Behind Tuvan new year traditions: Shagaa

10 February 202410 February 2024Leave a comment

Every year, the transition from the harsh Tuvan winter into the promising spring is celebrated through Shagaa (шагаа), the Lunar New Year, a festival steeped in the deep-rooted traditions of the Tuvan people. This celebration has seen a revival, particularly among those who were disconnected from their cultural heritage during the Soviet regime. Today, there … Continue reading Behind Tuvan new year traditions: Shagaa

Taiwanese cultural identity

31 December 202331 December 2023Leave a comment

A decade ago, I had the opportunity to attend an international workshop on Taiwanese Cultural Identity at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. I've always been fascinated by the nuanced and sensitive nature of Taiwanese identity. This led me to choose it as the subject of my undergraduate thesis, specifically focusing on the yuanzhumin(原住民), or … Continue reading Taiwanese cultural identity

The Miao Tapestry: Exploring the Rich Cultural Heritage at the Museo d’Arte Orientale

29 December 202329 December 2023Leave a comment

Miao Exhibition: A Cultural Homage The Museo d'Arte Orientale's exhibition, marking the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death, highlights the Miao people's culture. Supported by significant cultural institutions, this exhibit underscores the Miao's rich textile traditions and craftsmanship, reflecting their centuries-old heritage and identity. The Miao: A Diverse Ethnic Tapestry The Miao, predominantly residing in … Continue reading The Miao Tapestry: Exploring the Rich Cultural Heritage at the Museo d’Arte Orientale

Yangmei Village 杨美村

26 August 201826 August 2018Leave a comment

It's always good to take a little extra time to experience the local culture and explore new places. That's what I did back in May 2012 when I went for a few days for business trip in Nanning, Guanxi Provice, in the South-West of China. Guangxi province is famous for the beautiful and elegant mountains … Continue reading Yangmei Village 杨美村

Journey to Tuva – Otto Mänchen-Helfen- 1929

23 June 20184 July 2018Leave a comment

Otto John Mänchen-Helfen ( 1894 in Vienna, Austria – 1969 in Berkeley, California) was an Austrian academic, sinologist, historian, author, and traveler. Between 1927 and 1930 he worked at Marx-Engels Institute in Moscow, he then he moved to Berlin from 1930 to 1933, till the rise of Nazisms when he then decided to go back … Continue reading Journey to Tuva – Otto Mänchen-Helfen- 1929

Kongar-ool Ondar

10 December 2017Leave a comment

My wife told me while I'm writing this article that she hasn't heard that many songs by Kongar-ool Ondar in a day since her childhood in Tuva. Kongar-ool Borisovich Ondar (Ондар Коңгар-оол Борис оглу, in Russian/Tuvan, 4 December 1962 - 25 July 2013) was an influential Tuvan musician of the 20th century and one of … Continue reading Kongar-ool Ondar

fistful of promises

25 November 20172 December 2017Leave a comment

Up to today there's no yet a wide bibliography about Republic of Tuva in English. The main information available are mostly related to "Tuva Or Bust" by Ralph Leighton (1991), "In Siberia" by Colin Thubron (1999) and few other readings on Khoomei throat singing. Fistful of Promises offers an image of the Republic of Tuva … Continue reading fistful of promises

Blue house – Hong Kong

2 November 20172 November 2017Leave a comment

Not far from the old British Post-office of Wan Chai (now Environmental Protection Dept.) , over a hill in the direction of a temple a blu building catches ones the attention. Blue House (蓝楼）is an historical building in Wan Chai district(灣仔), Hong-Kong. At it's ground floor is possible to visit a small hall called "Hong Kong House … Continue reading Blue house – Hong Kong

Bezeklik Caves, Xinjiang

29 October 201730 October 2017Leave a comment

I've been very excited to visit the ancient Buddhist caves of Bezeklik in 2015. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (柏孜克里千佛洞, Bǎi zī kè lǐ qiān fú dòng) are located in Xinjiang Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区, Xīnjiāng wéiwú'ěr zìzhìqū,شىنجاڭ ئۇيغۇر ئاپتونوم رايونى ) to the north of the Taklamakan desert, around 50 kms East of Turpan (吐鲁番,Tǔlǔfān, تورپان) … Continue reading Bezeklik Caves, Xinjiang