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Oranges in black and white

June 17, 2015

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Bardini Gardens, Florence

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Nobody's boy, Hector Malot

My childhood version. The Dutch title translates as: Alone in the world When I was little, my parents had a big blue book on their bookshelves with beautiful drawings. I loved the story of the young orphan Remi who was sold by his mean stepfather when he was ten years old to a musician, Vitalis, who travelled around with Joli-Coeur the little monkey and the dogs Capi, Dolce and Zerbino. Nodoby’s boy is a beautiful story and I read it many times. Only later did I find out this was a world famous French classic, translated into many languages. The story is probably known: Remi is an orphan and that is why he does not belong to anybody. But fortunately for him he does encounter many people who help him, sometimes for a short while, but often for a longer period of time. Vitalis is a good man, but during a cold winter’s night when they could not find shelter, he dies. Gardener Alcuin takes Remi into his family, but when a heavy storm destroys the glasshouses, fat

La piovra (1984-1999)

This is a great Italian series about the mafia. In the first four seasons Michele Placido played commissarion Corrado Cattani. He is send to Palermo to deal with the mafia, but in the end it will cost him his family and even his life. The mafia is called La piovra in this series, the octopus , because her tentacles stretch everywhere. It is an uneven battle for the police, everytime they think they can talk to somebody who will help the, the mafia beats them and usually murders that person. It also becomes clear how ‘normal’ people like solicitors and bankers and politicians are bound to the mafia. In series 5 en 6 the leading role is taken over by Vittorio Mezzogiorno who plays Inpector Davide Licata. It must not have been easy to step into the shoes of Michele Placido , but he also did a great job. Other amazing actors were Patricia Millardet who played judge Silvia Conti and of course Remo Girone as banker Tano Carridi. Bruno Cremer played Espinoza and I never could

The Basilica of Saint Denis

Basilica of Saint Denis In the north of Paris is Saint Denis. This neighborhood is named after the first bisshop of Paris, Denis, who was murdered in 251. He was decapitated at the mountain where is now Montmartre, but took his head into his arms and walked to where he wanted to be buried. A shrine was built over his grave and it soon became a place for pilgrims to pray. The shrine became a church with an abbey and a very powerful one. There were several churches, each new one more beautiful than the previous church, reflecting the growing importance of Saint Denis. It became a church for the kings of what would become France. They choose Saint Denis as the church they were buried in. Being connected to Saint Denis, and to their predecessors, gave each king and each dynasty more legitimacy. In total there are 42 kings, 32 queens, 63 princes and princesses buried here and 10 people who played an important role in French history, like the Constable of France Bertrand du Guescl

Hidden churches in Amsterdam

In the 17th century the Dutch Republic was a bit of an exception in Europe. We were a Republic amongst monarchies, and also tolerance was something that was treasured. Since the war against Spain (1568-1648), Calvinism was the main religion in the Netherlands, but other religions were allowed to practice their faith. As long as they did so in silence. Especially the Roman Catholics had to be a bit careful. They could have churches, and the whole town knew a Roman Catholic church was there, but as long as it was not recognizable as a church and they did not do anything in public, they were tolerated. Some of these Schuilkerken (hidden churches) can still be seen in Amsterdam. One of the most beautiful churches is called 'The parrot' , in the middle of the busy shopping street The Kalverstraat. Inside is a lovely church full of atmosphere. Worth a visit! Another well known hidden church is at the Begijnhof . The church on the Begijnhof is now an Anglican church, but on

The last year of Vincent van Gogh

Last week I made a quick visit to the Vincent van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. There was a small exhibition there about the last 18 months of Vincent's life. In 1888 he went to the Provence, to Arles in the hope other painters would join him there. Only Paul Gaugain came and this was not such a good companion for Vincent. They had different ideas about art and they had a lot of rows. After one of those rows, Vincent sliced of his ear. He was committed to a hospital, but no official diagnoses was given. After two weeks he seemed fit enough to go home again. Stilllife with onions. He painted this when he first got home. Januari 1889 But this was just the beginning for poor Vincent, and he headed into a downward spiral of working too hard, feeling ill and not being able to work. In april 1899 Vincent was committed into the asylum of Saint-Remy. He stayed here almost a year, but became more and more convinced he would never be well again. The garden of the asylum in Saint

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Oranges in black and white

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