Business Today » History

Madrid’s Carmen Maura

Cliff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:39:54 +0000

In that enviable rank of five-star, Madrid hotels have a natural advantage over the rest of the world. It is one of the most splendid cities on the planet, in one of the most fascinating countries in the world. The hotels here are, not surprisingly, a generous combination of grace and luxury, with some of the most cutting edge design and outstanding customer service that give Spain a reputation for hospitality. The hospitality here is as remarkable as the culture, with a vast array of museums and galleries, and performance spaces that offer the best in world theatre, music, and dance. Then there are the sumptuous restaurants, offering the best in world cuisine, where all of these things of high culture can be discussed.

One of the icon’s of culture in Madrid is the actress Carmen Maura. She was born in Madrid and began her film work in 1969, with the short, El Espiritu. Carmen Maura has been in a hundred films since then, and has worked with most of Spain’s most prominent directors, making her one of the most visible faces in contemporary Spanish cinema. She has won multiple awards, including the European Film Festival Best Actress Award twice. The second time was for her work in Ay, Carmela!, where she played an entertainer during the Spanish Civil War. This was directed by one of the most important names in world cinema, Carlos Saura.

Her most popular work, however, has been with the extremely influential Pedro Almódovar. Almódovar met Carmen Maura when they were working on a theatrical production of Sartre’s Dirty Hands, and they worked together on his first film, Pepi, Luci, Bom, in 1980. There have been multiple projects since then, and her most famous work, perhaps, was in his Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, which brought them both international attention and acclaim. Her own position in the history of Spain, having turned 30 when Franco died, makes her a particularly apt actress for Almódovar’s films, because she lived through a time when the traditions of hospitality and chivalry were starting to show their seams. Identity and liberation were pushed to their limits under the old-world notions, and generations of young people around the world would look for possible escape routes where the individual could find possibilities rather than repression. It is this link that makes her work in his films so remarkable on a meta-cinematic level, and her expertise as an actress that makes them work in the purely artistic sphere. Her work is still going strong, and it will be fascinating to see what the next decades will bring for this magnificent artist.

Madrid’s Carmen Maura is a post from: Business Today

Beaches, Resorts and Royalty

Cliff — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:46:21 +0000

Among the many cultural and scenic aspects of the beautiful island of Mallorca, there is one extremely popular and attractive element, which circles the island. The numerous beaches that hug this largest of the Balearic Islands are diverse in offerings and scenic views, and all have something to offer any interested beach lover. Many of the towns have plenty of entertainment options, great dining opportunities and cultural landmarks, though most tourists and locals enjoy getting out of town and spending an afternoon in a sandy paradise. Camp de Mar and Cala Major are just two of the many beaches that entice tourists to leave the luxury accommodations of the five star hotels Mallorca and enjoy a day in the sun.

The Cala Major is one of the smaller beaches on the island and its sandy golden shores lead up to the Marivent Palace. This is the sometime summer home of the King of Spain and has also been visited by Charles and Diana. The Palace has served as the summer home for Spanish royalty for years, and they frequently visit it throughout the year. The beach can be difficult to find, which makes it more attractive to those seeking a secluded beach atmosphere. It is also the closest beach to the west end of Palma.

The beach at Camp de Mar has breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and is the perfect romantic vacation spot. This is also a somewhat secluded beach with rocky coves and plenty of near by conveniences. The Lido Palace hotel is one of the fine resort options located right on the beach. It has a modern design with spacious terraces to provide a perfect view. The beach is also conveniently close to the Andratx Harbor. There is also the Camp de Mar Golf Course, which is extremely popular with locals and highly sought out by enthusiastic tourists. Regardless of personal preferences, the many beaches of Mallorca offer something for all tastes and interests.

Beaches, Resorts and Royalty is a post from: Business Today

King of Spain

Cliff — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:42:49 +0000

Juan Carlos I is the current reigning King of Spain. His grandfather Alfonso XIII was King prior to him, and his father, the late Infante Juan was the Count of Barcelona. Tourists saying in five star Barcelona hotels should encounter one of the city’s memorials to the late count. Juan Carlos I was born in Rome, Italy in 1938. King Alfonso XIII and other members of the family had settled in Italy after the 1931 proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic. One of his most significant contributions to the country was to oversee the transition from dictatorship to parliamentary democracy. He has an extremely high approval rating in the country and in 2008 he was declared the most popular leader in Ibero-America. Ibero-American refers loosely to the countries of the Americas that were formerly colonies of Spain or Portugal.

During the Spanish Civil War the regime of Francisco Franco came into power. Franco’s rise to power left the Spanish throne vacant for thirty years. However, he agreed that upon his death, the monarchy would be restored. The actual heir to the throne was King Alfonso XIII son Juan de Borbon. However, Franco was extremely suspicious of him, and believed him to be too liberal and opposed to the current regime. Finally, in 1969 Franco decided to skip a generation and declared Juan Carlos to be his successor. He had extreme hopes that Carlos would continue the conservative nature of the ruling powers and maintain the social status Franco had created. He demanded, as a condition of his heir-apparent status that Carlos swear his loyalty to Franco’s Movimiento Nacional. However, once Carlos assumed the throne he immediately began instituting reforms, which greatly displeased the conservatives. They had expected him to maintain an authoritarian state instead paving the path to the parliamentary democracy it is today. Barcelona and the rest of Spain reflect this change in government leadership and the country is much more attractive to tourists because of it.

King of Spain is a post from: Business Today

Shikisha Drum and Dance

Cliff — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 21:29:14 +0000

The dance company called Shikisha is from the South African city of Durban. This was a company made of three women who celebrate the dance that was created by the gold miners during the gold rush days in Johannesburg. This was a dance created by the workers during their long days away from family, as a way to raise their spirits and has become one of the traditional dances that is now celebrated throughout the country, in the Johannesburg boutique hotels, in the festivals of Pretoria and Cape Town. This movement which has become a powerful and passionate movement is the union of movement, voice, and drumming. Shikisha has combined the styles from the various regions, together with modern music and contemporary dance.

The Zulu word, Shikisha, is defined as ‘belting it out’, to dance and to sing and to play music like never before. The rhythms of the drums, the trios powerful and incredible voices and the costumes designed with the traditional bead work of the women of South Africa, make this a heart stopping show. This expresses the ideas with voices of so many in the country who were for so long kept quiet. The lead singer for the company is Julia Mathumjwa. During one of the shows she surprised some by doing a cover of the old hit song “Pretty Vacant” originally by the British Punk band, the Sex Pistols. She correlated the struggles of her times spent in London, with the struggles of the impoverished children of her own country.

Mathumjwa started the company during her years working in theater in the West End district of London. The company toured internationally, performing in their homeland as well as throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. Upon their third tour of the Eastern US, the company offered seminars and lectures during their schedule, at the art organizations and the museums, spreading the joy that they create through this dance and this music of South Africa. Mathumjwa passed away in 2006, but she created a movement that will continue to gain power and strength through celebration and dance.

Shikisha Drum and Dance is a post from: Business Today

South African Gold Rush

Cliff — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:13:51 +0000

In 1886 South Africa entered an exciting yet brief gold rush. The outcome of this led in part to war, but also to the establishment of the city of Johannesburg. The Witwatersrand Gold Rush was a feverish hunt partly based on reality and partly on legend, it has since gone into history in the same way. Throughout local history, legends had been told of gold miners seeking huge finds in the areas around Barberton and Pilgrim’s Rest. Finally, in 1886 the tremendous wealth of Witwatersrand was uncovered. Tourists still explore the area that is now known as the province of Mpumalanga in hopes of knew discoveries. They stay in the best hotels South Africa and enjoy the luxury accommodations at night and hunt for gold during the day.

While the wealth and discovery were real, there are still many legends that persist regarding the find. One of them involves the Australian gold miner George Harrison. His story may be true, though it is not 100% verified. The story claims that one day in March 1886 he stumbled upon the main gold bearing reef as he crossed the rocky outcrop. Soon after the discovery, gold and fortune seekers from across the world crowded into the area and before too long the humble mining village, known as Ferreira’s Camp, became a settlement. The settlement was planned around the idea that the gold would not last for long so plots were crammed into the smallest areas possible. This is largely the reason the streets in Johannesburg’s central business district are so narrow. The population of the settlement grew so fast that within 10 years it had become the largest city in South Africa. It soon outstripped the growth rate of Cape Town, which was over 200 years older. The area around Johannesburg is still a major metropolitan area in South Africa.

South African Gold Rush is a post from: Business Today

Changing Times for Majorca

Cliff — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:20:13 +0000

Beginning during the Spanish Civil War, and since hundreds of years prior, into antiquity, Majorca has had to fight in defense. Being and island, attacks happened from all sides. Majorca had to defend itself throughout much of history. Now known as a popular tourist site just off the coast of Mainland Spain, with beach resorts, and 5 star hotel Majorca, and spas, this islands history is hard to imagine. As early as 124 BC the island has been occupied. Under the rule of Italy the economy did flourish. Majorca is still known for its production and cultivation of olive trees, wineries and salt mines. Then, in 534 the island was overtaken by the Byzantine Empire. Churches were built during this time, and it was a period of religious transformation, as most of the churches were of the Christian faith. Beginning in the early 7th century the island was being attacked by armies from various Muslim countries, Africa being the main invaders.

The list of wars and invasions goes on and on. From the development of industry, agriculture, tourism, and irrigation this island has overcome the history of turmoil. In 1983, the city of Palma, located on the island of Majorca, became the capital city of all the Balearic Islands. Since the early fifties, tourism has increasingly flourished. What was once an island of chaos and war, is now a destination sought out and ventured to by all of Europe, and the rest of the world as well, as a place of tranquil beauty and peaceful summer days. Tourism has changed the local colour of the island in that more people are visiting, and more people are moving to Majorca in search of jobs in the booming industry. Traditions are still held, local festivals dating back to paleolithic times are still celebrated, but it is all just a bit more economically driven. And now, instead of invaders traveling from such countries as Italy, South America and Africa, there are workers from such countries, seeking jobs and a peaceful way of life that had for so many years, alluded those living on the island. Now days, there are the resorts and the restaurants and shops, offering up to summer and winter vacationers, strolls through the towns, the beaches and the vast landscape.

Changing Times for Majorca is a post from: Business Today

The History of Hong Kong

Cliff — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:07:51 +0000

While it is officially designated a Special Administrative Region, most visitors consider Hong Kong to be an overgrown city. The region is centered on Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, which is what most people think of when they think of Hong Kong. However, the region also includes the New Territories, Lantau Island and around 260 other small islands.

Hong Kong can trace its human inhabitation back to the Paleolithic Area, but much of its ancient history is lost. Recorded history mostly begins with the arrival of Europeans in the early sixteenth century and the name “Hong Kong” doesn’t appear in official documents until the 1842 Treaty of Nanking. This followed the First Opium War that was waged between Great Britain and China beginning in 1839 and lasting until Hong Kong became a Crown Colony with the signing of the treaty. The Second Opium War ended in Chinese defeat in 1860 and ceded additional territory to the Brits. Then, in 1898, the famous 99 year lease by Great Britian of Lantau Island and the area now known as the New Territories, solidified British control of the region and Hong Kong’s position as a major British trading post.

Hong Kong remained a free port through the middle of the twentieth century. During World War II, Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese Empire from December 1941 until the Japanese surrendered in 1945. Over half the region’s population had left during the occupation, but rebounded quickly with refugees arriving during the Chinese Civil War. Hong Kong’s unique position as British-ruled Chinese territory made it an ideal liaison between the western world and the increasingly isolated mainland. The influx of corporations and industry headquarters made Hong Kong one of the world’s important financial and business centers.

The second half of the 20th century was dominated by anticipation of the end of Great Britian’s lease and fears about returning control of the region to mainland China. In 1984 the the Sino-British Joint Declaration outlined the transfer of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China in 1997. The agreement allowed for Hong Kong to retain most of its autonomy for at least the first fifty years following the transfer with Hong Kong Basic Law serving as the region’s constitution. This is generally referred to as a policy of “one country, two systems.”

Today, Hong Kong retains its identity as a leading Asian financial and commercial center. Visitors to the region can enjoy the 5 star hotels of Hong Kong, modern shopping malls, and some of the best fine dining experiences in the world. Hong Kong is also known for its incrediblely beautiful skyline featuring stunning skyscrapers and views of Victoria’s Peak. Tourists can also peruse the area’s many fine museums, galleries, and historical sites to get a sense of Hong’s rich culture, heritage, and art.

The History of Hong Kong is a post from: Business Today