View allAll Photos Tagged INFIDELS
** J'te parlerai comme jamais tu ne parles à ta mère
Tu me seras redevable si je te paie un verre
J't'harcèle avec dix potes juste pour avoir ton numéro
Il faudra que tu sois gentille si je t'emmène au restau'
Si tu me dis "non" j'te ferai changer d'avis
J'te foutrai la misère, j'te pourrirai la vie
J'ferai selon mon orgueil, selon mes envies
J'te dirai qu't'es la seule, je te ferai sentir unique
J'regarderai le foot, toi tu feras la vaisselle
Je t'enverrai bien t'faire foutre quand tu me feras une scène
Si j't'achète une chaîne, deviendras-tu ma chienne?
Je te serai infidèle mais tu reviendras quand même
Si j'étais un homme, si on inversait les rôles
Je soulèverai ta robe, garderais-tu le contrôle?
Si j'étais un homme, si on échangeait de peau
Je t'appellerai "salope", me tournerais-tu le dos?J'te parlerai comme jamais tu ne parles à ta mère
Tu me seras redevable si je te paie un verre
J't'harcèle avec dix potes juste pour avoir ton numéro
Il faudra que tu sois gentille si je t'emmène au restau'
Si tu me dis "non" j'te ferai changer d'avis
J'te foutrai la misère, j'te pourrirai la vie
J'ferai selon mon orgueil, selon mes envies
J'te dirai qu't'es la seule, je te ferai sentir unique
J'regarderai le foot, toi tu feras la vaisselle
Je t'enverrai bien t'faire foutre quand tu me feras une scène
Si j't'achète une chaîne, deviendras-tu ma chienne?
Je te serai infidèle mais tu reviendras quand même
Si j'étais un homme, si on inversait les rôles
Je soulèverai ta robe, garderais-tu le contrôle?
Si j'étais un homme, si on échangeait de peau
Je t'appellerai "salope", me tournerais-tu le dos? **
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn-lbI7MESI&list=RDKn-lbI7MES...
[Belantti] Skin Details 3
Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Legenda/170/79/698
Two YoLo-2s practicing maneuvers over the coasts around Mdogo's regional capital of Mdogola, 1942.
The wildly unreliable jet-propulsion systems used on the LoLs-260 and its CAS conversion, the 260-U, were found undesirable for general-purpose use and only given to elite pilots. However, this left a large gap in the rest of Wahaya's military - most fighters were incapable of carrying sufficient munitions for effective ground support.
Thus an opportunity was opened for an international competition between various companies, and the victor came from an unlikely place - Tongoria.
The White Tongorians of Priamurye need any source of income they can get, and the sale of designs for the Yogvich-2 to the world's richest empire, Makhutukufu, was no problem to them. The design was modified by Logambe, Wahaya's premier aircraft manufacturer, to suit the dry coastal environment of Bistralis. Highly survivable and made for mass-production, the YoLo-2 is sure to support any Wahayan ground operations against the many dæmons and infidels on Bistralis.
Ground photo (and my Blockheads, where I post bonus content)
This image started with a photograph I took at the Detroit Institute of Arts of a painting by Bernardino Luini. While it is not an illustration for the text below it seemed like a fittingly evocative image.
______________
Every week I receive an email from Judy Peterson, the campus pastor at the University where I teach: an invitation to the weekly chapel service. These invitations are accompanied by the text of the message she will be giving in chapel. I found the one she sent today to be a particularly meaningful call to peace making. It follows below.
The early church, consisting of a small band of Jesus followers held very little social power and because of their convictions about the Prince of Peace outright refused to pick up weapons to “enhance” their message. Their audacious hope of bringing the whole world to faith in Jesus Christ as the true Son of God, was rooted in their belief that Jesus was the Way, the Truth and the Life and that if Jesus was simply lifted up through their life and actions that people would be drawn to him.
And according to the book of Acts this is precisely what happened. Early followers made peace across well held social divides and people were drawn to the One who laid down his life to reconcile the world back to God. Early followers were generous on every occasion and people were drawn to the Jesus who fed the masses. The early followers loved their enemies and people were drawn to the Prince of Peace. Early followers lifted up Jesus and people were drawn.
But there came a time when the early followers were no longer a small group, a time when they began to acquire social power and not long after, the military force to go along with it. They remained convinced that Jesus was the Christ and still believed that the whole world should honor him as the true Son of God. However, the truth is, their lives didn’t live this truth and they became less and less convincing to those around them and so the threat of punishment for those who did not believe entered into the dialogue. First, the threat of hell, which in the beginning was had never been mentioned as part of the “good news”, soon after the threat of excommunication and the withholding of grace, and finally and ingloriously the threat of death to those who refused to convert.
Jesus calls us to lift him up through our lives and that he will draw people to himself. This drawing will not require coercion or force because a life lived in witness to Jesus is always good news to those who witness it.
Throughout the history of the world religion after religion, including Christianity has lost or misplaced, at least for a season, their commitment to live out their faith. And conviction of truth, without commitment to life has always led to the death or oppression of those who do not believe similarly.
Today in Chapel we honor the 100-year anniversary of the Armenian Massacre. Before the Nazi's slaughtered 6 million Jews, before the Khmer Rouge killed 1.7 million of their fellow Cambodians, before Rwandan Hutus killed 800,000 ethnic Tutsis, the Armenians of Turkey endured mass slaughter at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. An estimated 1.5 million people, Armenians, Ionian and Pontic Greeks as well as Christian Assyrians, died at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Able-bodied men were rounded up and either executed or conscripted into forced labor. Women, children, the elderly and infirm were led on death marches to the Syrian desert, deprived of food and water and subjected to periodic robbery, rape, and massacre.
The Armenian people, who were predominantly followers of Jesus Christ, had lived in relative peace with their Muslim neighbors for centuries. Although the Armenian Christians were not considered equal there was little violent conflict. But the political chaos of WW1 and the power struggles that followed included the targeting the Armenian Christians for extermination by the Ottoman Turks who sought to cleanse their Empire of infidels. And history testified once again that when religion joins hands with military might that death and oppression of the “infidel” usually follows.
And so today, as our world falls once again into increasing political chaos with the power struggles that follow, may those of us who follow Jesus Christ recommit to lifting him up, not through the testing of others’ doctrine and fidelity but through the way we live our lives. May we be followers who make peace across well held social divides so that people will come to know the One who laid down his life to reconcile the world back to God. May we be generous on every occasion so that people will be drawn to the Jesus who fed the masses. May we be followers who love our enemies so that the world will be drawn to the Prince of Peace.
……………………………….
Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
………………………………………………………………………
I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
…………………………………………………
Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
I'm sorry but today I cannot continue posting as if nothing is happening. Putin's war in Ukraine is getting very bloody with civilians being targeted. Meanwhile in my own country people in two states are enduring the worst floods in living memory two years after the terrible bushfires. And after enduring the awful frustration of a pandemic. Are we cursed?
And let us spare a thought for the forgotten refugees from the Taliban in Afghanistan. Human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia (they still have public beheadings of infidel - many of them women - in Riyadh every Friday), but Western corporations continue to do business. And where do we start with China's human rights abuses: Tibet, the genocide of the Uyghurs and like in Putin's Russia the "disappearing" of any political opposition.
We weep for the world. It is time for 7 billion people to stand up and say, "No more!" Make these corrupt political leaders quake in their boots. Remember the inspiring revolution against that evil tyrant Nicolae Ceaușescu in Romania in 1989 - the year Eastern Europe was freed from the yoke of Communism. We must not allow it to return. It is time for PEOPLE POWER.
Yesterday I posted this image on my other Flickr page, and I have decided to let people see it here too.
This is a genuine Russian cannon from the Crimean War (1853-1856). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimean_War
Today Mr Putin is deploying far deadlier weapons against Ukrainian civilians. Illegal weapons such as Thermobaric and Cluster bombs. All in the name of an illegal war to steal another country. Now he threatens nuclear war!
Mr Putin if you want to save the world from disaster, STOP THIS WAR! Muzzle your weapons like this cannon from the Tsarist era.
***BOYCOTT THIS GROUP!**********
I have been banned from a little group called "Worldwide Photography" for posting my opposition to Putin's War in Ukraine. This was just a summary decision announced in this thread.
www.flickr.com/groups/ww-photo/discuss/72157721916159941/
According to this Admin speaking out against an unjust war is "hate speech". This Admin Putin-lover has even said he will report us to Flickr. If this idiot (Stalin called Western fellow travellers "useful idiots") can't distinguish between a just and unjust cause it shows how deeply flawed and ready for total collapse our Western civilization is. I strongly suggest you boycott this group.
When you check out the Admin's own page you will see it is full of pro-Russian images. www.flickr.com/photos/-eu
I've blocked him as well.
Brocéliande, appelée aussi forêt de Brocéliande, est une forêt mythique et enchantée citée dans plusieurs textes, liés pour la plupart à la légende arthurienne. Ces textes, datés du Moyen Âge pour les plus anciens, y mettent en scène Merlin, les fées Morgane et Viviane, ainsi que certains chevaliers de la table ronde. D'après ces récits, la forêt de Brocéliande héberge le Val sans retour, où Morgane piège les hommes infidèles jusqu'à être déjouée par Lancelot du lac ; et la fontaine de Barenton, réputée pour faire pleuvoir. Brocéliande serait aussi le lieu de la retraite, de l'emprisonnement ou de la mort de Merlin.
1.-Qué hora es?: 22:06 hr.
2- ¿Nombre completo?: Ruby Anais Herrera Quevedo
3- ¿Tu cumpleaños?: 2 de Septiembre
4- Signo del zodiaco? : Virgo (A)
5- ¿Edad?: 15 (H)
6- Que color de ropa interior llevas puesto?: Tigre. xd y rojo
7- Peor sentimiento en el mundo: Engaño .. :/
8- Que es lo primero q haces al despertar: Ver mi celu xd y seguir durmiendo xdd
9- Perdonarías una infidelidad de tu pareja?: Ya lo he echo, y no lo aria nunca mas xD
10- En estos momentos odias a alguien? : si :Ñ
11-Has odiado tanto como para querer matar a alguien?: m.. aun no :z
12- Has guardado secretos?: muchos :)
13- Has tenido un amigo imaginario: en ke vola me crei autista ke onda? :B
14- Que champú utilizas?: Sedal S.O.S xd
15- En q piensas?: ke mañana debo levantarme temprano para ir al valle (:
16- En las ultimas 24 horas Has llorado?: NO PO OE :H
17- Crees en Santa Claus?: mm .. no xd
18- ¿Tatuajes?: no .. una ves casi ... :|
20- ¿Amaste tanto a alguien como para llorar?: si . :/
21- ¿Estuviste en un choque de autos?: nuca buu (N) xd
22- ¿Has tenido alguna fractura?: no :B
23- ¿Pepsi o Coca Cola?: coca~cola
24- ¿Cerveza o vino?: su chiimbombo ahi 1313 xd, no sus baltilocas siempre ~
25- ¿El vaso mitad lleno o mitad vacío?: no entiendo :S
26- ¿Color de ropa interior favorito?: negro 1313 xd
27- ¿Número de calzado?: 38 :B
28- ¿Número favorito?: 6
29- ¿Tipo música?: Todo ejalee xd
30- ¿Flor(es): una rosa? *-*
Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
Today, Palermo's cathedral is known officially as "Santa Maria Assunta" or Saint Mary of the Assumption. Arab records mention the existence of a large "infidel" temple present on this site when they conquered Palermo in 831. This was turned into the Great Mosque. In early 1072, when the Normans wrested control of Palermo from the Saracens, Count Roger (Roger I) promptly saw to it that the great mosque was reconsecrated as a Christian church. It was in this earlier incarnation of the cathedral that Roger II was crowned in 1130.
For video, please visit youtu.be/eEjIFMUo2Vs
……………………………….
Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
………………………………………………………………………
I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
…………………………………………………
Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
……………………………….
Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
………………………………………………………………………
I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
…………………………………………………
Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
“YE young debaters over the doctrine
Of the soul's immortality
I who lie here was the village atheist,
Talkative, contentious, versed in the arguments
Of the infidels. But through a long sickness
Coughing myself to death I read the
Upanishads and the poetry of Jesus.
And they lighted a torch of hope and intuition
And desire which the Shadow
Leading me swiftly through the caverns of darkness,
Could not extinguish.
Listen to me, ye who live in the senses
And think through the senses only:
Immortality is not a gift,
Immortality is an achievement;
And only those who strive mightily
Shall possess it.”
Passi di: Edgar Lee Masters. “Spoon River Anthology”. iBooks.
……………………………….
Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
………………………………………………………………………
I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
…………………………………………………
Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
Today, Palermo's cathedral is known officially as "Santa Maria Assunta" or Saint Mary of the Assumption. Arab records mention the existence of a large "infidel" temple present on this site when they conquered Palermo in 831. This was turned into the Great Mosque. In early 1072, when the Normans wrested control of Palermo from the Saracens, Count Roger (Roger I) promptly saw to it that the great mosque was reconsecrated as a Christian church. It was in this earlier incarnation of the cathedral that Roger II was crowned in 1130.
For video, please visit youtu.be/eEjIFMUo2Vs
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Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
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I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
…………………………………………………
Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
In 1812 Louis Burckhardt, rediscovered Petra for the West after it had dropped off all the maps. When trade routes linking Europe to China shifted the Nabataneans civilization declined and a series of earthquakes in 363 and 551 AD destroyed the city. Petra’s ruins became the home of the Bedouin and its location their closely guarded secret... until Burckhardt, disguised as a holy man, saw the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) partially obscured by the Siq’s narrow walls. His heightened interest alerted his guide that the pale holy man might actually be an ‘infidel’.
I’ve had Petra on my ‘bucket-list’ since boyhood. An avid reader of the Adventures of Tintin, one particular journey (see Red Sea Sharks, p28) took Tintin and Captain Haddock to Petra. My visit did not disappoint! Petra is wild, weird, and evokes a strange other worldly atmosphere. Go!
« Je la conduirai au désert et je parlerai à son cœur. » Osée 2, 16
Adoration, Douz, Tunisie 1993
Nikon F3 Film camera
Kodak film
Bible, livre du prophète Osée, chap. 2 versets 16-25
16 C’est pourquoi, mon épouse infidèle, je vais la séduire, je vais l’entraîner jusqu’au désert, et je lui parlerai cœur à cœur.
17 Et là, je lui rendrai ses vignobles, et je ferai du Val d’Akor (c’est-à-dire « de la Déroute ») la porte de l’Espérance. Là, elle me répondra comme au temps de sa jeunesse, au jour où elle est sortie du pays d’Égypte.
18 En ce jour-là – oracle du Seigneur –, voici ce qui arrivera : Tu m’appelleras : « Mon époux » et non plus : « Mon Baal » (c’est-à-dire « mon maître »).
19 J’éloignerai de ses lèvres les noms des Baals (dieux païens), on ne prononcera plus leurs noms.
20 En ce jour-là je conclurai à leur profit une alliance avec les bêtes sauvages, avec les oiseaux du ciel et les bestioles de la terre ; l’arc, l’épée et la guerre, je les briserai pour en délivrer le pays ; et ses habitants, je les ferai reposer en sécurité.
21 Je ferai de toi mon épouse pour toujours, je ferai de toi mon épouse dans la justice et le droit, dans la fidélité et la tendresse ;
22 je ferai de toi mon épouse dans la loyauté, et tu connaîtras le Seigneur.
23 En ce jour-là je répondrai – oracle du Seigneur ; oui, je répondrai aux cieux, eux, ils répondront à l’appel de la terre ;
24 la terre répondra au froment, au vin nouveau et à l’huile fraîche, eux, ils répondront à la « Vallée-de-la-fertilité ».
25 Je m’en ferai une terre ensemencée, J’aimerai celle qu’on appelait « Pas-Aimée » et à celui qu’on appelait « Pas-mon-Peuple », je dirai : « Tu es mon peuple », et il dira : « Tu es mon Dieu ! »
Copyright AELF
1993 9 1 TunisieDouzAdoration 17+txt
this tiny town of maybe 8 houses has an impressive history. It is located on a rocky outcrop. The castle was built by the Arabs and it was a stronghold for many years. The legend has it that the Moorish Queen, rather thenfall into the hands of the Infidels, jumped into the abyss on her horse.....you can see the lake at the left side- it is an almost sheer drop- nowadays the cliffs are conqured not by soldiers but by climbers.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (Mostiers Santa Maria en provençal selon la norme classique et Moustié-Santo-Mario selon la norme mistralienne) est une commune française, située dans le département des Alpes-de-Haute-Provence et la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Ses habitants sont appelés les Moustiérains.
Blotti contre un escarpement rocheux, Moustiers est souvent comparé à une crèche avec son étoile suspendue dans le vide1, et fait partie des plus beaux villages de France et du Parc naturel régional du Verdon.
À la rencontre des grandes routes touristiques du Verdon, en aval du fameux canyon, cette localité, bien connue des amateurs de céramique, constitue un site exceptionnel.
Depuis la chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir située au sommet du village, on peut admirer un immense panorama sur la vallée de la Maire et le plateau de Valensole.
Le village est dominé par deux hautes falaises entre lesquelles coule un torrent, le Riou. Ces deux falaises sont reliées entre elles par une chaîne de fer forgé, longue de 227 mètres à laquelle est suspendue une étoile dorée. Selon Frédéric Mistral, cette chaîne aurait été scellée entre les deux rocs sur l'initiative du chevalier de Blacas de retour de la croisade. Prisonnier des Infidèles à Damiette (Syrie), il avait fait le vœu, s'il était libéré, de tendre cette chaîne et d'y suspendre l'étoile à seize branches, emblème de sa famille.
Le nom du village, tel qu’il apparaît pour la première fois dans les textes (ecclesia Sancte Marie in Monasterio) en 1009, désigne le monastère fondé au VIe siècle3. Il devient Moustiers-Sainte-Marie en 1848
La petite ville de Moustiers est fondée au Ve s. par une colonie de moines. Le monastère se partageait les droits seigneuriaux avec l’abbaye de Lérins aux XIe et XIIe siècle, avant que le bourg rejoigne le domaine des comtes de Provence5. Ces derniers accordent un consulat aux habitants au XIIIe siècle, et installent le siège d’une baillie en 1300
La ville est le siège d’une viguerie6 et d’une foire jusqu’à la Révolution7. Le bourg connaît une grande renommée aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles grâce à ses faïences5.
Selon la tradition, un religieux, venu de Faênza (Italie), aurait appris à un potier de la ville le secret du bel émail blanc laiteux qui devait assurer avec le bleu dit «de Moustiers » la réputation des faïences locales. À la fin du XVIIIe s. douze ateliers fonctionnaient. Puis les fours s'éteignirent un à un, le dernier en 1873. Marcel Provence entreprit, en 1925, de faire renaître à Moustiers l'art de la faïence. Il construisit un four et, avec le concours d'artistes décorateurs et d'artisans qualifiés, en fit sortir une production originale, inspirée de la flore et des insectes du pays.
Moustiers est un des rares bourgs de Haute-Provence à accueillir une loge maçonnique avant la Révolution, nommée Les Indissolubles et affiliée à la Grande loge provinciale en 1788-source wikipédia
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Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
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I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
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Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
Legend has it that angels transported the original house from Nazareth to Loreto in 1278 followeing threats by infidels
Palermo Cathedral, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
Today, Palermo's cathedral is known officially as "Santa Maria Assunta" or Saint Mary of the Assumption. Arab records mention the existence of a large "infidel" temple present on this site when they conquered Palermo in 831. This was turned into the Great Mosque. In early 1072, when the Normans wrested control of Palermo from the Saracens, Count Roger (Roger I) promptly saw to it that the great mosque was reconsecrated as a Christian church. It was in this earlier incarnation of the cathedral that Roger II was crowned in 1130.
For video, please visit youtu.be/eEjIFMUo2Vs
Je sais, j'ai déjà mis un terme à la série brume mais j'ai n'ai pas pu résister.
Au début du XVIIe siècle, au nom de la « vraie foi », Philippe II chasse du sol espagnol, les Musulmans.
40 000 dentre eux se réfugient au Maroc, dont
8 000 à Salé. Leur haine à légard des Espagnols est grande et la piraterie va leur permettre de se venger. Au cours du XVIIe siècle, Salé, devient le port corsaire le plus important du littoral atlantique marocain.
solidement fortifiée et inaccessible aux canons. Richelieu envoie devant Salé 7 navires pour bloquer la ville en1629. En 1635, les Anglais tentent de ramener les Salétins à la raison.
En 1680, Louis XIV parvient à bloquer Salé avec 6 vaisseaux. Il provoque la conclusion dun traité de paix qui accorde certains droits à la France et ouvre une ère de relations cordiales. Mais ces Musulmans brutalement exilés en Afrique du Nord, formeront la branche la plus active de résistance contre les Chrétiens.
Chassés d'Espagne la rage au coeur, ils auront sur le destin de Salé, une influence capitale. A Rabat, une longue muraille rougeâtre, témoin de cette époque, ferme le sud de la ville et porte le nom de muraille andalouse.
La république corsaire de Salé
Ces Andalous exilés ont des talents d'organisation, et réunissent au sein de leur communauté commerçants, médecins, artisans, savants... Dès 1627, ils fondent la république corsaire indépendante de Salé. Dirigée par un conseil élu de corsaires, elle traite dégal à égal avec les puissances européennes. Un caïd est nommé pour un an et la France installe même un agent consulaire.
Pourtant, les navires de ce petit état continuent à écumer les mers et restent pendant un demi-siècle, le fléau des flottes chrétiennes. En 1666, Moulay Rachid met fin à cette indépendance. Il s'empare de la ville mais ne modifie rien. Un gouverneur alaouite vient seconder le caïd.
LEspagne et le Portugal cherchent à prendre pied au Maroc afin de nuire. Ils découvrent les richesses cachées de l'Afrique, par un butin saisi à Sebta constitué de marchandises apportées par les caravanes d'Afrique saharienne et des Indes. Ils lancent une course chrétienne contre l'Islam afin de partager le Maghreb en domaine d'influence portugaise et castillane.
En colonisant les ports, ils cherchent à isoler de l'Europe, les pays maghrébins, dans le but d'y créer une asphyxie économique et une anarchie sociale. Cette reconquête chrétienne et l'occupation de certaines villes maritimes en terre d'Islam par les infidèles, sont une profonde offense pour le Sultan et ses sujets.
Moulay Rachid étend son pouvoir sur tout le royaume. La piraterie devient légale, soutenue et régie par le sultan. Les pirates deviennent corsaires et on parlera dès lors de Jihad maritime.
Le Jihad maritime
Pour le Maroc, le Jihad maritime devient une nécessité pour repousser les attaques des puissantes flottes espagnoles et portugaises qui imposent l'implantation de comptoirs sur les rivages du Maghreb.
Ceux-ci, transformés en places fortes, assurent la sécurité des flottes ibériques de retour des Amériques. Ils permettent aussi la colonisation de l'Afrique noire et donc la maîtrise de la route des épices détenue alors par le monde musulman. Le Maroc est le premier obstacle. La présence des Portugais et des Espagnols sur le sol national exalte la résistance politique et religieuse de tous les Marocains.
Chorfas et Idrissides, à travers leurs Zaouias, lancent la lutte contre l'étranger. Aussi, pour les habitants de Salé, se battre et piller en haute mer sur les côtes européennes est justifié. C'est une continuation des guerres saintes des premières dynasties et la défense des côtes marocaines. Les corsaires, hommes nobles et fiers ont la bénédiction des saints de Salé et sont intégrés dans la communauté de la ville.
C'est ainsi que sous la bannière de Jihad contre les infidèles, ils sengagent dans lentreprise de la course contre les Chrétiens. Ils créent aussi par le versement de la dîme sur le butin aux chefs locaux, un lien de protection. Ils transforment la cité corsaire de Salé, en place forte maritime musulmane en Atlantique. Cest ainsi que Salé, devient pour longtemps un bastion de la lutte contre les agressions chrétiennes et ceci quelque soit, la dynastie régnante.
Il est clair que les Musulmans jugent la course comme une action louable. Cest une oeuvre sacrée qui fait suite à la lutte séculaire menée contre les Chrétiens. Ceux-ci dans leur mouvement d'invasion d'Al-Andalous, ont été intraitables envers les Musulmans et ont fini par les expulser de leur patrie, après en avoir massacré une bonne partie au nom de l'inquisition.
En fait, la course est la poursuite d'un Jihad, que légitime le sort fait aux Musulmans par l'Europe chrétienne qui de plus, persévère dans ses actes d'hostilité par les attaques qu 'elle mène sans cesse contre les côtes dAfrique du nord.
Le Jihad maritime a depuis le XVIIe siècle été traité par des auteurs européens. Les chroniques musulmanes se sont contentées de citer quelques épisodes. Entre les deux interprétations, on relève une différence de ton. Pour les Européens, les Moudjahiddines de la mer troublaient le commerce sur mer et le repos de la chrétienté. Les deux points de vue sopposent. L'un exprime le sentiment du plus fort, l'Europe en pleine expansion.
L'autre, celui du plus faible concerne le Maghreb dont les actes de légitime défense sont présentés comme des crimes par l'ennemi. Dailleurs, les Européens jugeant ces opérations de piraterie gênantes pour leurs activités commerciales, les utilisaient aussi comme un bon prétexte pour arracher au Makhzen des dommages et intérêts. Ceci dans le but de ruiner son trésor et de rabaisser sa souveraineté.
Les Hornacheros
Les Hornacheros sont les derniers Andalous restés en Espagne après la chute du royaume de Grenade. Originaires dun petit village au sud-ouest de l'Espagne du nom de Hornachos, ils sont chassés par le roi Philippe II suite au décret stipulant « quaucun membre de la nation morisque, ne peut résider sur le territoire espagnol, sous peine de mort ».
Redoutables et hautement disciplinés, les Anglais les surnomment les « bandits de Salé ». Pour leurs frères musulmans, ils sont dignes de respect car ils mènent une guerre sainte. On les surnomme les « Al-Ghuzat;, titre réservé aux soldats qui s'étaient battus aux côtés du prophète Mohamed.
Hornacheros et Moriscos se fixent sur la rive gauche du Bou-Regreg avec le dessein d'assouvir leurs ambitions autant que leur haine de l'Espagnol et du Portugais. Alliés au Marabout Sidi Al Ayachi (1), ennemi juré du sultan, ce sont eux qui forment un gouvernement indépendant. Arrivés au Maroc, les poches pleines de ducats, ils deviennent aussitôt les grands animateurs du Jihad.
Les Andalous, ayant appris en Andalousie l'usage et la fabrique des armes,sont pour eux, de précieux collaborateurs. Les richesses et l'esprit d'entreprise des Hornacheros, alliés à la conviction des Andalous, et aux techniques guerrières des Marocains, permettent aux Salétins, de mettre sur pied une véritable armée. Les Hornacheros constituent un gouvernement sur le mode de celui d'Hornachos.
Leur république ploutocratique est administrée par un Diwan de 14 membres, présidé par un "Grand Amiral". Les finances sont alimentées par les revenus de la douane, les taxes de port.
Face à l'Europe absolutiste où se développent des états de plus en plus centralisés, les corsaires de Salé ressuscitent un modèle républicain proche de celui des villes italiennes du Moyen Age. Ils fortifient le Château qui, garni de cinq canons, se situe sur l'embouchure de la rivière.
(1) Sidi Mohammed Al-Ayachi, marabout vénéré par les marchands d'esclaves de Salé, est habile en politique. Il inspire une loyauté farouche à ses disciples, lesquels apprécient sa haine du christianisme.
Autres origines des corsaires de Salé
Nombreux sont les Chrétiens européens à rejoindre les rangs de la piraterie barbaresque. Appelés renégats (ou Rénégados) car convertis à l'Islam, ils sont des milliers à fuir l'Europe pour s'établir à Salé, mais aussi à Alger ou à Tunis.
L'absolutisme tombant comme une chape de plomb sur l'Europe, l'Islam représente alors une forme de liberté unique à l'époque. Il suffit de voir l'arbre généalogique de certaines familles pour découvrir un vieux capitaine de vaisseau chrétien (Fennich
).
Piraterie et course (la;qarçana;)
La piraterie est aussi vieille que la navigation. Elle infestait toutes les mers du monde et se développait autant chez les Chrétiens que chez les Musulmans. Si les Chrétiens paraissent avoir plus souffert de la piraterie musulmane, cest quils avaient un commerce plus important et des côtes moins faciles à défendre.
Les Musulmans n'eurent donc dans la piraterie, aucun monopole que les Chrétiens ne détenaient. Avec l'institution des lettres de marque, la piraterie verse dans la course légale avec la naissance du corsaire. Celui-ci a désormais un statut. C'est un soldat comme un autre, mais qui risque plus que d'autres. Aussi doit-il gagner plus que les autres. La lettre de marque est alors obligatoire pour partir en course.
Elle donne droit au capitaine de combattre pour le roi, faisant de lui un corsaire mandaté par son pays en cas de guerre. Il verse à l'état une partie de son butin. Selon le Petit Robert, la course consiste à « parcourir la mer pour pillet; . Cest une sorte de guerre maritime licite qui a ;ses lois et ses règles. Le pirate, par contre est "un voleur en haute mer».
Il ne rend de compte à personne et attaque tous les navires croisés sur son chemin. Les corsaires ne peuvent attaquer des navires détats en "paix" avec leurs seigneurs. Pour Salé, à part quelques cas isolés, lappellation « corsaires barbaresques » semble plus appropriée.
Corsaires slaouis célèbres
Les frères Barberousse illustrent la première étape à partir de 1504 en assurant sans cesse le transfert des morisques (Musulmans et Juifs) chassés d'Espagne vers les pays musulmans. L'Amiral Baba Arouj et son frère Khair Eddine, sont surnommés fléaux de la chrétienté. Mourad Raïs, un des plus féroces, est le premier grand pirate barbaresque indépendant. Chrétien, capturé à 12 ans par un corsaire algérien, il est le trait dunion entre les pirates dAlger et les corsaires de Salé.
Son vrai nom hollandais est Jean Janssen surnommé aussi John Barber. Pour gagner la confiance des Salétins, alors quil a déjà une femme et des enfants en Hollande, il épouse une mauresque de Salé.
Le sultan lui confie le commandement de la kasbah des Ouadayas. Il finit Amiral. Le dernier des grands Raïs de Salé, Sidi Abdallah ben Aïcha (ben Aïssa ou Benache) devient en 1684, ;général des vaisseaux de Salé.
En 1695, toute la famille Ben Aïcha est sur mer. Sur 5 navires, 3 sont commandés par Ben Aicha, son frère et son fils. Très estimé par Moulay Ismaïl, il est nommé ambassadeur à la cour de France, auprès de Louis XIV. Le raïs Fennich est son bras droit. Le Hollandais Cleas Gerritz Compaen, surnommé terreur des mers est basé à Salé.
Raïs Mohamed Hadj Candil, renégat dorigine française, tombe aux mains des marins français. Il est libéré en échange dune Française, captive à Meknès, courtisée par le fils du sultan Moulay Zidane. Quand la flotte salétine devient marine détat, le raïs Abou Abdallah Mohamed Larbi Al-Mestary devient Gouverneur de Salé.
Cette piraterie sous contrôle étatique, compte aussi un grand nombre de raïs dorigine ottomane : Salem Trabelsi, Joseph Tripolini, Amera Tripolissy et Juseph Trabolissy, dorigine Tripolitaine ; Acmet Mustagany et Ali Saboungi dorigine turque. On compte aussi dauthentiques marocains: Ben Hassoun Aouad, Hadj Abderahman Bargach, Hadj Abderahman Britel
Victimes des corsaires
Les équipages des navires capturés sont vendus comme esclaves ou donnés aux sultans. Sous la torture, beaucoup se convertissent à l'islam. « La vie et les étranges aventures de Robinson Crusoé » écrit en 1719 par un Anglais, Daniel Defoe, nest pas une fiction. Cest devant Salé que le héros aurait été capturé et cest par Bab Mrisa quil serait entré dans la ville doù il sévada ensuite et fut jeté par la tempête dans une île déserte.
Henri Boyde qui dessina l'arc de triomphe de Volubilis, est un capitaine anglais capturé par les corsaires de Salé et prisonnier du sultan Moulay Ismail. Il est racheté en 1721 par une mission anglaise.
Cervantès fut aussi prisonnier des corsaires, ce qui explique sa haine des Maures. Il est de coutume que les corsaires laissent le choix aux équipages vaincus d'être débarqués sur la terre la plus proche, d'être passés par le fil de l'épée ou de s'engager avec eux dans la course.
Fin de la piraterie de Salé
La course continue au temps des premiers sultans Alaouites au profit dune minorité. En 1672, le Sultan ordonne la création d'un Ministère de la Mer : "Ouizarat Al Bahr", qui reçoit pour première mission le contrôle des échanges par voie maritime et la prise en charge des marins et étrangers captifs qui deviennent prisonniers de guerre et monnaie d'échange entre états, et non plus des esclaves à vendre.
Moulay Ismaïl avait déjà opéré un gigantesque effort pour assurer la sécurité de circulation des hommes et des biens en mer, poursuivi par son petit fils Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah.
La course cesse définitivement au XIX siècle, après la renonciation de Moulay Slimane en 1818 à la guerre sainte et la suppression de la marine chérifienne. Moulay Hassan déploie d'énormes efforts pour reconstituer son armée et sa marine.
Mais les pays européens ne souhaitent pas que le Maroc, dont ils veulent s'emparer», possède une marine de guerre ou une flotte de commerce.
Source: Wikipedia
Location : Natural hot spring pool , Coron , Busuanga
Philippines
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I do thank God of the safety all through out of this trip and being able to visit some places regardless of the weather which wasn't favorable in the first few days of the trip, we were also virtually following a storm on our way, just missing it, but then getting the tail end of it which means intermittent rain / overcasts.
Instead of moving on to El Nido, we decided flying back to Cebu as I can't stand the rain anymore. for a day and the risk of having more of it later . The El Nido idea is a hit or miss, of the weather in July . I knew this. The idea of wasting time and vacationing in the rain is utterly a demise if you're loving sunny dry weather. So we took Plan B , which means we have fly back to Cebu soon after Busuanga and leave the idea of El Nido another time.
We had been to El Nido and much around Palawan before we had kids. The though of coming back , checking out some places we'd been to and compare them then and now seemed fascinating, and how much they've changed for the better or worse since 1992.
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Although I'm an end time / "end of the world" fanatic as some labelled me , that doesn't mean I have to stop working and living, sell my house and live in the mountain and strive holiness , be a hermit , avoid human contact. That's a twisted way of confronting realities. No one knows the exact time of the end, as the day of the Lord comes, but of those who are watching like myself , with few others here knew this is the SEASON of the Lord's return. We have to keep watching occupying ourselves with things we do and be ready at anytime.
Biblical prophecies are fulling to the dot, and those bashing the Bible and ridiculing true believers will receive judgement if they don;t repent. God is a loving God and don't want anyone to perish. He wants as many to gain salvation through Jesus Christ before that final time.
Looking at world events , they're prophecies in Bible as told fulfilling itself in the pages of papers today. In the finality of the great persecutions of Christians , the Bible speak in the book of Revelations about BEHEADINGS. If this hasn't hit you yet, as these are happening to Christains in Syria and the middleasts who face great persecutions. The media don't say so much about beheading otehr than those two journalists.
Beheadings, hasn't much been practice means of execution during the years of the Inquistion . The heretics were bunt by fire or gutted. Now you hear many news of BEHEADINGS. Christians are considered the enemy, the infidels . I must be one. Anyone who adhered to the faith of Christ will have our testings of faith , maybe by way of the sword or of guillotine. Just be ready my brothers and sisters in Christ. We know this is coming and gaining strength. This could be the one as foretold. The radical IS ideology is gaining momentum , in fact is spreading globally.
But we should fear not these things . We should not fear death if we stand for the name of Jesus. But rather fear God who have all the authority to burn the body and soul in hell forever and ever. The oppressors who didn;t know Him rather rejected Him by following dogmas of demons of killing people, children cut in half without mercy ! Is this the religion of many who think of evil as good and good as evil ?
A religion with hidden agenda to kill people who don't belong to their group as an enemy, to kill them is justified by their religion.
Whether we hate to admit it or be in continual denial, we are the last generation to see this. Give your life to Jesus. I can't wait when all these things are finished and everyone who practiced evil will be judged ! I can't wait for the ushering of the new millennial Kingdom of Christ Jesus when all these injustices, murders, corruptions, demonic / Satanic worship / child sacrifice , the unbelief , people that mock God etc are all gone and not found, where all righteousness of God abound.
Just be ready , we are in the season .
If you are seeking God and desired closeness to the Lord Jesus, try to listen to this blog radio , very uplifting and encouraging message . God is so merciful and don't want anyone to perish. As time is closing in, get closer to the Lord:
Tribulation-Now Radio, 3rd Sept 2014 - Marriage Supper of the Lamb with Susan Davis
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1oX3bdIMqk
Dans le port d'Amsterdam
Y a des marins qui chantent
Les rêves qui les hantent
Au large d'Amsterdam
Dans le port d'Amsterdam
Y a des marins qui dorment
Comme des oriflammes
Le long des berges mornes
Dans le port d'Amsterdam
Y a des marins qui meurent
Pleins de bière et de drames
Aux premières lueurs
Mais dans le port d'Amsterdam
Y a des marins qui naissent
Dans la chaleur épaisse
Des langueurs océanes
Dans le port d'Amsterdam
Y a des marins qui mangent
Sur des nappes trop blanches
Des poissons ruisselants
Ils vous montrent des dents
A croquer la fortune
A décroisser la lune
A bouffer des haubans
Et ça sent la morue
Jusque dans le cœur des frites
Que leurs grosses mains invitent
A revenir en plus
Puis se lèvent en riant
Dans un bruit de tempête
Referment leur braguette
Et sortent en rotant
Dans le port d'Amsterdam
Y a des marins qui dansent
En se frottant la panse
Sur la panse des femmes
Et ils tournent et ils dansent
Comme des soleils crachés
Dans le son déchiré
D'un accordéon rance
Ils se tordent le cou
Pour mieux s'entendre rire
Jusqu'à ce que tout à coup
L'accordéon expire
Alors le geste grave
Alors le regard fier
Ils ramènent leur batave
Jusqu'en pleine lumière
Dans le port d'Amsterdam
Y a des marins qui boivent
Et qui boivent et reboivent
Et qui reboivent encore
Ils boivent à la santé
Des putains d'Amsterdam
De Hambourg ou d'ailleurs
Enfin ils boivent aux dames
Qui leur donnent leur joli corps
Qui leur donnent leur vertu
Pour une pièce en or
Et quand ils ont bien bu
Se plantent le nez au ciel
Se mouchent dans les étoiles
Et ils pissent comme je pleure
Sur les femmes infidèles
Dans le port d'Amsterdam
Dans le port d'Amsterdam.
……………………………….
Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
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www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
………………………………………………………………………
I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
…………………………………………………
Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
Parmi les gargouilles du chœur se dresse un chien bien fier. Mais ce compagnon de l'homme est il vraiment fidèle ? Les apparences sont parfois trompeuses ! Par le passé l'image de cet animal était ambiguë. Certes l'animal favori pour aider à la chasse, celui qui protège les récoltes, mais peut-être pas l'animal le plus fiable. Oui, à une époque le chien est aussi le symbole de l'envie. Il veut tout posséder, sa recherche de tout avoir peut le mener sur la route de la convoitise, le poussant à obtenir ce qu'il ne lui est pas dû. Et il fini par obtenir même des relations illicites.
Ainsi nous avons l'envie qui mène à ce que d'autres deviennent cocus. Mot bien étrange. Ne vous rappelle-t-il pas un autre mot ? Coucou ! Les mots "coucou" et "cocu" partagent la même racine. Le coucou est un oiseau assez volage, qui ne vit pas en couple et qui pond dans le nid d'autres oiseaux, laissant ces autres oiseaux élever leurs rejetons. Finalement c'est ce qui se passe dans la vie des Hommes aussi, d'où cette fable apparaissant sur les murs de la cathédrale. En effet, combien d'époux ou d'épouses élèvent un enfant qui est secrètement d'une tiers personne ?
Ici, le chien semble avoir fière allure, mais cette fierté est mal placée. Sous son ventre, il serre avec sa queue un oiseau. Le coucou est ligoté ainsi par le chien. Ainsi, de façon indirect, l'envieux lie le cocu à son destin, et par se vice capital, une histoire tragique de vendetta peut naître. Les pattes arrières du chien s'appuient sur le contrefort directement. Les pattes avants tiennent un os qui le prolongement discret de la console à volutes. L'os renvoie à la mort que peut causer le péché capital. C'est aussi un autre pendant de l'envie, qui pousse le chien à devenir carnacier.
Cette gargouille est une des premières gargouilles installées par Pierre Larbitre à la fin du XVIè siècle, lorsque le chœur de l'église est terminé un peu avant la mort de Nicolas Duchemin. Celle-ci arbore un style archaïque et plus traditionnel. Le corps est sculpté et nous voyons une certaine finesse dans les traits du visage du chien. Cette ancienne gargouille a dû bénéficier un lourd travail de restauration, avec reconstitutions de certains éléments, car sur une photo des années 30, nous voyons la même gargouille en très mauvais état et sans sa tête (Archives Municipales du Havre, 31Fi1102).
Acrylic on canvas ~ 14" x 18"
This painting was originally intended as a 'study' for a larger more involved and detailed painting. One I've been commissioned to create. I've decided to continue my series of paintings which began with my commission entitled 'EPITAPH' www.vomitus.com/museum/NewVmmPages/epitaph.html
My 'Epitaph' series of paintings concern my trepidation and anger over the changes I have seen, and see coming, in our world.
I need to express the horror I feel as I watch our planet become a garbage dump. I must express my disgust of those people who, in spite of power and money, choose to make this situation worse rather than better. I paint my dismay, as I watch our rights as citizens steadily erode in the name of 'safety'. I need to express my fear, (real or manufactured) of looming destruction by war, weather, crime or disease.
It seems to me that the planet itself has turned on us because WE have made ourselves its enemy.
In the short time that I have lived, I have seen SO MANY beautiful natural things destroyed through foolishness, ignorance and avarice.
Everyone with a TV knows that GLOBAL WARMING is real. Even the a-holes who have tried to deny it for decades, (all the time knowing the truth) have been forced to acknowledge it now. Our world is getting sicker faster than anyone wanted to think.
These paintings are my small attempt to make people think about what is happening. I'm not sure we can stop it.
We are on the brink of a world without hope of recuperation. This could be the beginning of the end of the human species. OH YES, I know, You've heard this ALL before, right? … Don't be so fast to dismiss the possibility. Not when the greatest minds of living generations are saying the same thing.
Life has already ended for thousands of species. The end of more living things than has occurred since the mass extinctions of the dinosaurs, 200 million years ago, (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/05/0510_massex.html). These extinctions are ON OUR HANDS. In many cases, these are not extinctions, these are GENOCIDE'S!
How does this happen? One example; Why would an Amazonian subsistence farmer be concerned about the 'genocide of species' he commits by burning down a plot in a rain forest when his family is starving? WHAT WOULD YOU DO in his shoes? Would you let your family die so that the Western world could have new cancer drugs?
Until all people realize that we are connected, I don't see how we can last indefinitely.
The human population continues to grow at an alarming rate. We hit the first ONE BILLION PEOPLE in the mid 1800's. (19th Century) Now, just over 100 years later, we are at 6.5 BILLION. By 2050, some estimates show human population at 9 BILLION. THINK ABOUT THAT! These 'BILLIONS' are mostly people living in poverty. What can they do to make the world livable for you or your children? … NOTHING.
The EARTH has been compared to a living thing, called GAIA ~ (http://www.webcom.com/gaia/) I agree that it does act much like a living thing. It seems to me that the Earth will continue to do what it can to rid itself of THE HUMAN VIRUS. The Earth will continue to struggle against our onslaught, the way a human body will call upon antibodies to fight off a disease.
Based on what I have heard, read and seen, there will continue to be an increase in Earthquakes, Floods, Cyclones and Hurricanes. Extreme weather conditions. This is being caused by GLOBAL WARMING. If you have not read Al Gore's book: "THE ASSULT ON REASON" You should. Or at least see the movie. He IS our rightful president, after all. And while you are at it, watch the movie "ZEITGEIST": www.zeitgeistmovie.com/ (FREE)
I feel like yelling; "HEY! The f-ing ice caps are melting! WAKE UP!" Doesn't that scare the sh-t out of you?!
New diseases are developing and mutating. A.I.D.S. is the NUMBER ONE KILLER in Africa. The MRSA infection now kills more people in the US than A.I.D.S. I have never seen so much CANCER … and it seems like every other person over 70 has DEMENTIA of some kind! (Alzheimer's) IT DID NOT USED TO BE LIKE THIS!
Wars continue to rage. Genocide continues to be practiced. Muslim Terrorists plan to kill the infidels, while we western terrorists continue to try to kill them. Religion against religion. OUR GOD IS THE ONLY GOD! KILL IN THE NAME OF CHRIST, ALLAH, BUDDAH, SATAN!
The "HAVE-NOTS" are murdered by the thousands. No one cares.
What the FU-K, man?!?
By the way, Did you know that male penises are growing shorter and shorter with each new generation? Did you know that the Amphibians are disappearing from the Earth? Did you know that it rains human fecal matter in Mexico City? (it evaporates up from open sewers and then rains back down on the people)
I was lucky to be born when I was. I have enjoyed all the fruits of the Earth. And I am now leaving the young my sh-t and garbage. Thank you VERY much! …"Please clean it up now, won't you?"
The media is going to tell you not to worry. OKAY, It's a problem … Nothing 'we' can't handle. 'No worries mate' … 'CHEERS!' … and in the same breath, they point out THE LOOMING RECESSION, THE INCREASING MURDER AND CRIME RATE, IMPENDING TERRORIST ATTACKS, RAPISTS ON THE LOOSE, DRUGS IN THE WATER SUPPLY, CRACK ON THE CORNER, DIMINISHING IQ RATES … But hey, It's all 'okay, as long as you don't venture out of your prescribed comfort zone.
They want you to believe that everything outside your 'comfort zone' is VIOLENT and DANGEROUS! … However, if you just stay home and do your job and do AS THEY TELL YOU, everything will be just FINE!
They want you GOOD AND SCARED! We live in a society of FEAR. If 'THEY' keep us afraid, then we are easier to control. (SEE; 'THE CULTURE OF FEAR' by Barry Glassner)
Here's what I think: The 'media' is controlled by MONEY. Money is controlled by those who would take what is left of the worlds resources and hoard them for themselves and their kin. These are the guys who wield their power to control what you see, hear, and read … ultimately what YOU THINK.
It is their mission to make you STUPID with the NEW OPIUM of entertainment. They don't want you thinking or trying to do anything about ANYTHING that might make them share what's left of the 'GOOD STUFF'. They want you to shut up and do as they tell you to do. They want to ENSLAVE you. And in a few generations - THEY WILL.
'Entertainment' is the 'NEW RELIGION'. It is the new "OPIUM OF THE MASSES" And we are being BOMBARDED with a new 'BLITZKRIEG' of CRAP tailored made by psychiatrists, psychologists and Propaganda Masters who are working for the media moguls, who are working for the government, who are working for the global corporations. The global corporations run the world, and they want YOU stupid, satisfied and pliable.
PLEASE NOTE: People who you and I have never heard of DESIGN OUR LIVES for us.
This massive BLITZ of brainless crap on TV. "THE MOMENT OF TRUTH", "SURVIVOR", "BIG BROTHER" "PRISON BREAK" "LOST" "DIRT" "WEEDS" "HEROS" "AMERICAN IDOL" are intended to brain wash YOU. (I watch too!) They want you TO LIVE IN A DREAM WORLD. They want you to NOT TO GIVE A CRAP about Global warming or War or Pollution.
They can take our rights away one by one using the excuse that they are trying to PROTECT YOU. Crimes are exaggerated ALL out of proportion. We fear to walk the streets. We lock your doors and hide in our living room watching the TV. We are RATS IN A CAGE. ALL WE WANT is to be left alone so we can enjoy your favorite show in peace!
Your life is worth less and less. There is almost no 'MIDDLE CLASS' left . What will be left when the middle class is completely gone will be The HAVES, and the HAVE NOTS. Their attitude is, "I've got mine ass-ole, so F-CK YOU!"
And speaking of the 'HAVES & HAVE NOTS': Would you welcome the new 'INFO CHIP'? Available soon in your neighborhood will be the "WONDER CHIP" A tiny chip which contains all your vital information and can locate you anywhere in the world!
This is a chip that can be implanted under your skin that would hold all your important health information, enable you or your children to be tracked in an accident using GPS, … and contain all your financial and bank records so you could shop without cash or credit cards! Does that sound great!?
If your answer is "YES, That sounds like an interesting idea" … YOU SHOULD THINK AGAIN CAREFULLY.
When enough people accept this new technology, all others will eventually be forced to do the same. (Sort of like credit cards, but WAY more imperative) When most people use the chip, the people who control that chip will control you. They will control your financial info and be able to find you. If they want, they can 'disconnect' you from everyone else. They can disconnect you from your money, accidentally or deliberately. Think about that.
Don't take my word for any of this. FIND OUT. Check it out. THINK ABOUT IT.
I'm like most other people. I would prefer to simply 'live my life' and let 'the other guy' worry about all this global warming crap, war, mind control and overpopulation stuff. Unfortunately, if you are under 40 years old … you WILL be directly effected by what is to come. Your rights and freedoms will go south for the nuclear winter. Your standard of living will be slowly but constantly eroded. One day you wake up part of a third world community living as slave labor within a 'FIRST WORLD UNITED CORPORATION', owned and operated by the greedy vampires who hold on to the remaining wealth and power of the planet.
My series of paintings will reflect my feelings and ideas. It's the best I can do for now. If I can make a few people sit up and think about it, my existence is almost justified. ~ RS Connett 3/8/2008
……………………………….
Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
………………………………………………………………………
I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
…………………………………………………
Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
……………………………….
Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
………………………………………………………………………
I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
…………………………………………………
Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante anticipazione di carattere storico, con Ruggero II, re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei tiranni dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli, Ruggero II invece accoglieva sull’isola tutte le religioni, lasciando la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani, alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaboravano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza di re Ruggero, si concretizzarono in una realtà unica presente solo nella Sicilia di re Ruggero, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità …). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, e per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara, Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta a Badiavecchia, due sono le cose mi hanno colpito, il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, che a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali, qui non c’era la banda musicale, ma un abile violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice che recava con se una cassa amplificata, che serviva a diffondere e le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, e le parole di don Mario amplificate con un microfono,parole che venivano dette andando nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi davanti a delle abitazioni, con le parrocchiane ad ascoltare sull’uscio o davanti alle finestre, ascoltando le parole di conforto dette da don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora, evidentemente esiste, ma purtuttavia difficile da trovare con facilità.
Ideal Multi-Purpose Adaptive Combat Tactical Rifle
This rifle is one of the few TBT produced rifles to see combat overseas. It was a modified "SWAT Special" meant to arm an ARMY CID unit deployed in Iraq. This specific rifle has served two tours of duty in the Middle East with an unknown agent. It was reliable and withstood a beating from the rugged desert terrain.
Credits
Shockwave- Inspiration
www.flickr.com/photos/sh0ckwave/7048737503/in/photolist-c...
In 1812 Louis Burckhardt, rediscovered Petra for the West after it had dropped off all the maps. When trade routes linking Europe to China shifted the Nabataneans civilization declined and a series of earthquakes in 363 and 551 AD destroyed the city. Petra’s ruins became the home of the Bedouin and its location their closely guarded secret... until Burckhardt, disguised as a holy man, saw the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) partially obscured by the Siq’s narrow walls. His heightened interest alerted his guide that the pale holy man might actually be an ‘infidel’.
These two photos represent my ‘Burckhardt Moment’ as I experienced a similar slack-jawed wonder when the impressive structure is only partially revealed until one exits the canyon. To be honest I photographed this view on four different occasions and shot off a myriad of images trying to decide which angle was the most provocative. Which one captured best a sense of excited mystery? Of these opportunities early morning having snuck in before the tour busses disgorged was the most moving, but the light was best on my last pass by at around 11h30.
I’ve had Petra on my ‘bucket-list’ since boyhood. An avid reader of the Adventures of Tintin, one particular journey (see Red Sea Sharks, p28) took Tintin and Captain Haddock to Petra. My visit did not disappoint! Petra is wild, weird, and evokes a strange other worldly atmosphere. Go!
Blocking my way to the village… A windmill patrol! Five of them and I met in a field full of thorns. No way back. You shall not pass yeh stranger. Not your land this one … A sudden move, a fast shot of my camera and the infidels petrified on the spot. Victor of the thorny field, in a single handed combat. My eternal prisoners , a triumph parade in the flickr avenues ….
Locations, Lemnos island, Kondias village, Hellas)
Nikon D300s, AF Nikkor 18-35mm f 1:3.5-4.5ED
**This image is protected by copyright and it is not for use on any site, blog or forum without my explicit written permission.**
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Locandina:
i.ytimg.com/vi/GKX_u1Ovskw/maxresdefault.jpg
images.everyeye.it/img-articoli/un-perfetto-recensione-v5...
m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMzQ4MzM2NzQtMTZiMS00ZDAzL...
----------------------------------------------------------
click to activate the small icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream (it means the monitor);
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
………………………………………………………………………
I find out by chance about a procession “that is not marked on the web maps”, I can’t find anything about it even though I searched for a long time on the Internet, and yet the “report” seems true, a procession so little known is something I can’t let slip, I’ll go, then we’ll see; the procession, a mix of devotion and deep respect between the priest and the villagers, is there, it is celebrated in the village near Novara di Sicilia, called Badiavecchia, and “the Saint” is Saint Hugh the Abbott, patron saint of the village and of Novara di Sicilia itself. Personally, I am always fascinated by how events that happened centuries ago remain alive in popular devotion. In the film “Gladiator”, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) incites his legionaries against the barbarians in one scene and says, “What we do in life echoes in eternity!”, and this is exactly what happens with Sicilian religious processions and festivals. The celebrated Saints resemble an inexhaustible echo that reverberates in popular traditions. The story of Saint Hugh the Abbot (or Saint Hugh of Novara of Sicily) deserves an important historical preview, with Roger II, king of Sicily, (called the Norman), a unique figure especially if compared to his time, he was an enlightened and liberal king, who distinguished himself in the political panorama of those times, where massacring each other with the many wars seemed to be the only interest of the tyrants of the time; he was not interested in wars, Sicily under his guidance became a commercially and culturally flourishing island, also favored in this by its location in the center of the Mediterranean, a crossroads-hinge of three continents, between North and South, between East and West; the rest of the continent is at war against the infidels, Roger II instead welcomed all religions on the island, leaving freedom of worship to one's own god, thus a peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians is achieved, at the court of King Roger there are men of culture, intellectuals, even of Muslim origin, architects, masters of the arts and science, philosophy and politics; the three great cultures of the Mediterranean collaborated with each other, in Sicily the racial harmony and tolerance of King Roger, materialized in a unique reality present only in the his Sicily, which will last only 64 years, a happy period that will end with his death: Roger had demonstrated that an alternative was possible (this consideration is also valid for the terrible current events ...). This is to introduce Ugo (who was not yet a Saint in his lifetime), King Roger II wanted the construction of a monastery in Novara di Sicilia, begun in 1137, to be completed, and to do this he asked the abbot of Chiaravalle to send his monks (belonging to the Cistercian order) to the kingdom of Sicily. Ugo, a disciple of Saint Bernard of Chiaravalle, was among these monks, and he was entrusted with the management of the monastery; he died in Novara di Sicilia on November 17, but the year of his death is unknown; he was proclaimed patron saint of Novara di Sicilia in 1666, also becoming patron saint of the village of Badiavecchia. The procession I photographed was held in Badiavecchia, two things struck me, the relationship that existed between the priest Father Mario and his parishioners, a sincere relationship, of esteem, of brotherhood, comparable to that which can be experienced in a large extended family, the second thing, that unlike many processions-patron saint festivals, here there was no musical band, but a skilled violinist, followed by a collaborator who carried with her an amplified speaker, which served to spread and the poignant music made with the electronic violin, and the words of Don Mario amplified with a microphone, words that were said going to the various small neighborhoods (of Badiavecchia, and of Vallancazza, another village) stopping in front of the houses, with the parishioners listening at the door or in front of the windows, listening to the words of comfort said by Don Mario. I wanted to “tell with images” this very sweet procession, made above all with the heart, of a Sicily that has the appearance of a dizzying dive into the past, of a Sicily that still, evidently exists, but nevertheless difficult to find easily.
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Vengo a sapere in maniera del tutto casuale di una processione “che non è segnata sulle mappe del web”, non trovo nulla a riguardo pur avendo cercato a lungo su Internet, eppure la “segnalazione” sembra veritiera, una processione così poco conosciuta è una cosa che non posso lasciarmi sfuggire, vado, poi si vedrà; la processione, un misto di devozione e di profonda stima tra il sacerdote ed i paesani, c’è, si celebra nel borgo di Novara di Sicilia, chiamato Badiavecchia, ed “il festeggiato” è Sant’Ugo Abate, santo protettore del borgo e della stessa Novara di Sicilia. Personalmente sono sempre affascinato per come, eventi accaduti secoli addietro, restano sempre vivi nella devozione popolare, nel film “il Gladiatore” il generale Massimo Decimo Meridio (Russell Crowe) in una scena del film, incita i suoi legionari contro I barbari e dice ”ciò che facciamo in vita, riecheggia nell'eternità!”, ed è proprio questo quello che accade con le processioni-feste religiose Siciliane, i Santi festeggiati assomigliano ad una inesauribile eco, che si riverbera nelle tradizioni popolari. La storia di Sant’Ugo abate (o Sant’Ugo di Novara di Sicilia) merita una importante premessa di carattere storico, riguardo Ruggero II, che fu re di Sicilia, (detto il Normanno per le sue origini), figura unica soprattutto se rapportata al suo tempo, egli fu un re illuminato e liberale, distintosi nel panorama politico di quei tempi, ove il massacrarsi a vicenda con le tante guerre in corso sembrava essere l’unico interesse dei monarchi dell’epoca), a lui le guerre non lo interessavano, la Sicilia sotto la sua guida diviene una isola fiorente commercialmente e culturalmente, favorita in ciò anche dal suo trovarsi al centro del Mediterraneo, crocevia-cerniera di tre continenti, tra Settentrione e Meridione, tra Oriente ed Occidente; il resto del continente è in guerra contro gli infedeli musulmani, Ruggero II invece accoglie sull’isola tutte le religioni, lascia la libertà di culto nel proprio dio, si realizza così una serena convivenza tra musulmani e cristiani; alla corte di re Ruggero vi sono uomini di cultura, intellettuali, anche di origine musulmana, architetti, maestri nelle arti e nella scienza, nella filosofia e nella politica; le tre grandi culture del Mediterraneo collaborano tra loro, in Sicilia l’armonia razziale e la tolleranza volute da re Ruggero, si concretizzano in una realtà presente unicamente nella sua Sicilia, che durerà solo 64 anni, periodo felice che terminerà con la sua morte: Ruggero aveva dimostrato che una alternativa era possibile (questa considerazione vale anche per i terribili fatti d’attualità con le tante vittime civili a causa di guerre assurde…). Questo per introdurre Ugo (in vita ancora non era Santo), re Ruggero II desidera che venga completata la costruzione di un monastero a Novara di Sicilia iniziato nel 1137, per far ciò egli chiede all'abate di Chiaravalle di inviare nel regno di Sicilia i suoi monaci (appartenenti all’ordine dei cistercensi), Ugo, discepolo di san Bernardo di Chiaravalle, era tra questi monaci, ad gli venne affidata la conduzione del monastero; egli morì a Novara di Sicilia il 17 novembre, ma non se ne conosce l'anno della morte; egli fu proclamato patrono di Novara di Sicilia nel 1666, divenendo anche patrono del borgo di Novara detto Badiavecchia. La processione che ho fotografato si è tenuta proprio a Badiavecchia; due sono le cose che mi hanno colpito di questa processione (con giochi pirotecnici finali), il rapporto che c’era tra il sacerdote padre Mario ed i suoi parrocchiani, un rapporto sincero, di stima, di fratellanza, paragonabile a quello che si può vivere in una grande allargata famiglia, la seconda cosa, a differenza di molte processioni-feste patronali Siciliane, qui non c’era la banda musicale ad accompagnare la vara col santo, ma un abile, virtuoso violinista, al cui seguito una collaboratrice recava con se una cassa amplificata, la quale serviva a diffondere sia le struggenti musiche realizzate col violino elettronico, sia le parole di don Mario pronunciate con un microfono, parole che venivano dette ai fedeli in processione, recandosi tutti nei vari piccoli quartierini (di Badiavecchia, e di Vallancazza, altro borgo) soffermandosi di tanto in tanto davanti ad alcune abitazioni, con le parrocchiane/parrocchiani intenti ad ascoltare sull’uscio di casa o davanti alla finestra, ascoltando commossi le parole di conforto dette dal sacerdote don Mario. Ho desiderato “raccontare con immagini” questa dolcissima-serenissima processione, fatta soprattutto col cuore, di una Sicilia che ha l’aspetto di un vertiginoso tuffo nel passato, di una Sicilia che ancora esiste-e-resiste, ma purtuttavia non certo comune, da trovare non con estrema facilità.
Le mont Saint-Michel
Merveille, dentelle de pierre,
Remparts à son corps défendant,
Roc émergé, île-lumière,
Pyramide en notre Occident…
Joyau serti de ses tourelles,
Sa flèche vibre dans le vent,
Il se pare de ses ruelles,
L'Archange est au soleil levant.
En son présent, qui étincelle,
Se souvient-il de l’âpre temps
Qui fit de lui, prison cruelle ?
Hugo, lui, s’en souvint longtemps
Qui vit, tisserands de leurs peines,
Sombres forçats, murés des flots,
Et décrivit le bruit des chaînes
Entrecoupé de noirs sanglots !
Ces temps ne sont plus, et l’aurore
Lui redonne foi en ses jours,
L’oiseau seul, s’en souvient encore
Le dit parfois en ses discours…
Et la marée qui l’infidèle
Puis lui revient, en son élan,
Est cet orfèvre qui cisèle
Son marbre sur le sable blanc.
O Toi, la fière citadelle,
Tu es si belle en ta splendeur !
De la France, une sentinelle,
Et pour nous, son ambassadeur.
Au XIXème siècle, le Mont Saint-Michel
servit un moment de prison,
que Victor HUGO visita, un jour...
Ecrit par Kasia
... a multi culti ancient site since Achaemenids’ times, then Greek (Alexandria from Alexander the Great) and Hellenistic (Antiochia in Margiana, from the Seleleucids and Antiochus Soter) and on, Arab, Seljuk and Mongolian
Reverent and sweet submission
(Joseph Hall, 1574-1656)
"I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9
He is not worthy to pass for a child of God, who does not receive His stripes with reverent meekness. Tears may be allowed--but a murmuring frown is no better than rebellion.
Let infidels, then, and ignorants, who think they suffer by chance--repine at their adversities, and be dejected with their afflictions.
For me, who knows that I have a Father in Heaven who is full of mercy and compassion, whose providence has measured out the due proportions of my sorrows, counting my sighs, and reserving the tears which He wrings from me, in His bottle--why do I not patiently lie down and put my mouth in the dust, meekly submitting to His holy pleasure, and blessing the hand from which I smart?
"You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.
You have recorded each one in Your book!" Psalm 56:8