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The Taksim Square in Istanbul
Taksim Square (Turkish:
Taksim Meydanı) situated in
the
European part of
Istanbul,
Turkey,
is a major shopping, tourist and leisure district famed for its
restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern
Istanbul, and is the location of the
Cumhuriyet Anıtı (Republic Monument), which was built in
1928 and
commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic.
Taksim, from
Arabic taqṣīm, means "division" or "distribution". The Taksim
square was originally the point where the main water lines from the
north of Istanbul were collected and branched off to other parts of the
city (hence the name). This use for the area was established by Sultan
Mahmud
I. The square takes its name from the stone reservoir which is
located in this area. Additionally, the word "Taksim"
can refer to a special improvisational musical form in Turkish classical
music that is guided by the
Makam
system. Taksim is a main transportation hub and
a popular destination for both tourists and the native population of
Istanbul.
İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue), a long pedestrian shopping
street, ends at this square, and a nostalgic tram runs from the square
along the avenue, ending near the
Tünel (1875)
which is the world's second-oldest subway line after London's
Underground (1863). Surrounding Taksim Square are numerous travel
agencies, hotels, restaurants, pubs, and international
fast
food chains such as
Pizza
Hut,
McDonald's and
Burger King. It is also home to some of Istanbul's grandest hotels
including the
InterContinental, the
Ritz-Carlton and
The Marmara Hotel.
Taksim is also a favourite location for public events
such as parades, New Year celebrations or other social gatherings.
Atatürk Cultural Center (in
Turkish, Atatürk Kültür Merkezi), a multi-purpose cultural center
and opera house, is also located on Taksim Square.
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The
Moscow Kremlin
(Russian:
Московский Кремль) usually referred to as simply The Kremlin, is
a historic fortified complex at the heart of
Moscow,
overlooking the
Moskva River (to the south),
Saint Basil's Cathedral and
Red
Square (to the east) and the
Alexander Garden (to the west). It is the best known of
kremlins
(Russian
citadels) and includes four palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing
Kremlin Wall with
Kremlin towers. The complex serves as the official residence of the
President of
Russia
The Soviet government fled from
Petrograd to Moscow on
12
March 1918.
Lenin selected the Kremlin Senate as his residence, and his room is
still preserved as a museum.
Stalin also had his personal rooms in the Kremlin. He was eager to
remove from his headquarters all the "relics of the tsarist regime".
Golden eagles on the towers were replaced by shining
Kremlin stars, while the wall near
Lenin's Mausoleum was turned into the
Kremlin Wall Necropolis.
The Chudov Monastery and Ascension Convent, with their
magnificent 16th-century cathedrals, were dismantled to make room for
the Communist military school and
Palace of Congresses. The Little Nicholas Palace and the old Saviour
Cathedral were pulled down as well. The residence of the Soviet
government was closed to tourists until 1955. It was not until the
Khrushchev Thaw that the Kremlin was reopened to foreign visitors.
The Kremlin Museums were established in 1961 and the complex was among
the first Soviet patrimonies inscribed on the
World Heritage List in 1990.
Although the current director of the Kremlin Museums,
Elena Gagarina (Yuri
Gagarin's daughter) advocates a full-scale restoration of the
destroyed cloisters, recent developments have been confined to expensive
restoration of the original interiors of the Grand Kremlin Palace, which
were altered during Stalin's rule. The Patriarch of Moscow has a suite
of rooms in the Kremlin, but divine service in the Kremlin cathedrals is
held irregularly, because they are still administrated as museums.
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Traditional Ceramics
In 1997, the idea
was born to organise a ceramic market in the mid-Bohemian city of Beroun.
The city council of Beroun contacted Mr. Vladimir Izbicky, who already
had a great deal of experience working with ceramics markets in other
countries, principally the market in the Bavarian town of Diessen.
Beroun has a rich
history in the development of ceramics. Archaeological excavations have
revealed that since the 14th century, unique ceramic forms have been
produced here. The name of this type of ceramic product was „Beroun
Ceramics“, and its influence in the 16th century extended far beyond the
walls of this royal city.
In September 1997,
the first ceramic market took place in Jan Hus Square in the centre of
Beroun. At this time, sixty potters from all corners of the Czech
Repubic visited the town to participate in the market. It was difficult
at first to attract the best potters to Beroun. Despite this initial
scepticism, and thanks to the continuous promotion of the work, the
market quickly became a renowned and popular institution. Today, after
ten years, the Beroun ceramics market has become famous throughout the
Czech Republic. The country´s best potters are eager to suscribe, as
well as those from abroad. After the Czech Republic joined the EU,
foreign masters of the art became interested in the Beroun ceramics
market. Slovakian potters were the first, followed by Belgians, Dutch,
Germans and Austrians, as well as potters from distant Latvia. The
participation of these foreign guests is principally a sign of interest
in Czech ceramics, but also reveals a more general interest in the
affairs of one of the newest members of the EU. We have a lot of respect
for our guests, and we believe that their visit will give them something
special and unique. We are confident that they will want to return to
the Czech Republic in the future to discover more about our rich
cultural heritage.
On the occasion of
the 11th Beroun ceramics market there will be 240 potters taking part,
who will present a rich variety of different styles, both in terms of
technique and form. At this market it is possible to see high quality
work that would normally only be seen in the environment of an art
gallery. Each year there is a different theme to the market. For example:
Pottery And Beer; Pottery And Wine; Pottery And Flowers. In recent years
the theme has been Pottery And The Garden, because the grass in the
middle of Beroun Town Square is perfect for a pottery show and
competition. The main sponsor of this market is WBB Fuchs, who have
supported the competition and the market each year since its inception.
The winner is chosen by a jury composed of professors from ceramic and
art schools, editors of specialist magazines and representatives of
Beroun city council. The city council awards an annual prize of a
„Golden Gate“, which is given to the three most successful potters. This
award is given for exceptional artistic achievement, craft and
originality, and also for the overall presentation of the market stall.
The Beroun ceramics
market has become a social event, as well as a meeting point for
thousands of people from local towns and villages and other parts of the
Czech Republic. And, of course, from the capital city Prague, which is a
mere 30 kms away.
For our visitors
there is a relaxing cultural programme with traditional and
non-traditional refreshments.
For wine-lovers
there is a wine corner with high-quality wines from Karlstejn, Cejkovice
and Melnik. There are also delicassies from the distant Mediterranean –
La Belle Olive, for example.
Depending on your
taste, during your visit to the ceramics market you can also see the
famous Beroun Bear Pit, then view the city from the lookout point high
on the surrounding hills. You might also like to visit the llimestone
caves of Koneprussy, famous for their stalactites and stalagmites. Or
you can have a wonderful time sampling the alcoholic beverages in the
many pubs located in the town centre.
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