· December, 2012

Stories about History from December, 2012

Slovenia: “Second Republic (Again)”

  8 December 2012

Sleeping With Pengovsky explains the current political situation in Slovenia (more – here and here): […] [PM Janez Janša] already controls the parliament. He controls the economy. And as of last Sunday, he also controls the president of the republic. […] The only unknown in this scenario are protests. The...

Italy: Staying in Venetian Monasteries

  7 December 2012

Olia and Claude Barrère, two French expatriates in Venice, Italy, write on their blog, “Olia i Klod” [fr]: Today, as in the past, monasteries offer the possibility of accommodation. They are places of peace, places rich in culture, very well managed, and offer moments of serenity. In Venice, many of...

Brazil Bids Farewell to Niemeyer, Revolutionary of Modern Architecture

  7 December 2012

Remembered primarily as the architect who designed Brazil's capital city, Brasília, and for having remained faithful to his communist ideals throughout his entire adult life, Oscar Niemeyer passed away on the night of December 5 in Rio de Janeiro after succumbing to a respiratory infection. He was 104 years old.

World Heritage Site Djemila, Algeria in Jeopardy

  7 December 2012

Algerian historian Nacéra Benseddik warns that the construction underway on the site of UNESCO World Heritage Site Djamila is endangering the archaeological ruins [fr]. Djamila is famous for for its unique adaptation of Roman architecture highlighted by an impressive arch.

Traditional Weddings in Brunei

  5 December 2012

Haji Daud bin Haji Abd Rahman writes about the traditional wedding customs and practices in Brunei. He also features some wedding photos in the 1950s and 1960s.