Over the weekend, we went to see this exhibition at the National Library of France(bnf): Cartes imaginaires:
Inventer des mondes https://www.bnf.fr/fr/agenda/cartes-imaginaires

From the moment we entered the exhibition hall, R took our daughter with him, while I explored the exhibition on my own. My pace was quite different from theirs, and I couldn’t really discuss the maps with the girl, after all, these were all new to me as well (the one I felt most familiar was drawn by a Japanese, followed by several maps related to Tibet.)

This exhibition guided me into a Eurocentric perspective, showing how the world unfolded through their eyes. In particular, I’ve always curious: how did they imagine and view Asia back then? The sparks created by the clash between these discoveries and the Sinocentric historical education I received growing up were truly fascinating.

I’ve never had a particular interest in fantasy works like The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, or even A Song of Ice and Fire; which is likely why my interest in sci-fi has also just so so. But My daughter embraces these things naturally and takes great pleasure in drawing maps and imagining new worlds.

One insight this exhibition gave me is that perhaps my cultural background is rooted in “building and preserving, while the Eurocentric culture is about "exploration and creation."

Just as we both love DIY, R is passionate about finding different places and different houses, and the games we play are always about building another world; whereas I always think: If I had this piece of land, this house, how could I make it more livable and friendly to both nature and people (I’m really Hakka!)

#maps #imagination #discovertheworld #exhibition #paris

🔥✨ The Mysterious Rhythm of the Maldives! Bodu Beru, Masks & Tradition!

Echoes of drums, ancient dances, and the power of tradition! Have you ever heard of Bodu Beru and the mysterious Maali ritual? Masks, chants, resistance, and spirituality blend into a unique celebration in the Maldives!

🔎 Tags:
#WorldCulture, #Travel, #CulturalTourism, #MaldivesCulture, #BoduBeru, #Traditions, #MaaliRitual, #MaldivianCulture, #CuriousWorld, #DiscoverTheWorld, #WorkNews, #TravelAroundTheWorld, #ExploreMore