Category Archives: Art

Writer Challenges Freedom

Orhan Pamuk is a famous writer from Turkey who is challenging freedom of expression in his country. In daring to comment about the genocide of thousands in Turkey he is now facing prosecution for the ‘public denigration of Turkish identity’. If convicted, Pamuk faces three years in prison, even longer if he publicly discusses his case before it goes to trial in December.

‘I said loud and clear that one million Armenians and 30,000 Kurds were killed in Turkey, and I stand by that. For me, these are scholarly issues,’ said Pamuk. ‘I am a novelist. I address human suffering and pain and it is obvious, even in Turkey, that there was an immense hidden pain which we now have to face.’

In finding the courage to speak out about his views on freedom of expression Orhan is creating a stir all throughout Turkey. The International community is taking notice of his case as well and this week he is being awarded with the German Peace Prize.

When people in the public eye challenge oppression and human rights violations it is a huge and bold step toward creating change.

‘It goes without saying that I stand by my words,’ he’s said in recent interviews. ‘And even more, I stand by my right to say them.’

UN Congratulates Angelina!

Actress Angelina Jolie has recently been presented with the Global Humanitarian Award from The United Nations Association of the U.S.A. for her work in aiding refugees all over the Globe.

She first became involved with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) after travelling to the small African country of Sierra Leone, which has been devastated by years of civil war. After witnessing the suffering and challenges that refugees face she chose to use her noteriety as a highly popular actress to aid in their cause.

Angelina has visited more than 20 countries to talk personally to refugees and has also become highly regarded for her activism before senior political and economic leaders in arguing the protection of refugees. She has served as a voice for millions of displaced people all over the Globe.

UN High Commisioner for refugees António Guterres said in his congratulatory message “The depth of your dedication and commitment inspires many others, especially the legions of young people who admire you, to think about how they too can help to make the world a better place.”

*Artist Highlight*

Omran Suleman Bebo is a young artist from northern Iraq. His paintings reflect his local Yezidi culture (a little known religious sect highly oppressed by Saddam Husseins regime) and many of the transitions and challenges faced by Iraqis today.

As an art teacher, and previous fine arts student himself, he sees the importance of facilitating communication through creativity and encourages his students to express themselves through the medium of art.

You can view more of his original works here.

Blastoff for Hunter

Acclaimed writer and journalist Hunter S. Thompson was remembered by his friends and loved ones this month with a ceremonial firing of a cannon containing his ashes. The ashes were sent off from a 150ft tower topped by a red fist with two thumbs – the symbol of Thompson’s free-wheeling, first-person gonzo journalism, and were accompanied by explosive fireworks. Hunters wife Anita commented that Thompson always enjoyed explosions. These included many that he himself let off (firing guns at his secluded Colorado ranch, igniting smoke-bombs in the lavatory of his local pubactor, and lets not forget the final explosion which took his life in February).

Johnny Depp, who portrayed Hunter in the film ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’, donated the cannon for the ceremony and friends in attendance were instructed to remember him afterwards with the clink of ice in whiskey.

This is one of the coolest conclusions to a life that I have ever witnessed and certainly puts a positive spin on the end of exsistance for such a literary marvel. Talk about going out with a BANG!!

Pedagogical Idol

TVO has an interesting new twist on the “Idol” format reality show: they’re trying to find the best teacher in the post-secondary education system. Contestants/professors from various Ontario universities will compete by lecturing on their specialty. They will then be judged on their passion, knowledge and ability to teach in an engaging and effective way.

Could a little good actually come from reality TV?