A sight you never tire of
This is from a collection of interviews with Russian people by the Nobel-prize winning journalist Svetlana Alexievich. Here, one of them explains why there is one sight she has never tired of, and not only due to its beauty. The one thing I haven’t got sick of...
Nuannaarpoq Awards – Nominee 004
Our fourth nominee for a Nuannaarpoq Award is: John Keats (1795-1821) Parameters:Â 18th-19th centuries, British, real, human, male, now living elsewhere Nuannaarpoq qualities:Â authenticity, creativity, enchantment, happiness, freedom, imagination, kindness, life,...
The magic of the sea shore
A subtle portrayal of the enduring enchantment of sea shores, whether through the richness of their treasures or their simple liminality. I like the combination of a child and an adult response, though isn’t much of the charm due to the shore’s invitation...
A tumble of place and memory
Golding sails from island to island on a land and sea alternating odyssey, and at some point, overwhelmed by enchantment, his memory of moments merge into the map of his travels so he can’t quite recall what happened on which island. But the memories are still...
In praise of delight
We tend to think of piety as being about prayer or action – addressing God or doing good. We know there are many things we should be doing to Save the Earth or Protect the Planet. Here, in the mid-19th century, is another view, which has a surprisingly modern...
Everything good in this world
Zorba lived life to the hilt long before the advent of political correctness. He wouldn’t have had much time for it even if he had lived to see it.But this comment made me laugh, particularly the relegation of chamomile tea to the unpleasant aspects of life. I...
A prodigality of marvels
A wonderful feeling to have about life or any aspect of it. I often feel it when I wonder if life will give me the time to savour and appreciate all its marvelous details; or those of a culture; or a place. A good library can also trigger that fox in a hen-house...Yes, sign me up!
