Scandinavia  In the Nordic countries, Easter is associated with the return of spring after the long winter and is typically considered a pagan holiday. In Finland, Kokko lights—bonfires that symbolically drive out witches and inhabitants of the woods—are lit, while in Sweden, children dress up as witches and engage in "trick or treat" activities. However, in Norway, the focus shifts to mystery novels, known as påskekrim. This tradition began with an announcement by Gyldendal Harald Grieg during Easter 1923, leading to Norway boasting the highest number of mystery writers. Additionally, in Iceland, chocolate eggs contain proverbs, and on Easter Monday, Icelanders relax at the spa. Mexico   Mexico, a deeply religious country, is steeped in religious traditions during Easter. On Holy Thursday, Mexicans traditionally visit seven churches, akin to the practice in Rome, to atone for their sins. Holy Saturday sees the staging of the Burning of Judas, where a cardboard figure...

  There are artworks that have the power to enchant entire generations with their beauty, regardless of historical, cultural, or geographical contexts. These masterpieces have become so deeply ingrained in the collective imagination that they are used or parodied in advertisements, cinema, and fashion, leaving a lasting impression even if we have never seen them in person or know nothing about the artists who created them. In this article, we will explore the five most celebrated works of art in the world. 1. The Birth of Venus - Sandro Botticelli One of the highest achievements of Florentine painter Sandro Botticelli,  The Birth of Venus  is an ode to the Medici family, who commissioned its creation. When Venus arrived in Florence, the reign of beauty began. Orange trees, considered a Medici emblem due to the similarity between the family name and the name by which the plants were known (mala medica), form the backdrop for the figure of a modest Venus cover...

                                                         Hello, my dearest readers, I'm back after a long period of pause in which I had the opportunity to get to know a different version of paradise more and more deeply. I know I've intrigued you, so scroll down for more information! This wonderful little piece of our Earth is called Iceland, and there are almost an infinite number of reasons that pushed me to simply love it. I hope to amaze you too, but first I think it is essential to illustrate the structure of the article and the story behind it. As you surely already know my name is Marina, and I have friends spread all over the world. I've been dreaming of going to Iceland since the age of 9, and a few mo...

  In my presentation, I will explore two contrasting artistic approaches: descriptive art and distorted art. While descriptive art is committed to faithfully representing reality with richness of detail, distorted art privileges emotional expression and reinterpretation of subjects. To show these concepts, I will take as an example Hayez’s The Kiss for descriptive art, famous for its realistic precision, and Matisse’s Dance for distorted art, with its simplified forms and bold colours oozing movement and vitality.   1.      The kiss  The Kiss ("Il Bacio") is a renowned painting created by Italian artist Francesco Hayez in 1859. It is an oil on canvas piece measuring 110 cm × 88 cm (43 in × 35 in), depicting a passionate embrace between a man and a woman. Describing the artwork, the painting captures a tender moment between the lovers, with the man leaning in to kiss the woman's forehead while she closes her eyes, leaning into him. They are depi...

Introduction Hey, Easter is getting close! Couldn’t be a better time to talk about… Google Easter Eggs! Ok, but do you know what in the “software area” those easter eggs are? Well, they’re just hidden content included in software (here specifically Google Search), that during normal usage/actions aren’t present, so you have to perform a specific action to activate and discover them. Anyway, they’re not something “useful” at all and their usage is just for pure fun! Now, after that you have a bit of theoretical knowledge, it’s time to “practice” with the first easter eggs! Hidden Games If you love retro games, you’ll probably love the fact that if you search for “ pacman ” on Google, you get a working version of the game! But that’s not all, there are lots of other games, for example, search for: “ snake ”, “ minesweeper ”, “ tris ” and “ solitaire ”. Other Easter Eggs Searches What you’ve just seen is the tip of the iceberg! There are hundreds of Easter eggs hidden inside Google Searc...

School trips can be unexpectedly good For my new blog post this month, I decided to write about something different from my previous posts. I recently had the opportunity to visit the National Library of Rome with my teachers and schoolmates, and I must confess that for a book lover like me, it was a truly extraordinary and unforgettable experience. Sharing this experience with you is a real pleasure for me, and I hope you like this article even if it's a little different than usual! But before we start… What is a National Library ? For those who follow me and aren't familiar with the concept, don't worry! I admit that before my visit to the National Library of Rome, I didn't have a clear understanding of what it was either. However, after taking a leap and exploring its depths, I am happy to be able to share this valuable knowledge with you. A national library is an institution of extreme importance, established and financed by the government of a state. Its mai...

   This year on social media, a trend has spread wherein individuals affirm aspects about themselves related to nationality or interests, followed by a series of connected statements. These short videos aim to entertain and sometimes provoke thought by addressing prejudices or stereotypes in our society. However, some have used this trend to perpetuate stereotypes about feminism. Upon witnessing this, I was shocked and pondered why many women proudly reject feminism. Is it considered 'cool' not to be a feminist? Could they have been influenced by patriarchal upbringing that discouraged such beliefs? I concluded that these women may not understand the accurate definition of feminism as outlined in the dictionary, indicating societal alienation. Consider the impact such sentiments could have on young girls; they could undermine years of progress towards independence and social empowerment. Misinformative content acts as societal wounds, poisoning minds. Equally concerning are ...

  The sunflower is a beloved flower that has a deeply rooted symbolism in music, art, nature, and psychology.   The sunflower is often mentioned in various forms of art and media such as music, paintings, and literature. Its presence in various settings is symbolic of positive energy, growth, and evolution. The presence of these flowers often evokes feelings of hope, joy, and beauty. Their appearance is tied to warm summer days and brings forth a sense of optimism. Psychology The bright yellow colour of the sunflower represents positivity, optimism, and intelligence, which are all crucial aspects of psychology. In psychology, for example, it represents the unfolding and blossoming of one's unique self, integrating all aspects of one's personality and potential. The sunflower can be seen as a representation of the Self, which is a central concept in Jungian psychology.   Music In the same way that psychology describes sunflowers as a symbol of joy and optim...