HISTORY / OPERA

Medicine’s Dubious History

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In Giant, composer Sarah Angliss brings the tragic story of Charles Byrne—the 18th-century “Irish Giant”—to operatic life, weaving a haunting tale of bodily autonomy, scientific ambition, and lost humanity. Premiering at the Aldeburgh Festival, this bold new work confronts the dark legacy of medical progress built on exploitation, echoing disturbing parallels with modern celebrity culture and our ongoing fascination with physical difference.

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FICTION / FRANCE

Bricktop

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Her journey in Paris was different, she came over as a performer but not as a super star like Josephine Baker. It was a quieter trip in a way. Bricktop sang and became a friend to big white stars.

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BIOGRAPHY / HISTORY

From a Swiss farm to a palace in Constantinople: the extraordinary life of Elisabeth Tschumi.

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From the serene hills of rural Switzerland to the opulent palaces of Constantinople, the life of Elisabeth Tschumi is a tale of destiny, courage, and transformation. Born into a modest peasant family, she would go on to marry Ahmet Tevfik Pasha—the last Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire—and become Lady Afife Okday. Her extraordinary journey bridges two worlds: the pastoral landscapes of Upper Aargau and the political heart of a fading empire on the brink of modernity.

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BIOGRAPHY

Frederick Bruce Thomas: an extraordinary character’s tribulations

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Frederick Thomas blossomed in Moscow. He obtained Russian citizenship, was married three times and had five children. Around 1914, he bought a dacha near Odessa and he also owned buildings in Moscow. Now it was clear for all to see: the African-American immigrant from Mississippi, the son of slaves, had made a fortune in Russia.

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CINEMA / HISTORY

Cinema: Dunkirk, Churchill and the Brexiteers

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Explore Dunkirk and Darkest Hour, two films that highlight British resilience and the tragedy of war amidst Brexit reflections.

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POLITICS / SPAIN

Catalonia and other identities in our common home

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Delve into the fascinating dynamics of Catalonia and Spain, understanding their historical and cultural ties beyond simple divisions.

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HISTORY / LITERATURE / USA

From Kennedy to Hillary: the end of the myth of the American dream

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Democracy seems a sham when you read two books, one by Hillary Rodman Clinton, What Happened, and the other one by Marc Dugain, Ils vont tuer Robert Kennedy (They are going to kill Robert Kennedy). These two works put into perspective the true nature of American democracy, which is governed by invisible forces.

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CULTURA / VIAJE

TEL AVIV – COMO EN CASA

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Tel Aviv transmite a sus visitantes una sorprendente sensación de hogar. Nacida en una duna de arena en 1909, la ciudad creció como un experimento moderno, creativo y abierto. Su arquitectura Bauhaus, sus instituciones artísticas y su vibrante comunidad LGBTQ+ reflejan un espíritu libre que sigue definiendo a la “Primera Ciudad Hebrea”.

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