7. They prefer Caravaggio to Monet
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
- Nelson Mandela
Hi friends,
a gentle reminder for all of us this week:
be kind and love each other
smile at strangers
ask for help
eat good food
drink some water
pick up rubbish
stop to look at the trees
take only what you need
put down your phone
look people in the eyes
put your feet on the earth
remember your reusable shopping bags
take a deep breath
hug your loved ones.
1. A poem
This beautifully apt poem called ‘Nothing’s Changed’ by Tatamkhulu Africa (1920-2002) who was born in Egypt and moved to South Africa as a young child. ‘Tatamkhulu Africa’ directly translated from Xhosa is an affectionate term ‘Grandfather Africa’ which is particularly fitting for a white man who dedicated his life to fighting apartheid and racism in South Africa.
He was an active member of uMkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), an underground arm of the ANC fighting for Black peoples’ rights. In 1987 he was arrested for terrorism and banned from speaking or writing in public for five years, although he continued writing under the name of Tatamkhulu Afrika. He was imprisoned in the same prison as Nelson Mandela and was released in 1992.
Brash with glass,
name flaring like a flag,
it squats
in the grass and weeds,
incipient Port Jackson trees:
new, up-market, haute cuisine,
guard at the gatepost,
whites only inn.
No sign says it is:
but we know where we belong.
2. Watching
I just binge-watched every episode of unorthodox on Netflix and WOW.
Just wow.
Just watch it.
It’s based on the true story of Deborah Feldman’s dramatic departure from Hasidism and I highly recommend.
I am embarrassed to say I knew literally nothing about Hasidic Judaism before I watched this but I’m actively seeking out books to educate myself now.
This ‘making of’ video where they interview the cast; the directors and discuss the nuances and decisions around shooting a movie about Hasidic Jews in Berlin, was just as fascinating and thought-provoking. This is the first time Netflix has aired a series that is primarily in Yiddish.
watch the making of unorthodox here
One thing that I noticed straight away was the sheer number of women who worked on this series. Director; writers; costume designers; you name it, a woman was involved. And it shows.
HALLE-freaking-LUJAH.
It is an absolutely beautiful piece of work.
3. Shop
Speaking of Berlin, IGNANT recently shared an article of one of my absolute favourite places in Berlin called VooStore.
It’s a concept store and café in a hidden courtyard in Berlin and one of my favourites ways to spend time when I am in this great city.
have a look here and pop in when you are next in the German capital. The coffee is incredible, as are the freshly baked cakes.
4. Johnny get your gun
Religions are strange and alarming things, but occasionally they are pretty hilarious.
5. Culture
These penguins from the Kansas City Zoo in Missouri got to enjoy a private tour of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art during COVID-19 lockdown. Zookeepers around the world have said that the lack of visitors to zoos has meant a sharp drop in mental stimulation for their animals and we know that they can get depressed just like humans.
*note: I absolutely hate zoos as an institution but that’s an entirely different post.
this was just beautiful to watch
‘as you can see, they very clearly prefer Caravaggio to Monet’
haha.