Painting

Tags

BMAC, Canada., China, docent, Europe, Fantin-Latour, museum, NGC, Ottawa, painting, Renaissance, Song Dynasty, Zhai Wei

This week I had 3 days of duty as docent at the National Gallery of Canada. One was hosting the Wednesday Morning Lectures-Mercredis Culturels, I coordinate that program in French and in English. Then I had a school group, the students around 9 years of age where quite good and had lots of good questions and observations, the teacher was also interested and helpful, that is not always the case. We also had a training session, unfortunately the NGC is under a lot of renovations in preparation for Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation. The Canadian Galleries are being completely redone, the Bookstore is getting a facelift after 27 years in the same spot. There is also some work installations in the Contemporary Galleries which are taking more and more space at the NGC and slowly eclipsing the other collections. Also all the lights in the museum are being converted to LED, apparently that is better. I also presented a work of art by Matthias Stom, Flemish School of Painting, 1630, entitled The arrest of Christ. I never know who is going to come and listen to my presentation which last about 10 minutes,”officially”. I had a father with his little daughter who was 7 yrs old and she wanted to know what a Museum guide did, she was very attentive and a little overwhelmed. I also had a couple from Spain and a Muslim lady who told me how much she loved the museum and was appreciative of my presentation. Another lady wanted to give me a tip, which I declined.

The subject of this painting from the Baroque period is religious and so I was not sure how it would go over. You cannot count on people knowing about Biblical stories or even being able to identify the Deity nowadays. At any rate I concentrate on the colours, the light and other details of the composition such as facial expression, clothing, hand gestures etc. I speak about the painter and the technique he used and then speak about the frame and how it was made. One person did ask me where this scene was taking place and another asked who was Judas. Christ is looking up towards Heaven and one person asked what is he looking at given the violence around him, I said God the Father which confused them, many do not know who that is. A bit like in another tableau where the Virgin Mary and Jesus are featured, many Renaissance paintings (1300-1600) have a strong religious subject. One fellow asked me who was that women with the baby in her arms, before I had time to answer a 9 year old who was also looking at the painting said, that’s Mary and Jesus, thank you kid and shame on the adult.

Virgin and Child with St-Anthony Abbot by Hans Memling

I take that sort of lack of knowledge as a sign of the age we live in, we think we know a lot but in fact we know nothing and understand even less. To me that is really sad and unfortunate. Quite a few people do not understand why European paintings of the Renaissance and Baroque period feature religious themes, despite the fact that the explanation fact sheet explains where it came from. There appears to be this belief that since we all know religion is bunk then why show it, it’s boring I am told. Sad really, I often have to explain that the European galleries show 900 years of paintings and through the ages style and fashion evolve and we are showing this evolution in human history. The galleries are arranged like a clock when you start you are in 1290 and when you finish at the other end its 1970, still many just don’t get it. Well I console myself, thinking if one visitor I spoke too loved it and was inspired my job is done.

I wonder if anyone has done a study of why more women come to the museum than men. I am sure there must be a thesis some where on the topic. I did observe that in Europe there are more men in Museums in general but in North America it is different, culture no doubt.

Finally, I always make a point of going through the galleries whenever I have a moment at the museum to look at what is new. In the last week I counted 15 new works on the wall. They had replaced other works, so the rotation happens more quickly now than before, the NGC can only show about 1000 works at the moment with the space we have, the basement has over 35,000 in storage. This of course is not counting the sculptures, the Diploma works of the Canadian Royal Academy, the photographies and all the sketches and prints. We do have a very rich collection.

While I was walking in the 19th century gallery, a work by Henri Fantin-Latour (1836-1904) caught my eye, entitled Roses, 1885. The simplicity of presentation and botanical accuracy of his still-life paintings prompted many critics to compare him to the 18th century painter Jean-Siméon Chardin.

What I did not know and discovered was that Fantin-Latour would pick flowers from his own garden early in the morning, arrange them and then create a painting of them. He became famous for his delicate portrayal of roses.

Les Roses, 1885 at the National Gallery of Canada.

I also noticed on the explication note that he would cover the canvas with a thin layer of transparent colour that would serve as a background- a neutral colour determined by the bouquet he wanted to paint.

During the Song Dynasty in China (960-1127) painters would do this also on their canvas applying a thin layer, with a broad brush, of black tea and ink.

Unfortunately the reflection of the glass does not help, however I purchased this in Beijing from an artist of the Chinese Central Academy of Arts, Ms. Zhai Wei. She applied a thin layer of black tea and ink before painting the little sparrows on a ficus branch, thus imitating the style of painters during the Song Dynasty.

Lights, Camera, Action: The Cradle of Confederation (1925)

Here is a blog post from Isaac Stewart, known as PEI History guy, an historian specializing in the History of Prince Edward Island. This silent film from 1925 of three ladies visiting the city during Old Home Week which still happens every year. The horse races of course is the big event, parades etc… You may notice a lot of Union Jack flags, this is 1925 and the Red Maple Leaf Canadian flag will only appear in 1965, some 40 years later replacing the Old Red Ensign as the flag of Canada.

The City has not changed very much since, I recognize all the buildings. The home where the ladies are staying is a B&B nowadays and still quite beautiful. The Old Train Station is still there, though there are no longer any trains on the Island. Click on the link below to see this short film.

Source: Lights, Camera, Action: The Cradle of Confederation (1925)

Some photos

Tags

Maritimes, PEI, trip, winter

Here are some Winter shots of Prince Edward Island where we are going in 2 weeks. Is it located in the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence in the Maritime region of Canada, one of the original Provinces of the Canadian Confederation. It was recently named by National Geographic magazine has having the best beaches in North America. All are 2016 photos of PEI. The industry in PEI is fishing, agriculture, tourism and loads of arts and culture. The people are known to be friendly to a fault.

 

 

 

 

This Winter has been mild on the Island and 85% of the ground cover has no snow at all. Weather in the next few days call for more mild weather you could say Spring like. I do not mind at all.

 

Upcoming Anniversary

Tags

60, Anniversary, Birthday, culture, jubilee, kaleidoscope, life, World

Birthday’s occupy an important place in our lives, in our culture. However this is not the case of all cultures, many cultures do not even mark a date of birth or any other birthday afterwards.

In China a birthday is important, it marks a life and its march forward, think of the Emperor who like other Asian monarchs, Thailand, Cambodia,Laos,Vietnam,Japan is seen as a god. So his life is important and a factor of stability and prosperity, again the Emperor has to be a competent ruler, not always the case. The Chinese wish their Emperor 10,000 more years at each birthday. For families the age of 60 is very important, why, well simply because in China someone who reaches that age has survived often tumultuous events, famine, wars, etc. Instead of a cake you are given a special bowl of chicken broth and longevity noodles, which are very long noodles in a large bowl to be eaten first thing in the morning. Your family will also refer to you as Uncle from that day forward.

In many Muslim countries birthday’s are not celebrated, except for the one of the Prophet. This is also the same in India or in many African countries, there is no birth certificates and your age is a vague notion.

In our world, birthdays have become another consumer packed day, gifts, meals, drinks going to the restaurant, to bars, going out somewhere. Important that no one forgets your birthday, it is nice to be remembered on that day, yes and no, I would argue that it very much depends on the person, the age and the surroundings.

In Italy the tradition is that you invite people to celebrate with you, often there is a sweet, a pastry, a cake, a glass of wine, you offer it to your friends in celebration of your birth. Then you can also celebrate not on the day you were born but on the Name Day of your Saint. In my case Saint Laurent is celebrated on August 10, I was born in March.

As a child my mom would bake a cake, it usually was a Betty Crocker mix and she would shape it and decorate it with a pattern of sorts, always a surprise. We celebrated at home and with close family, none of this going to a restaurant and inviting 50 kids. My Mom’s cakes were always the best tasting.

I remember when I turned 20, though I saw it as a turning point it was nothing special and I remember wondering what the fuss was about. On n’a pas tous les jours 20 ans. Other decades, 30-40-50 where celebrated abroad in various foreign Capitals where we lived.

So in a little less than 2 months I will turn 60. Sort of a magical marker, you become a Senior citizen, you are entitled to seniors discount, people look at you differently either with respect but more often in our society with derision or scorn.

I see this Anniversary as the last and new chapter where you can change something about your life and it is also a chance to reflect on what could be in the last part of your life.

My life so far has been one of travel and of being able to live in various continents of the world, seeing political and social events, living in various cultures quite unlike ours here in Canada and meeting people with different experiences. There has been no routine in my life and no dullness, maybe moments of boredom, but overall it has been rich. In many ways I could say that Will and I have been on a kaleidoscope of life, with ever changing colours and shapes. I wish to continue with more experiences which will continue to make our lives enjoyable. Planning for what is next, as much as anyone can plan the future to the limits of what Fate will allow.

Life as a kaleidoscope, ever changing, intricate, beautiful.

 

Kaleidoscope Abelia Plant

So long as you live and in whatever circumstances the kaleidoscope of life may place you, think for yourself and act in accordance with the conclusions of that thinking avoid so far as possible drifting with the current of the mob or being too easily influenced by the outward manifestation of things. Take your own look beneath the surface and don’t trust others to look for you. If you will follow this rule, you will make the most out of your life.

another picture from the header

Tags

art., culture, Dresden, paintings

My header is a view of the dome of the Albertinum Museum in Dresden, Saxony, Germany, also known as the SKD or Staaliche Kunstsaamlungen Dresden. It is a group of several museums in the city all situated within a short walking distance from each other.

The Kunstkammer, which was situated in the Dresden royal palace. Based on late Renaissance thinking, the Kunstkammer was a universal collection with an encyclopaedic approach and a strong focus on various instruments and technological innovations. The Dresden collections received its unique character, which has been valid until today, through the art spirit of two electors: August the Strong (1679-1733, Elector of Saxony since 1694, King of Poland since 1697) and his son August III (1696-1763, Elector and King since 1733). Ever since taking office, August the Strong supported the systematic development of his holdings. He passionately collected porcelain and precious items. Around 1720, the first special collections – among them the Grüne Gewölbe, the Skulpturensammlung and the Kupferstich-Kabinett – were arranged under his supervision. We have to thank his son for the extension of the old master’s gallery, which became one of the most important galleries in Europe through the purchase of entire collections in the mid-18th century. Last but not least, the Dresden collections range among those which were first opened to a limited audience. After the disastrous end of the Seven Years’ War (1756-63), decades of stagnation followed for the collections. Only were these difficulties surmounted with the collection reform designed by state secretary Bernhard August von Lindau and the construction of the new gallery building near the Zwinger (architect Gottfried Semper) in the mid-19th century. After the end of monarchy, the “Königliche Sammlungen für Kunst und Wissenschaft” (Royal Collections of Art and Science) were transformed into the “Staatliche Sammlungen für Kunst und Wissenschaft” (State Collections for Art and Science).
However, the character of the museum institution did not change and the scientific collections as well as the state library still belonged to the group. The museums of Dresden were integrated into the system of art robbery by the Nazis after 1933. From 1939 onwards, the gallery directors were also responsible for Hitler’s “Sonderauftrag Linz” (Special Commission Linz). Dresden was fire-bombed twice in the night of 14-15 February 1945, there was absolutely no military reason for this attack by the British since Dresden as a University and Cultural Town with no military value. Most of its population was burned to death in their beds and the city reduced to ashes. To see it today you would never believe that the city was completely destroyed in 1945 some 3 months before the end of the War.

The majority of the art works was saved, because they had been previously evacuated from Dresden, but all the buildings were damaged to a great extent. After the end of the war, trophy commissions of the Red Army seized/stole the art works and transported them to the Soviet Union. The surprising return of the paintings in 1955/56 as well as the return of the majority of the remaining holdings in 1958 enabled the Dresden collections to build on with their past.

Wonderful museums, completely restored in recent years due to the reunification of Germany, I first saw Dresden in 1998, the city was in full restoration mode, incredible work going on, today it is a gem to behold. The city reeks of artworks and fine Porcelain, Meissen is just a few kilometres down the road and the Kings of Saxony loved fine Porcelain and devoted huge amounts of money in producing it, the museum in the Zwinger Palace is overwhelming.

Restoration work is almost done in Dresden. I just love to visit this wonderful city, half way between Berlin and Munich in the Eastern part of Germany on the Elba River.

No other painting has influenced our idea of Baroque Dresden as the vedute “Dresden seen from the right banks of the river Elbe below the bridge Augustus”, which was created by the Venetian artist Bernardo Bellotto in 1748.

Felix dies natalis, Hadriane!

If some of you cringe at your upcoming Birthday, look at it this way, Emperor Hadrian is 1940 years young. Here is an ancient Birthday cake recipe easy to make today, giving you again a flavour of what life was like back then. As for the wine unfortunately not available outside Italy, though in Italy it is still made in the antique method BUT must be cut be adding water to your wine, it is undrinkable otherwise. Back then wine was kept in clay amphoras and took on the earthy flavour of the clay, good but potent.

FOLLOWING HADRIAN

Happy 1940th birthday, Hadrian!
© Carole Raddato

For this year’s birthday cake I chose to cook Cato’s recipe for savillum (a kind of cheese cake/bread).

Savillum recipe in Latin (from LacusCurtius):

Cato’s De Agricultura 84: Savillum hoc modo facito. Farinae selibram, casei P. II S una conmisceto quasi libum, mellis P.  et ovum unum. Catinum fictile oleo unguito. Ubi omnia bene conmiscueris, in catinum indito, catinum testo operito. Videto ut bene percocas medium, ubi altissimum est. Ubi coctum erit, catinum eximito, melle unguito, papaver infriato, sub testum subde paulisper, postea eximito. Ita pone cum catillo et lingula.

Translation:

Take ½ pound of flour, 2½ pounds of cheese, and mix together as for the libum; add ¼ pound of honey and 1 egg. Grease an earthenware dish with oil. When you have mixed thoroughly, pour into a dish and cover with a crock. See that you bake the centre thoroughly, for it is deepest…

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The great turtle has died!

Tags

Death, independance, turtle, Vietnam

When we visited Vietnam some 10 years ago as a special commemorative tour for Will’s 60 birthday, we travelled from the very far North in Sapa near the border with China, we learned it is their arch enemy, I did not know that but nonetheless the Vietnamese can’t stand the Chinese. We travelled by air and by chauffeured limousine all the way down to Saigon. We were very impressed with Air Vietnam and their gleaming planes, the country is spectacular and the people very nice. The food superb and refined and frankly far superior to anything China could do. The hotels and touristic sites, the beaches, history and even their alphabet, everything steeped in mystery and wonder. My closest memories of Vietnam was the war of course, seeing the country and its people some 30 years later I felt this war was so misguided, well the American Architects of this war have admitted at the end of their lives that indeed it was one big mistake, say that to do families of all those dead American boys and Vietnamese people who suffered for nothing, not to mention the veterans who now return to Vietnam as old men and weep for their lost youth. We saw this and I have to say it was very sad and I was left speechless at the sight.

In many ways the American veterans have gained the sympathy of the Vietnamese people and the Vietcong soldiers who now can share their sorrow with dignity. Not so much for the French Colonial Veterans, who are still pretty arrogant about their utter defeat at the hands of the Viet Minh at Diên Biên Phu in 1954.

In Hanoi, a city I found fascinating to visit, including the famous Hanoi Hilton which was originally a French Colonial Prison where Vietnamese opponents to the French Colonial rule were tortured and executed by guillotine, now if you know anything about the Vietnamese people you will know that this type of execution of cutting off the head is particularly horrific to them. The Vietnamese have complex belief about the Soul, the afterlife and ancestor worship, in fact very similar to the Ancient Romans. So separating the body from the head with a guillotine would fill them with horror and fear. The French knew that and exploited that fear with political glee.

Of the Hanoi Hilton prison which is located in central Hanoi only the French portion of the jail remains, where the French committed their atrocities, the portion of the jail where  the Americans were kept by the Vietnamese is gone, replaced by two luxury condominium towers. Hanoi is dotted with Deuxième Empire French architecture and in the centre of the city is a beautiful park with a great lake and a Statue of this mythical god Emperor Le Loi who ended the Chinese domination of Vietnam. The Emperor threw his sword into the lake and asked the great turtle to guard it. Vietnamese believe that in times of crisis if Vietnam is under threat the great turtle will bring the magic sword to the Emperor so the enemy can be defeated.

This week the great Turtle guardian of the sword died. This cause great consternation and grief in Vietnam. How old was the turtle, no one knows, maybe a thousand years old, maybe a few centuries, who knows.

Turtle Tower (Tháp Rùa) on Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the natural habitat of the turtle in central Hanoi

The great turtle and its keepers

The turtle was sort of a messenger between the Gods of Vietnam and the Emperor. It may all seem quaint to us but this is part of the culture and traditions of Vietnam.

An extremely rare, giant soft-shell turtle, Cu Rua ”great-grandfather turtle” lived in the lake.

Ngoc Son temple, home to a large sculpture of Hoan Kiem Lake’s revered resident, the giant turtle, the symbol of Vietnamese independence.

Meal Time

Tags

daily, Europe, Food, imagination, planning, portions, shopping, Wine

The idea or inspiration for this meal time planning entry was suggested by a post from sporeflections.wordpress.com who lives vicariously in Arizona, apparently they are having an early Spring.

Many people live stressful lives and work far too much, in my humble opinion, work as a concept is highly overrated, in post-modern times we have forgotten to enjoy a meal and just relaxing about life in general. So with this in mind and since I am the generous sort here is a pragmatic little secret I share with you.

I do most of the food shopping and I shop on a daily basis instead of one giant trip to the grocery store each week. I find that every day you can plan ahead and have lots of choices on what you want to serve at meal time. I also follow the rule of Helen Corbitt (1906-1978), the head chef for many years in the kitchen of the flagship Neiman Marcus, who really believed in having a pantry with emergency supplies for guests who just appear. She had a long list of items but oh so practical.

Usually by 8am I know what I am serving that day for dinner or lunch or both. If people come for dinner or for lunch, we do a lot more luncheons now, I can plan a complete menu 3 days in advance, so no surprises, the secret is too keep it simple, good and enjoyable.

All you need is a bit of imagination, discipline and planning and know what works for you. I would never do a new recipe on people in the hope that it might be ok or might work or say to my guests, ”I have no idea if this is good or bad, never tried it before.”

Chef Helen Corbitt of the Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus, Dallas

I am retired but still fairly busy each day with all manner of things to do around the house and in town. If you are really run off your feet and feel tired by the time you get home, here are some tips on what could help you along instead of going to a fast food outlet or eating frozen processed meals, which is equivalent to rat poison in my book.

The first thing to do is establish what both of you at home like to eat, that should be fairly easy. I usually buy daily a small amounts of fresh lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes which I leave on the counter because the fridge is bad for them, apples, clementines or oranges but only a few, never a bag, in winter because of cost I will buy other fruits more of the season and not imported. Our Canadian dollar is only worth 0.67 cents US right now so it does make a difference in the final bill. Also many other green vegetables or root vegetables, I usually serve 2 vegetables minimum with a meal.

By buying selectively, I can decide ahead of time what green vegetables, root vegetables or potatoes, a variety of them, I wish to prepare with the meal. As for meat, since we have a crockpot, we can prepare spaghetti sauce, stews and soups, etc. I will get Will to tell me what he wants me to buy and then we will spend a couple of days preparing cooking dishes which can be frozen and you have a variety of things in the freezer you can pull out.

I also like to buy chicken, but never whole, parts, deboned and skinless, escalope style or thighs etc… Ham steaks or meat balls my butcher makes. I will also look at other cuts of meat or fowl. Am not buying steaks any more because of the cost again but burger meat like beef, veal, I can mix up with spices and do burgers which I can then freeze. So I have about 7 days of meals prepared ahead of time.

As for fish or seafood, given the state of the oceans nowadays, it is becoming very problematic to buy fresh or wild. Most of the stuff sold in supermarkets is from Asia or South America so do consider that it has been on the road for at least 3 weeks before it gets to you. Though I do look for product from Canada in fish and seafood, PEI being a good source well known for quality.

I also get things like good cheeses and deli meats at my butcher which is cut fresh, I do not buy the pre-packaged processed meats because of the salt content. Fresh eggs can be cooked hard boiled or you can make an omelette and this is simply enough for a lunch. Sicilian Olives because they are sweet and not vinegary and assortment of nuts, but always in small quantities because it looses its freshness quickly.

I also try hard to stick to what I like to call European portions, meaning meat is 5oz steak or pasta is no more than 100 gr. and sauce simply to cover not drown. You can serve a salad with that, dressing just olive oil or a nice gourmet dressing. These days we love blue cheese which is made by our food store and has none of those unpronounceable ingredient names. As for breads I buy small quantities daily or every 3 days, fresh, never that processed white bread stuff that looks like insulation. I do like the hard crust and dense bread.

So by shopping everyday and buying only according to what I planned, we have a diversity of things to eat. Having also a variety of prepared meals which can be reheated makes for variety every night of the week.

As for inviting people over for lunch usually on a Saturday or Sunday, I try to plan a meal that is nice but requires simple steps and everything is ready when the guests arrive. We can have a pre meal drink, to keep things easy I will offer a bubbly and some olives or radishes. I remember reading in my manual from the Hotel School in Lausanne that liquor or cocktails before meals is not a good idea since it spoils the palate for the meal to come. Since we are going to have a meal, you don’t want to ruin your guests appetite with chips and dips.

I also try to keep the desserts light, no heavy cakes or anything too rich. Usually if it is just the two of us, there is no desserts, maybe a fresh fruit not canned. If we have guests then it will be a nice sweet but something that accompanies the meal instead of fighting for first place and displacing the main dish in texture and taste. I find that serving a small glass of dessert wine is a good alternative dessert. I always think that our guests will thank us for not overloading their stomachs with too rich foods.

Pesaro, Capri or Sicilia?

Tags

art., Capri, culture, Etna, Food, Future, opera, PEI, Pesaro, Rossini, Sicily, Wine

Well we have been to those three places, Pesaro is a small town South of Rimini on the Adriatic Coast of Italy and the birth place of the celebrated Opera and Music composer Gioachino Rossini, Barber of Seville Fame. It is also a resort beach town with a long history, excellent restaurant, art galleries, culture, Italian Fashion Creations and a famous Opera Festival in August each year devoted to the music of its famous son, who did not live many years in Pesaro and preferred Paris. We love the place and had many wonderful times there.

 

Inside the Palazzo Moschi-Tosca in Pesaro, books as art installation.

Intermission during an opera performance, patrons on the square in front of the theatre. If you look closely you will see us in the crowd.

Capri, the Island in the bay of Naples, facing the Volcano Vesuvius. Capri is of course famous as a resort for Emperors like Tiberius and the millionaire jet-set, spectacular views, no beaches really because the Island is one big cliff and the few places where you could swim is made of narrow stretches below the cliffs of black flat stones, this is why the wealthy have pools instead. The restaurants are great, so are the hotels, most are small but luxurious, no motel 6 here, it is a lovely place to relax, the hordes of tourists are kept on paths, usually with a guide near to shops so they don’t disturb the peace of the Just. We visited once and I liked it but could not picture myself enjoying the languid lifestyle.

Sicily, we took our car from Rome on the ferry overnight and sailed for Palermo. We arrived at 7:30am and disembarked, we then spent 2 weeks travelling around this wonderful Island once part of greater Greece in Antiquity and then part of the Duchy of Normandy, then France, until the incident of the Sicilian Vespers, see opera of the same name, finally Spain until 1860. From Palermo we travelled to Trapani, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo, Agrigento, Gela, Ragusa, Noto, Siracusa and Catania.

A beautiful island full of surprises, spectacular views, great sea food, wonderful wines, a complex history separate from Italy and a rich ancient culture. Worth many return trips.

 The best quality Marsala wine you can buy, it is not for cooking, not at those prices and it is very good to drink!

Different variety of top quality Marsala wines served by Salvatore the owner of the Wine Bar La Sirena Ubriaca in Marsala.

Wonderful seafood we had in Marsala

Spanish architecture in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily. Much of it built during the period of the Kingdom of Naples and the Two Sicily when Spain was ruling that part of the Peninsula.

Siracusa a wonderful city founded by the Greeks 2800 years ago. In the far distance the snow cap volcano Mount Etna.

The famous Greek Classical Theatre Festival of Siracusa, plays are in Greek. Telling all those famous story from Antiquity. Plays are performed in an ancient theatre built originally for that purpose in antiquity.

The small town of Noto and its beautiful architecture.

The symbol of Catania the little Elephant named Liotru, an old story involving a magician and his elephant made this the symbol of the city

Catania’s famous pastry known as the Tits of St-Agatha, delicious.

As seen from the centre of the City of Catania, Mount Etna acting up again. It is known as a gusher volcano not an explosive one, otherwise there would be no Catania today.

So why am I talking about these three places, yes we visited them and yes we enjoyed them immensely. But what is the connection with the future? Ah! there is the riddle, all three, Pesaro, Capri and Sicilia have a connection and point to events yet to come. So stay tuned, all will be revealed!

Iran and Saudia

Tags

Gatineau, Ici Radio-Canada, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Shia, Sunni, Syria, USA, Western Asia

Two weeks ago a poorly reported news item on the spat between Iran and Saudi Arabia on Radio-Canada Morning Show seriously ticked me off and started me on these posts about the Middle-East. The usual nonsense, the hysterical tone of Media reports, the inane comments by self-appointed experts made to reinforce our deep seated prejudice about anything in that part of the World.

Both countries Iran and Saudi Arabia broke off relations over the execution by beheading of Sheik Nimr al-Nimr who was a well known Shia Cleric in Saudi Arabia and a very vocal critic of the House of Al-Saud. The Saudi Royal Embassy in Tehran was attacked and burnt by Iranian protesters after the execution and at that point the Saudi Government decided to simply break off diplomatic relations, a very serious step. The Saudis knew that by executing Sheik Nimr al-Nimr there would be serious consequences but he was just a pawn in the long simmering dispute between these two countries.  I cannot but feel that this was a pretext the Saudis were looking for to scuttle their already tense and frosty diplomatic relations with Iran, a country they fear in the region and who could easily displace the not much liked Saudis in terms of political regional influence. The Saudis who for decades have been financing various terror and extremist group to advance their political agenda are more and more isolated and are facing questions as to their involvement with ISIS. Saudi Arabia also knows too well that if it was not for the oil reserves, no one would pay much attention to them. In fact who was paying attention prior to 1920?

By way of introduction here is some background on the area and Iran.

The balance of power was altered with the First World War, the Ottoman Turk Empire collapsed, Egypt became a British Protectorate, Persia saw its ruler the Qajar Shah fall from power in 1921 in a coup d’État and replaced by his Prime Minister Reza Pahlavi who proclaimed himself Shah (emperor). In 1941 the British turned Iran into a Protectorate with Mohammad Reza Shah as the new ruler who simply replaced his father seen as a German ally.

Iran is an important country for the following reasons, it is the second-largest country in Western Asia and the 18th-largest in the world. With 78.4 million inhabitants, Iran is the world’s 17th-most-populous country. It is the only country that has both a Caspian Sea and an Indian Ocean coastline. Iran has long been of geostrategic importance because of its central location in Eurasia and Western Asia, and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, beginning with the formation of the Proto-Elamite and Elamite kingdoms in 3200–2800 BC.

Iran exerts considerable influence in international energy security and the world economy through its large reserves of fossil fuels, which include the largest natural gas supply in the world and the fourth-largest proven oil reserves. Iran’s rich cultural legacy is reflected in part by its 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the fourth-largest number in Asia and 12th-largest in the world.

Iran is a founding member of the UN, ECO, NAM, OIC, and OPEC. A multicultural country comprising numerous ethnic and linguistic groups, most inhabitants are officially Shia, and Persian is the official language, though there are Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians living in the Republic since ancient times.

The name of the country was changed from Persia to Iran in 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi requested from the international community to refer to his country by its native name, Iran.

I visited Iran in 2002 I was then on duty in Damascus, Syria and went to Tehran to replace a colleague. I was thrilled to visit Iran, I flew with Syrian Airways from Damascus to Tehran a 3 hour flight. Tehran is a surprising wealthy city on the foothills of the snow cap Alborz Mountains.

What I found on arrival was a sophisticated society, a cultured people and a beautiful city with great restaurants. I was largely on my own outside the Office and wandered around alone. Luckily many Iranians speak English or French so I could order food and find my way around. I also quickly noticed how Iranians were very much like Westerners in their way of thinking and so very unlike the Arabs which they do not like much, looking down at them as a little people. The difference between Damascus and Tehran and even in comparison to other cities like Amman and Cairo was startling, I could have been in a European city in Tehran. I also saw none of the negative images the media loves to present of Iran as anti-Western, dangerous and threatening, people were friendly, polite and ready to help. 

So when the Canadian news media gave out the usual poorly informed narrative on Iran and Saudi Arabia and this latest spat, I do not see it as a crisis, the two countries are not equals, I though here we go again with the usual nonsense seen from our backyard, with our pre-conceived prejudices and superiority complex.

Saudi Arabia provoked this crisis with the execution of the cleric, something they could have easily avoided but wanted to provoke Iran. All of it has to do with the crisis in Syria, Yemen, Irak where Saudi Arabia has been trying to impose itself and its Wahabite religious agenda, championing the Sunni cause against the Shia.

Our Media in Canada and in the West presents it as a Shia (Iran) against Sunni (Saudia) quarrel as if that explained it all. Saudi Arabia is very worried of the rapprochement or thawing of relations between the USA and Iran. Up until recently the Saudis had the ear of Washington and Iran was on the outs. With King Salman ben Abdelaziz of Saudi Arabia, who succeeded his half-brother in January 2015, the relationship with the USA can be described as correct but difficult, there is no great warmth or easy cooperation.

But the regional conflict in Syria and the threat of ISIS in both Irak and Syria has changed matters and a re-alignment is gradually taking place. Saudia is weary of any warming to Tehran by the West.

This week the International Sanctions in place for many years because of the Nuclear program of Iran were lifted, some 46 Billion dollars will be returned to the Central Bank of Iran, assets that belong to Iran and were frozen as part of the sanctions. Normal relations will allow more trade and more involvement by Iran with Western nations. Iran has a lot to offer and can with ease outshine Saudi Arabia, which has not much to offer outside of oil, is a closed xenophobic country, with a population living on oil welfare, poorly educated and inward looking. Many Arabs will tell you that the day oil runs out in Saudi Arabia, the Saudis will return to the desert and that will be the end of it.

Oil may not run out for another 40 years but technology is changing our lives and the World today is less dependent on oil given the new environmental awareness in governments and climate change which threatens us all. In the fight against ISIS, Iran is fully engage, we cannot say this of Saudi Arabia who is on the margins playing a dubious role with many shadowy figures.

I would not be surprised to see a dominant Iran in the region in the next 5 to 10 years, one that has replaced the old order and provided a solution to the turmoil in the area. Saudi Arabia cannot offer anything of the sort.

Iran could, per example, offer asylum to Basher Al-Assad, their political ally, this could facilitate change in Syria, though the opposition groups would have to present a more united front. Iran can with the help of Western countries crush ISIS or be instrumental. In Irak it can foster more stability if ISIS is defeated or chased out of the country. Iran also has influence with the Shia majority, there lots of new opportunities in the region and the world.

It is also important to explain the differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims are not  based on Faith or on beliefs, they believe the same thing, far more so than Christians who will fight amongst Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants on doctrine, that is not the case of Shia or Sunnis. The dispute is on who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad.

Shia Muslims believe that just as a prophet is appointed by God alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophet. They believe God chose Ali to be Muhammad’s successor.

Sunni Muslims believe that the successor of the prophet can be either elected or selected by a committee from among those capable of exercising the function.

That is the difference, it is very similar to the divide between what Christians Catholics and Christian Protestants have on the authority of the Pope as supreme pontiff. The Pope is the successor of Peter say the Catholics and the Protestant reject that notion completely seeing the Pope as nothing more than the Bishop of Rome. We had our wars of religion on that basis.

Tehran in the evening with the Alborz mountains in the background.