Latest news with #neo-Gothic
LeMonde
24-05-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
'What is a woman?': Court ruling reopens the 'gender war' in the UK
The sun was shining and the smiles were wide. On April 16, in front of the UK Supreme Court – a neo-Gothic architectural gem across from the Palace of Westminster – Susan Smith and Marion Calder, two founders of the group For Women Scotland, celebrated their victory. Surrounded by photographers, they toasted and then sang their rallying song, "For Women's Rights," to the tune of the famous Scottish melody "Auld Lang Syne." After five years of legal battles with the Scottish government, the country's highest court ruled in favor of these so-called "gender critical" feminist activists, who believe gender is not a perception but a biological reality, by offering a definitive answer to a seemingly basic question: "What is a woman?" The Equality Act 2010, the country's main anti-discrimination law, had not, until now, defined the term "woman." In its April 16 decision, which carries the force of law, the Supreme Court restricted the definition to "biological sex." The court rejected the previously prevailing interpretation that transgender women with a gender recognition certificate – which legally acknowledges their change of gender – are also considered women and therefore entitled to access women-only spaces such as toilets, locker rooms or prisons. "This is a victory for common sense," declared the founders of For Women Scotland after the hearing, surrounded by banners in purple and green – the colors of the suffragettes, those early 20 th -century campaigners for women's right to vote, whose memory remains cherished in the country.
Time Business News
15-05-2025
- Time Business News
Top 10 Attractions to See in Munich City
Munich, the elegant capital of Bavaria, is a city where centuries-old traditions meet cutting-edge modernity. From fairytale palaces and world-class museums to sprawling parks and vibrant beer gardens, Munich offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and leisure. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or staying longer, these top 10 attractions will help you discover the heart and soul of Munich City. No visit to Munich is complete without starting at Marienplatz, the city's iconic central square. Surrounded by historic buildings, lively shops, and cozy cafés, Marienplatz has been the heart of Munich for centuries. The standout attraction here is the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall), a neo-Gothic architectural marvel that houses the famous Glockenspiel. Every day at 11 a.m. (and also at noon and 5 p.m. in summer), crowds gather to watch the Glockenspiel's life-sized figurines dance and reenact stories from Munich's past. From here, it's easy to explore nearby sights, including Frauenkirche, the Viktualienmarkt, and numerous shopping streets. Marienplatz is also a great starting point for guided walking tours. Spanning over 900 acres, the English Garden (Englischer Garten) is one of the largest urban parks in the world and a favorite among locals and visitors alike. It stretches from the city center to the northeastern outskirts, providing a peaceful retreat with meadows, streams, shaded paths, and even a few surprises. Among the most popular features is the Eisbachwelle, a man-made wave where surfers practice year-round—yes, even in winter! Further inside the park, the Chinese Tower beer garden offers a charming spot to enjoy a Bavarian lunch or a cold Maß of beer under the chestnut trees. It's a perfect place for cycling, picnicking, or simply relaxing by the water. If you're fascinated by history and royal life, Nymphenburg Palace is a must-see. This stunning Baroque palace was the summer home of the Bavarian monarchs and remains one of the most beautiful palaces in Germany. Its ornate interiors, opulent halls, and ceiling frescoes are a feast for the eyes. The surrounding gardens are equally impressive, with fountains, sculptures, and hidden pavilions like the Amalienburg—a jewel of Rococo architecture. The on-site museums, including the Marstallmuseum (Royal Carriage Museum) and the porcelain collection, offer further insight into the lavish lifestyle of Bavarian royalty. Just a stone's throw from Marienplatz, the Viktualienmarkt is Munich's oldest and most famous food market. This open-air market has been serving locals since the early 1800s and continues to be a hub of culinary discovery. Here, you can find everything from fresh fruits and regional cheeses to exotic spices and handcrafted chocolates. Bavarian specialties like Leberkäse, sausages, and pretzels are served hot from food stalls, and there's even a beer garden in the center of the market where you can enjoy local brews alongside your meal. It's an essential stop for food lovers and anyone seeking authentic Munich flavor. The Deutsches Museum is the largest museum of science and technology in the world, and it's a fantastic place for visitors of all ages. Spread across multiple floors, the museum features thousands of exhibits on topics such as astronomy, chemistry, aviation, energy, and communication. Interactive displays make complex concepts easy to understand, and there are special sections for kids with hands-on experiments. Whether you're fascinated by historic aircraft, musical instruments, or space exploration, you'll find something intriguing at every turn. Allocate at least a half-day here—it's easy to lose track of time while exploring. Right in the city center, the Munich Residenz offers an incredible glimpse into the wealth and grandeur of Bavaria's ruling Wittelsbach family. This former royal palace, which evolved over several centuries, is now one of the most significant cultural sites in Munich. The interior rooms, from Renaissance to Rococo to Neoclassical, are beautifully preserved and richly decorated. The Antiquarium, a grand Renaissance banquet hall, is especially awe-inspiring. The Residenz also houses a treasury filled with royal jewels, crowns, and sacred artifacts. Audio guides help you navigate the vast complex and understand the historical context of each section. Car enthusiasts will be in heaven at BMW Welt and the adjacent BMW Museum. BMW Welt is an architectural landmark and interactive showroom where you can see the latest models of BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. It also offers hands-on experiences, exhibitions on mobility, and even the chance to pick up your brand-new BMW if you're a customer. Next door, the BMW Museum takes you on a journey through the company's history, showcasing vintage cars, futuristic prototypes, and innovations in engineering. Both sites are perfect for anyone interested in design, performance, and the future of transportation. Built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, the Olympiapark is now a beloved recreational and cultural venue. The grounds feature open fields, lakes, concert halls, and sports facilities. The park is a popular spot for jogging, cycling, or attending major events and music festivals. A highlight is the Olympic Tower, which offers panoramic views of Munich and, on clear days, even the Alps. Adventurous visitors can take a guided roof climb or zipline across the Olympic Stadium. It's an energizing and inspiring place to spend an afternoon. Tucked away on a busy shopping street, the Asamkirche (Asam Church) is a small but incredibly ornate Baroque church built by the Asam brothers in the 18th century. Though modest from the outside, the interior is a breathtaking display of stucco, gold leaf, frescoes, and dramatic lighting. Originally constructed as a private chapel, it now stands as one of Munich's finest examples of religious art and design. It's often overlooked by tourists, but it's worth stepping inside to admire its rich detail and spiritual atmosphere. If you're a football fan, the Allianz Arena is a must-visit. Home to FC Bayern Munich, this ultra-modern stadium is known for its striking exterior panels that light up in different colors depending on the event. With a capacity of over 75,000, it's one of the most impressive football stadiums in Europe. Even if there's no match scheduled, you can join a stadium tour to go behind the scenes, visit the players' locker rooms, and explore the FC Bayern Museum. The energy of the arena, combined with its futuristic design, makes it an unforgettable experience for sports lovers. With so many incredible attractions spread throughout the city, getting around easily and comfortably can make all the difference. That's where Munich Chauffeur Service comes in. Whether you're arriving at Munich Airport, planning a full-day sightseeing tour, or heading to one of the city's luxury hotels, their private transportation services ensure you travel in style and comfort. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iconic Johnson City church going on the market
JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A historic church in the heart of Johnson City, with long ties to the history of Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, is for sale. Members of Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church on Main Street have decided to sell the property. The church was constructed in two phases, starting 100 years ago in 1924, with the building to the east that houses the gym and dining area. It was originally used for Sunday services until the neighboring three-story neo-Gothic style building was added in 1927. EJ Shoes founder George F Johnson donated money to build the church which was named for his mother who was a member. It was built using brown stone from Hummelstown, Pennsylvania and features a 112-foot-tall tower with Carillonic Bells. The gymnasium floor was made from EJ leather. In recent years, the church has been known for its community outreach with weekly free meals and bicycle giveaway program. According to the membership voted overwhelmingly to approve listing the property for sale due to the high cost of maintenance and declining membership. Some have expressed concerns that the historic building could end up being demolished to make way for a parking lot. Sarah Jane Johnson Church is participating in the annual Sacred Sites tour this Sunday and will be open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. 'Beautiful Mistake' on display now at The Cooperative Gallery 213 Dine with the animals at Ross Park Zoo Renowned composer visits Binghamton High School chorus NYS budget allocates money for SUNY programs Iconic Johnson City church going on the market Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Telegraph
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
A sensational, spine-tingling evening with the Britten Sinfonia
This wonderful concert from the Britten Sinfoni a, Sinfonia Smith Square and the Choir of Merton College, Oxford was uplifting on two counts. It was another sign that the classical music world, reeling from the blows of Covid and the evident but never actually stated hostility of Arts Council England, hasn't lost its mojo. This was a big-scale event, composed almost entirely of 20 th -century religious music, put together out of a conviction that unfashionable but great music can attract big audiences – as indeed it did. As for the music itself it was a wonderful antidote to that all-pervasive soft-centred 'spiritual' music that cosies up to you, in an attempt to persuade you religion is about having warm feelings. There was nothing cosy in this concert. The music was as remotely beautiful as the stars and as stark and chiselled as a block of marble, with only the occasional concession to emotional warmth. The first piece, Stravinsky 's Symphonies of Wind Instruments seemed to be the odd one out, with no ostensible religious purpose. But the outcries from high winds over soft chanting in the flutes seemed like priests in dialogue, and the austere alternation of different speeds, directed with perfect control by Nicholas Daniel – better known in the musical world as a superb oboist – sounded like the acting-out of some obscure ritual. The final chorale, rising up with suppressed ecstasy into the lofty neo-Gothic spaces of St George's Cathedral, made one's spine tingle. There were many such spine-tingling moments in the Mass by Stravinsky, where the Choir together with ten wind and brass evoked the ancient Latin liturgy in a way that seemed ancient and modern, Eastern and Western, all at once. It was beautifully shaped by Daniel, who softened the music's severe metronomic tread just enough to let the music speak. In between the Symphonies and the Mass came sacred choral music from Francis Poulenc, a composer who revered Stravinsky but didn't hold feeling at such a long arm's length. One felt the terror in Timor et Tremor and the radiance in Vinea mea electa. The choir under Benjamin Nicholas sang beautifully, but the women seemed somewhat stronger and more secure than the men. To these feelings were added tenderness in two short pieces by Olivier Messiaen. In one of them, an orchestral arrangement of the early Vocalise-étude, Nicholas Daniel played the soaring melody—a poignant moment, as it marked his last performance as Principal Oboe of the Britten Sinfonia. Finally came Messiaen's Et Exspecto Resurrectionem Mortuorum (And I wait for the Resurrection of the Dead) which feels more like an awe-inspiring evocation of fiery stars and nebulae than anything religious. Daniel made sure the silences between movements felt as vast as the music itself, and he gave space to the deafening gong-strokes and apocalyptic brass in a way that made the cathedral's echoey acoustic seem an advantage rather than a hindrance. Like all the music, the piece became the sounding symbol of something incomprehensible beyond this world.
Toronto Star
24-04-2025
- Toronto Star
Want to sleep over at one of Canada's national historic sites? You can at these castle-like landmarks across the country
Canadian Travel Only in Canada is a new travel series that acts as a love letter to the bucket-list destinations and experiences in our beautiful country. Look for the Only in Canada series every week. Victoria's Fairmont Empress, famously surrounded by gardens full of tulips and roses, sits on what might be the most enviable piece of real estate in all of Canada. Perched above the Inner Harbour in full view of British Columbia's Parliament buildings, the neo-Gothic hotel was able to snag the best spot in one of the country's most picturesque cities through sheer longevity: It opened in 1908. The Empress, currently privately owned but managed by Fairmont, wears its history proudly. The extra-wide, sweeping stairways were built for porters to haul steamer trunks from the Inner Harbour to the guest rooms, and archival photos of visiting British royals are sprinkled around the hallways. Wildly popular traditional tea services are still held in a hall fit with original woodwork and ornately carved ceilings. Even more extraordinary, the Empress is not unique within Canada. Within a day's drive to the east, you'll find the Fairmont Banff Springs, a resort inspired by a Scottish baronial castle, boldly rising out of the Rocky Mountains. In southern Alberta, there's also the lesser-known Prince of Wales, which appears seemingly out of nowhere on a hill in Waterton Lakes National Park. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Fairmont Empress first opened in Victoria, B.C., in 1908. Fairmont Empress In Winnipeg, you've got the Fort Garry Hotel near the Forks, and in Quebec City the fortress-like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac commands attention from its clifftop location, adding to the vintage character of its Old Quebec quarter. These hotels don't just look historic — they've all been designated national historic sites of Canada, in recognition of their architectural significance and contributions to the emergence of Canadian tourism. Of course, one cannot ignore that this history includes Canada's colonial past. The Banff Springs will always be a luxurious, European-style hotel built in a wilderness sacred to Indigenous Peoples, for instance, and Le Château Frontenac is named after a colonialist who helped defend New France's settlements. Generally, though, these hotels don't gloss over this past; storytelling elements scattered throughout the properties include plaques, history halls and galleries to create a fuller picture of their place within Canada's complicated history. The majority of Canadian hotels designated as national historic sites are part of the tradition of 'grand railway hotels,' primarily built in the 1880s up to the mid-1900s; many, though not all, now fall under the Fairmont banner. Opened in 1893, Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City was the first of Canada's grand railway hotels. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac The Empress, Le Château Frontenac and Banff Springs were all built by Canadian Pacific Railway, while the Fort Garry and Ottawa's Fairmont Château Laurier were created by the Grand Trunk Railway. The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto and Alberta's Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge are also considered grand railway hotels, though they aren't recognized as national historic sites. While it's fairly common knowledge that these hotels had a connection to rail travel, it's less clear why they ended up being so opulent and relatively concentrated in Western Canada. Kate Riordon, a reference archivist at Banff's Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, says that in the late 1800s and early 1900s many wealthy European travellers would land in Eastern Canada with visions of traversing the rugged west, and were further enticed by the soft landing and creature comforts of posh European-style hotels. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'Making something that seemed familiar architecturally out west made it easier for European visitors,' Riordon says. 'They were coming to the wilderness — but it wasn't totally wild.' The Prince of Wales was established in 1927 to help bring tourists into southern Alberta's Waterton Lakes National Park. Steve Allen/Envato For modern-day guests, these meticulously maintained hotels aren't just places to stay. They are destinations unto themselves, for both the history and the hotel operators' tendencies to offer high-end service. Although the room rates may be a splurge, you don't need to sleep over to stroll around the lobby or spring for a fancy cocktail at the bar. While the national historic site designation does not guarantee protection of the properties or the public's right to visit them, for the most part the hoteliers understand that these are tourist attractions, welcoming looky-loos to come in and purchase a refreshment or browse artifacts. Time seems to slow down in these historic venues, and it doesn't hurt that most of them have been modernized just enough to ensure the expected degree of luxury and comfort. Yes, the room layouts tend to be quirky, the doors a bit creaky, and the ghost stories more plentiful than some may prefer, but all of this is just part of the unique old-school ambience, a rarity in a country as (relatively) young as ours. Elizabeth Chorney-Booth is a travel writer and historic hotels enthusiast based in Calgary. She has stayed at some properties described as a guest of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which did not review or approve this article.
