Photo by Alia Aidel.
Historians believe that balconies originated in Egypt, and it is fair to say that today this architectural element (still) plays quite an essential role in the life of the Egyptians. Nowadays the use of balconies has nothing to do with showing yourself from a privileged position, the host of the radio program, "The Balcony", Dr Islam Issa, tells us. People express themselves through this platform - they show their religious or political beliefs to the world, they meet and fall in love…they even expose their laundry.
In "The Balcony", Issa walks us through small bits of the balcony's overall history and reflects on personal experiences with this outdoor piece of building as well. “It’s an extension out to the world; it is part of the street”, says the Egyptian film-maker and photographer Alia Aidel, who herself has taken several pictures of balconies around Egypt. To her, you find the most unique atmosphere in a home on the balcony - time simply feels different there.
Here’s to you, a Handful of History - 5 exciting things on history I thought were worth sharing. Enjoy!
Meet the Japanese version of Sherlock Holmes. The Japanese writer Tarō Hirai (1894-1965) was a great admirer of Western mystery writers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allan Poe. Especially Edgar Allan Poe, that is - so much that he took the pen name Edogawa Ranpo inspired by Poe’s name (try saying ‘Edgar Allan Poe’ three times fast). Ranpo played a major role in developing Japanese mystery fiction in his time, and he wrote several short stories and novels within this genre. I honestly don’t know much about his work, but after listening to the creepy (short) story “The Human Chair” narrated by Ian Gordon, I know I have to come back for more of Ranpo’s writings. Here are some recommendations.
The second Sunday of May it’s International Mother’s Day. In the radio program “An Alternative History of Mothering”, you can hear another perspective to the “usual celebration of the special love mothers have for their children.” The historian Emma Griffin turns to history to debunk what she calls 'the Motherhood Myth’. “Despite constant efforts since the 18th century to insist that maternal love is as natural as sunshine, the reality is much more complex”, she says. Griffin explores how ideas about motherhood have changed over the past five hundred years, and so too have the actual emotions themselves.
I wanna meet this guy! I stumbled upon this inspiring little film about the archaeologist-historian Scott Jordan, who spends his life digging for artefacts from the past in the soil of the city of New York - and then makes his findings into fine pieces of art.
2021 is the 700th anniversary of the Italian poet, writer and philosopher Dante’s death. As I might not get to read his masterpiece, the “Divine Comedy”, straight away, I have thrown myself into the online course “Dante’s Divine Comedy in 100 Images” instead. Quite interesting, really. Step by step, our guide, psychotherapist, and philosopher Mark Vernon, leads us through the tale of Dante’s journey - all the way from hell, through purgatory and paradise. From one end to the other, Vernon spices up the telling with illustrations from all-time great artists such as Sandro Botticelli and William Blake.
Recently I watched “Tina”, the new documentary on Tina Turner’s life, showing lots and lots of photos and video clips from the archives. It’s definitely worth seeing even though you may know her story already. And then, of course, there are all the great songs! This is one of my favourites.
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Majken xx
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The film “Colette” has won an Oscar in the category of best documentary short, and you can watch it right here for free 👆. "Colette" film tells the story of 90-year-old former French resistance member Colette Marin-Catherine, who visits the concentration camp where her brother was murdered during the Second World War. For 74 years, Colette has refused to step foot in Germany, but that changes when the young history student Lucie Fouble enters her life. The film tells us about the horrors of WWII, of course; however, it is also about a unique friendship and about all the emotional baggage you carry through life.
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