Tag: Asia

Life by Katerina Papathanasiou
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Ikebana arrangement with two purple anemones in a wooden bowl, set against an earthy textured wall with soft shadows.

Ikebana: Where Flowers Whisper Silent Poetry

Ikebana doesn’t try to steal the spotlight. There’s no flash, no noise. But in that quiet space between a flower’s opening and its fading, something is said. This Japanese tradition—bringing flowers to life, that’s roughly what the name means—has been around for centuries. It’s not just decoration. It’s more like… restraint turned into beauty. A stem tilted this way, a little open space there—everything is done on purpose. And maybe that’s the point: it’s not always what you see, but what’s left out, that speaks loudest.

Life by Katerina Papathanasiou
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Farmers working in frost-covered fields under dark, ominous clouds with a distant volcano emitting ash, depicting the harsh conditions of the 1816 'Year Without a Summer.'

1816: The Lost Summer that Shaped History

The first line of Lord Byron’s poem Darkness reads, “I had a dream, which was not all a dream. The bright sun was extinguish’d.” Imagine, for a moment, looking up into the sky and witnessing the sight Byron describes. It’s difficult to fathom, given the sun’s powerful rays and how much we rely on them to brighten our days and lift our moods. Byron’s inspiration for this poem was a direct response to his surroundings in the summer of 1816, known as “The Year Without a Summer.” Was it as dreadful as it sounds? Indeed, it was.

Culture by Katerina Papathanasiou
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How Lesouls Uses Fire to Reveal Hidden Beauty in His Art

Acrylic paintings created by Beijing-based artist Lesouls capture viewers’ attention—but it’s also appropriate to say that they “spark” their interest. Those who look up “Lesouls Art” on social media (he’s active on Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms) will find themselves looking at what appears to be well-composed and rather lovely paintings. Then, the artist’s hand enters the frame, gripping a match. Wait. Is he exposing his painting to flame? Yes! But don’t panic: he’s not lighting his work on fire to destroy it; he’s lighting it to bring it to life.

Travel by Katerina Papathanasiou
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Discover Cat Island: Japan’s Hidden Feline Paradise

Japan is well-known as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. When most people are planning their trip here, though, they don’t think about paying a visit to Tashirojima Island, also known as “Cat Island.” Tashirojima Island gets its nickname from the extensive population of cats that roam around it. The cat population actually outnumbers the island’s human residents!