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Last posts

Queen’s Day in Amsterdam

Elena Alvarez Amsterdammer, Only-Be, Things to do in Amsterdam

The arrival of the 30th of April becomes a huge event in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. The Dutch celebrate their national day and their queen´s birthday in an atmosphere where festive cheer and fun gather more than 700,000 people. This year is especially unique since Queen Beatrice is abdicating her throne after the festival, after 33 years in it. Therefore it will be the last ´Queen´s Day´. From 2014, it will be the turn of her son and successor, King William, so this year´s Queen´s Day is expected to be especially emotive and multitudinous as a farewell to the outgoing Queen. The night before There´s so much will to party in the Dutch capital that the activities begin the night before Queen´s Day. From 7pm onwards, the parties start arising around the city and last until daylight. In the streets, in the bars… you´ll find entertainment everywhere! The markets If there´s something that Dutch people are passionate about, that´s commerce and this day is proof of that. From the early hours of the morning, the streets fill with stalls that sell anything and everything. Children and adults offer things that they want to get rid of (toys, books, clothes) in a jovial atmosphere, since the most important thing here is to socialise and have a good time, so everything is sold at symbolic prices. Try and bring cash since it´s a great chance to find some bargains. The Jordaan district This district is the most popular one during the festival since, as well as the numerous market stalls, drinks stands and food stands that you can find, there... read more

The Master of Venetian Painting: Titian, in the Scuderie del Quirinale

Lidia M Only-Be, Practical Guide of Rome, Roman

The exhibition of the works of Tiziano Vecellio, which runs until June 16, concludes the work that the Scuderie del Quirinale began a while back to analyze the artistic production of Venetian painting and the role it has played in the renewal of Italian and European culture. Before Titian, one has been able to admire the works of painters of the modern pictorial revolution, artists like Antonello da Messina, Giovanni Bellini, Tintoretto and Lorenzo Lotto, at the Scuderie. Now it’s Titian turn. His works bear witness to what an important figure his was in the world of painting. The exhibition presents the highlights from the Italian artist’s unstoppable rise, from his beginnings under the guidance of Giovanni Bellini and Giorgione to his being recognized as an artist of international fame. Many of Titian’s works were commissioned, and not for just anyone but for the most important figures of that period, including Charles V (during his coronation in 1530), and his son Philip II, future king of Spain. The exhibition portrays not only his work as a religious painter, but also the difficult job of being a portraitist for the nobility of the time. The exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale is accompanied by scientific studies that have analyzed the entire production of this artist. These studies, conducted by the Ateneo Center for Visual Arts at the University of Bergamo, have managed to make fine distinctions between the works of Titian, from those developed at the beginning of his career in small workshops to the evolution of his own techniques. You have April, May and part of June to visit... read more

Saint George’s Day 2013

Candela Vizcaíno Barcelonian, Only-Be, Things to do in Barcelona

There is no better place in the world to celebrate the 23rd of April; the International Day of the Book. This is a very important celebration, not only because it commemorate the anniversary of the city’s protector St. George but also because the whole city becomes a great party. The International Day of the Book During Saint George´s Day, las Ramblas gets full of stalls full books and red roses. The tradition suggests that on this day, which is holiday in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia, it is required to give men a book and a red rose to the ladies. That´s what the custom dictates, but as we live in the postmodern times and the ladies read more than men you can disrupt the order. The tradition dates back to the fifteenth century and today the reality is quite different. During this day, as well as some days before and after de celebration, booksellers make a discount of 5% on the price marked on the label. Remember that in Spain the price of new books (unless they are antiques or second hand) is fixed for all establishments. Although the stalls will be filled with new releases, there is always a bold bookseller that temps the bibliophile to browse the shelves. There is always a classic, a great poem book and a novel that you´ve wanted to read or borrowed but never bought. Another excuse to enjoy this special day is in the sense of end of the paper books in the air. The advance of the ebooks, as well as the intangible information that now is being read on... read more