My story from Lithuania has recently aired on Deutsche Welle Living Planet
Maltese festival, Armenian violinist and habitus questions
Social theorist Pierre Bourdieu famously defined the sum of acquired tastes and various dispositions as habitus – not exactly an over-structure where individuals merely participate, but neither an individual portfolio of competences, crafted upon a free choice among components. Although this theory is about everything and anything, I find it very useful both academically and in my own observations about …
French festival in Budapest last night
Last night I went to Bal Populaire, hosted by the French Institute in Budapest. There was a French band Stabar (swing and humorous performances), Cabaret Medrano (one of the tons of Hungarian bands that play Balkan music), and the famous Dj Palotai. It was fun to observe how people were dancing. Mostly French people showed up – turns out that …
It’s green and it’s artsy – the White Bridge area in Vilnius
One of my favorite places to hang out in Vilnius is the green space around the White Bridge. There is a lot of space, so people fly kites and various strange flying objects, and sometimes there are festivals and concerts (like ). A part of this area was redeveloped according to a controversial plan, which included building a beach volley …
Impressions from the May Day gig in Vilnius
Many Lithuanians will tell you that it is not customary to celebrate the International Workers’ Day here, because it brings back bad memories to many. Several important holidays that celebrate emancipation were twisted in the USSR. Women were officially liberated, so the authorities decided that there is no point to demonstrate for women’s rights on the International Women’s Day, it …
Silent disco and other nightlife highlights in Seoul
Last year around this time I spent a month in Seoul. For no logical reason I did not find much time to blog, but, needless to say, there were many colourful experiences worth describing. I found a draft post today, so I think it will be the best to start with completing it and write about the nightlife in Seoul. …
Tel Aviv Drum beach
Dozens of drummers showing what they can without any coordination, sharing the joy of music and togetherness until the sun sets and Shabbat descends – this is what the Drum Beach in Tel Aviv is about. The beach is on the southern part of the city’s coastline, and it’s proud to be the capital of musical, dance and acrobatic improvisation …