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

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

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 

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

5 Can’t-Miss Places In Belgrade, Serbia | Art of Saudade

Did you know that Belgrade means White City in Serbian? This Balkan city of lights is perhaps one of the most important cultural centers of the region. From an impressive medieval fortress to socialist buildings and museums dedicated to the most influential historical figures, Serbia’s capital offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Here are the top 5 places you don’t want to miss in Belgrade: Knez Mihailova … Continue reading 5 Can’t-Miss Places In Belgrade, Serbia | Art of Saudade

Why Literature Matters | Roland Barthes On The Real Meaning Of Words | Art of Saudade

Who was Roland Barthes? Roland Barthes was born in the middle of World War 1, an event that marked him for life. Raised during the bloodshed that devastated Europe, Roland found refuge in literature. He dedicated his life to literary creation and criticism and, by the end of his 40s, he managed to publish his collection Mythologies, where he gathered myths of popular culture. He … Continue reading Why Literature Matters | Roland Barthes On The Real Meaning Of Words | Art of Saudade

5 Lessons You Can Learn From Rumi | Inspirational Quotes To Live By | Art of Saudade

When life gives you pain, transform it into gold. Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure. Where there is a wound, there is light entering. 13th-century Persian poet Rumi spent his life traveling and meditating on the meaning of life. Contemplating the universe, he became aware of life’s biggest mysteries and shared them with humanity in the most glorious form – poetry. … Continue reading 5 Lessons You Can Learn From Rumi | Inspirational Quotes To Live By | Art of Saudade

Polyglots On The Road | How To Learn A Language While Traveling | Art of Saudade

Traveling is one of the most fruitful sources of knowledge. The life lessons we learn on the road are unique and priceless. If you’re a language learner, one of the best investments you can make on your language-learning journey is to immerse yourself in your target language. Traveling to any destination can open doors for you to come across people from around the world and … Continue reading Polyglots On The Road | How To Learn A Language While Traveling | Art of Saudade

Who were Lamartine and Coleridge, Two Romantic Poets Born On This Day? | Art of Saudade

A former monarchist who embraced the idea of democracy, the French poet Alphonse de Lamartine dedicated most of his life to politics. Born on this day in 1790, one year after the French revolution, this renowned French author’s destiny seemed to be marked by the thirst for freedom. However, it didn’t take him long to realize that freedom could not be found in politics. “O! … Continue reading Who were Lamartine and Coleridge, Two Romantic Poets Born On This Day? | Art of Saudade

Who Is Annie Ernaux And Why Was She Awarded The Nobel Prize In Literature? | Art of Saudade

France is the country with the most Nobel Prize winners in literature: 15 Nobel laureates, all of them men. This year, the Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded for the first time to a French female author, Annie Ernaux.  Annie was born in the middle of World War II, in a small town in the Normandy region. She portrayed the ordinary life of her working-class … Continue reading Who Is Annie Ernaux And Why Was She Awarded The Nobel Prize In Literature? | Art of Saudade