Category: Culture

Creative writing, Culture, Literature

The Art of Writing an Entire Novel Without The Letter E | Georges Perec | Art of Saudade

Can you make a sentence without using the letter E? It may seem a bit hard, but not impossible. How about a 500 characters text? It’s getting more complicated, right? Now try to write a 500 pages novel without one of the most commonly used letters in the alphabet (at least in most of the European languages). Well, this is what the French author Georges … Continue reading The Art of Writing an Entire Novel Without The Letter E | Georges Perec | Art of Saudade

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Culture, History, Photography, Travel

Unveiling The Architectural Marvels Of The Colorful Mosque in Macedonia | Gallery | Art of Saudade

A little bit of history… 1438. The Ottomans in one small city in Macedonia decide to defy convention and create a colorful mosque. In the 15th century, during the classical Ottoman period, mosques were built in the most minimalistic way possible. No colors, no pictures, and very few symbols. Mosques were usually constructed by sultans (Ottoman monarchs) or pashas (local governors). The Šarena Džamija (Colorful … Continue reading Unveiling The Architectural Marvels Of The Colorful Mosque in Macedonia | Gallery | Art of Saudade

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Culture, History, Travel

Discover The Medieval Mikveh of Montpellier, a Jewish Ritual Bath of Purification | Art of Saudade 

Architecture is the best storyteller. In Montpellier, there is an underground bath that was discovered by chance under the floor of a cellar by a private individual, in 1985. This takes us back to 1306 when the Jews living in Montpellier were expelled from the city by Philip IV of France and settled in nearby towns in the south of France, such as Avignon. In … Continue reading Discover The Medieval Mikveh of Montpellier, a Jewish Ritual Bath of Purification | Art of Saudade 

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Culture, Education, History, Travel

Inside The Museum Of Nikola Tesla, The Mysterious Man Who Predicted The 21st Century | Art of Saudade

Legend has it that Einstein was once asked what it was like to be the smartest man alive. His answer was: “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask Nikola Tesla.” Tesla’s estimated IQ between 160 and 310 is not what made him the smartest man in the world. The truth is, if it wasn’t for Tesla, we could hardly imagine the 21st century the way … Continue reading Inside The Museum Of Nikola Tesla, The Mysterious Man Who Predicted The 21st Century | Art of Saudade

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Culture, History, Travel

Museum of Yugoslavia in Belgrade | Reminiscence of a Country Torn Apart | Art of Saudade

More than one century ago, Slovenes, Croats, Serbs, Bosnians, Montenegrins, and Macedonians realized that there was more that united them than divided them. South Slavs (or “Yugoslavs”) speak similar languages, have more or less the same mentality, customs, and traditions, and have had pretty much the same vibrant fusion of cultures throughout the years. At the end of World War I and after five centuries … Continue reading Museum of Yugoslavia in Belgrade | Reminiscence of a Country Torn Apart | Art of Saudade

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Culture, Travel

Daily Dose Of Street Art In Montpellier, France | Art of Saudade

From cave paintings to contemporary art, artworks confirm that human beings just cannot keep their feelings inside themselves. Coincidentally (or not), prehistoric art and modern-day street art have something in common – using walls to create art. Are we being loyal to our ancestors, or have we never really evolved? Some of the earliest cave paintings representing depictions of rhinoceros and wild animals were discovered … Continue reading Daily Dose Of Street Art In Montpellier, France | Art of Saudade

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Culture, Travel

The Most Authentic Cultural Experience In Portugal | Art of Saudade

Portugal is more than Lisbon and Porto. It is more than Azores and Madeira. All of these cities are, of course, wonderful and worth visiting for many reasons. But, Portugal has something more to offer… Check out my Porto Travel Itinerary I went to Fornos de Algodres, a small municipality far from the big cities, and this is why I believe that the most genuine … Continue reading The Most Authentic Cultural Experience In Portugal | Art of Saudade

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Culture, Literature, Travel

Inside one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world | Livraria Lello | Art of Saudade

Can a bookstore inspire you? Legend has it that a bookstore in Portugal inspired J.K. Rowling to write Harry Potter. How true is it? Let’s find out! The Lello Bookstore in Porto, Portugal Founded in 1869, Lello is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal and it still keeps its neo-gothic elements. The staircase, the shelves, and the vivid colors attract thousands of tourists to … Continue reading Inside one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world | Livraria Lello | Art of Saudade

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Culture, History, Music, Travel

From Żelazowa Wola To Paris | The Story Of Chopin, The Poet Of The Piano | Art of Saudade

Art will save the world… Yes, I am strongly convinced that art will save the world. I don’t need any proof. Just Chopin’s soft piano during the dark night hours.  The year is 1787. What can be left of a world ravaged by tuberculosis and wars? Art, that strong human desire to fight destruction through creation.  Nicolas Chopin, a talented flute player from France, moves … Continue reading From Żelazowa Wola To Paris | The Story Of Chopin, The Poet Of The Piano | Art of Saudade

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Culture, History, Literature, Poetry

Writing Poetry In A Minority Language: The Story Of The Occitan Poets | Art of Saudade

If life in the Middle Ages was rough, imagine being a speaker of a regional language in 20th century France, when the government banned the use of minority languages. For Occitan poets, the struggle to preserve their authentic language and culture only got harder. The Occitan language is a Romance language spoken in Southern France. However, it has no official status in France. In the … Continue reading Writing Poetry In A Minority Language: The Story Of The Occitan Poets | Art of Saudade

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