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The extensive destruction by fire of Notre Dame Cathedral marks a turning-point after close to a millennium of spiritual affirmation and cultural pride — beckoning revival and a new beginning.
As the Cathedral burned on Tuesday morning Australian time Lee Duffield wrote this reflection on some of the meanings of an event that will touch the life of millions. … Read More »
A standard bearer for multiculturalism and civilised values Dr Maximilian Brandle died from a heart condition at the end of February in Brisbane, Australia.
A Swiss-born linguist who migrated to Australia to teach languages, he was described this week by the Swiss Consulate General as “respected throughout his life at both ends of the Earth”. He was “forward-looking with a great capacity to reflect on the human condition”. … Read More »
Gestures of support have accumulated worldwide for Paris in response to the terror attack on the city on Black Friday 13.11.15. … Read More »
Reality has dogged the inspirational campaign for Scottish independence in the form of persistent negative opinion polls; the latest, a week out from the independence referendum gives the ‘no’ vote a 52-48% winning margin. … Read More »
The Cannes Film Festival on Saturday awarded the Palme d’Or for Best Film to Winter Sleep from Turkey.
During the festivities, the Jury President, Jane Campion, deplored the poor representation of women in the winners’ lists; Cate Blanchett criticised an attack on arts funding in the Australian federal budget; Nicole Kidman starred in the opening film, about a blonde princess; and David Gulpilil won Best Actor in a talent-seeking contest parallel to the main event. … Read More »
The wait goes on for a solution to the future of the art trove found in Munich, believed to have been plundered by Nazis.
Over 1400 modernist works – paintings, drawings and etchings – in the collection feature renowned artists, altogether estimated to be worth EU1-billion (A$1.515-billion; xce.com, 5.1.14). … Read More »
The close of the year saw the death of the British actor Peter O’Toole in London; also that of the actress Joan Fontaine; and in other places, people not so well recognised, in the wrong place at the wrong time …