Art and Culture
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New – History tours of Tavira
As part of her master’s degree, Isabel Macieira has published several studies about the History of Art. She is the author of the book – “A Pintura sacra em Tavira, séculos XV a XX – estudos e inventário” (The Sacred Painting in Tavira XV to XX centuries). As a teacher between 1983-2014, she developed with various groups an awareness of local history involving the natural and built environment. So it could be said that she knows something about the city of Tavira, its heritage and architecture. Once a month or so since September 2016, she has offered a city tour to residents, visitors and tourists. The tours are grounded in…
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Cambodia: the circus and plastic – Eco-tourism
I have fallen in love with Cambodia. We have been here for over two weeks, and I feel rejuvenated in a way that I find difficult to understand or articulate. I am trying to work out why Cambodia has enlivened my spirit. The intense oranges and greens of the landscape and the solid temples, mixed with a touch of French colonial culture, have captured my heart. Old art, drawings, and paintings sit on Cafe walls as a silent testament to an age before the Khmer Rouge. It feels like being dropped into a warm, soapy bath that smells of jasmine, but it is not like that at all. Our trip…
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Sri-Lanka – Edward Lear Prize for poetry – winning poems
With kind permission of the Edward Lear Prize for poetry, here are the 2017 winning poems. Winning Poem by Ashwin Dias The Funny People of Sri Lanka There was a young woman from Galle Who’s name no one could recall Whomever she metHer name they’d forget The pretty young woman from Galle There was an old man from Hikka Who would only eat chicken tikka When served curd and treacleHis eyes had a twinkle This funny old man from Hikka There was a young scoundrel from Jaffna Went out with a pirate bandanna“Ahoy me hearties!”He’d say at the parties By the wonderful beach; Casurina There was a fine fellow from…
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Sri Lanka – Edward Lear Prize for Poetry
Edward Lear was a 19th Century English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet. He is known mostly for his literary nonsense poems and prose and especially his limericks. His poetry takes an irreverent view of the world. Lear’s nonsense poems delight in the sounds of words, both real and imaginary. A stuffed rhinoceros becomes a “diaphanous doorscraper.” His heroes are Quangle-Wangles, Pobbles, and Jumblies. My favourite Lear poem is the Dong with the Luminous Nose.I think it is the words “Jumbly Girl” that triggers a happy memory and makes me smile. But when the sun was low in the West, The Dong arose and said; “What little sense I…
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Sri Lanka – Galle Fort Literary Festival begins
An evening of culture, featuring an extravaganza of dance and movement opened the Galle Fort Literary Festival in Sri Lanka. Guests sat in front of an iridescent red stage, while a crowd of onlookers stood behind newly erected barriers as an orchestra played music. Dressed in traditional costumes performers from the army, airforce and navy, became acrobats, fire eaters, swans, and peacocks. The presenters thanked the main sponsor Fairway Holdings and also the founder of the festival Geoffrey Dobbs, along with the Minister for Law and Order who sent a representative to the two-hour show. The last event included numerous costumed acrobats and the appearance of a “constructed” elephant. After…
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Scared of Shakespeare? Puzzled by Poetry?
Birkenhead-born writer, David Roberts has a passion for shipyards and literature. A mix of metal, blood and tears came to mind as we talked about his life and the literature course he has been teaching in the Algarve. I had seen the course advert at São Brás de Alportel Museum, and I had it in the back of my mind to find out more. Fortunately, the week before Christmas, I bumped into Maxine Srivastava (a fellow member of the Algarve Archaeology Association), in the British emporium known as Iceland, and so over the cheddar cheese and pork pies, I listened as she enthused about the literature course she is taking with…
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Burguer King Lear – tumultuous play and an opportunity for reflection
As part of the commemoration of Shakespeare’s death 400 years ago this year, a film version of the play King Lear was shown on Wednesday 22 November in the library in Tavira. Produced in 2006 by Director João Garcia Miguel, this interpretation conveys an inner and outer turmoil that arguably reflects current global themes. While validation of love is the theme of Shakespeare’s King Lear, the decision to ostracise which leads to a traumatic outcome is more than one man’s journey. It is an exploration of fear and insecurity. In this portrayal two actors perform as mirror images of each other in clown costumes, reflecting shadow and light. One actor…
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International literary evening at Tavira library – Wednesday 16 November
A mixture of Portuguese, Swedish, German and English, poems, stories and songs will be shared tomorrow night in Tavira Library (Wednesday 16 November) (6:30 doors open for 7:00 start). A few of the 15 Swedish writers visiting Tavira this week, will share their latest work alongside local writers and six students from the Escola Secundária Dr. Jorge Augusto Correia. The students will perform poems by Álvaro de Campos – one of the heteronyms of the Portuguese writer and poet Fernando Pessoa. The Swedish writer’s group called “Magic – writers without boundaries” is led by Barbara Fellgiebel from Algarve Film and Literature Association. They are a lively and fun group, so the evening should be exceptional.…
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November – Writers and Art in Tavira
A group of Swedish writers are in Tavira this week, 12-19 November 2016. The group are called “Magic – writers without boundaries.” Led by Barbara Fellgiebel from Algarve Friends and Literature Association some of them will be peforming their work along with local writers at Tavira Library on Wednesday 16 November (6:30 doors open for 7pm start). Jazz music on piano will welcome people to this International literary event. The Portuguese writer and poet Casimiro de Brito will be present.At the start of the evening, local actor Vitor Correia, will perform work by Fernando Pessoa. A screening of a recent dance performance by Ingela Karlsson from Sweden will be shown during the evening…
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Swedish writers get creative in Tavira in November
Fifteen Swedish writers will visit Tavira from 12-19 November 2016 for a week of literary and networking events. Barbara Fellgiebel from Algarve Literature Friends Association (ALFA) will lead the published writers who are planning to share some creative moments with locals. This includes readings and having fun! A Swedish Literary Salon in Moncarapacho has been organised for Sunday 13 November at 2 pm, taking place at the Monterosa olive farm. It will bring together Swedish and German writers from across the region to share stories and music. This event has limited availability. Contact Gunnel Dahlqvist for more information about the event at the olive farm g.dahlqvist@ebox.tninet.se An International Literary and Musical…
