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The Problem with Exoticism: A Critical Look at Orientalist Paintings
19th Century Italian Orientalist Masterpiece Painting “Four Women In The Harem” c. 1880, in the Circle of Rudolf Ernst. Have you ever looked at an old painting of a lavish palace, veiled women laying on silk cushions, or mysterious desert landscapes and thought, “Wow, so magical”? You’re not alone. Orientalist paintings, especially those from 19th-century Europe,…
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Gwendolyn MacEwen, Canada’s Cursed Poetess
There is something down there and you want it told. – Gwendolyn MacEwen Born in Toronto, Canada, on September 1st 1941, Gwendolyn MacEwen grew up in a dysfunctional family. From a young age, she cultivated a passion for writing that soon established her as one of the country’s best writing talents. However, MacEwen also witnessed…
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Beyond the Scroll: Media Literacy as a Tool for Navigating Digital Misinformation
In today’s vast and complex online world, information is everywhere, but finding the truth can be elusive. With each swipe and scroll, we’re inundated with sensational headlines, misleading claims, and exaggerated opinions. In this age of constant digital noise, being media literate isn’t just useful—it’s essential for navigating the information landscape. What Does Media Literacy…
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From Shrines to Stages: The Influence of Sufism on South Asian Music
Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, has deeply influenced the musical traditions of Pakistan and India for centuries. Its emphasis on divine love, spiritual transcendence, and devotion has given rise to some of the most soulful musical expressions in South Asia. From qawwalis that echo in shrines to folk songs that tell tales of divine…
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When Alice Found Me | A Chronicle of Literary Awakening
An illustration by John Tenniel from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in WonderlandPhoto: Courtesy of Retroimages/Getty Images Growing up in the early 1990s, I wasn’t the kind of kid who read Machado de Assis or memorized Shakespeare’s sonnets. I attended a public school in a city far from the capital, where education was precarious and basic. Until…
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Did We Really Hide Treasures in Caves? | Treasures and literature of caves
Hubert Robert, The Mouth of a Cave (1784)The Metropolitan Museum of Art Through darkness, humidity, legend and uneasiness, caves have become a column of humanity’s history and literature. But did they ever really hide treasures, as folklore suggests? Caves: Myth and Shelter In popular folklore, caves were often considered gateways to other worlds: those who…
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Understanding Our Fascination with Conspiracy Theories: A Psychological Exploration
From whispers of secret societies to debates on the moon landing, conspiracy theories have run through human history for centuries. With the rise of social media usage, these theories can spread at lightning speed. But what draws people to them? Let’s explore the psychological reasons behind our collective curiosity about the unknown. The Desire for…
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A Talk with Blue Walls: The Poet Behind Quartet Collection “Pomegranate”
Blue Walls is a 19-year-old Lebanese writer and artist currently based in France for his studies. His work bridges poetry, philosophy, and visual storytelling, weaving raw emotion with a meticulous artistic vision. Deeply influenced by identity, mental health, and the fluid nature of human experience, his poetry crafts immersive worlds where language serves as both…
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