【推荐1】Here are live online conversations for the International Booker Prize.

At Night All Blood Is Black

Thu 13 May 19:30-20:30

French-Senegalese author David Diop’s short novel At Night All Blood Is Black, paints a completely different picture of the cruel 1914-18 conflict.

This event includes a short performed reading from the novel by actor Ken Nwosu.

The Employees

Thu 29 Apr 19:30-20:30

Since she published her first novel Celestine in 2015, Olga Ravn has come to be regarded as one of the most influential writers in contemporary Danish literature. Her new book, The Employees takes readers aboard the Six-Thousand Ship as it flies through the far universe in the 22nd century.

This event includes a short performed reading from The Employees by actor Lucy Phelps.

We Cease to Understand the World

Thu 20 May19:30-20:30

It is Labatut’s third book, which has been translated from the Spanish version by writer and translator Adrian Nathan West who used his knowledge of World War II and sought out original documents from scientific history into English.

This event includes a short performed reading from the novel by actor Fiona Shaw.

The War of the Poor

Thu 27 May 19:30-20:30

Writer and film-maker Erie Vuillard became famous in his native France when he won the Prix Goncourt in 2017 for his novel The Order of the Day, set in Austria during the Second World War. He’ll join us this evening to discuss his latest work.

This event includes short performed reading from the novel by actor Ken Nwosu.

【推荐3】Most tourists who visit China get to know the spicy red hot flavors of Sichuan cuisine since it is a tourist favorite. But in Hunan Province, the food is maybe even hotter.

The Flavors of Hunan Cuisine — Hot and Sour

The many different tastes of the food partly stem from an unusually wide variety of agricultural products. For example, several kinds of chili peppers are grown. Chopped chili is made from vinegar, chili peppers, and salt. It is liberally applied in noodle soups and meat dishes to produce the sour, hot flavor they love.

Hunan Food, Actually Hotter than Sichuan Food

A common saying goes like this: “Sichuan people don't fear hot food, Hunan people don’t fear any degree of spiciness at all, and Guizhou people fear to eat food that isn’t spicy.” The Hunanese use vinegar with the pepper. It serves to stimulate the taste buds and make them tingle (受到刺激) , so you can better perceive the wide range of flavors and the rich variety of ingredients and spices.

Why Such Hot (and Sour) Food?

Perhaps the wet hot summers and chilly wet winters drive the people to eat sour hot foods. The Hunanese think that extra heat (yang) of peppers and other hot spices balances out the excessive cold and wet (yin) . Vinegar also packs yang, and along with helping with digestion, you’ll find that it helps cool (yin) your body on hot days.

Why Not Join Us?

Our Hunan tours will combine seeing attractions around Hunan with meals in carefully selected restaurants. Please click www.hunancuisinetour.com if you want to know more.

【推荐2】The British are the most voracious(如饥似渴的) newspaper readers in the world.

They read newspapers at breakfast; they walk to the bus reading a newspaper; they read a newspaper on bus, as they go to work; and on the way back home, after work, they are engaged in reading an evening newspaper.

There are many “morning papers”, both national and provincial. The most famous is The Times. Different from what many foreigners believe, this is not a government newspaper. The various newspapers usually have their own views of the Communist Morning Star. The Labor Party and the Trades Union Congress no longer have a daily newspaper to represent them.

Bold headlines and a variety of photographs are features of the British press. Some newspapers, such as the sober Daily Telegraph and The Times, use photographs sparingly(节省). The more “popular” newspapers, using the small or “tabloid”(小报) format, such as the Daily Express, the Mail, the Daily Mirror and the Sun, use pictures extensively and also run strip cartoons and humorous drawings, some of which present striking pictorial comment on politics.

Besides offering features common to newspapers all over the world, British newspapers specialize in pages devoted to criticism of the arts and a woman's page. One feature found in many foreign newspapers is missing in British papers: the serial(连载).

Nearly all papers pay special attention to the reporting of sports and athletics. The evening newspapers are often bought because the buyer wants to know the winner of a race, or to get good tip for a race that is still to be run. There is no censorship(审查) of the press in Britain (except in wartime), though of course all newspapers—like private persons—are responsible for what they publish, and can be sued for libel(为诽谤而被起诉), for publishing articles that go beyond the bounds of decency(正派), or for ignorance of court. (e.g. calling a man a murderer while he is still being tried. Such cases are not often)

【推荐1】Architecture in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands, offers anything from unique food to wonderful landscapes. However, it’s incredible architecture that makes the city stand out.

Markthal

The building, the scale (规模) of which is impressive, is home to almost 100 fresh food stalls (摊位), shop units, restaurants and over 200 apartments. Opened in 2014, it was built near where Rotterdam was first founded in 1270. Besides delicious food, you shouldn’t miss its large walls and ceiling covered with images of flying fruits, flowers and insects. This artwork, titled Horn of Plenty and created by the artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam, is one of the biggest in the world and covers an area of about 11,000 square meters.

Erasmus Bridge

The bridge stretches over the river Maas, connecting the city center with the neighborhood of Kop van Zuid. Named after the city’s famous scholar Desiderius Erasmus, the bridge is 808 meters long and weighs as much as 1,700 adult elephants. The bridge has a nickname—de zwaan (the swan). It does require a bit of imagination to see how this giant piece of steel resembles an actual swan, but if you look at it from above, it becomes a bit clearer.

Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Depot

It was born out of a desire to share artworks with as many people as possible and has gained over 150,000 pieces. Open since the summer of 2021, it has given visitors a unique behind-the-scenes look into the world of art conservation, art restoration and museum management. Most importantly, visitors have free access to the rooftop garden, which offers panoramic (全景的) views of the city.

De Rotterdam

De Rotterdam is a building complex of three interconnected towers. Located on the south side of the city, it has 45 floors. It houses commercial office spaces, residential apartments, cafés, restaurants and luxurious hotels. With a total floor space of about 160,000 square meters, it’s well-known as the largest group of buildings in the Netherlands.

【推荐3】The Best Cities to Visit with Great Public Transport

New York City, USA

The New York City subway runs 24 hours a day. A single ride costs less than $3. Everyone in New York rides the train, from bankers and politicians to cooks and cleaners. Riding the train is the best way to experience the city, as you’ll hear nearly every language in the world spoken, and you’ll probably also get pleasure by watching some performances. Their shows are usually a real treat for visitors.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s main public transport ScotRail system stops in tiny towns and villages along the way in Edinburgh. Trains are clean, on schedule, and easy to use. Edinburgh has many different choices for public transportation. The brand new Edinburgh Trams, which was completed in June 2023, offers a pleasant way to get from central Edinburgh out to the airport.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City continuously improves its public transportation while placing an increasing number of limitations to cars to ensure clear air. There are various options, like a Metro train network, aboveground light rail, minibuses, and interstate buses that can quickly get you to Tepoztlan, Cuernavaca, Oaxaca and beyond. Unlike the proper Metro trains, which are very simple, with clear signs and maps, minibuses might be a bit confusing for first-time visitors.

Tokyo, Japan

The Tokyo subway system is the major public transport, which is shockingly clean and timely. The Tokyo public transportation system is the best way to get around, which is fast, and far more affordable than taxis, and it goes just about everywhere, including all the popular attractions. The subway card can be used for goods and services all over Japan.