated for their individuality and boldness—making World Redhead Day a perfect time to honor them. On World Redhead Day on May 26, let's celebrate the beauty, science, and mystique of redheads everywhere. With their rare genes, strong personalities, and historical roots, redheads truly stand out in every way. So here's to the fiery few who bring vibrant color to our world! Whether you're a natural redhead or simply admire them, today is the perfect time to recognize their unique charm.
