National Anthem: Russia

We travel on and go to Russia, a country that actually is part of two continents, Europe and Asia.
Most people however live in the European part of Russia so that's why I consider it European.
More about that in an other blog later.

In the past 100 years Russia had actually had many different national anthems.
In 1944 Russia repaced its anthem (used since 1902) for the Soviet anthem because it was more Russocentric.
After 1956 the anthem was used without lyrics because it referenced to former leader Joseph Stalin. It was only in 1977 that a new lyrics was introduces by Mikhalkov. This new lyrics was placing less emphasis on the Great Patriotic War and more on the victory of communism.

in 1990 Russia sought a new anthem after the collepse of the Soviet Union. The lyric-free "Patrioticheskaya Pesnya", composted by Mikhail Glinka was officially adopted that same year.
in 1993 the government sponsered a contest to create lyrics but non of the enteries were adopted. This resulted in Presedent Vladimir Putin's restoration of the Soviet anthem.
Eventually the goverment sponsored a contest to find lyrics to a compositon by Mikhalkov. The new anthem was adopted in alte 2000. This is the same anthem as they use now adays

National Anthem: Indonesia

The 7th national anthem is from Indonesia.
The song was 'born' long before Indonesia was again an independed country after successon of the Dutch East Indies.

The song was introduced in 1928 during the Second Indonesian Youth Congress in Batavia by it's composer Wage Rudolf Supratman. It marked the birth of all nationalis movements in Indonesia that suported a single Indonesia rather than spliting in several colonies.

Later the song was chosen at national anthem in 1945 when Indonesia proclaimed it's independence.

This is the first piece of the lyrics:

Indonesia tanah airku,
Tanah tumpah darahku,
Di sanalah aku berdiri,
Jadi pandu ibuku.

 

Indonesia kebangsaanku,

Bangsa dan tanah airku,

Marilah kita berseru,

Indonesia bersatu.

 

Hiduplah tanahku,
Hiduplah negeriku,
Bangsaku, Rakyatku, semuanya,
Bangunlah jiwanya,
Bangunlah badannya,
Untuk Indonesia Raya.

 

Refrain :

Indonesia Raya,

Merdeka, merdeka,

Tanahku, neg'riku yang kucinta!

Indonesia Raya,

Merdeka, merdeka,

Hiduplah Indonesia Raya!

Continent box Africa #2 People

Hi everybody,

Today is International Nelson Mandela day, so this Friday we're looking at the people of Africa.

The people of Africa are on of the things that shows the variety of the continent. Their skin color is a little different every place you go, their clothes, their habits, their life.

I made 30 cards with pictures of the people of Africa, beautiful portrets from 30 different countries.
Here are a few.

these are actually the old ones. I re-did them and wrote the country under it.

Here are some.

 

 

National Anthem: France

The next national anthem we're going to listen to is the Frenc. It is called 'La Marseillaise' which means 'The song of Marseille'.

I choose the France anthem for today because tomorrow it's the the France national day. In the English speaking countries also called 'Bastille Day'.

The song was writen en composed in 1792 during the Frence Revalutionary Wars by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle. Three years later in 1795 is became the National Anthem of France.

It is the first 'March' song used as a national anthem in Europe. When you listen to it you can hear the army marching by.

The lyrics is quite long so here only a little piece of it with English ranslation:

French lyrics	English translation
Allons enfants de la Patrie,	Arise, children of the Fatherland,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !	The day of glory has arrived!
Contre nous de la tyrannie,	Against us tyranny
L'étendard sanglant est levé, (bis)	Raises its bloody banner (repeat)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes	Do you hear, in the countryside,
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?	The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras	They're coming right into your arms
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes !	To cut the throats of your sons and women!
Aux armes, citoyens,	To arms, citizens,
Formez vos bataillons,	Form your battalions,
Marchons, marchons !	Let's march, let's march!
Qu'un sang impur	Let an impure blood
Abreuve nos sillons !	Water our furrows! (repeat)
Que veut cette horde d'esclaves,	What does this horde of slaves,
De traîtres, de rois conjurés ?	Of traitors and conjured kings want?
Pour qui ces ignobles entraves,	For whom are these vile chains,
Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis)	These long-prepared irons? (repeat)
Français, pour nous, ah ! quel outrage	Frenchmen, for us, ah! What outrage
Quels transports il doit exciter !	What fury it must arouse!
C'est nous qu'on ose méditer	It is us they dare plan
De rendre à l'antique esclavage !	To return to the old slavery!
Aux armes, citoyens...	To arms, citizens...

Continent box South-America #2 the tast of...

Hi travelers,

Today again a little peek in my South-American continent box. At the last peek you have already seen to pictures of fruit. Today more of my fruit and spices cards.

South America has many unknown fruits and spices. We know many from Asia, but some how the ones from South-America stayed less known.

Have you ever seen these pieces of fruit? I know I never have. They are Carambola and Pitaya (never heard of either). Wow some look even stranger than others.

Some other 'new' tasts come from the different spices. To bad you can't smell the picture.

I printed the cards (A6 size) and laminated them. I made only six fruit cards, but making this blog I think I'll make some more. There are so many strange pieces of fruit.

National Anthem: North Korea

No#5 a national anthem we hardly ever hear because the contry is very closed-up, the national anthem of North Korea.
I choose this anthem because it is so unfamiliar. North Korea adopted this song in 1947 and is called "Aegukka".
There isn't much known about the North Korean anthem.

A lyrics has little use for we can't read the North Korean letters. But in the video clip the text is subtitled in English.




You should also watch this video clip

Continent box North America #2

So, A second peak in my North American Continent box. Last May I visited New York City for four days. So this time I'll show my my souveniers.

We visited lots of places, so I have some maps and tickets. Liberty Island and Ellis Island, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Central Park and a broadway Musical; Phantom of the Opera!

Off course I had to buy a tiny Statue of Liverty!

And I totally loved this umbrella. It's a see through with I Love NY on it.