Tag Archives: Europe

Ferry Travelling In Europe Is Very Popular For Summer- Here Are Costs

Far from the stress of crowded airports or stations, ferries allow you to travel in comfort while taking your time.

Our friends at Vivanoda, a web platform that enables all travelers to find ferry, bus, train and plane tickets, wanted to launch a major study into ferry prices in Europe in order to gain a better understanding of the variations in ferry ticket prices according to a number of criteria (destination country, distance, seasonality, etc.).

Fortunately for those of us interested in a Europe trip that includes ferrying, they have analyzed tens of thousands of ferry fares on hundreds of routes in Europe, as well as crossings to Turkey and the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), to get as exhaustive a picture as possible. If you enjoy comparing prices using graphs you are going to want to keep reading…

It’s not difficult to understand the appeal of Ferry travel- leisurely comfortable rides with great views.

Here are the key points highlighted by this study at European level:

  • Ferry crossings to Tunisia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Sweden have the lowest price index.
  • Conversely, ferry crossings to Turkey, the UK and Morocco have the highest price indexes.
  • Connections between Greece and Turkey and those between Morocco and Spain are proportionally the most expensive in Europe.
  • Connections between Germany and Lithuania or Latvia are the least expensive in relation to the distance travelled.
  • The shorter the crossing, the more expensive it is.
  • Across Europe, prices are higher on average from July to September. They are also slightly higher at weekends.
Ferry price index in Europe by country

For The Silo, Nicolas Pellier.

About Vivanoda
Vivanoda is a web platform that makes it easy to find ferry, train, bus and plane tickets for travel in Europe. Launched in 2013, the site has received awards from the European Commission, the International Union of Railways and the Groupama insurance group.

Euro Holiday Destination Searches Skyrocket By 6700 Percent

As searches for “European holidays” skyrocket by 6700%¹, a must-visit list of the best cities in Europe has been announced. 

Our friends at Spin Genie  analyzed the average price and the number of days it would take to view the tourist attractions of major European cities to create a list of the 11 best places to visit in Europe. 

11 of the Best Places to Visit in Europe:

City Country Average Hotel Price (per night) Recommended Length Of Stay 
RomeItaly €70-€2005-7 days 
LondonEngland £100-£300 4-5 days 
Paris France €100-€300 4-6 days 
Amsterdam Netherlands €80-€2003-5 days
PragueCzech Republic €60-€1503-4 days 
BarcelonaSpain €80-€150 5-6 days 
SantoriniGreece €150-€3003-5 days 
BudapestHungary €70-€150 4-5 days 
ReykjavikIceland €100-€200 3-4 days 
Berlin Germany €70-€150 3-4 days 
ViennaAustria €80-€150 3-4 days 

Dom Aldworth, Head of Brand Marketing at Spin Genie says “As one of the most influential continents in the world, Europe is home to a vast range of diverse and culturally rich countries. From impressive historical architecture to quaint towns and delicious foods, every country offers travelers a unique and vibrant experience.

“Whether you want to indulge in fine French cuisine, relax in ancient baths or transport yourself back in time, Europe is the perfect place for bucket list adventures.”  

Dom continued “Budget-conscious travelers will be pleased to discover that several affordable cities offer incredible experiences without breaking the bank. 

“Budapest is often regarded as one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. With its affordable accommodation options, reasonably priced dining choices, and inexpensive public transportation, visitors can explore the city’s stunning architecture, relax in its thermal baths, and indulge in its vibrant nightlife without straining their wallets.” 

The team also named their top 5 un-missable tourist attractions. 

Trevi Fountain, Rome


“One of Rome’s most famous landmarks, the Trevi Fountain is a bucket list attraction.” Dom at Spin Genie comments “Toss a coin into the stunning Trevi Fountain, one of Rome’s most famous landmarks. Admire its Baroque design, intricate sculptures, and cascading waters, and make a wish for your return to the Eternal City.” 

The London Eye and Tower Of London, London


London has a range of iconic landmarks, from historic buildings such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London to Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the London Eye. 

Eiffel Tower, Paris


No visit to Paris is complete without a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Ascend to the top for panoramic city views or enjoy a leisurely picnic in its surrounding gardens.

Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam


The world’s only floating flower market, Bloemenmart is the perfect place for lovers of colour, beauty and flowers to visit. Admire colourful displays of flowers, bulbs and souvenirs and take home a piece of Amsterdam’s floral heritage. 

Santorini Volcano, Santorini


Take a boat trip to Nea Kameni’s and Palea Kameni’s volcanic islets. Hike up to the active volcano’s crater, bathe in the hot springs, and learn about the volcanic geology that shaped the island.

FAQs

What are the most beautiful cities in Europe?

Beauty is subjective; however, there are a few European cities that are renowned for their beauty.

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, boasts a wealth of artistic and architectural treasures. The city’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and attractions like the Florence Cathedral, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio showcase its artistic grandeur.

Other beautiful cities include Paris, Prague, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Vienna, Santorini, and Rome.

What are the largest cities in Europe?

The largest cities in Europe by population include Moscow, London, Saint Petersburg, Berlin and Madrid.

Moscow, the capital of Russia, stands as the largest city in Europe, both in terms of population and geographical expanse. This thriving metropolis blends a rich history with modern cosmopolitanism. From the iconic Red Square and the majestic Kremlin to the opulent St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow showcases a fusion of grandeur, architectural marvels, and cultural treasures

What are the oldest cities in Europe?

Europe is a treasure trove of history, and it’s home to some of the oldest cities in the world. These cities have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the birth of civilizations, and the shaping of European culture.

Plovdiv, located in Bulgaria, is one of Europe’s oldest cities, with evidence of settlement dating back over 8,000 years. The city’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts well-preserved Roman ruins, including an ancient theatre that is still in use today.

Other cities include Athens, Rome, Cadiz, Argos, Larnaca, and Byblos.

Which are the cheapest cities in Europe to visit?

Budget-conscious travellers will be pleased to discover that several affordable cities offer incredible experiences without breaking the bank.

Budapest is often regarded as one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe. With its affordable accommodation options, reasonably priced dining choices, and inexpensive public transportation, visitors can explore the city’s stunning architecture, relax in its thermal baths, and indulge in its vibrant nightlife without straining their wallets.

Some of the most affordable cities in Europe to visit include Krakow, Lisbon, Warsaw, Athens and Bucharest.

What are the safest cities in Europe?

Europe is generally considered safe, but some cities have lower crime rates than others.

Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, is often ranked as one of the safest cities in the world. With its efficient public transportation system, well-maintained streets, and low crime rates, Zurich offers a safe environment for travellers to explore its beautiful Old Town, enjoy the pristine Lake Zurich, and immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

Other safe cities include Copenhagen, Vienna, Helsinki, Stockholm, Munich, Amsterdam, Geneva and Oslo.

What are the most romantic cities in Europe?

When it comes to romantic cities in Europe, certain destinations evoke a sense of enchantment and timeless love. Paris, often called the “City of Love,” tops the list. With its charming cobblestone streets, beautiful parks, and stunning landmarks, Paris provides the perfect backdrop for romantic strolls, candlelit dinners, and unforgettable moments.

Other cities include Venice, known as the “Floating City,” which is a dreamlike destination that exudes romance; Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, captivates with its timeless beauty and artistic heritage; Santorini, a picturesque Greek island and Prague, with its fairytale-like architecture.

These cities have an irresistible charm that evokes romance and captivates the hearts of couples seeking a truly enchanting experience.

Christmas Gift Made In China? Historical Long Distance Trade Lead To Modern Global Lives Of Things

Until quite recently, the field of early modern history largely focused on Europe.

The overarching narrative of the early modern world began with the European “discoveries,” proceeded to European expansion overseas, and ended with an exploration of the fac-tors that led to the “triumph of Europe.” When the Journal of Early Modern History was established in 1997, the centrality of Europe in the emergence of early modern forms of capitalism continued to be a widely held assumption. Much has changed in the last twenty years, including the recognition of the significance of consumption in different parts of the early modern world, the spatial turn, the emergence of global history, and the shift from the study of trade to the commodities themselves.

Sometimes conferences disappear from view as soon as the delegates disperse.

Other times, when the papers are published in an edited volume, conferences come to be seen as important milestones in the historiography. The two volumes edited by James Tracy, entitled The Rise of Merchant Empires and The Political Economy of Merchant Empires published in 1990 and 1991, respectively, move through their various stages of production, ownership, transmission and transformation .

Moreover, those stages are overlapping, circulatory and contradictory; objects move in and out of collections, as they move in and out of fashion, and meanings are never stable. When a feathered crown is produced in Spanish America, for example, it has a very different meaning from when it enters into a cabinet of curiosity, and when it is taken out of the cabinet to appear in a spectacular performance in the street or in the theatre, it once again takes on a different meaning.

Objects gain biographies; earlier meanings of objects are never erased but reshaped and translated to new circumstances, as Leah Clark showed in her study of the circulations of gems and jewels through the hands of a variety of owners in quattrocento Italy. Have we lost this meaning connection with mass produced items from China?

Such insights have benefitted not only from the global turn but also from developments in the fields of anthropology and art history, making the field more interdisciplinary than it was when the study of the trade in goods focused more on their trade than on the goods themselves.

The Founding of a New Journal

Despite Tracy’s efforts, European actors continued to hold central stage in the field. When the Journal of Early Modern History (JEMH) was established in 1997, a decade after the Minnesota conference, the centrality of Europe in the emergence of early modern forms of capitalism, for example, continued (and still continues) to be a widely held assumption.  In part, this can be explained by the powerful legacy of giants in the field like Fernand Braudel and Immanuel Wallerstein.

1 James Tracy, ed.,The Rise of Merchant Empires: Long-Distance Trade in the Early Modern World, 1350-1750, Studies in Comparative Early Modern History (Cambridge, 1990); James Tracy, ed., The Political Economy of Merchant Empires, Studies in Comparative Early Modern History (Cambridge, 1991).

2 Herman Van der Wee, “Structural Changes in European Long-Distance Trade, and Particularly in the Reexport Trade from South to North, 1350-1750,” in The Rise of Merchant Empires, 14-33; Niels Steensgaard, “The Growth and Composition of the Long-Distance Trade of England and the Dutch Republic before 1750,” in The Rise of Merchant Empires, 102-52; The importance of comparative methodologies is also spelled out in the short editorial that accompanies the first part of the first volume of the JEMH. See James D. Tracy, “From the Editors,” Journal of Early Modern History 1 (1 January 1997):3

Braudel’s concern was entirely with European history over the longue durée; Wallerstein’s 1976 study identified Europe as one of the core regions in the modern capitalist economy as it emerged in the sixteenth century. Regions like Central Africa, India and China were designated as peripheries, meaning that their natural resources and low-skill, labor-intensive production sustained the economic growth of the core region. Wallerstein’s framing of the relationship between the early modern European core and its peripheries formed the base for much of the scholarship of the past decades, including numerous studies of the long-distance or intercontinental trade between core and periphery.

Much that was written also continued to identify long-distance trade as the preserve of either the various East India Companies associated with individual nations, or of the specifically named merchant communities such as the Armenians, the Jews, Wang Gungwu’s Hokkien merchants, or the Bajaras and Banyas merchant communities.

Such groups appear in the literature as having a clear identity that separates them from other groups and an often marginal status that makes them especially suited to the life of the itinerant merchant who covers vast distances.

And for much of the 1990s and beyond, the emphasis continued to be on commodities traded over long distances, from Asia to Europe via land or sea routes, including luxury items that justified the high cost associated with their transport. Precious metals were sent from the Americas to Asia, silks and spices arrived in the Levant via overland trade routes, and once the Europeans had rounded the Cape of Good Hope, luxury goods like porcelains, precious stones, and exotic hardwoods were shipped across the oceans along with silks and spices. Long-distance trade as it appears in Tracy’s two volumes on merchant empires was undoubtedly seen as important, but as essentially different from the bulk trade in grains, timber and salt that, for example, underpinned the growth of the early modern Dutch economy.

3 Fernand Braudel,Civilization and Capitalism, 15th-18th Century, trans. Siân Reynolds, 3 vols. (Berkeley, 1992); Immanuel Maurice Wallerstein, The Modern World-System: Capitalist Agriculture and the Origins of the European World-Economy in the Sixteenth Century (New York, 1976). At least 23 research articles published between 1997 and the present in JEMHquote Braudel’s work, and a further five quote Wallerstein.

4 Gungwu Wang, “Merchants without Empire: The Hokkien Sojourning Communities,” in The Rise of Merchant Empires, 400-422; Irfan Habib, “Merchant Communities in Precolonial India,” in The Rise of Merchant Empires, 371-99.

In other words, when the JEMH was founded, the centrality of Europe in shaping global trade relations, the separation of agents into distinct nation-based groups, and the classification of goods over long distances as luxuries of less importance all still had a very strong presence.

One major change did occur, however, more or less between the appearance of The Rise of Merchant Empires in 1990, and the establishment of the JEMH in 1997.

John Brewer and Roy Porter’s 1993 Consumption and the World of Goods was one of those transformative collections of articles that inaugurated a whole new way of doing history.6 Brewer and Porter were not the first to use the title; Mary Douglas and Baron Isherwood had already published a book with a very similar title in 1979. But Brewer and Porter, and many others who went on to publish in the field of what we might call consumption studies, took the study of the consumer in a new direction, away from the eighteenth-century European debates over whether the consumption of luxury goods was morally justifiable, and towards sophisticated studies of the complex contexts in which people desired goods and in which that desire and demand for goods went on to transform society, culture and the ………… to continue reading click here for full document in PDF format.

For the Silo by Anne Gerritsen, University of Warwick. Paper courtesy of academia.edu

Royal Gulf Industries To Fund UAE’s First EV Battery Recycling Centre

Will invest AED 62.4 million / $16.99 million USD / $21.82 million CAD on constructing UAE’s first used battery recycling centre in Ras Al Khaimah.

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) welcomed Royal Gulf Industries, a state-of-the-art lead acid battery recycling company, to its dynamic industrial ecosystem. A subsidiary of Hyderabad Castings Limited and part of Nakhat Group, the new company is set to invest AED 62.4 million (USD 17 million) to construct the UAE’s first environment-friendly automotive battery recycling centre on approximately 110,000 ft2 of land at Al Ghail Industrial Zone. Royal Gulf Industries will employ more than 150 people in its facility, which is set to be ready in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The company aims to recycle up to 35,000 metric tonnes of used lead acid batteries annually.

This will produce 21,500 tonnes of lead ingots and 2,400 metric tonnes of plastic granules. Both of these materials will be largely exported to India, Japan, Korea, China and Europe for the manufacturing of new lead acid batteries and cases. This activity accounts for recycling around 58% of the lead acid battery scrap generated in the UAE.

Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, and Yogesh Nakhat Jain, Managing Director of Royal Gulf Industries, marked the beginning of the recycling unit’s construction during a recent signing ceremony held between the two parties at the RAKEZ Compass Coworking Centre.

Toshiba Lead Acid EV battery.

“We are very excited to start our journey in the UAE, where we will be fully recycling battery waste in an environment-friendly way. We aim to collect waste batteries not just from the UAE, but also import from around the world to make Ras Al Khaimah a hub for recycling” said Hanuman Mal Nakhat, Chairman of Royal Gulf Industries.

Discarded batteries are a gold mine for prospective recyclers.

“RAKEZ has supported us every step of the way in turning this massive project into a reality. Our customer experience so far has been excellent as we have received support not just for our company registration, but also for developing our business in the UAE. From liaising with government entities, including Environment Protection and Development Authority, RAK Municipality, Waste Management Authority and Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology on our behalf to secure the relevant approvals, to hosting us during our visits to Ras Al Khaimah in the past three years of planning the company’s set-up formalities. The team also helped us find the right suppliers and connect with construction companies. We are confident that RAKEZ will continue to play a crucial role in the fulfilment of our vision by offering us all the assistance and support during our business journey,” he added.

Jallad said: “We are glad to be the chosen base for Royal Gulf Industries’ pioneering recycling facility in the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah’s leadership has been striving for environment sustainability. Hence, Royal Gulf Industries, along with other RAKEZ companies in the closed-loop supply chain complement the emirate’s efforts.” He added, “These companies boost the country’s non-oil GDP and advance the national sustainability agenda. We are committed to support their goal of making an impact in the planet through our nurturing and collaborative industrial ecosystem.”

In its second phase spanning three years, Royal Gulf Industries plans to invest about AED 125 million / $34.03 million USD / $43.71 million CAD and create 350 jobs in Ras Al Khaimah. The company also aims to make the UAE a hub for recycling metals, creating global supply chains.

Battery Show Europe Showcasing Latest Batteries, Exotic Racers And Cars

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Grove, Oxfordshire, England. June/July 2022 Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) showcases industry-leading high performance battery technology at The Battery Show Europe 

  • Innovative Adaptive Multi-Chem technology on display at Stuttgart show alongside first real-world application: Triumph Motorcycles’ TE-1 electric motorbike prototype
     
  • Adaptive Multi-Chem combines power and energy in one advanced battery system and can be tailored for individual customer requirements 
     
  • Technology delivers step-change in performance, efficiency, range and charging time when applied to the TE-1 prototype demonstrator
     
  • Deus Vayanne EV hypercar, a collaboration between Deus Automobiles, Italdesign and WAE also on display at the event
     
  • The Battery Show Europe, Stuttgart, Germany will be held from 28-30 June 2022, with WAE located in Hall 8 on stand F50.
     
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Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) will showcase its industry-leading high performance battery technology at The Battery Show Europe from 28-30 June, in Stuttgart. 

Visitors to the WAE stand in Hall 8, stand F50, will have the opportunity to examine an example of the company’s innovative Adaptive Multi-Chem advanced battery pack, together with the Triumph Motorcycles TE-1 prototype demonstrator.

Combining power and energy in one advanced battery system, Adaptive Multi-Chem sets new standards for performance and efficiency, with the advantage of being totally customizable for individual customer requirements.

Triumph’s first zero emission prototype demonstrator motorcycle – the battery pack for which delivers a peak power of 130kW and continuous power of 90kW, with a capacity of 15kWh – will also be on display. With the optimum balance of power and energy, TE-1’s battery gives the rider access to greater electric power for longer, regardless of battery charge, and matches exhilarating acceleration with exceptional range. The 360-volt system also enables a fast-charging time of under 20mins (0-80%).  

WAE developed the technology to support the TE-1 prototype demonstrator, a unique collaboration between Triumph Motorcycles, Integral Powertrain Ltd, and WMG at the University of Warwick funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK. 

In addition, the stunning 2200 horsepower Deus Vayanne electric hypercar, brought to life by WAE’s collaboration with Deus Automobiles and Italdesign, is on display on the Deus Automobiles stand Hall 8, Stand D-30.

This customer project demonstrates WAE’s sector-leading partnership with ItalDesign, which sees WAE provide a highly sophisticated composite EV platform and powertrain, with ItalDesign contributing the body design, safety systems and electric architecture.

The partnership provides a unique offering for established car companies and start-ups who want a luxury, high-performance EV, without having to spend many years – and billions of dollars – developing a proprietary EV skateboard and associated technology. 

Taking place from 28 – 30 June 2022 in Stuttgart, Germany, The Battery Show Europe is Europe’s largest battery technology showcase and conference. With more than 480 suppliers in attendance, The Battery Show Europe provides an ideal opportunity for WAE to showcase its motorsport-derived, zero-emission mobility solutions. 

On day one of the conference, Tim Engstrom, WAE Manager – Advanced Battery Technologies, will also deliver the keynote presentation, ‘Examining the Role of Motorsport as a Platform to Accelerate Battery Technology, And Why It Matters’.

Dyrr Ardash, Head of Strategic Partnerships, WAE said: “The Battery Show Europe is an ideal event for WAE to showcase its high-performance battery and EV platform technology. As the world electrifies, motorsport developments act as a springboard to bring world-class technical innovation for a decarbonised and sustainable future. WAE’s role in electric motorsport has significantly accelerated the development of the lightweight battery and e-powertrain technology we can offer our customers today. We continue to learn valuable lessons from our motorsport involvement that will deliver further transformative benefits to the users of EVs in terms of power, performance, efficiency, and sustainability.” 

For the Silo, by Ben Lewis.

This Kick Scooter Converts From Backpack To Longboard

OLAF kick scooter workshop

Kick scooter, pronounced ‘geek scooter.’

Kick scooters are gaining popularity in many populous urban and suburban areas worldwide. As Europe leans toward sustainable mobility, more and more creative ideas are addressing the issue of daily commuting. Designed and engineered in a home garage in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the OLAF Kick Scooter is one such attempt to alleviate the ‘last-mile’ problem.

Engineer Bostjan Zagar and his father developed an open platform kick scooter, OLAF Urban, that can carry any bag or backpack.

A unique feature is that if used with the provided OLAF backpack, the scooter itself is a backpack, and if the handle is folded, also a longboard.

Jure Lozic, designer of Musguard – rollable bike fender, calls the  folding mechanism “an engineering marvel, simple and effective”. Bostjan owns a patent and hopes it will take him from A to B, where B is mass production. Slovenia has ample production capabilities, so an eventual goal would be global manufacture.

After almost three years of research and development, Zagar was confident enough to start crowd funding at Kickstarter.

To broaden the odds of success, he implemented the same folding mechanism to an existing concept of carry-on kick scooter, OLAF Business. Now you really can cross the Atlantic with a kick scooter. “It’s the coolest carry-on!

Invest In eSports- Ministers Welcome Commonwealth Interventions To Rebuild Hard Hit Sport Sector

Commonwealth collaboration is vital to the recovery of the sport sector which has suffered a crushing blow from essential measures to stem the spread of COVID-19. This was the recurring theme as sports ministers from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific met at a landmark forum on the impact of the pandemic on their sector.

Countries spoke about the deep health and economic scars left by the closure of community sport, gyms and exercise facilities, the decimation of the local and international sporting calendar, and the loss of revenue from broadcasting and sponsorship deals.

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According to a recent Commonwealth study, while the overall economy of the 54 member countries would contract on average by 3.2 per cent in 2020, the contribution of sport sectors to GDP could drop by well over 20 per cent in several states.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “Our countries are shouldering many very heavy burdens as a result of the pandemic. Among these, necessary restrictions affecting the sport sector make much of its future is uncertain and are preventing it from making its much-needed contributions to physical well-being, mental health and economic activity. So it was really encouraging to see how Sports Ministers in our member countries are responding to the effects of COVID-19 with powerful and imaginative initiatives. Return-to-play tool kits, grants for community clubs and virtual programs to help people of all ages to be physically active were among examples shared at the forum. What also came through loud and clear is that by continuing to work together our chances of success in overcoming the impacts of the pandemic are greater, and our recovery will be swifter and more sustainable. Building on existing cooperation and momentum already achieved, the Commonwealth Secretariat has launched a range of innovative projects and programs, based on careful research and analysis, so that in all our member countries sport can be used more effectively to build communities that are socially and economically more resilient with healthier populations”

Resources such as the new Commonwealth Moves program was shared with ministers to support efforts to get more people active while complying with the rules imposed to suppress the pandemic. The online tool is tailored to tackle the ongoing ‘pandemic’ of immobility, exacerbated by COVID-19 disruptions. It includes activities for all demographics, including young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Forum participants expressed strong support for the Secretariat’s initiatives.

This includes its program on measuring sport’s contribution to the sustainable development goals and its recent online course on designing effective policies and programs.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage, Amina Mohamed chaired the forum. She said: “This forum was timely and critical for many governments still working very hard to fight the devastating pandemic that ambushed the globe early this year. The forum confirmed an unmistakable desire among Commonwealth Sport Ministers to collaborate, share solutions and pool their collective knowledge aided by the Commonwealth Secretariat including a newly developed pool of resources, carefully crafted to support countries resuscitate sport sectors choked by COVID-19, and ensure that we re-build healthier, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable economies and populations. “

Ministers at the forum presented how they are responding to the current challenges and planning the safe and staged return-to-sport.

These range from guidelines for cross border competitions and provisions of economic support for grassroots clubs to investment in the e-sport sector and helplines to address abuse in sport. In a statement released after the forum, sports ministers agreed that future policies, programs and competitions should integrate delivery modifications and virus suppression measures, and that the sector should be a focus of recovery and rebuilding efforts. 
For the Silo, Snober Abbasi.

Government Of Belgium Battling Social Media Sites Blocking Nude Artwork

Facebook and other social media sites are blocking masterpieces of “nude” art from Rubens, Bruegel, Van Eyck and others. In an open letter, several top European Museums are asking social networks to reconsider their policy. Facebook has been in the spotlight recently for blocking content including some parts of the United States Constitution and other historical documents and multimedia content.

Artistic censorship continues to pursue Peter Paul Rubens. In the 17th century, the Flemish Baroque painter was asked by the Catholic Church to paint camouflaging ‘loincloths’ over certain body parts of his Venus figures. Nowadays, social media networks, including Facebook, go one step further. All breasts, buttocks and cherubs painted by artists such as Rubens are banned on these platforms. ‘Bots’ on Facebook use artificial intelligence to screen for nudity, but do not make a distinction between pornographic images or nudity in art. Flanders – the perfect place to enjoy the Flemish Masters in all their glory – is denouncing this artistic censorship in a playful manner. At the Rubens House, ‘nudity viewers’ with a Facebook account were blocked from viewing nudity by a group of “social media police agents”.

Peter Paul Rubens Flemish Master Painter

The Flemish Masters are best experienced in Flanders, the number one destination for art lovers. After all, this is where Rubens, Bruegel and Van Eyck lived and worked. Their work can often be found still hanging in the very same places for which they were made. “We want to promote this unique experience,” says Peter De Wilde, CEO of VISITFLANDERS. “Our Flemish Masters attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Flanders each year and we are proud of this achievement.

Pieter Bruegel Flemish Master Painter

With our multi-year program focusing on Rubens, Bruegel and Van Eyck, which was launched in 2018, we are aiming for three million visitors by the end of 2020. At the moment it is not possible for us to promote our unique cultural heritage via one of the most popular social media networks. Our art is categorized as being indecent and sometimes even pornographic. This is such a shame as it restricts the promotion of our Flemish Masters.”

Eve detail Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck
Eve detail Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck

The agency in charge of promoting tourism in Flanders, Belgium explains that they have invested 30 million US dollars in 2018 to improve the experience of cultural travelers visiting that region, especially in cities like Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent and Brussels. Now they can’t promote some of those museums due to restrictive policies applied by some online social networks.

Jan van Eyck Flemish Master Painter

‘We are for it and not against it’ is what the people of Flanders say. Peter De Wilde explains, “Social media and art have a lot in common. Art brings people together. Social media brings people together, and our Flemish Masters too. This is why we want to enter into discussions with Facebook so that we can use this platform as one way in which to make our art visible. Surely it’s not that difficult to differentiate between cultural heritage and gratuitous nudity?”

VISITFLANDERS position is supported by several top museums in Belgium and around Europe. In an open letter, the institutions ask Mark Zuckerberg to revise Facebook’s policy related to art, culture and heritage. Click here to read the open letter.

“We tried various channels to bring this matter to Facebook’s attention. Unfortunately nobody listened,” De Wilde explains. Flanders hopes the comedy video produced in Rubens’s House will facilitate a discussion to solve the issue and allow users to view this content that is present in encyclopedias and elementary school grade text books. “Flanders is a unique art destination. But because we are naturally modest in Flanders, we do not shout out about it often enough. This stunt enables us to make our presence felt and also honor the spirit of Pieter Paul Rubens. He was an artistic rebel who was not afraid of engaging in social debate. There’s no finer tribute to honor our Flemish Master than by taking up the battle against unnecessary artistic censorship.”  For the Silo, Marcos Stupenengo.

About the Flemish Masters.
For over 250 years, from the 15th to long into the 17th century, Flanders was a figurehead for fine arts in Western Europe and the source of inspiration for well-known art movements of the time, such as the Flemish primitives, the Renaissance and the Baroque. Artists were known for their craftsmanship, creativity and technical innovations and they transformed the prosperous and urbanized Flanders into one of the most refined cultural regions with their impressive artistic and architectural creations.

About Peter Paul Rubens, master of female nudity.
Rubens is the best-known Flemish Master. This Baroque painter, illustrator and diplomat was one of the most celebrated artists of the 17th century. He exerted a particularly strong influence. He was a master of color, composition and painting techniques and also an expert in painting female nudity. His nude figures – which often refer to mythical beings – appear extremely lifelike, made from flesh and blood, with a fair amount of cellulite and with all kinds of body shapes visibly on display.

About Antwerp, the home of the Flemish Baroque movement.
Lonely Planet selected the best cities to visit in 2018 and included Antwerp in its top 10. According to the travel guide, Antwerp is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. And there is certainly plenty to see and do there in 2018. The “Antwerp Baroque 2018. Rubens inspires” festival shows you the finest places in Antwerp: www.antwerpbaroque2018.be

Ontario Greens: Canada European Union Trade Deal Extends To Municipalities

The official description from the Government of Canada is that CETA "is by far the most ambitious trade initiative" image: canada-eu.gc.ca
The official description from the Government of Canada is that CETA “is by far the most ambitious trade initiative” image: canada-eu.gc.ca

Ontario Greens are calling for a public review on the EU trade deal before its final approval.

(Queen’s Park): GPO leader Mike Schreiner is demanding that Premier Wynne conduct a public review on CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) before Ontario approves the deal.

“The people of Ontario deserve the right to accept or reject CETA’s sweeping changes before the deal is finalized,” says Schreiner. “Ontario cannot let CETA sell out local decision making, local purchasing policies, and sovereignty over our natural resources and public services without
a public debate on costs and benefits.”

The GPO has raised concerns over CETA in the past. In a letter to then Premier McGuinty last year, the GPO asked to Premier to:

* exempt natural resources, local purchasing programs, public utilities and services such as education and health care, and municipalities from CETA;
* demand open and transparent negotiations, and
* insist the dispute mechanisms are open and fair.

In this excerpt: A look back at what NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Act from 20 years ago) proposals looked like and their predicted impacts. Essay by E.Bernard http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/lwp/nafta.pdf
In this excerpt: A look back at what NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Act from 20 years ago) proposals looked like and their predicted impacts. Essay by E.Bernard
http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/lwp/nafta.pdf

“The Green Party supports free, fair trade with Europe, but NAFTA has taught us that we need to think these things through to prevent
expensive problems after the treaty is signed,” says Schreiner. “Ontarians need to be in control of fundamental decisions about their province and their economy.”

This would be the first trade deal that extends to provinces and municipalities. Over 50 municipalities and school boards have sought an exemption from CETA.

“Ontario must have a public review before approving such sweeping changes to our democratic institutions and local economies,” says Schreiner. “We can’t sell out our sovereignty to multi-national corporations without the people having a voice on the final details of this deal.” For the Silo, Becky Smit

Supplemental- What exactly is CETA supposed to be? http://www.actionplan.gc.ca/en/content/ceta-aecg/canada-eu-trade-agreement

In 2009 conspiracy reports of a Super NAFTA highway made headlines in the US. Here is a CNN brief:

Legislative Assembly Manitoba From 2007- Announcements of a Winnipeg ‘in land port’ with preclearance for international shipping , and a super NAFTA highway joining Manitoba with the US and Mexico via a mid continent trade corridor: